Next month I am traveling to Grand Rapids, Michigan for a concert and am going to be there a couple of days. I was wondering if anyone from around there could suggest some things to do in the area.
Thanks
Thanks
Traveling to Grand Rapids MI and looking for stuff to do there.
- Thread starter EvilGobi
- Start date
I'm at a loss as I can't think of anything going on right now other than a Princess Diana exhibit but I think that ends first part of next month.
http://www.experiencegr.com/
If you are catching the concert at VanAndel Arena downtown, you are pretty close to "the BOB" http://www.thebob.com/ for some of the food and drink that can be had.
If you are a hardcore beer fan I can recommend http://www.foundersbrewing.com/ They have the best sandwiches.
Otherwise there is also the 6th annual Winter Beerfest located here at the ball park on the 26th of Feb.
If I think of anything else, I'll update.
http://www.experiencegr.com/
If you are catching the concert at VanAndel Arena downtown, you are pretty close to "the BOB" http://www.thebob.com/ for some of the food and drink that can be had.
If you are a hardcore beer fan I can recommend http://www.foundersbrewing.com/ They have the best sandwiches.
Otherwise there is also the 6th annual Winter Beerfest located here at the ball park on the 26th of Feb.
If I think of anything else, I'll update.
Alex:
Being a originally born Michigander...I would watch (besides many other things to do in Grand Rapids...check out the official touriam link below), a Griffins hockey game
http://www.griffinshockey.com/fanzone/faq/
http://www.experiencegr.com/
Christopher
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks for the tips guy, I had read that "Bodies" was there and my wife would really like to see it, but I dont know if I can stomach it. The concert I'm attending is at "The Orbit Room" but I will be there for a couple days so if there is anything that is out of the way I should still be able to do it.
- Thread starter
- #5
Well my concert is a little over a week away, and I am still not sure what to do for the rest of my time there.
Steelhead fishing in the Grand River....
Definitely stop by Founders if you're into beer. Excellent brewery!
I haven't seen this suggested yet, but the Gerald R. Ford Museum is worth swinging by if you're a history buff.
I haven't seen this suggested yet, but the Gerald R. Ford Museum is worth swinging by if you're a history buff.
Yesterdog, on Wealthy st. in Easttown, is a late night institution. Go there after your concert. If you are a cigar guy, check out Tuttles behind the Hooters at 28th St and East Paris Blvd. Get a strawberry shake at Mr. Burger, a small local chain. Visit an authentic local Irish bar, Pete Brown's Office, on Plainfield, just past Leonard.
If you really want a thrill, drive to Grand Haven State Park and see Lake Michigan. If you have never seen the great lakes, you are in for a treat. Get pizza at the Clover Bar before heading south on 31. Take M-45 back toward Grand Rapids, being sure to stop for a drink at the Embassy Bar and Grill. Tell Adam, the manager, that Brewha sent you and he will hook you up.
Wanna guess where I grew up?
If you really want a thrill, drive to Grand Haven State Park and see Lake Michigan. If you have never seen the great lakes, you are in for a treat. Get pizza at the Clover Bar before heading south on 31. Take M-45 back toward Grand Rapids, being sure to stop for a drink at the Embassy Bar and Grill. Tell Adam, the manager, that Brewha sent you and he will hook you up.
Wanna guess where I grew up?
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks for the suggestions so far guys, I think we probably will check out Ford Museum and some of the other things posted in here. Any more help would still be appreicated. I am a beer guys and I did read there are a few brewerys around town, is Founders the one to go to?
Founders has some awesome beer. Great place.
Bodys revealed is a cool to see, at the museum. Meijer gardens is neat if you like art/sculpture....
Civic Theatre has "the diary of anne frank" playing. Golf show at the devos place this weekend. The huge brewfest at fith third park coming in a few weeks.
Google Van Andel arena it'll show you some events coming up.
Billy's is a cool blues bar, "the intersection" usually has some bands playing on weekends.
Google the Deltaplex plex for events there, lots of derby car races ,monster truck shows going on there.....
Pepinos downtown is a nice sports bar.
Rivertown mall is a really cool mall if like to shop and there is a bath&body works in there so you can grab some CO Bigelow shaving cream.
Anazeh sands west and east pool halls if you shoot pool.
Oh yeah, if your a gambler or just looking for some fun, a casino just opened up near grand rapids, a 20 minute drive south in a little town called Wayland. Nice place, 3 restaurants at this casino.
Wow theres a lot to do around here, I need to get out more...
Bodys revealed is a cool to see, at the museum. Meijer gardens is neat if you like art/sculpture....
Civic Theatre has "the diary of anne frank" playing. Golf show at the devos place this weekend. The huge brewfest at fith third park coming in a few weeks.
Google Van Andel arena it'll show you some events coming up.
Billy's is a cool blues bar, "the intersection" usually has some bands playing on weekends.
Google the Deltaplex plex for events there, lots of derby car races ,monster truck shows going on there.....
Pepinos downtown is a nice sports bar.
Rivertown mall is a really cool mall if like to shop and there is a bath&body works in there so you can grab some CO Bigelow shaving cream.
Anazeh sands west and east pool halls if you shoot pool.
Oh yeah, if your a gambler or just looking for some fun, a casino just opened up near grand rapids, a 20 minute drive south in a little town called Wayland. Nice place, 3 restaurants at this casino.
Wow theres a lot to do around here, I need to get out more...
Founders is pretty well known so it might get pretty crowded on the weekends. They keep expanding but get filled up.
The Grand Rapids Brewing co. has been great in the past but the long time brewer left and now brews for the B.O.B downtown (I hear their beer has improved.) Since then the GR Brewing co. has gone through a couple brewers, and was bought out by another company. I use to go there alot as I loved the food but the beer has been hit or miss.
For pure variety, there is a "newer" place down town that I still haven't gotten around to trying called Hopcat. They get great reviews for their selection.
http://hopcatgr.com/
My wife lived there for 6 months and I was there two days a week. Oh, just thinking about it make my mouth water! Two of my favourite restaurants ever are there in GR! If you still want suggestions for food, I'll give you the name and directions. 
AS said before, Founders is a must. I also really like Hopcat. They have great food and beer from all over the world.
Someone else said Yesterdog and it is close to blasphemy around here but I think it is a bit overrated.
Check out www.grnow.com for some more ideas. This is a great site and they have a lot of events and weekend guides listed and you can check out some great restaruants. Some of my favorites:
SanChez
The Greenwell Gastro Pub
Reserve is a cool wine bar with over 100 wines on tap. Nice atmosphere and a lot of fun.
Mojo's is a fun piano bar that is right across the street from Reserve.
For some fun check our Dr.Grin's comedy club at the top of The B.O.B. They always have great comedians and they get some big talent roll through.
There is a brand new casino that just opened yesterday. Gun Lake Casino is only about 20 min south of town.
You could also check into The Grand Rapids Symphony and Devos Hall for some arts and entertainment.
I have heard very good things about the Bodies exhibit as well as the Princess Diana one. Your wife might dig it. IF you want to do the Princess Di thing you will need to get tickets ahead of time.
Someone else said Yesterdog and it is close to blasphemy around here but I think it is a bit overrated.
Check out www.grnow.com for some more ideas. This is a great site and they have a lot of events and weekend guides listed and you can check out some great restaruants. Some of my favorites:
SanChez
The Greenwell Gastro Pub
Reserve is a cool wine bar with over 100 wines on tap. Nice atmosphere and a lot of fun.
Mojo's is a fun piano bar that is right across the street from Reserve.
For some fun check our Dr.Grin's comedy club at the top of The B.O.B. They always have great comedians and they get some big talent roll through.
There is a brand new casino that just opened yesterday. Gun Lake Casino is only about 20 min south of town.
You could also check into The Grand Rapids Symphony and Devos Hall for some arts and entertainment.
I have heard very good things about the Bodies exhibit as well as the Princess Diana one. Your wife might dig it. IF you want to do the Princess Di thing you will need to get tickets ahead of time.
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My wife lived there for 6 months and I was there two days a week. Oh, just thinking about it make my mouth water! Two of my favourite restaurants ever are there in GR! If you still want suggestions for food, I'll give you the name and directions.
Please, do tell. While I've lived here my whole life, maybe I'm missing something. If they are little known secrets, I promise not to tell anyone.
Please, do tell. While I've lived here my whole life, maybe I'm missing something. If they are little known secrets, I promise not to tell anyone.
The place we went to once a week was Pietros. It is on the same road as Kentwood mall. Then there was a Japanese steakhouse not far from there. Can't remember the street but it runs parallel to the previously mentioned street. It was named Ichiban, I believe. Obviously, we lived in Kentwood.
The place we went to once a week was Pietros. It is on the same road as Kentwood mall. Then there was a Japanese steakhouse not far from there. Can't remember the street but it runs parallel to the previously mentioned street. It was named Ichiban, I believe. Obviously, we lived in Kentwood.
As I pondered what they might be, Ichiban (29th & E.Beltline)crossed my mind. They previously owned the "Shanghi Gardens" further down 28th st. to the east, closer to my side of town. I used to go in there quite a bit. Very, very friendly family that runs it. My mom is convinced one of them lives across the street from her house when she met them when they first moved in.
Ive gone to the Pietros "Backdoor Pizzeria" quite a bit back in the day. In fact the old "Ichiban" and Pietros Back Door were a couple of my go-to spots for taking dates.
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Try Little Bangkok on Cascade Rd in Ada (across from Forest Hills foods) for great Thai food!
The back door was where we ordered from once every week. Can't wait to go back!
Hopcat has a turkey sandwich with jalapeno mayo that will rock your freakin' world a hundred ways to Sunday. And if you leave Michigan without having a Bells' Q-Falls Lager (tap only) then you have no business coming here in the first place.
Everyone else's suggestions are good to go. Have a good time.
Everyone else's suggestions are good to go. Have a good time.
- Thread starter
- #20
Thanks for all your help guys, I'm gonna have to print this thread out and stick it in with my travel stuff before I leave. Only nine more sleeps until I get to see Motorhead.
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