From Sips to Shores: Exploring the Best of Grand Rapids

• Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

• Attend ArtPrize in the fall

• Attend a concert of sporting event at Van Andel Arena.

• Visit Downtown Market - A food hall featuring restaurants, grocers, butchers, fishmongers, ice cream, desserts, etc.

• Walk around Reeds Lake (about 4.7 miles)

• Walk across the Blue Bridge and along the riverfront.

• Play an indoor golf simulator downtown at Gimme’s Par and Grill.

• Visit the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

• Take a cycle or strength class at Spoke Cycle.

• Go to a Broadway show at Devos Performance Hall.

• Check out Fulton Street Farmers Market — Open on Saturdays year-round

• Boat, kayak, paddleboard or canoe on Reeds Lake.

• Take a yoga class at Funky Buddha Yoga Hot House.

• Hike the trails at Provin Trails, Cascade Peace Park or Seidman Park.

• Get a massage or facial at Ethos Day Spa.

• Catch a movie at Celebration Cinema Studio Park downtown.

Shopping:

• Rebel - gifts and home goods.

• Shinola- watches, bags and other leather goods.

• Honey Jewelry

• Covet - chic women’s clothing.

• Commune - home goods.

• Better-aged vintage clothing.

• The Counting House- home goods.

• Woosah Outfitters -clothing/home goods.

• Stoffer Home - home goods.

• Fox Naturals - perfume, lotion, etc. One of my fav shops!

• Mokaya - artisan small-batch chocolate shop.

• Breton Village- outdoor shopping area (Madewell, Free People, West Elm, Anthropologie, Kendra Scott, Lululemon, Warby Parker, etc.)

Day trips:

• Ada- A charming town located about 10 miles east of Grand Rapids, known for its small-town feel and vibrant community. The downtown area has been revitalized with boutique shops, restaurants and a beautiful riverfront park, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors. Surrounded by natural beauty, Ada also boasts plenty of outdoor activities, including trails along the Grand River and a strong focus on community events. Make sure to go to Nonna’s Trattoria!

• Saugatuck - A beautiful lakeside town known for its vibrant arts scene, sandy beaches and natural beauty. Nestled along Lake Michigan and the Kalamazoo River. It offers attractions like the Oval Beach, renowned for its pristine sands, and the Saugatuck Dunes State Park, perfect for hiking and exploring. The downtown area is filled with art galleries, boutique shops and cozy restaurants, giving it a unique, creative vibe. Popular with visitors seeking relaxation or adventure, Saugatuck is a favorite getaway for those exploring Michigan’s west coast.

• Holland - A picturesque city on the shores of Lake Michigan, known for its Dutch heritage and vibrant community. Its famous Tulip Time Festival each spring attracts visitors from around the world to admire millions of blooming tulips and enjoy Dutch-inspired traditions. The city’s charming downtown features boutique shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, including the Windmill Island Gardens. Holland also offers beautiful beaches, hiking trails and year-round activities, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families.

Restaurants:

• Butcher’s Union - my favorite restaurant in GR. A modern gastropub with fabulous food/drinks and a great year-round covered back patio. Highly recommend the whipped feta, steak tartare and BU sangria. Also has an excellent happy hour!

• New Holland Brewing Co.- excellent brewpub and spacious seating. You must get the pepperoni pinwheels! In addition to beer, they also have great cocktails, mocktails and seltzers.

• Gin Gin’s- a higher-end American bistro with an emphasis on steaks, seafood and pasta. I also recommend their espresso martini!

• Founders Brewing Co.- a classic GR casual food and beer spot.

• MDRD - modern Spanish restaurant on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza with shareable plates and great panoramic city views, recommend making a res

• Maru Sushi - my all-time fav sushi restaurant.

• Donkey Taqueria - modern Mexican with amazing margs.

• Hancock- Nashville Style restaurant, also fun frozen cocktails.

• Good Judy’s Market and Juice Bar — juice, smoothies, salads.

• San Chez Bistro - Spanish tapas/small plates to share, also a great brunch.

• Tupelo Honey - modern southern restaurant.

• Real Seafood Co - contemporary and higher-end seafood restaurant, great happy hour.

• Luna - a modern Mexican restaurant downtown.

• Hop Cat - brewery with amazing cosmic fries.

• Harmony Brewing Co. - great pizza.

• Brown Butter Creperie & Cafe (brownbuttercrepes.com)- French cafe with savory crepes & Belgian waffles.

• Quarantino’s- delish Detroit-style pizza.

• Terra GR — locally sourced, farm-to-table American restaurant.

• Condado Tacos - casual Mexican spot with locations in East GR and West GR.

• Terra Bagels- bomb bagel sandwiches.

• Matchbox Diner- casual diner-style delish breakfast spot with brunch cocktails.

• Rose’s - right on Reeds Lake with Italian, American and Mediterranean food.

• Rise Authentic Baking Co- all vegan/gf desserts, coffee, breakfast/lunch.

• Field & Fire Cafe - cafe with delicious breads, pastries, breakfast. Also has a spot at Downtown Market.

• Cafe de Miro - Mediterranean Cafe.

Desserts:

• Cakabakery

• Furniture Creamery Co

• Jersey Junction

To drink:

• Coffee: Madcap Coffee Company, Stovetop Coffee, Lyon Street Cafe, The Bradbury, Rowster Coffee.

• Cocktail Bars- Less Traveled, Buffalo Traders Lounge (my fav, get their espresso martini!), Eastern Kille, Mammoth Brewing, General Wood Shop, Drip Drop, Long Road Distillers.

• Knoop Rooftop Cocktail Lounge

• Pursuit of Happiness - cocktails, champagne, snacks.

• Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar - live music bar.

• The B.O.B- a four-story building with multiple restaurants, a brewery, a piano bar, a comedy club and a nightclub.

• IDC - Speakeasy lounge in the Amway Grand Plaza

• O’Toole’s - casual Irish pub

• Third Nature Brewing Company