Guidebook for Grand Rapids
Drinks & Nightlife
Vander Mill is a locally owned Cider Mill and Winery that specializes in Hard Ciders, Apple Wines and a hand-crafted menu featuring local products.
Bonus: this is within walking distance
21 locals recommend
Vander Mill Grand Rapids
505 Ball Ave NEVander Mill is a locally owned Cider Mill and Winery that specializes in Hard Ciders, Apple Wines and a hand-crafted menu featuring local products.
Bonus: this is within walking distance
Grand Rapids' home for award-winning giant stuffed burgers, 250+ whiskeys, retro arcade and vegan/vegetarian specialties. It's a busy place but definitely worth the wait!
79 locals recommend
Stella's Lounge
53 Commerce Ave SWGrand Rapids' home for award-winning giant stuffed burgers, 250+ whiskeys, retro arcade and vegan/vegetarian specialties. It's a busy place but definitely worth the wait!
Looking for a brewery in a refurbished funeral home? You've found it! Enjoy rustic farmhouse inspired beers alongside European inspired cooking.
96 locals recommend
Brewery Vivant
925 Cherry St SELooking for a brewery in a refurbished funeral home? You've found it! Enjoy rustic farmhouse inspired beers alongside European inspired cooking.
Located in historic Engine House No. 9, The Mitten is a vintage baseball-themed microbrewery/pizzeria
49 locals recommend
The Mitten Brewing Company
527 Leonard St NWLocated in historic Engine House No. 9, The Mitten is a vintage baseball-themed microbrewery/pizzeria
Enjoy a full drink menu including craft beer, artisan spirits, handcrafted cocktails, wine and cider along with a rustic, seasonal menu.
62 locals recommend
New Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker
417 Bridge St NWEnjoy a full drink menu including craft beer, artisan spirits, handcrafted cocktails, wine and cider along with a rustic, seasonal menu.
Imagine if your friend's groovy 1970s basement was turned into a bar with stiff drinks.
21 locals recommend
Buffalo Traders Lounge
950 Fulton St EImagine if your friend's groovy 1970s basement was turned into a bar with stiff drinks.
Great service. Very cool atmosphere with knowledgeable bartenders. Excellent selection of craft cocktails.
29 locals recommend
Long Road Distillers
537 Leonard St NWGreat service. Very cool atmosphere with knowledgeable bartenders. Excellent selection of craft cocktails.
The Commons is designed to look like a 1970s family room of your parents or grandparents home. You can sit at a table or the bar or in one of several lounge areas complete with TV trays.
11 locals recommend
The Commons
547 Cherry St SEThe Commons is designed to look like a 1970s family room of your parents or grandparents home. You can sit at a table or the bar or in one of several lounge areas complete with TV trays.
A casual yet intimate wine bar in the heart of Monroe Center. Besides the wine (and spirits) the best thing is the build-your-own charcuterie board. This location is within walking distance to many other restaurants and shops.
House of Wine
53 Monroe Center St NWA casual yet intimate wine bar in the heart of Monroe Center. Besides the wine (and spirits) the best thing is the build-your-own charcuterie board. This location is within walking distance to many other restaurants and shops.
Comfy, low-key gay bar with a longtime history offering theme nights and awesome drink specials.
7 locals recommend
The Apartment Lounge
33 Sheldon Ave NEComfy, low-key gay bar with a longtime history offering theme nights and awesome drink specials.
A bar with hundreds of board games available to play for free! Reserve a table easily on their website.
House Rules Lounge
404 Ionia Avenue SouthwestA bar with hundreds of board games available to play for free! Reserve a table easily on their website.
Maggie's offers a wide selection of beer and mixed drinks. Unbelievable burgers and homemade fries as well as a variety of other good eats.
Maggie's
855 Michigan Street NortheastMaggie's offers a wide selection of beer and mixed drinks. Unbelievable burgers and homemade fries as well as a variety of other good eats.
Birch Lodge is a no frills, down-to-earth bar providing standard pub grub, TVs and a welcoming neighborhood vibe.
Birch Lodge
732 Michigan St NEBirch Lodge is a no frills, down-to-earth bar providing standard pub grub, TVs and a welcoming neighborhood vibe.
Shopping
Urban Exchange
926 Fulton St EUpscale women's consignment shop with a HUGE selection.
An independent and progressive bookstore. Check out their candle selection from the Kalamazoo Candle Company.
7 locals recommend
Books & Mortar
966 Cherry St SEAn independent and progressive bookstore. Check out their candle selection from the Kalamazoo Candle Company.
The Downtown market is a vendor market hall for shopping and features several standalone restaurants (check out Social Kitchen).
98 locals recommend
Downtown Market Grand Rapids
435 Ionia Ave SWThe Downtown market is a vendor market hall for shopping and features several standalone restaurants (check out Social Kitchen).
A local Grand Rapids boutique that specializes in home, reclaimed, and unique homemade gifts. If you need a reasonably priced gift or a unique card, this is your place!
22 locals recommend
Rebel
1555 Wealthy St SEA local Grand Rapids boutique that specializes in home, reclaimed, and unique homemade gifts. If you need a reasonably priced gift or a unique card, this is your place!
Blue Bridge Games
954 Fulton St EOur neighborhood game store–a locally-owned, woman-led small business.
Global Infusion is a quirky local favorite - part tea shop and part gift shop. It's a place you can stop to browse fair trade gifts or take a seat in the cafe area for a freshly brewed loose leaf tea.
7 locals recommend
Global Infusion
143 Diamond Ave SEGlobal Infusion is a quirky local favorite - part tea shop and part gift shop. It's a place you can stop to browse fair trade gifts or take a seat in the cafe area for a freshly brewed loose leaf tea.
Commune is like the cool older Californian sister of the beloved shop Rebel, which makes sense as it's owned by the same people. The level of detail and beauty at Commune basically blew my mind, and everything is perfectly curated with an aesthetic that's like the coolest Instagram filter ever. Shop here for unique gifts and home goods.
Commune
954 Robinson Rd SECommune is like the cool older Californian sister of the beloved shop Rebel, which makes sense as it's owned by the same people. The level of detail and beauty at Commune basically blew my mind, and everything is perfectly curated with an aesthetic that's like the coolest Instagram filter ever. Shop here for unique gifts and home goods.
Food Scene
Harmony Brewing Company
1551 Lake Dr SERestaurant and brewery within walking distance.
Excellent sushi spot even for people who don't like raw fish - there are vegetarian and vegan options as well as a roll composed entirely of bacon.
60 locals recommend
Maru Sushi & Grill
927 Cherry St SEExcellent sushi spot even for people who don't like raw fish - there are vegetarian and vegan options as well as a roll composed entirely of bacon.
You can't miss this place - it looks like a windmill from the outside. The crepes are unbelievably good and it's usually not busy.
11 locals recommend
Brown Butter Creperie and Cafe
1436 Wealthy St SEYou can't miss this place - it looks like a windmill from the outside. The crepes are unbelievably good and it's usually not busy.
Their interior is beautifully decorated with rustic brick painted white and string lighting. They carry MadCap coffee and Four Barrell coffee out of San Francisco.
22 locals recommend
Lyon Street Cafe
617 Lyon St NETheir interior is beautifully decorated with rustic brick painted white and string lighting. They carry MadCap coffee and Four Barrell coffee out of San Francisco.
Cheap breakfast diner within walking distance. Nothing special but the location and speed of service are great for hangovers!
New Beginnings Restaurant
1455 Michigan St NECheap breakfast diner within walking distance. Nothing special but the location and speed of service are great for hangovers!
Everyone is going to tell you to order their margaritas and they're right - they're amazing. Good food too!
90 locals recommend
Donkey Taqueria
665 Wealthy St SEEveryone is going to tell you to order their margaritas and they're right - they're amazing. Good food too!
Outside coffee is a year-round outdoor coffee experience! Grab a coffee and a pastry from the converted vintage camper and relax in the community garden setting. If it's snowing or raining you can find some shelter in one of several geo domes.
20 locals recommend
Outside Coffee
734 Wealthy St SEOutside coffee is a year-round outdoor coffee experience! Grab a coffee and a pastry from the converted vintage camper and relax in the community garden setting. If it's snowing or raining you can find some shelter in one of several geo domes.
It's Grand Rapids' first and only cat cafe! Book a reservation online to skip the wait. There are a ton of cat-related gifts and toys available for purchase too.
Happy Cat Cafe
447 Division Ave SIt's Grand Rapids' first and only cat cafe! Book a reservation online to skip the wait. There are a ton of cat-related gifts and toys available for purchase too.
A modern American restaurant located along the river on North Monroe, downtown Grand Rapids. Offering seasonal lunch and dinner menus with a river view and patio.
9 locals recommend
Linear Restaurant
1001 Monroe Ave NWA modern American restaurant located along the river on North Monroe, downtown Grand Rapids. Offering seasonal lunch and dinner menus with a river view and patio.
The original Gaia cafe was the first vegetarian restaurant in Grand Rapids dating back to the 1980s. As of 2021, it has reopened for the first time since closing in 2015 in a new spot on Plainfield Avenue serving up old favorites. Try the cuban tempeh or the veggie stash!
7 locals recommend
Gaia House Cafe
1553 Plainfield Avenue NortheastThe original Gaia cafe was the first vegetarian restaurant in Grand Rapids dating back to the 1980s. As of 2021, it has reopened for the first time since closing in 2015 in a new spot on Plainfield Avenue serving up old favorites. Try the cuban tempeh or the veggie stash!
One of the best fine dining restaurants in Grand Rapids. It's a true gem with an ever evolving seasonal and locally sourced menu.
29 locals recommend
Grove
919 Cherry St SEOne of the best fine dining restaurants in Grand Rapids. It's a true gem with an ever evolving seasonal and locally sourced menu.
Pind Indian Cuisine
Authentic and delicious Indian cuisine with easy downtown parking.
A family owned bistro bar located in Monroe Center, a walkable area of downtown. From here you can walk many other destinations like the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), MadCap Coffee, Rosa Parks Circle and other bars and specialty shops.
16 locals recommend
Little Bird
95 Monroe Center St NWA family owned bistro bar located in Monroe Center, a walkable area of downtown. From here you can walk many other destinations like the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), MadCap Coffee, Rosa Parks Circle and other bars and specialty shops.
Parks & Nature
The best part of this botanical garden and outdoor sculpture park is the Japanese tea garden.
200 locals recommend
Frederik Meijer Gardens
1000 E Beltline Ave NEThe best part of this botanical garden and outdoor sculpture park is the Japanese tea garden.
This is a wonderful hiking park for the beginner. Just challenging enough for most adults and children. Almost totally in the woods, there is plenty of shade while you're hiking. Trails are nicely marked. Small enough to not have any anxiety about where you are.
Provin Trails
Provin TrailsThis is a wonderful hiking park for the beginner. Just challenging enough for most adults and children. Almost totally in the woods, there is plenty of shade while you're hiking. Trails are nicely marked. Small enough to not have any anxiety about where you are.
A great all-in-one spot for guests who enjoy the outdoors. Its 1,500 acres include a sandy swimming beach, kayak, canoe, paddle board and row boat rentals, picnic facilities for families and groups, kids play areas, as well as paved trails for cycling, walking, running and in-line skating.
59 locals recommend
Millennium Park
1415 Maynard Ave SWA great all-in-one spot for guests who enjoy the outdoors. Its 1,500 acres include a sandy swimming beach, kayak, canoe, paddle board and row boat rentals, picnic facilities for families and groups, kids play areas, as well as paved trails for cycling, walking, running and in-line skating.
Ranked one of the top two freshwater beaches in the United States by National Geographic Traveler. if you want more of a workout (and a stunning view), climb the 282 steps to the top of adjacent Mount Baldhead. The town of Saugatuck nearby is an excellent place to shop, eat and walk around.
115 locals recommend
Oval Beach
690 Perryman StRanked one of the top two freshwater beaches in the United States by National Geographic Traveler. if you want more of a workout (and a stunning view), climb the 282 steps to the top of adjacent Mount Baldhead. The town of Saugatuck nearby is an excellent place to shop, eat and walk around.
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park features over three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, towering Lake Michigan dunes and a visitor center. Miles of hiking and skiing trails offer stunning views of Lake Michigan and subtle beauty at every turn. This is our favorite West Michigan beach!
64 locals recommend
P. J. Hoffmaster State Park
6585 Lake Harbor RdP.J. Hoffmaster State Park features over three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, towering Lake Michigan dunes and a visitor center. Miles of hiking and skiing trails offer stunning views of Lake Michigan and subtle beauty at every turn. This is our favorite West Michigan beach!
Roselle Park is a 240-acre+ nature preserve. A paved trail leads to the Grand River. Along the trail, there is a river overlook and canoe landing as well as a wetland observation deck, restored natural streams and waterways and native wetland and prairie vegetation.
Roselle Park
1010 Grand River Dr NERoselle Park is a 240-acre+ nature preserve. A paved trail leads to the Grand River. Along the trail, there is a river overlook and canoe landing as well as a wetland observation deck, restored natural streams and waterways and native wetland and prairie vegetation.
Huff Park is an easy nature trail featuring a wetland board walk and lush nature trails. Use 1435 Aberdeen NE, Grand Rapids as the address in your map app to get to the right place.
8 locals recommend
Huff Park
2399 Ball Ave NEHuff Park is an easy nature trail featuring a wetland board walk and lush nature trails. Use 1435 Aberdeen NE, Grand Rapids as the address in your map app to get to the right place.
Blandford Nature Center has tons of trails that are flat and woodchipped. The interconnected trails give plenty of flexibility to how long of a hike you want to take. There is tons to do in the visitor center especially for kids!
19 locals recommend
Blandford Nature Center
1715 Hillburn Ave NWBlandford Nature Center has tons of trails that are flat and woodchipped. The interconnected trails give plenty of flexibility to how long of a hike you want to take. There is tons to do in the visitor center especially for kids!
This small neighborhood beach offers prime real estate for watching the sunset. You’ll find a restroom and picnic area at the top of the hill and a quiet beach down below, tucked in between lakefront cottages on each side. Parking is very limited (10 spots), but free.
27 locals recommend
Douglas Beach Park
3099 Lakeshore DrThis small neighborhood beach offers prime real estate for watching the sunset. You’ll find a restroom and picnic area at the top of the hill and a quiet beach down below, tucked in between lakefront cottages on each side. Parking is very limited (10 spots), but free.
Arts & Culture
GRAM includes more than 5,000 works of art, including American and European 19th and 20th century painting and sculpture and more than 3,000 works on paper.
163 locals recommend
Grand Rapids Children's Museum
11 Sheldon Ave NEGRAM includes more than 5,000 works of art, including American and European 19th and 20th century painting and sculpture and more than 3,000 works on paper.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum rises three stories above the downtown riverfront. Inside, a fascinating panorama of permanent collections and temporary exhibits preserve the treasures of the past and the present. Great spot for kids but interesting enough for adults too.
91 locals recommend
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl St NWThe Grand Rapids Public Museum rises three stories above the downtown riverfront. Inside, a fascinating panorama of permanent collections and temporary exhibits preserve the treasures of the past and the present. Great spot for kids but interesting enough for adults too.
Entertainment & Activities
The instructors are friendly and helpful, the flows are creative and fresh and the studio is gorgeous. You can drop in to any class and feel welcome.
Kula Yoga GR
715 Wealthy St SEThe instructors are friendly and helpful, the flows are creative and fresh and the studio is gorgeous. You can drop in to any class and feel welcome.
In the winter the Rosa Parks Circle is converted to an ice rink. You can reserve an hour of skating online and also rent ice skates.
38 locals recommend
Rosa Park Circle
135 Monroe Center St NWIn the winter the Rosa Parks Circle is converted to an ice rink. You can reserve an hour of skating online and also rent ice skates.