This is a short bridge around the downtown Grand Rapids area linking to very busy high traffic area…read moreareas to each each other. It's wide and perfect for walking. It's an amazing addition to the downtown area. Unfortunately, I had to rate two stars, possibly down to one because there were a group of rowdy individuals parked/ sitting at the edge of the bridge smoking highly potent items. They were scaring and yelling at people who are crossing the bridge and it made the situation feel unsafe. We went at dusk so that we could enjoy the lights but honestly, it was just a very nerve-racking situation and we were concerned about our safety. We witnessed the individuals taking big steps like they were going to chase two women and laughed as the women started to walk fast faster. I was with my husband baby and two big kids and we were loudly talked about with vulgar terms about our race and family status. All we did was walk across half the bridge? I don't recommend it for families, which is really sad unfortunately.

There are a few iconic symbols of Grand Rapids, and the Blue Bridge, as it's commonly known, is one…read moreof them. Spanning the Grand River from east to west, this pedestrian bridge used to be part of the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad. Now a completely foot traffic area only, it's fun to check out at any time of year. Often you'll see people fishing off the bridge or having photo shoots for weddings, engagements, and other special occasions. Sometimes fitness classes take place on the Blue Bridge and often you'll see a horse-drawn carriage making its way across. The bridge is equipped with LED lights that can change color or be set to different colors to celebrate or commemorate different holidays and events. It's fun to see it all lit up at night and is a great spot to watch fireworks on the 4th of July. I love having this iconic bridge in our city! It's an attractive landmark that is functional and beautiful.

Passing through Hastings, I had to turn around and find a spot to park so that I could admire this…read moreinteresting and unique structure. It's off the main street but along the way you might be driving if you are passing through the city on Green Street. The marker reads: "Built in the 1880s by Daniel Striker, this Queen Anne-style building was once considered the "handsomest residence in Hastings." Born in New York State in 1835, Striker moved as a child with his family to Michigan. He was elected to several offices in Barry County, became a lawyer, and in 1871-75 was elected Michigan secretary of state. Striker was also widely known in banking circles. He died in 1898, and after the death of his wife in 1915 the house became a hospital, later a convalescent home." Stop by and check it out. [Review 11130 overall, 904 of 2019.]

What's not to like? Sprecher root beer, Chicago dogs (and brats), all in a gigantic, iconic barrel…read moresurrounded by picnic tables and woods. I loved it as much as my kids. They have some plaques around that I encourage you to read. This was a roadside attraction several decades ago that fell into disrepair. The local community rallied to save it by fundraising, then rebuilding it from community members. How sweet is that? That's the kinda thing that gives you hope for humanity. Food wise, it was good! I literally drink soda about once a decade, so this was it for the 2020s for me. I feel like you kinda have to get root beer at the root beer barrel, right? My kids had never had root beer, and they were more into the orange soda my wife got. I got a Chicago hot dog which is always a treat. My kid loves brats and devoured hers, and we enjoyed the nice picnic tables on a pleasant mid-July day. Spot that gets hyped, and to me is worth it and carries distinction beyond just a touristy roadstop.

Bought the root beer in the ice cold souvenir mug…read more A - mug came out of a box B - worst root beer I have ever tasted. It was all syrup and no fizz. C - root beer wasn't even cold. D - swarmed by Bees before we could even taste the root beer to find out how bad it was. Cool location and the mugs are a nice keepsake but that's about it.

Bright walls organized another colorful festival this year between Sep 16-18. Bright Walls Mural…read morefestival event include live mural painting, concerts, food trucks, dancing, magic show and even a dog-themed event. While they were unable to host international artists this year due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the Bright Walls team planned some pop-up art installations until finale in 2022. The festival is a free event open to all ages, and it is held on several streets in Jackson. All the art is free to be viewed and photographed. Along with the mural projects, there were a variety of street vendors and food trucks that cater to the public. I was thrilled to attend my first ever mural event. I mainly went to meet the famous artist couple Lisa and Victor, who create iconic post card murals. I am a huge fan of their art work. The amount of detail in their mural is amazing. I like their artwork which captures the town and display local points of pride. It was such a pleasure to meet this cool couple. Their mission is to paint in every state and to create a collection of timeless landmarks for locals and travelers to interact with across the country. They have created nation wide mural projects and this is their 52nd post card mural across America. This couple came all the way from California to help create a special Jackson greeting. This year "Greetings from Jackson" mural is the highlight of the festival. Each letter features some of the most iconic buildings and a Jackson landmark within it. With the new addition, there are now 41 murals to see in downtown Jackson since the inception of Bright Walls.

Prior to three years ago I didn't know much about Jackson, MI beyond there being a prison there…read more Around here going to Jackson is usually taken to mean going to jail for a long time. Three years ago I stopped for food on a road trip and discovered Jackson had two competing Coney Islands on the same block that had been open since around the time of World War I, a situation uncannily similar to Lafayette and American Coney Islands in Detroit. That was about all I took away from that short visit. Well, last month I was on another road trip and figured I'd stop to fill my belly at Jackson Coney Island since I'd already tried Virginia Coney Island and Jackson is the bizarro Virginia. I'm not ready to review either yet. They're just Coneys and I'm not ready to wade into the wearisome partisan debate. It's boring enough with American and Lafayette back home. But here, in the third paragraph, I will venture to review Bright Walls because it was such a pleasant surprise and unexpected hour long sightseeing tour. (It's nice traveling on a not so rigid schedule and to be taken away on a tangent like this.) Bold, colorful murals with all kinds of themes and plastered larger than life all around downtown Jackson and they are awesome. I wasn't good about reading all of the placards and you won't get any informative name checking or discussion about specific pieces here like I usually do with art museums but Bright Walls was a beautiful diversion, a definite departure from the drab and dreary Prisontown USA people around here usually picture when they think of Jackson. I can't speak on what goes on when the mural painting actually takes place, watching live painting or if there's special events, but the one other review didn't elaborate on that either. Suffice it to say I like what was left behind. Maybe some year I'll head out this way during the brightening of the walls and be able to provide a more comprehensive update.

Came here specifically to see the Chihuly Exhibit with my MI gal pal…read more She had seen some of his art while at a Dane National somewhere in the Midwest. Neither of us can remember the location. We were slow to get started and finally arrived close to 230 on this day. Thanks to the reciprocal program of the Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, AZ), I was able to get complimentary passes to the Garden and only needed to pay an additional fee for the special exhibit. I would advise anyone wanting to visit this Garden to plan for 3-4 hours, at least, if they've not visited before. We took in a good amount of this place but I know we didn't see at least two (2) Chihuly pieces. It was already feeling like it was getting late and my friend was feeling tired. I will say when we made it to the parking lot the landscaping we observed in progress was completed and the parking lot more than half of the vehicles that were there when we arrived were now gone. The Garden is quite stunning and I'm glad we made the three (3) hour drive to visit. Wish i was closer. Certainly would be great to see in the different seasons. The Chihuly Exhibit greatly added to the sights. They were very well placed and certainly enhanced the mood, lending to the peace and serenity of some areas, whimsy to others. And the pictures we captured were all great keepers. And almost forgot to mention the wildlife. Bees, Dragonflies, Groundhog(s), Cranes. I bet there's even the occasional Deer sighting here every now and then. Such a beautiful place. So glad I was finally able to visit.

What a beautiful place! Plenty of parking. We came for the Chihuly exhibit…read more There was an option to walk the beautiful grounds or pay to have the shuttle drive to the areas with the sculptures. It was a lot of walking as the grounds are expansive. There are gardens inside also. English gardens. Dessert gardens. Rainforest climates. Complete with giant palm trees, beautiful plants, & even birds. The glass sculptures were amazing. Huge & beautifully arranged. The Chihuly exhibit was there for a limited time. There are also a lot of permanent art sculptures that were so unique. There is a restaurant here also. We had the ice cream at the cute little cafe outside. Lots of restrooms available.

You can walk along the beach to get a closer view of the big Friend in House from across the water…read more The area to get access to the lighthouse is a private area. It's smaller than I would've expected to hand simpler. It's at least nice to watch the boats going in and out and there's a nice breeze. $20 per car entry fee. It does give you access to all the Michigan State park for the rest

Go at sunset and see this beauty while standing on the jetty. The view of the lake, the lighthouse…read moreand the beach are spectacular by the light of the setting sun. There's lots of parking but note that everyone will be leaving at the same time after the sun sets so it may take a bit of time to get out of the lot, park close to the exit.

This is a perfect mid size Midwest city. There are a ton of great restaurants, breweries, and…read morethings to do for all types of people. Do you like the outdoors? Check out all of the park and gardens, including the Meijer Gardens. One of the best sculpture gardens I have ever been to. There is also a river walk which is nice. This town has a lot of college opportunities as well. It has multiple satellite campuses as well as Grand Valley. Ferris, MSU, Western, and more are all represented here There are a ton of places to eat. We found quite a few that I wrote reviews on. Highly recommended to come here. A little of something for everyone.

Great beer and great art Cheers Beer City USA!…read moreI'm a Brewsader I had been wanting to get to Grand Rapids to visit for probably ten or more years now. It is the long reigning Beer City USA. Founders is the most well known of their breweries and lived up to the hype. I also really enjoyed City Built which is just north of Downtown, Two Guys to the South, and Perrin to the North. Lots of public murals and I have heard nothing but great things about their annual Artprize event every fall. Although I did not partake, there is a free public bus that does loops around the Downtown area (I guess they call it Center City there). The metro population checks in at a little over a million which is not that much smaller than Buffalo or New Orleans. Not quite big enough for any pro sports teams yet. If you decide to go there for the beer like me, make sure to download the BeerCity Brewsader app on your phone. Check into eight different breweries and score a sweet T-shirt which you now pick up at Founders. Hope I make it back to Grand Rapids at some point in the future!

Constructed in 1862 as a hops barn, this establishment was converted into a church in 1876. Then…read morere-sold in 1915 to a local farmer, the livestock barn existed on the site from 1915 to 1998 before it was purchased by members of the Pokagon United Methodist. Rev. George Bennard was visiting the area to take part in a series of revivals, and his famous hymn "The Old Rugged Cross" was first publicly performed in 1913. The hymn did not make Rev. Bernard rich. However, he sold the rights to the Rodeheaver Company of Winona Lake, Indiana, for $500, and the copyright was renewed years later for $5,000. The Old Rugged Cross Church is located on Vermont St. in Pokagon, about halfway between Dowagiac and Niles, where my partner's sister and I stopped off the beaten path before heading to Shipshewana.

My husband and I found out about this church by accident! We were simply searching for things to…read moredo in Niles, Michigan. We were determined to find something to do close to dark and finally found this on the Internet. The hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, was first performed in this church many years ago. The hymn is near and dear to our hearts because our grandparents used to enjoy singing this song and my husband has enjoyed playing it on the piano for our children. We decided to check it out! The outside of the church is stunning! We were not able to view the inside but if we ever make it back to this area of the country we will certainly stop to see it! You should do the same especially if you enjoy this old hymn!

Located next to Battle Creek City Hall, Monument Park features lovely memorials to Sojourner Truth,…read moreC.W. Post and others. The statue of Sojourner Truth includes a marker detailing her life and her journey, her influence on 19th century America and how she ended up here in Battle Creek Michigan. The park is at the entrance to Battle Creek where I-194 enters the city and becomes Division Street. There is some limited street parking. The grass nearby has some picnic space and the area around the main statue is also amphitheater-shaped. [Review 11053 overall, 826 of 2019.]

This is such a quaint, historical little park. So much information, my 11 year old learned a lot…read moreabout Sojourner Truth and this was wonderful. Easy to get to, clean and convenient location.