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.

Ah-Nab-Awen Park is a long park along the Grand River with public art, city views, a running trail…read moreand sculptures. Murals line the running trail along the water. There are a few hills inside the park that make for picnic spots with views of downtown Grand Rapids.

You can take a nice walk along the river. Really nice and peaceful however you can see many sign…read moreand evidence of the city needing to cut back on maintenance budget. Over grown weeds, garden sort of out of control, trash along the passage, etc.

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!

Bathrooms were locked the entire time we were there. Found a small shady area to have a picnic-…read moreVERY limited shade & no bathroom access. Would have been nice if a sign indicated this on the road.

I've only been to this rest stop a handful of times when going to visit my parents. It's always…read morebeen clean during my quick visit. There is usually someone wondering around doing cleaning and there has never been any question of cleanliness. If you have to stop I would stop here. As someone who is often weary of stopping to use a toilet, I am one to check reviews to verify cleanliness and this place has no reviews but it passes my test. So yea....yay for clean toilets.

It is a really nice park! It is usually very very crowded. I usually have a hard time parking here…read more I would not go here by yourself and I often walk fast past this when leaving late theater rehearsals. The coffee shop is lovely.

This park is up a small mound or hill…read more A nice short walk up to the Veteran's memorial. At the top, feels like you are away from the downtown.

I really loved coming here and learning about Gerald Ford. I knew quite a bit, but this museum is…read moreso incredible moving throughout his life before he was a president through the time of his death. I also loved learning about his wife Betty Ford. Both of them are also interred there which is a beautiful spot to visit afterwards. There are several short films to watch along the way, which are really helpful and understanding more.

I'm biased, since I'm a presidential history lover and always have been, but this is definitely…read moreworth a stop! Note that there are no food options here, aside from gift shop snacks like candy, and there are no drinks, except water and (black) cold brew cans. We were politely told that I couldn't have the cold brew inside, which is fair, so my husband and I walked around the grounds as I drank (as much as I could tolerate of) it. We walked through the gravesite area, which was serene and inspiring. Back in the museum, we paid the $13 entrance fee and checked out a bit of the film in the auditorium on the first floor. Everything else is on the second floor and largely chronological. The flow you should walk in for such chronology isn't super rigid, since it's a pretty open plan, but it's fine because you can still note the plaques' headings for context, and they are intentional in carrying over various themes across such chronology, regarding what kind of person he was. The museum does a great job being honest about challenges he faced, never veering too hard into hagiography. For a president whose term was short and not as "action-packed" as others might be, the museum presents engaging, often surprising, pieces of history that can be understood by casual and not-so-casual history enthusiasts. Unsurprisingly, I loved the full-scale replica of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room (the latter of which you could sit inside!). I also found the details about his presidency fascinating, particularly foreign policy work, how he tried to rebuild the image of the presidency after Watergate, and how he navigated two major pardon-related issues: pardoning Nixon and pardoning Vietnam War draft dodgers. I went into this thinking pardoning Nixon was a bad idea, but I gained more context from this museum and can see now why he thought it was a good idea. I am now more ambivalent and see more nuance! I was also glad to learn about Betty Ford, not just because they have some of her old dresses, but because she was fiercely independent. This was seen in her openness about breast cancer/recovery, being pro-choice during her own husband's Republican presidency, and her own addiction issues (later opening the Betty Ford center). Gerald Ford has an underrated legacy, as does Betty. Though his presidency wasn't Lincoln levels of consequential, he had some major wins, as well as struggles, and both are important to learn about. The gift shop has a great variety of items, with reasonable prices. (Note that a Gerald Ford signed book is about $400, though.) They have toys and books for kids, too!

The dedication of this monument took place 19 April 2007 (on the 96th anniversary of the 1911…read moreFurniture Strike). The statues are located on Pearl St. in a recessed area near the Indian Mounds at the entrance to the Ford Museum property along the Grand River. The figures were carved and cast by Roberto Chenlo. The project was the work of the Labor Heritage Society of West Michigan. It's a rare thing to commemorate organized labour in West Michigan...

Calder Plaza is home to La Grande Vitesse, an Alexander Calder sculpture that was formally…read morededicated in 1969. The plaza is also a popular gathering place for events, art exhibits, festivals, etc. As of January 2023, there are some World of Winter exhibits at Calder Plaza, including a big house of cards that features art from local artists. It lights up at nighttime. I've attended many festivals and events at Calder Plaza throughout the years. The sculpture is impressive and makes for great photos - It's 43 feet tall! Street parking can be tough to find close to Calder Plaza, and there is no natural shade for events that take place there during the summer. The Plaza connects City Hall and the Kent County building in downtown Grand Rapids. La Grande Vitesse is one of the most recognizable icons of Grand Rapids, and is included in the city's official logo.

Calder Plaza. ⁣ ⁣ The…read moreproper name for this 42 ton red sculpture is actually La Grande Vitesse. Translated from French, it means The Grand Rapids. However, us locals refer to it as The Calder, because Alexander Calder, an American sculptor, created it. ‍⁣ ⁣ The Calder is an ode to our city that is home to so many artists and has inspired numerous new art initiatives. It hosts many events, festivals, and even summer food trucks! The Calder is an iconic spot for those of us who call this city home. ⁣

Beautiful setting and plenty of picnic tables. Wonderful shade and a nice path down the road to get…read moresome steps in. Clean bathrooms, what more could you want from a park.

This place is very beautiful and is a nice place to go spend time outside by yourself, with family,…read moreand or with friends.

Chances are if you've been on any tour in the city of Grand Rapids it's being led by Grand Rapids…read moreresident tour guide Caroline. The Grand Rapids, running tours encompass such a tremendous variety of tours from murals to cemeteries and everything in between. As others have mentioned don't let the name fool you running, is not required. I've been on a few of her guided tours, and always come away with a better appreciation of our city, and its rich history. Last fall we took the Fulton Street cemetery tour on Friday the 13th and despite the abysmal cold weather and steady downpour, we found the tour engaging and interesting. She almost bombards you with too much information as her notes are plentiful and her words fly quickly it can be a lot to take in. if you have the opportunity and have a curious mind, do not hesitate to join one of these tours.

Grand Rapids Running Tours is an awesome way to explore Grand Rapids! Any of the tours can be…read morewalked, so you don't have to be a runner to enjoy them. My boyfriend and I recently did a special tour of the Rad Women public art project throughout downtown Grand Rapids with GR Running Tours. Our guide Caroline was super friendly, energetic, enthusiastic, and fun to listen to! She made sure to keep everyone in the large group together and kept a pace that was manageable for all. We learned about all the women depicted in the murals as well as the local artists who painted them. The tour we took was 3+ miles but they offer shorter tours with all sorts of themes, including architecture, art, haunted spots, the history of Beer City USA, firehouses, etc.! There are many options. The tours are great for visitors and locals alike, as there is so much history to be learned. Highly recommended!