The Hidden Gem of the Midwest
Our readers may already know this via the family-friendly travel destinations we’ve featured over the years, but when our son was six (and our daughter 5-years-old), we embarked on an albeit ambitious plan to visit all 50 states as a family by the time he graduated from high school. Now a senior with only a few short months to go, we finally crossed the last locale off the list with a long weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
I had worried that a March visit in the region’s waning winter might not be the ideal time to visit, but with our (self-imposed) deadline looming, we decided to seek out activities and attractions amidst potential snow showers. Turns out, the weather only added to the experience of our quest to “try something new for the first time.”
Situated on the banks of the Grand River, this Western Michigan city might be lesser traveled that some of more well-known metropolises across Lake Michigan (Chicago and Milwaukee). But as the state’s second-largest city, Grand Rapids proved to be the ideal crossroads of cultural attraction, family-friendly entertainment, destination dining and accommodations of distinction.
With regard to the latter, the iconic Amway Grand Plaza was the perfect “home base” – blending history, modernity, sweeping river views, entertainment and opulent accommodation. The riverfront property boasts what is arguably one of the most ornate hotel lobbies I’ve ever set foot in showcases a soaring gilt ceiling – the largest goldleaf installation in the nation – and a trio of massive, showstopping Czechoslovakian crystal chandeliers. Between the historic Pantlind Wing and the Glass Tower, this premier AAA Four-Diamond hotel offers 656 guest rooms ranging from historic to contemporary, modest to magnificent. We booked a pair of guestrooms, both spacious spaces defined by plush bedding, high-tech lighting, and much to the delight of our teens – universal smartphone charging stations, 50-inch flat screens and free high-speed WiFi. Its location can’t be beat – literally at the heart of downtown within easy walking distance (and Skywalk access) to downtown shopping, dining and many of the attractions we wanted to visit.
Home to nine onsite restaurants and bars (more on this in a minute), an indoor pool, onsite spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, four rooftop pickleball courts and duckpin bowling, you could almost spend the entire weekend in at the Amway Grand Plaza. The Kitchen Counter by Wolfgang Puck serves freshly baked and made-to-order breakfast made mornings easy, the onsite Starbucks was a favorite for my daughter just like it is at home and my husband and I enjoyed settling into the warmth and charm of the Lumber Baron Bar (think premium drinks and appetizers, a crackling fireplace and leather club chairs).
We loved whiling away an hour or two one evening at Woodrow’s Duckpin Bowling where we tried our hand for the first time at the “sport.” While there are many similarities to traditional 10-pin bowling, duckpin is played with smaller balls that lack finger holes and the pins are shorter, squattier and lighter, which makes it challenging to achieve a strike. If your teen is anything like our particularly competitive son, it’ll make for an even more entertaining experience.
Area Attraction
Named after the Grand River that wends its way through the vibrant downtown, Grand Rapids’ original occupants were the Hopewell Indians. More than a century later, it had evolved into “America’s Furniture Capital” due to a lumber boom that lured craftsmen, carpenters and woodworkers. While the city is a modern metropolis in its own right, recognized as No. 8 on the list of America’s Best Towns to Visit (CNN 2024), Grand Rapids embraces its past, which made for a fun and educational itinerary that included stops at a pair of popular museums. The Grand Rapids Public Museum – one of the nation’s oldest – offers an array of permanent and traveling exhibits inspired by science (The Nature of Color exhibition allows visitors to experience the vibrant world of color from their mind-bending physics to the feelings they evoke), history and culture. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum showcases tons of memorabilia from the native son’s presidency and boasts a replica of the Oval Office.
Nature and art lover? Immerse yourself in one of the world’s finest horticultural display gardens and sculpture parks. Named the “Best Sculpture Park in the United States by USA Today in 2023 and 2024, the renowned indoor/outdoor Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park showcases over 200 captivating sculptures that are a blend of art and nature. Significant works of art (including more than 50 major works by masters Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth) are set within a variety of natural settings connected by waterways, meandering paths, lawns, meadows and quiet walkways.
Our 17-year-old daughter Emma isn’t showing signs of outgrowing her love of zoos. We’ve visited many in our travels over the years so it came as no surprise that John Ball Zoo would top her wish list of things to do. What was unexpected was how many animals were not only active and visible, but “engaged” with visitors for up close and personal encounters. Beautiful creatures from 21 countries across five continents included Emma’s favorite big cats – snow leopards, a family of Canadian lynx, mountain lions and a Bengal tiger.
The Downtown Market was a great place to grab lunch and people watch. Essentially a super fun food hall mixed with a farmer’s market, the market features a collective of 19 artisan food merchants (think butchers, bakers and ice cream makers) and restaurants open seven days a week. Stalls are filled with specialty grocery items like fresh baked bread, wine, seafood and spices.
On the topic of dining out, I highly recommend Bistro Bella Vita – an upscale downtown eatery showcasing a selection of French and Italian cuisine crafted from scratch using fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients. My favorite flavors? The warm bowl of butternut squash bisque paired with delicious housemade focaccia as a starter and the Black Spaghetti entree (crab, spinach, Calabrian chili). Another popular pick was Z’s Bar & Restaurant which delivered on its advertised “award-winning ribs” which our son devoured two full racks of on his own.
Keeping the theme of competitive “sport” going, it was adults vs. kids in collective scores playing “challenging and fun for all ages” indoor 9-hole mini golf courses at Big Mini Putt Club. Also in the heart of downtown, the venue is primarily walk-ins only (happy hour pricing Mon-Fri is $7 per person). In addition to mini golf, there are a variety of free games such as Nintendo 64, darts and giant Jenga and our family’s favorite coin-operated amusement games – Air Hockey and Skee-Ball (where mom likes to believe she’s the reigning champion).
As I hope to carve out time for future family bonding adventures beyond our borders, we will remember Grand Rapids as an ideal destination of abundant attraction and beautiful accommodations.
