Missy’s guidebook
Sightseeing
There’s a tram ride you can pay for to take you around the gardens, or just explore by foot. $15 admission.
200 locals recommend
Frederik Meijer Gardens
1000 E Beltline Ave NEThere’s a tram ride you can pay for to take you around the gardens, or just explore by foot. $15 admission.
Perfect place to take the kids!
20 locals recommend
Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park : Open for the season
8313 Pratt Lake Ave SEPerfect place to take the kids!
Neighborhoods
Oldest part of town, gorgeous houses, and if you want to tour one, check out the Meyer May House built by Frank Lloyd Wright.
35 locals recommend
Heritage Hill
Oldest part of town, gorgeous houses, and if you want to tour one, check out the Meyer May House built by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Lunch / Dinner Places
The Old Goat
2434 Eastern Ave SEGreat dinner option, 2 blocks from the house.
Brewery & restaurant, 2 blocks from the house. Decent beer, great food!
13 locals recommend
Brass Ring Brewing
2404 Eastern Ave SEBrewery & restaurant, 2 blocks from the house. Decent beer, great food!
Favorite restaurant in GR, on the fancier side, but not too fancy.
26 locals recommend
Bistro Bella Vita
44 Grandville Ave SWFavorite restaurant in GR, on the fancier side, but not too fancy.
Best burger in GR. Whiskey menu galore, good beer selection too. Back room has a dance floor for late nights out!
79 locals recommend
Stella's Lounge
53 Commerce Ave SWBest burger in GR. Whiskey menu galore, good beer selection too. Back room has a dance floor for late nights out!
Butcher's Union
438 Bridge St NWBest dinner place to please everyone!
Hancock
1157 Wealthy Street SoutheastBest fried chicken & boozy slushees in GR. Great outdoor patio!
In a strip mall, but if it’s nice outside, they have an outdoor beach area by the river, where you can soak your toes in the sand, get food, and choose a beer from over 100 taps, or booze if you prefer. A hidden gem.
12 locals recommend
The Score Restaurant & Sports Bar
5301 Northland Dr NEIn a strip mall, but if it’s nice outside, they have an outdoor beach area by the river, where you can soak your toes in the sand, get food, and choose a beer from over 100 taps, or booze if you prefer. A hidden gem.
Best mac & cheese in GR. They are also known for their stash of root beers.
32 locals recommend
The Electric Cheetah
1015 Wealthy St SEBest mac & cheese in GR. They are also known for their stash of root beers.
Rockwell or republic, same kitchen, 2 buildings. Get Sushi or American! Great happy hour.
36 locals recommend
Rockwell Republic
45 Division Ave SRockwell or republic, same kitchen, 2 buildings. Get Sushi or American! Great happy hour.
Breweries
Favorite brewery in GR, but it is a 20 minute drive from the house.
18 locals recommend
Perrin Brewing Co
5910 Comstock Park Dr NWFavorite brewery in GR, but it is a 20 minute drive from the house.
You’ll either love the food & beer, or hate it. I love it. Puerto Rican food - get the Bori Balls.
13 locals recommend
City Built Brewing Company
820 Monroe Ave NWYou’ll either love the food & beer, or hate it. I love it. Puerto Rican food - get the Bori Balls.
You can get beer flights & pizza flights. Pizza flight = split a quarter of 6 pizzas with 4 people. It’s all amazing! GO! Grab a drink next door at long road distillery while you wait for a table, because there’s always a wait.
49 locals recommend
The Mitten Brewing Company
527 Leonard St NWYou can get beer flights & pizza flights. Pizza flight = split a quarter of 6 pizzas with 4 people. It’s all amazing! GO! Grab a drink next door at long road distillery while you wait for a table, because there’s always a wait.
You gotta go if you haven’t been. But they’ve had a tainted reputation & I try not to support them too much. They do have great beer & a great atmosphere!
176 locals recommend
Founders Brewing Co
235 Grandville Ave SWYou gotta go if you haven’t been. But they’ve had a tainted reputation & I try not to support them too much. They do have great beer & a great atmosphere!
Greyline Brewing Co.
1727 Alpine Ave NWSmall & underrated. One of my favs.
Your brewery if you like NEIPAs. No food, but maybe a food truck outside.
Arvon Brewing Co. - GR Taproom
1006 Division Avenue SouthYour brewery if you like NEIPAs. No food, but maybe a food truck outside.
Brewery Vivant
925 Cherry St SEGood brews inside an old church.
Harmony Brewing Company
1551 Lake Dr SEAnother good place for beer, pizza & outdoor dining.
Brunch Places
2 blocks from the house! DELICIOUS brunch, big portions, big bang for your buck.
Cash only.
15 locals recommend
Real Food Cafe LLC
2419 Eastern Ave SE2 blocks from the house! DELICIOUS brunch, big portions, big bang for your buck.
Cash only.
SpeakEZ Lounge
600 Monroe Ave NWSoccer bar on Sundays. They’re brunch is so so so good.
Beaches
Grand Haven Beach with a walkable pier, food trucks usually there. $10 fee to get in, unless you have the Michigan recreation passport.
76 locals recommend
Grand Haven State Park
1001 S Harbor DrGrand Haven Beach with a walkable pier, food trucks usually there. $10 fee to get in, unless you have the Michigan recreation passport.
Muskegon Beach! Hiking trails! Cost $10 to get in until you have a Michigan recreation passport.
64 locals recommend
P. J. Hoffmaster State Park
6585 Lake Harbor RdMuskegon Beach! Hiking trails! Cost $10 to get in until you have a Michigan recreation passport.
A beach on a small lake in the city. $4 entry fee for the beach / splashpad. Can also rent kayaks or SUPs here. Tons of hiking or running trails that are free of charge.
59 locals recommend
Millennium Park
1415 Maynard Ave SWA beach on a small lake in the city. $4 entry fee for the beach / splashpad. Can also rent kayaks or SUPs here. Tons of hiking or running trails that are free of charge.