Bells/Founders

For Bell's there is a free museum with a great kids area very closeby. There is also an outdoor walking mall with some shops and boutiques and such in the middle of downtown which again is very close to Bell's. Should probably buy you at least 2-4 hours.

Dark Horse I have no suggestions.

 

Thanks, Colonel!

 

A lot of good points already made - but one thing I generally prefer about Bells are the offerings at the cafe vs. what's on at the founders. Just seems like more variety / one-offs / rare stuff is on more regularly at Bells, in my experience.

That said, it looks like Founders has some great stuff on right now (even outside of the black party stuff currently listed).

That's more of a personal preference thing.

Bells + the beer exchange is great
Founders + GR & all the other breweries / beer bars is also great

 

Visited Perrin's during the KBS release in GR. Returning there in July where is should be great in the summer. Excellent food and brew pub to go with a large selection of beers. Also highly recommended: stay in a town on Lake Michigan while going beer sampling.....outstanding in the summer!

 

Adding to ColonelHopslam's post, there is an aviation museum in Kzoo (Kalamazoo Air Zoo) down by the airport just south of I-94. It has a jet trainer ride (very rough ride) and a moon shot ride (easy ride) if the kid is old enough to enjoy rides. Northeast of Kzoo is the Gilmore Car Museum which is so extensive (rated as the 5th best in the US) it would require a day to enjoy. (Add a day to your trip.)

In Marshall on the main drag (Michigan Avenue) downtown is a magic museum, but it would only be good for an hour or so. Marshall is noted for it's Early American architecture around town, and the downtown has some 'touristy' shops that help draw architecture enthusiasts. Battle Creek's zoo (Binder Park Zoo) is about 10 miles west, and I think it opens this week. It's a great small zoo where you can easily spend 4-6 hours.

 

GR for sure. Stella's for lunch and Whiskey and quarter arcade games. Then go across the street for Shorts brews and ~30 pinball machines at The Pyramid Scheme. End the night at either HopCat, Founders, or Grand Rapids Brewing. Founders for sure if they are having a concert that night. Plus the new beer garden is amazing with firepits. Wake up and have breakfast at Wolfgangs. Your welcome.

 

I'll throw my support behind hitting up Greenbush, great bar and hidden gem brewery in the midwest. As for natural attractions/cool spots, you have to hit up Warren Dunes or Grand Mere on Lake Michigan, a ten minute drive from Greenbush on the shore.

 

http://westmichiganbeertours.com

 

FTFY

Also, I like Hopcat, but don't understand what's so great about it, especially in GR where there are a lot of other options.

 

Between yours and Colonel's posts, I think I've got it covered. Thanks so much. I remember you helped me with my first visit to Michigan last fall (but that was when we didn't have the kid with us, haha). Cheers!

 

Taplist and solid food. No way you can find a better taplist in GR than HopCat. Plus the service and vibe in there is awesome.

 

http://www.experiencegr.com/things-to-do/tours/beer/

 

Have fun and get some sleep!

 

Grand Rapids is by far the better city. Breweries like founders, vivant, grand rapids brewing company, Perrin, lots of others. Lots of cool art around and much cleaner than kzoo. Also if you're going to Bells, stop by darkhorse. its close by.

 

Fyp

 

oops yea that does look like about a 45 minute drive out of the way.

 

Id add in Grand Rapids you should stop at Mad Cap for coffee/espresso. Love that place.

http://madcapcoffee.com/contact