Going to be in GR for the first time and was hoping someone can direct me to a couple of good kid-friendly breweries/brewpubs/good beer restaurants in the Grand Rapids area and the nearby Lake Michigan towns like Muskegeon, Grand Haven, and Holland. Also, any place that is definitely not kid-friendly and should be avoided? Thanks in advance.
I can't think of a single brewery that is not kid friendly anywhere in Michigan, so you can choose whichever one that you want. However, if you notice that a band is going to be playing during the later evening hours, that's when I would not take the kids. I can't comment on the beer bars because I have not been to very many in the areas where you'll be, but I'll go out on a limb and say that any beer bar that offers a good food menu will be okay for kids.
Hopcat is OK with kids up to and including dinner hours. My 13 year old girl has made me take her there 3 times in 3 months because she won't shut up about the crack fries. I may add that while all the Grand Rapids area breweries have plenty of space to accommodate kids, there really isn't any kid friendly activities to keep them busy. Some of them have TVs with a ballgame on and some don't. If you think you may be at one of these breweries for over an hour, you may want to bring something with you to entertain the kids.
Vivant has a kids menu and a tiny sandbox in the patio area. Perrin has a kids menu. New Holland has been overrun with families lately. I take my kids to Hops at 84 East regularly. Definitely bring some toys or coloring books. Like others have said, kids are fine, at least til 8:30 or 9pm, but they may get bored easily.
Oddside in Grand Haven is a good place , and they have some board games that you could play with your kids. They dont have food at oddside, but there are several nearby restaurants. New holland is also kid friendly and 8th street grill just down the block has a great beer list and very good food. It seems that most of the brew pubs/bars dont allow kids after around 8 or 9. How old are you kids? Movies in the park could be nice if you are in town(downtown GR) on a Friday that they are doing it, it is kinda late, so it might be hard with young kids. Movie starts at dusk(done about 11), you can bring your own beer/food( food also available, not beer), its a cool event that they do a few Fridays in the summer, its usually an old classic that you haven't seen in long time, last week was E.T. The park does get full, you would want to be there around 7 or so if you need a lot of space. Could be a nice cheap way to enjoy some MI beers while having a good time with the kids and enjoying the spirit of Grand Rapids. If you have any ?'s feel free to message me.
From the movie night website (http://downtowngr.org/mitp/) Unfortunately, there aren't any good kids movies coming up (Dazed and Confused, Dirty Dancing, Hook, Lost Boys). 8th Street Grille also has really good milkshakes. My kids often ask me to take them there instead of Hops.
A) It's not a good movie. B) It takes a steaming dump on the poignancy of Barrie's work by suggesting that Peter could grow up.
Founders is def. kid friendly but they don't have a kids menu or activities. Food is great though and there's plenty kids will eat, just not kid portions/prices. Graydon's Crossing is a great brewpub with an excellent beer selection and great food that is also kids friendly with a kids menu that comes with crayons similar to what you see at BWW.
