Grand Rapids...

Here is some info:

Hotels:
Amway
JW Marriott

Both are right downtown

Breweries:
Founders
Vivant
Grand Rapids Brewing Company
Perrin (Comstock Park, just north of GR)
Odd Side (Grand Haven)
New Holland (Holland)
Bells (Kalamazoo)

Bars:
Hopcat
Pyramid Scheme (lots of Shorts on tap)

Sites:
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Farmers Market
Frederick Meijer Gardens
Grand Haven (walk the pier) (the lake will be too cold)
Saugatuk (your GF will love the boutique shops)

Restuarants:
Winchester
Grove

 

Is there anything in particular you guys like to do? Hike, art, etc?

Any food styles you like best?

And no kids right?

 

Semi-jack: How would it be walking from Founders to Vivant/Harmony? Doesn't look very far but is there an easily walkable route?

 

The best way would be to walk from founders to Fulton street, then walk up Fulton to lake drive and walk up that til you got to the backside of vivant. Let me know if this doesn't make sense. Prob take you around 40 minutes, it'd be a nice walk.

I would avoid taking wealthy street, cherry would be a little better but I used to live on cherry and although the neighborhood isn't awful there's a route a lot of homeless dudes take that takes the same path. You'll probably be hit up for lots of change, but still probably not dangerous.

 

GRBrew did a pretty good job, but would add a trip to HopCat (right downtown), The Green Well (for dinner, just across the street from Vivant), and The Mitten Brewing Co. (527 Leonard Street NW). Get a cab or take pedal cars around downtown. I miss GR. Utah beer blows.

 

Can't let this thread go by without also saying that if you want to load up on west Michigan beer while in GR Sicilianos is for sure the best spot. Best selection, darn close to the best prices, the best help, just the best.

Plus if you get there using 131 N to 196 W to the M-45/Lake Michigan drive exit, right before you get off you'll have the best view of Grand Rapids in the city. It is better going the opposite way (i.e. from Sicialianos to Founders) but it's still nice westbound.

 

That walk might be a little too far. I believe there is a bus that goes right up Fulton so you could take the bus most of the way.

 

Thanks, was thinking of renting bikes also so that we could also hit The Mitten.

 

Cabs here aren't too bad. A cab from Founders to Vivant will probably be $7.

 

what you are describing is traverse city, i love grand rapids but if you are celebrating an anniversary then id say drive a little further and stay in traverse city. just an outright awesome area of michigan. probably the prettiest area in the lower peninsula and tons to do in a short drive including winerys and brewerys. you will not be disappointed either way but TC is in a different league if you ask me.

 

In addition to the earlier good tips:

This is about my favorite dunes hiking spot in west MI. PJ Hoffmaster and Ludington are good too but you'll literally be driving by Saugatuck on your way to GR:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/saugatuck-dunes-state-park-holland

There are great hiking spots in Holland and Grand Haven too if you're interested. There's places to hike in GR but they're pretty lame compared to going up and down the dunes and looking at the lake.

Downtown GR has a ton of things that fit your list. It is a pretty fun and safe place to just walk around at night, the Grand River goes right through town and there are nice walkways that run alongside and over it. I took many girlfriends for romantic walks down there, including my now wife.

The art museum is a one minute walk from Dr. Grins comedy club in the BOB. I have never been to Dr. Grins but have heard it's good.

At that point you are very close to Sanchez, a tapas-style restaurant, one of my faves in Grand Rapids. You can spend a lot of money there without trying very hard though.

One more thing to keep in mind, right next door to Brewery Vivant is a sushi place called Maru that I keep hearing people rave about.

Cool hope you have a nice trip!

 

Meier Gardens
Gerald Ford Presidential Museum is pretty interesting
Drive to Grand Haven and hit Odd Side

As mentioned, I like Traverse City much more, but GR is pretty fun.

 

I'll second the Traverse City recommendation. Went there with the gf for an anniversary, stayed at the Grand Victorian B&B in Bellaire, MI (which is a short walk right down the street from Short's Brewing). Also a ton of wineries in that area, and Right Brain Brewing isn't too far away. We hit Founders for lunch on the way up (midway point), and then Bell's on the trip back home.

 

There is no issue with parking. I believe both hotels I mentioned has free valet for guests. Either way, there are parking spots everywhere and meters are off on Sunday at least and maybe Saturday. Also after 6:00. For all the growth GR has had, you will think it is a ghost town on the weekends during the day as lot of people still live in the burbs.

 

I'll add another vote to Frederick Meijer Gardens. It's part botanical gardens and part sculpture park. Such a cool place to visit that both the wife and I loved.