Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown News

Planners: Looking for Things To Do in GR?

Written by higrdt | Jun 3, 2022 3:48:00 PM

While staying at the Holiday Inn in Grand Rapids Downtown,  please consider visiting these nearby attractions. Whether you are looking for a restaurant, a concert, or something to explore, Grand Rapids has so much to offer.

 

Blandford Nature Center


Visit this wildlife rescue center where animals injured in the wild now take part in educational classes for the public. The 140+ acre natural sanctuary contains fields, ponds, streams, and woods to allow interactions between guests and the animals. The Blandford Farm gives everyone space to learn about sustainable farming and meet chickens, goats, and sheep.

 – Distance: 5 miles

 

Bridge Street Market


This grocery concept store provides many staples, fresh items, and daily needs while also honoring local businesses with thousands of products. They have grab-and-go options, Tillie Ruth's Coffee with cafe lounge seating, the West Side Deli for quick meals, and Hissho Sushi with fresh goods.

 – Distance: 0.7 miles

 

Burger Theory

 

Grab a bite to eat without leaving the hotel. Burger Theory is located in the Holiday Inn Hotel in Downtown Grand Rapids with easy access from 131 and 196, and is within walking distance to several GR attractions. The menu features mouthwatering burgers with over 4,000 flavor combinations. Each burger is made using quality ingredients and a blend of Certified Angus Beef.

 – Distance: 0 miles

DASH West


Explore the city for free with these Downtown shuttles, identified by their pink and white sides. Parking lots are available near the stops, bikes can ride on the facts, all buses are wheelchair accessible, and friendly pets are allowed. Stops are visited every eight minutes. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 6:30 am until 10:00 pm, and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 am on Sundays.

 – Distance: stops throughout the Downtown area, including one near the Holiday Inn

 

DeVos Performance Hall


Located at the DeVos Place Convention Center, this top performance 2K seating hall has facilities for ballet, opera, symphony, and theater productions. They provide accessible elevators, parking, and restrooms, as well as family restrooms and a lactation room. The Convention Center covers 200K sq. ft. with meeting spaces and a ballroom.

 – Distance: 0.5 miles

 

Downtown Market Grand Rapids


Eat to your satisfaction at this quick stop full of places to eat or buy meal prep goods. Here you’ll find authentic Vietnamese, a raw fish market with fresh catches, gourmet coffee, ice cream, Mexican street food, Neapolitan-style pizza, real Detroit BBQ, spice mixes and oils, as well as fresh produce and meat.

 – Distance: 1.3 miles

 

Field & Fire Cafe


Pick up some bread at this long-lasting bakery known for its vegan option, including the potato skillet, Hot Mess, cashew cream made in-store, local Nutcase sausage, and other specials.

 – Distance: 1.4 miles

 

Fulton Street Farmers Market


Shop at this outdoor market for artisan crafts and specialty items, such as classic farm products, like cheese and honey, fresh produced, baked goods, natural skincare, and hand-made jewelry. The market is open starting in early May to late October on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm.

 – Distance: about 3 miles

 

Frank Lloyd Wright's Meyer May House


Built in 1908, this home was eventually restored through careful research and with original or closely reproduced interior spaces. The grounds of this prairie-style home were also returned to their initial appearance after years of gradual changes. Guests can visit at no charge to see the 108 windows, then watch a film about the property’s history and restoration.

 – Distance: 1.8 miles

 

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park


Walk the crossing paths at this year-round destination which mixes outdoor gardens in various styles with displays of flowers, water features, and trees, plus the 5-story indoor Lena Meijer Conservatory filled with galleries of bronze sculptures by famous artists and exotic, tropical plants.

 – distance: 6 miles

 

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

The 38th President of the United States grew up in Grand Rapids. The Gerald R. Ford museum hosts educational sessions around the many artifacts from his childhood and young adult life. Exhibits range from various Eagle Scout items and his football uniform from college, to remainders of his 1976 presidential campaign, a model of the White House Presidential Oval Office, gifts received while President, as well as areas on First Lady Betty Ford and their children. The outdoor attractions include a fountain, reflecting pool, and several lifelike statues perfect for pictures.

 – Distance: 0.3 miles

 

GLC Live at 20 Monroe


You may be in Grand Rapids to visit this event-hosting space which holds everything from business and corporate meetings, to small concerts and wedding receptions. The space is able to hold over 2K guests and the staff are known to offer their help with event production, lighting, menus, music, sign language interpretation, and more. Some sections of the seating and restrooms are accessible.

 – Distance: 0.5 miles

 

Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives


The GRAAMA hosts oral history projects and traditional presentations, including storytelling, personal histories, and rotating exhibits. Their galleries promote artists from around the world including acrylic paintings, fabrics, ink drawings, oil on canvas, sculpture, watercolors, wooden carvings, and more. Events include concerts, films, lectures, and workshops. These events are usually presented for free and are offered all year.

 – Distance: 0.5 miles

 

Grand Rapids Art Museum


Wander through the galleries home to a growing collection of modern pieces along sections that spotlight today’s Michigan Artists, Then, view their 19th-century paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures, as well as a research library and archive full of art too delicate for sunlight.

 – Distance: 0.5 miles

 

Grand Rapids Children's Museum


This kid-focused museum holds various classes based on art, costumes, storytelling, and more. Their many child-safe areas include a bubble blowing zone, the musical instrument space where they can make lots of noise, rooms for playing with Legos and other classic toys, and the famous “Little Grand Rapids”, where kids can pretend to be adults with various careers in a miniature city.

 – Distance: 0.9 miles

 

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre


View a high-quality, live performance at this community theatre that strives to promote a complete education, customer enjoyment, and volunteer activities. They provide classes and training to the local public schools and can produce nearly 10 full stage shows each year.

 – Distance: 0.7 miles

 

Grand Rapids Public Library


Since 1871, this institution has provided for the community while forming relationships with other groups to offer education and literacy. They provide copying and faxing services, regular storytimes, business and computer classes, and a History Center which preserves and offers community records.

 – Distance: 0.8 miles

 

Grand Rapids Public Museum


Tour a historically reconstructed Grand Rapids street from the 1980s in this museum, complete with accurate storefronts that include a recreated area from a furniture factory. Guests can witness artifact displays from the Anishinabek people, the American Indians of West Michigan, then ride a working Spillman carousel from 1928. There is also the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium for laser and multi-media shows, and the Curiosity Shop for educational and fun gifts.

 – Distance: less than 300 ft.

 

John Ball Zoo


Get up close with the animals at this famous institution which holds various animal handling classes for birds, small mammals, and reptiles. They have everything from animal petting for younger visitors at Red’s Hobby Farm, to scheduled viewing of the training sessions with chimpanzees while learning about them. There are also several zookeeping activities such as participation in feeding times for the bears, pelicans, penguins, and spider monkeys.

 – Distance: about 2 miles

 

Rise Authentic Baking Co.


This all-vegan bakery partnered with Squibb Coffee to create foods without allergens.

 – Distance: 1.4 miles

 

Rosa Parks Circle & Monroe Center


Enjoy the sun at this 3-acre park where they regularly hold concerts and festivals throughout the year, ice skating in winter, and activities for all ages. You can also visit the shops at the Monroe Center. The park was created by the famous artist Maya Lin to feature water in various states.

 – Distance: 0.4 miles

 

SpeakEZ Lounge


One of the older vegan-friendly eateries in the city, they offer brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Their breakfast burritos with avocado, jackfruit, and tofu are well known, along with the Mary Swanson Brekkie and their drink options

 – Distance: 0.9 miles

 

Stella's Lounge


Eat one of America’s best burgers - with local produce and vegetarian options - while checking out a large variety of classic 25-cent arcade machines including Donkey Kong, Galaga, Mortal Combat, Ms. Pac-Man, Q*bert, Tron, and many more.

 – Distance: 0.9 miles

 

Ding Tea


Get a refreshing bubble tea, featuring a make-it-your-way style with many flavors and toppings, plus several items for dairy-restricted diets.

 – Distance: about 0.6 miles

 

Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts


Take part in the variety of events and programs at this center for local and global art including contemporary, visual, and performance styles. Guided tours go through the many themed exhibits and galleries aimed at challenging and inspiring guests.

 – distance: 0.5 miles

 

Van Andel Arena


See a game or watch a show at this famous venue in the center of Grand Rapids known for conventions, concerts, pro hockey, and rodeos. They have 12K seating, a sound system that fills the whole space, and nearby parking for over 5K cars. Accessible restrooms and on-site eateries provide for your needs while visiting.

 – distance: 0.5 miles