Grand Rapids Things to Do

I remember this nature center as having trails scattered through the woods, and an interpretive center that allowed children to learn about wild places. Long before it was in style elsewhere in the USA, Grand Rapids had a place for children to learn of nature.

If you like art and architecture then surely don't miss out on a visit to Meyer May House.

This is a Frank Lloyd Wright designed house which was built in 1908. You can have a tour of this wonderful home.

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On our way to Canada for the weekend we stopped in Grand Rapids to visit the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, specifically to see the Chihuly exhibit that is running through October 31, 2010. There are 15 spots throughout the gardens and park that have Chihuly works placed in them, many of them integrating into nature. My favorite spot was the Groves and Hekman Pond where they have a spiky blue and white glass ball on a spike, multiple glass balls floating in the pond and a fishing boat filled with 137 individual pieces of blown glass.

In addition to the temporary exhibition of Chihuly works, there are permanent sculptures from more than 30 artists including Auguste Rodin, Alexander Calder and Joan Miro

Admission is $12 for adults which is a little steep in the current economic climate but even on a Thursday there were quite a few visitors.

For some photos of the Chihuly exhibit and a few more sculpture photos, see the travelogues

Located just 15 minutes north of Grand Rapids, by taking main roads, the Village of Sparta holds their annual town and country days celebration every year the 3rd week of July.
Attractions include a huge book sale, art exhibit, nature camp, second best sales, a kids carnival put on by the boy scouts, a regular carnival with rides and games, a pig roast, craft projects for kids, concerts, food bake-offs and contests, health fair, museum tours (we have an old schoolhouse museum and a railroad depot museum), watermelon social, a 5K run, a children's fun run, an obstacle course (for the whole family!), volleyball and basketball tournaments, a bubble show, a children's entertainer, face painting, pony rides, a tractor show, a huge car show, a big wheel truck show, a french toast breakfast, a cattle show, 2 parades (one a children's parade the other a large parade through town), a cattle show, a pet show, beer tent, bale (hay) tossing competition, texas hold-em tournament, clowns, karoke and much much more!!! Also the local shops have specials on shopping and hold drawings and contests, and the local neighborhoods are filled with garage sales....
it's a great place to be the 3rd week of July!!! We're having a party, and you're invited, so come on out and see the Village of Sparta, what a neighborhood should be!!!!

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One of the main tourist attractions in Grand Rapids. Although the idea of visiting a gardens might not appeal to some... I think the sculpture park is what makes this stand out from other "gardens". Although I'm not really an artistic person, I loved viewing the various sculptures around the park.

The highlight of course is "Leonardo Da Vinci's Horse"... a gigantic horse sculpture which you need to see for yourself!

The sculpture park does involve a little bit of walking, however there was also a tram that drove around so that if you weren't into all the walking, you could leisurely ride and view the various sculptures.

Along with that of course is the actual gardens which contains some pretty interesting things to see.

I would imagine this would be a wonderful place to visit on a snowy winter day in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is an inviting room full of lovely blooms and foliage. I love the way the table and chairs are tucked under the large plants.

The outdoor acreage also includes this natural wildlife habitat. Meijer Gardens is in the process of reestablishing the environment for indiginous wildlife. This can be viewed from a boardwalk that meanders nicely through large growths of trees and woods.

The gardens also include meandering trails and a boardwalk along a marshy area.
Even here you will see the sculptures that reflect the wildlife that inhabits the area.
These are the three biggest frogs I've ever seen in a swamp!