Grand Rapids MI restaurants sourced their meats and fruits from local farms long before the phrase “farm-to-fork” became popular. Today, Grand Rapids continues to push the boundaries of food, art, and recreation.

Grand Rapids is America’s Beer City USA. From an old funeral home turned brewery to the status of America’s Beer City USA. There is something for everyone.

1. Farm to Fork

Menus here include a variety of dishes that are made with local ingredients. This restaurant also offers fresh seafood.

This family-friendly establishment offers a wide variety of meals, from breakfast sandwiches and lunch combos to entree salads. You can also expect to see a number of vegetarian options, as well as soup beans and salads made with locally-grown vegetables.

The food at this restaurant is fresh and flavorful, and the atmosphere is welcoming and cozy. If you want to eat authentic Ethiopian cuisine, this is the place for you. Injera is a traditional Ethiopian flatbread made from fermented teff. Enjoy a wide variety of meats including goat and lamb. The restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids.

2. Art & Culture

Grand Rapids has a rich cultural scene that offers many opportunities to explore local customs and history. Grand Rapids is a center of food processing, and it has a large agribusiness sector.

Visits to art galleries are a wonderful way to keep your mind active and connect with others. It breaks down language barriers, sparks imagination and can help you feel more connected to the world around you.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum, or GRAM, is a world-class museum that offers a variety of free workshops for families and gallery chats for those interested in learning more about the art on display. The museum’s employees earn on average $41,881 a year, and their job satisfaction is rated at 2.5 years.

3. The Grand Rapids Rapids

Grand Rapids continues to inspire people from all walks of life and with different interests. The people of Grand Rapids reflect all aspects of the human experience: who they are and where they come from, their appearance, religion, etc. Their vibrant colors and brushstrokes make for a community that celebrates diversity and emphasizes collaboration.

Grand Rapids Public Museum, one of Michigan’s largest museums, houses collections from all over the world. The museum has a collection that spans thousands of years. The stunning modern home of the museum, the only LEED Gold building in Michigan, houses the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, as well as the Cook Carousel Pavilion.

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is one of the nation’s oldest community theatres for good reason – top-notch local talent puts on a show that will entertain. GRCT also brings in touring productions, including Broadway hits.

4. Downtown’s Coolest City

Grand Rapids has a variety of attractions that will delight visitors. Explore the newest exhibitions at one of America’s oldest community art galleries, or take in a performance at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre or Michigan’s only professional ballet company.

The John Ball Zoo lets kids and adults watch exotic animals while taking animal and STEM classes and embarking on behind-the-scenes tours. Bagger Dave’s is one of the most popular attractions in the area, with menu items that follow a political theme.

Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a gourmet chef’s paradise, offering plenty of choices for a quick bite, full meal or tasty treat. Shoppers can find fresh produce, artisan spice mixes, cold-pressed oils, and personal care items.

5. The Grand River

The Grand River flows through the heart of downtown, creating a physical and visual boundary between the city’s east side and west side. It’s also the source of the awe-inspiring rapids that earned Grand Rapids its nickname “Furniture City.”

In the 1920s however, the diversion of water for industry had stripped the river so much that it was often slow and almost dry. Five low dams were built during this time to beautify the river.

The river is a big draw for outdoor recreation, and the city is well known for kid-friendly attractions including a classic urban zoo and a dedicated children’s museum. Minor-league baseball and ice hockey teams offer Olympics-style family fun, and golfers find challenging play on hundreds of miles of courses.