Grand Rapids City Guide: Local Experts Weigh in on Must-See’s in Grand Rapids and Around Michigan
As anyone who has ever visited Michigan can attest, the state is full of great, secret places to get outside. In preparation for our upcoming Ales & Trails event in Grand Rapids, we thought what better way to get the inside scoop on all the great things to do in the River City and the surrounding area from the local internet celebs who make this part of the country their home.
We asked the who’s-who of the Michigan outdoor community for their thoughts on the best places to get outside in Michigan, their favorite place to eat in Grand Rapids, and their favorite thing about living in the Great Lakes State. Check out what they had to say and then check out their blogs and Instagrams.
Heather Johnson Durocher
Michigan-based journalist and writer and producer of Michigan Runner Girl.
Website: www.michiganrunnergirl.com
What is your favorite spot in Michigan for getting outdoors?
I think describing my perfect day would be the best way to answer this: start with a coffee (from Breakaway Cafe in Traverse City) that I sip as I drive out to the trails at Arcadia Dunes south of Frankfort. Run these single-track, wooded trails for 6–10 miles, then head to Frankfort for a late lunch and a cold one at Stormcloud Brewing. Maybe bike the Betsie Valley Trail, pick up some snacks and drinks for later, and then spend late afternoon/evening at Elberta Beach, a long stretch of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, and SUP until sunset.
What is your favorite place to eat in or near Grand Rapids?
Love Founders Brewing Company and HopCat.
What is your favorite thing about living in Michigan?
The abundance of so much natural beauty… and definitely the abundance of freshwater. I am a Great Lakes girl through and through. We’ve got it all here.
Andrew Jowett
Andrew is a Michigan based photojournalist. Connect with Andrew for shooting assignments of any kind, editorial, commercial, portraits and just about anything that involves a camera. The more adventurous the better.
Website: www.andrewjowett.com
Instagram: @nivenlife
What is your favorite spot in Michigan for getting outdoors?
My favorite spot in Michigan for getting outdoors is Pictured Rocks in the Upper Peninsula. If I had someone visiting me from out of state and had one place to take them, that would be it. It is an absolute dream to hike and an amazing experience to kayak. There are plenty of areas to camp with some great spots right along the coast. Pictured Rocks is home to some of the most amazing rock structures to view from a kayak that tower high above Lake Superior. One thing I love the most about hiking is discovering all the waterfalls that are in the area. It truly is a one of a kind place.
What is your favorite place to eat in or near Grand Rapids?
There are so many great restaurants and breweries in Grand Rapids and the surrounding area but checking out the Downtown Market Grand Rapids is such a great spot. The new Slow’s BBQ has some delicious food and I totally recommend the brisket!
What is your favorite thing about living in Michigan?
My favorite thing about living in Michigan is the immediate access to the most gorgeous fresh water there is on the planet. Being surrounded by these amazing bodies of water make life so much easier to be outside and enjoy making memories from it. Whether it’s going fishing, boat rides, kayaking, swimming in the summer or surfing in the fall, it’s truly a gift to live here.
Dan Price
Shooting Michigan & Beyond. @Tinlidco Ambassador, Content Creator, Midwestern Son.
Instagram: @danpricephoto
A photo posted by Shooting Michigan & Beyond (@danpricephoto) on Jun 21, 2016 at 9:37am PDT
What is your favorite spot in Michigan for getting outdoors?
My favorite spot in Michigan is the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. With Silver Lake on one side, Lake Michigan on the other, and miles of sand, reminiscent of Luke Skywalker’s home planet, it makes you feel like you just stepped into another world. It’s a great place for hiking, swimming, fishing, water-sports and getting crazy on some dune buggies.
What is your favorite place to eat in or near Grand Rapids?
I love San Chez Bistro and their authentic tapas menu. I especially love going there for breakfast. Their chorizo biscuits and gravy are worth the drive from out of town.
What is your favorite thing about living in Michigan?
My favorite thing about living in Michigan is the ability to drive just a few hours and find multiple landscapes. From Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, to the pine forests in Traverse City, to the small coastal towns along lake Michigan to the waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula, there are so many places to explore that are always within reach.
Mike Gregory
Dad, Mountain Biker, skydiver, backpacker, camper, Grand Rapids, MI.
Instagram: @michiganmikeg
What is your favorite spot in Michigan for getting outdoors?
My favorite place to get outside and ride is Owasippe Scout Reservation. It probably has the most beautiful mountainbiking trail in Michigan. It is closed to the public from mid June to sometime in August though. Best time to ride the trail is early spring or fall when the trees aren’t full of leaves. Then, you get a better view of the lake the trail skirts around. It’s an amazing trail!
What is your favorite place to eat in or near Grand Rapids?
Favorite place to eat is The Green Well. I’ve never had something from there that I didn’t love, and I’ve tried just about everything thing they offer. They serve food from small local farmers, serve locally crafted beers and are a very “green” restaurant. All that is great, but I eat there because the food is the best around.
What is your favorite thing about living in Michigan?
I’m not going to try and pick one thing I love about living in Michigan. I love our dedication to growing and maintaining a beautiful trail system that can be used all year long thanks to fatbikes and trail grooming. I love all our lakes and the beautiful camping and hiking destinations along them. I also think that our peninsula would be easily defended in the event of a zombie apocalypse.
James Lenon
Michigan Made, SonyAlpha @igerslansing Admin, Content Creator worldwide.
Instagram: @lenonjames
Podcast: hashtaggedpodcast.com/lenonjames
What is your favorite spot in Michigan for getting outdoors?
Favorite spot to get outdoors? Now this is a tough one. In Michigan we have the luxury of being surrounded by fresh water. We can literally take in a sunrise on one side of our state and with no hurry enjoy the sunset on the western coastline. The inland lakes are endless and the hiking trails are non stop. I must say though the “spot” I always long to get back to is the Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore. This area runs on the norther side of the Upper peninsula along Lake superior. If you didn’t know better one would think they woke up in the pacific northwest. The trails are amazing and the views are some of the best Michigan has to offer.
What is your favorite place to eat in or near Grand Rapids?
Founders Brewing Company. Michigan is actually fairly well known across the country for its high quality beers. One of the best in Michigan resides right in Grand Rapids. Founders never disappoints.
What is your favorite thing about living in Michigan?
For me Michigan offers so much to so many people. It doesn’t matter if you like to fish, hike, ski or shop. On top of all of that we have the 4 seasons in the purest form. We can sit on the beach all day in 80 degree weather or by the fire when its 20 degrees out and be in pure comfort. With all that we have you have to try really hard to get bored in Michigan.
Jala Wharton
Mom-Model-Lover of all that is water. BICsup Ambassador-Athlete, SUP fitness junkie, Family gal, passionate about the environment & friend to all.
Website: jalawharton.com
Instagram: @fitnessmodelmom
What is your favorite spot in Michigan for getting outdoors?
Well, that’s a tough one. There are so many beautiful spots to explore. Being an avid Stand up Paddleboarder, I love the challenge and feel of being on the Big Lake. Lake Michiagn. There are shipwrecks to paddle around, as well as little inlet rivers to navigate. Empire to Sleeping Bear Dunes is must! Pack a snack and some water in a backpack, grab a couple friends and enjoy an afternoon you’ll never forget. Just always check the weather before hand & wear your safety gear!
What is your favorite place to eat in or near Grand Rapids?
Palace of India. It’s the best Indian food in Grand Rapids.
What is your favorite thing about living in Michigan?
My favorite thing about living in Michigan: Being surrounded by so much fresh water. Endless places to get outside, play explore and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle!
Originally published at blog.gociety.com on June 27, 2016.
