MomtoCandJ Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 We are planning an in-state trip for the weekend of the 21st of June. I'm thinking Gramd Rapids, taking dd to the John Ball Zoo. What else is there to do besides Michigan Adventures? Dh and I went once before dd, and holy cow it would be almost $100.00 for the three of us to go. So suggestions please on the cheap side :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 We did an overnight to GR a couple years ago. It was awesome! We went to the Ford Museum for a couple hours. Then, we spent time by the river (we stayed right on the riverfront). We went out to dinner at San Chez. AMAZING dinner! Then, the next day we went to the Meijer Gardens. Those are gorgeous! There was one more thing, but I can't remember. Anyway, we found GR to be a really nice friendly town! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 There is a HUGE children's museum. It is the king of Germatopias. :laugh: :laugh: The GR Public Museum is wonderful and it has a great planetarium. Blandford Nature Center is good too. The zoo depends upon where you are coming from. They try and they are a LOT better than when I was a child but if you're coming from someplace and/or you've been to San Diego zoo or St. Louis or whatever, you are going to be sorely disappointed. Some of the exhibits are just too darn small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 Well we've been to the Detroit zoo, we like smaller zoos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Yea. The Detroit Zoo is just too big!!! And, the other thing we did was the Public Museum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgeTea Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 If I had a young child, I would consider the Kalamazoo Air Museum. Kiddie rides and flight simulators in addition to the planes. Grand Rapids has a minor league ball team, the White Caps, that play at 5th/3rd Ball Park (yeah, I know - dumb name) at the north end of GR. We've gone many times with all ages, and everyone has a blast. The seats are cheap, and the grass seats are even cheaper! You just take a blanket and enjoy the game sitting on the hillside, with the little ones able to stretch out and play. The sun will set behind you, which is way better than squinting all evening. Many summer games end with a fireworks display. We've also caught live bands playing Motown and 70s rock. Our favorite was the night that they gave away ~8 crappy old cars to the people holding the "lucky" tickets. Funny stuff. The zoo is a good choice. Small town zoo, but they seem to make improvements and add exhibits every year. Picnic grounds and playground near the parking area. We still try to hit the zoo every other year or so. We haven't done the Children's Museum as my children are grown/nearly grown, and I think it's new to Grand Rapids. I'd sure look into that - the ads they run always look good. MrTea says he used to take our girls to Meijer Gardens just on the outside (free) when they were in the area for doctor appointments way back when. (I'd forgotten about that as I didn't go.) I can get details from him if you'd like, but I believe they were able to see many of the sculptures. We were just at the GR Public Museum. I did a quick family survey, and they had this to say about taking a small child: "The carousel would be the best part. Also the doll room. And they'd love the animal displays with the buttons to push with animal sounds. Skip paying extra for the Titanic - boring for a little kid." I haven't taken a small child there in a while, but I would. They have a nice planetarium, and I'd just get a suggestion for an age-appropriate show if you decide to go there. I say this because the Halloween laser light show scared the crap out of me just because it was so...jarring. I was glad I didn't have a child with me because I'm not sure I was calm enough to console anybody else, LOL. Grand Rapids seems to be adding more street festivals, 5k runs, concerts in the park, etc. all the time. Maybe look to see what they have on tap for your weekend. I'll try to come back with links... note: Bummer! No home games for the White Caps on your dates. Maybe next time. http://www.experiencegr.com/things-to-do/family-fun/ www.airzoo.org www.grcm.org www.grmuseum.org www.meijergardens.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 We really like meijer gardens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'smom Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 We really like meijer gardens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Besides the things mentioned, drive over to Grand Haven and park at Chinook Pier and walk the boardwalk down to the lighthouse/beach. That is free. Sample neat foods along the way like Pronto Pups (local twist on a corn dog), various icecream and snack shops, etc. You can enjoy the beach if you like that sort of thing. There is a little trolley that is 75 cents or so for a ride and takes you around town--and is fun for kids to ride. It is about 45 minutes from downtown GR. By the YMCA is a huge wooden play structure called the Imagination Station that younger kids love and smaller dunes to climb. Send me a message if you want more specifics as dh grew up there and knows all the ins and outs and little places to go, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 We are planning an in-state trip for the weekend of the 21st of June. I'm thinking Gramd Rapids, taking dd to the John Ball Zoo. What else is there to do besides Michigan Adventures? Dh and I went once before dd, and holy cow it would be almost $100.00 for the three of us to go. So suggestions please on the cheap side :) The zoo would be nice. Meijer Gardens was a HUGE hit with my kids. We used to live there & also love San Chez (it was our favorite). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 My grandkids ( 9, 6 and 2) were completely bored with the Ford Museum last fall. They did love the Kalamazoo air zoo. Different set of Grandkids have been to the Blanford Nature center several times for school trips and just love it. Personally our family loves the beach. Grand haven or Holland. Muskegan also has some nice beaches, but I am less familiar with those. Walking the boardwalk in Grand Haven and getting ice cream is family favorite. But there is an ice cream store by HOlland State park and that is a close 2nd. Meijer Gardens is nice. Everyone should see that Horse just once! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Fulton Stree Farmer's Market. Marie Catrib restaurant is the most interesting restaurant. Love it! Here is a link to Grand Rapids. http://www.experiencegr.com/things-to-do/family-fun/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Arnie's Restaurant by the mall on 28th Street has some insanely good cupcakes!! The children's museum is wonderful! Gerald Ford museum is fun. Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is amazing!! You can spend ALL day there! I agree about John Ball Zoo. It's okay. Very small and uphill the whole way! If you're pushing a stroller it's killer. Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek is far superior, even Potter Park in Lansing is better. If you're going to be going East on the highway, there's a small town called Lowell with a beautiful covered bridge with a great riverside park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Be sure to check out the Pure Michigan website. THe newest Pure Michigan commerical features Grand Rapids. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moQiXZO6R1A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petepie2 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Besides the things mentioned, drive over to Grand Haven and park at Chinook Pier and walk the boardwalk down to the lighthouse/beach. That is free. Sample neat foods along the way like Pronto Pups (local twist on a corn dog), various icecream and snack shops, etc. You can enjoy the beach if you like that sort of thing. There is a little trolley that is 75 cents or so for a ride and takes you around town--and is fun for kids to ride. It is about 45 minutes from downtown GR. By the YMCA is a huge wooden play structure called the Imagination Station that younger kids love and smaller dunes to climb. Send me a message if you want more specifics as dh grew up there and knows all the ins and outs and little places to go, etc. I agree! My husband is also from Grand Haven. It's a nice little town. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan in SC Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 You can get a cheap, but awesome, hot dog at Yesterdog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 You can get a cheap, but awesome, hot dog at Yesterdog! I happen to know where they are made, and they are awesome hotdogs. :thumbup1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 Yea. The Detroit Zoo is just too big!!! And, the other thing we did was the Public Museum! Bite your tongue, Jennifer! :p We got an annual pass for the first time this year to the Detroit Zoo. We love it; but when we went last month, the train was broken. We had to walk the whole thing. Dh and the kids moaned the whole way back to the front gate. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted June 5, 2013 Author Share Posted June 5, 2013 We decided on the zoo and children's museum :) well we might do the free part of the Meijer garden too. I think smaller zoos are better, dd likes to pet the animals and John Ball has a few opportunities for her to do that :) we have been to Potter Park and Detroit already :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 JBZ does have a new trolley to the top of the zoo which is a lovely ride. Then you just have to walk down it. My main problem with the zoo is that there are still animals in exhibits that are just too small. The mountain lions are going insane. :( They do make improvements every year and they are a far cry from the elephant on the chain they had when I was a kid, but my nine year old DD did pick up on the conditions of some of the animals right away. We were just there this weekend with our GS troop for an overnighter. It was a lot of fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyroo Posted June 5, 2013 Share Posted June 5, 2013 I live in Grand Rapids and have a toddler and a preschooler. The zoo is okay for the younger set, but it isn't very big or flashy. They did just add a short train ride last year and a new play area in the zoo. The Children's museum is huge and awesome. The public museum is okay and the Ford museum is fine for adults, but I would never take little kids there. The Meijer Garden is expensive, but their children's area is amazing (as long as you can avoid huge, unruly school groups). Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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