"Here's the skinny...." Grand Rapids by just4funds

Grand Rapids Travel Guide: 20 reviews and 24 photos

About the city...

Grand Rapids is Michigan's second largest city, with a population of just over 200,000. The area is home to many companies, including the Big 3. (I'm not talking cars here, but rather office furniture. Steelcase, Haworth and Herman-Miller are all headquartered within 35 minutes of downtown Grand Rapids.) In the early years, Grand Rapids was known for the lumber and furniture industries.

Situated on the banks of the Grand River less than 45 minutes from the Lake Michigan shore, Grand Rapids enjoys moderate weather. The big lake helps keep the area cool in the summer, as well as warm in the winter, however the downfall is that in the early winter it also becomes proficient at producing large amounts of snow.

Grand Rapids is also centrally located, with Chicago, Detroit and the splendor of Northern Michigan all within 3 hours by car.

About the weather....

No officer, I wasn't driving......

SEE THE WEATHERBALL
For the meteorologically challenged person who can't tell the local weather by looking at the sky, or going outside, a local TV station has given new life to the Weatherball. The Weatherball previously sat proudly atop the Mackay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids until it was discovered that the weight, etc. was putting too much stress on the building and was taken down in 1987. The parts were purchased from a salvage yard and after being refurbished and re-fitted with neon tubes the weatherball was brought back to life in early 2003.

How do you read the weatherball?
Weatherball RED, warmer ahead
Weatherball BLUE, cooler in view
Weatherball GREEN, no change foreseen
Colors blinking bright, rain or snow in sight.

Here's the current weather where I live:
GRAND RAPIDS MI

Pros and Cons

Pros:This one is juuuust right!
Cons:Too big for some, too little for others.
In a nutshell:Big town aspirations, little town feel.

Intro Updated Mar 18, 2004
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Reviews (14)

CELEBRATION ON THE GRAND Things to Do (3)

Oh, the fun in the fall..... Celebration (as the locals refer to it) is held the weekend FOLLOWING Labor Day. It... more travel advice

AFTER AN EARLY WINTER STORM - Grand Rapids

The weather WILL change What to Pack (1)

Be ready for changes in the weather more travel advice

SLEDDING AT WABASIS PARK NEAR GRAND RAPIDS - Grand Rapids

Make the cold FUN Things to Do (3)

Sunbelters proclaim loudly that Michigan and "The North" just plain sux during the colder months. Well, OK, sort of.... more travel advice

The Calder Stage, Calder's Stabile is the backdrop - Grand Rapids

Festival! Local Customs (2)

Festival of the Arts: The Nation's Largest All-Volunteer Arts Festival "In 1969, a stabile (pronounced stay-beal), was... more travel advice

Favorites (3)
See All GVSU III
Hotels (2)
See All Amway Grand Part II

Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 7, 2004

3 photos

Some things to see

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Comments (17)

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unravelau Jul 19, 2008 at 4:21 PM

I really enjoyed my trip around your Grand Rapids page but I have a question for you. Are covered bridges of cultural significance or just a quaint idea unique to the USA? Thank you. Carole.
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AmazingAdventures Apr 9, 2007 at 8:30 PM

Hiya! Yep, I've been to Grand Haven. We had 60+ people gather for a family reunion at Khardomah Lodge 10 yrs ago. My grandfather used to own property at Spring Lake (how far is that from GH?) and had family weekends there when I lived in MI in the 60's!
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807Wheaton Aug 13, 2005 at 4:10 PM

Hi Jim. Just spent a day in Grand Rapids and enjoyed it very much! Hotter that day than in our home, Georgia. We still say "pop" but prefer sweeted tea, now. Marcia
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Yaqui Feb 3, 2005 at 2:15 PM

Howdy!! daVinci's Horse at Frederik Meijer Gardens looks absolutely awsome. Great page as always!!
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matcrazy1 Jun 16, 2004 at 8:24 AM

Nice page, beautiful pictures and interesting info. I didn't know about "pop" :-)
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bugalugs Mar 14, 2004 at 1:13 PM

A nice page, and great info and pics. 'Pop' was also a word used in my area for fizzy drinks.
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starfate Jan 9, 2004 at 2:08 PM

A friend of mine from Toronto led me to your site...I totally agree with your comments about Fallasburg Park (oh, and the snow, too!) From a Native Grand Rapidian...
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starship Jan 6, 2004 at 4:27 PM

Grand Rapids was my mother-in-laws hometown-my husband was brought up in Warren. Yea, I had to learn about pop, sacks and party stores from him!
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WILDEFLOWER Jan 6, 2004 at 10:50 AM

These are great pictures and travel logs Jim! Keep taking the pictures.
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american_tourister Dec 29, 2003 at 2:16 AM

Great page Jim. More!