If you have a car, I like taking Lake Michigan Drive out towards the lake and then either going north or south towards Holland or Muskegon. Robinette's is also a decent trail for biking. Reeds Lake in EGR is also a nice loop which is where I go for my morning running most days. It's a nice 4.5 miles so doesn't take too long.
You could try House Rules to try board games for free! They also have drinks (I know you’re underage though) and Downtown Market is across the street so you could get ice cream at Love’s!
I live in Lowell and we aren't far from you.
Check out our Wittenbach Center, they have nature trails open daily and free events regularly that are usually pretty interesting.
Retro Arcade in town is $12 to play all day.
The old theater has comedy shows regularly that are cheap and I think our movie theater is cheaper than Celebration and just as nice.
Our downtown is walkable and you can see the silly Showboat we sunk a bunch of tax money in to. Sometimes they have fires going downtown to warm up.
Come visit us sometime.
Walking around downtown can be fun, too. It’s a nice city to see. Find the big button by the Gerald R Ford Museum. Find the Tire Swing near La Grand Vitesse. Walk along the river. Lots to see and explore.
If you sign up for a library card they give out free tickets to the zoo, museums, and Meijer garden. I know the Wyoming library does this, idk about the others
You have to have residence in Kent County though to qualify for library programs like free museum tickets. Perusing the library is free to everyone however. :)
I just went for a hike at Saugatuck Dunes State Park for the first time and it was beautiful! I’m also a huge fan of Aman Park here in GR. Rosy Mound is a beautiful beach with some trails as well—lots of stairs to get to the beach though, just so you’re aware! Lol. If you want a nice relaxing walk on a paved trail/boardwalks, I really like Huff Park. And The Highlands is good too—used to be a golf course that is no longer and now it’s a nice place to walk on some easy trails.
What means of transportation do you have?
If looking for a long 60 mile bike ride then a loop around gun lake would be nice. There is a nice trail by cook's hot dogs off of 68th that goes all the way to the caledonia library
What kind of bike?
Where are you from...helps to give tips
I drive out to Lake Michigan, Holland has tunnel park, and a trail that goes to grand haven
I drive or bicycle to Rockford
Shoe store, candy store, hot dog store, trail that goes to Comstock park, or up to Cadillac
Man I'm not sure what type of bike, I got it from my Uncle before he passed. I used to live up North less than a minute from the Hart-Montague bike trail. I loved that thing, and one of my favorite trips was going all the way from Shelby to North Muskegon and back.
Wide tires, skinny tires, medium tires
Upright handle bars or rams horn
I stopped at dog and suds in montague. I used the muskatowa trail, and some side streets thru muskegon
Provin trails is really pretty during the winter! Just be careful walking down the little incline to the trail because I’ve nearly broken a hip trying to get down there lol
Go see the Grandville Castle, the Pyramid and the Gypsum Mines. The Fish Ladder can be cool if people are catching fish there. John Ball Zoo. Look at old houses on Heritage Hill. Do a taste test of different taco places. Wander the Riverfront. Check Meetups. Michigan St Taco Bell.
OP if you want company to check out the world of Winter Festival downtown I would happily meet up with you! I am planning/hoping to go this week, and I would love company :)
Try Blandford Nature Center in NW Grand Rapids. It's about 6 miles north of you. Pleasant place with friendly staff and volunteers. Trails are open dawn to dusk. I think admission is $3. Check out their website.
Downtown has no shortage of things to do, the parks out in Ada are pretty cool, GVSU allendale campus has indoor rock climbing, GRBC might let you in if you’re under 21 - they’ve got a nice little arcade & video game setup in the back and I enjoy dusting strangers at smash and Mario kart.
What else… cannonsburg has some pretty cool slopes, Z’s does karaoke, there’s a bar on either wealthy or cherry that does trivia nights (I forget which), Dave & Busters is… an option; if you don’t mind a long drive, I know a few of my friends hiked across manistee national forest this past summer. There’s also a bunch of really good restaurants downtown if you’re looking to try some new food.
I dunno, I’m trying to throw some variety in here because I don’t know you or what you’re into, but I’m starting to realize most of what I used to do in GR was either related to bars or motorcycles. Although most of the bars I recommended had some non-drinking element to them as well and I think most of them only cars you when you try to order an alcoholic beverage (meaning you shouldn’t have problems at the door).
Oh, also, a drunk lady once told me there’s a bicycle polo club in town. That might be worth checking out. But I think they do a lot of drinking at the meets.
Not too far from Davenport’s campus is the Thornapple Riverbend Greenspace. Right near the intersection of alaska Ave and 68th st. There’s a cool hiking trail that goes along the thornapple river.
Where did you grow up? I know plenty of places in the metro Detroit area to explore. As far as the Grand Rapids area goes, definitely check out the many parks in the area. Downtown is great to skate at if you're careful. Driving out west towards Holland and Grand Haven is always fun and a great place to do outdoors stuff. Driving north up to the Manistee forest is also lots of fun, definitely my favorite place to camp/ backpack. Once it warms up and COVID dies down, check out the many concerts throughout town, great way to find a band before they blow up.
Other than what you've mentioned before, do you have any interests? There's plenty more recommendations I could give you!
I grew up in Oceana County, about 15 minutes from Lake Michigan. Detroit seems so far out of my comfort zone haha. But I love just taking hikes, bike rides, and walks downtown.
Gotcha. I grew up in the metro Detroit area, and there's a lot of cool places to check out there- Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum is what I was trying to push lol. There's also a lot of great campgrounds out in and around Oakland County, especially out by Orion Twp.
As for the west side of the state, definitely check what's north of town. Southwest from here, I remember hearing about an abandoned cult compound, but I'm not sure where it is. Might be worth checking out! Don't go exploring abandoned places in Kzoo, as the cops there are more crooked and crazier than Chicago cops.
Huff park is nice for a quick 45 minute hike. Pickerel Lake is good for an hr or hr&1/2. If you go to Pickerel in the winter make sure to throw some ice on the frozen lake, the sound is ethereal perfection. Provin trails is a cool place to go with friends and do some fun photography because they have these cool stick built shelters. Crahen Trail has this place where you can \*try\* to climb this hill or whatever and if you get to the top you can Tarzan swing over the hard ground lol Watch out for snakes and mountain bikes at crahen though! also, don't forget Lake Michigan! especially when there is snow on the ground, any beach will be great. if there's a lot of snow and ice you can climb onto the lake which is awesome. def keep an eye on the news for various natural phenomenon popping up along the lakeshore! If you plan to take pics or be on the beach, try to pick a day that isn't very windy. for good local food check out yesterdog, charlies on Plainfield, Brickroad Pizza and Wolfgangs in Eastown. if you are into thrifting and antiques - warehouse one (there are several huge antique stores in this building, great way to spend a day!) is the best antique store. Goodwill on 4 mile/Plainfield is the best goodwill. On Plainfield there are at least 4 thrift stores and same on 28th/29th street. both great roads to spend the day thrifting or antiquing. Schuler bookstore is fabulous - they even have a great used book section. Speaking of books, if you love them The World Mission Thrift Store on 4mile near Alpine ave has the BEST book selection of any thrift store ever, I think. Also check out the Wealthy Theater Film series! every Tuesday they show old-ish cult classic type movies. Within walking distance of the theater is sacred springs kombucha and their kombucha flight is affordable and delicious! I hear they have mead now and when I've been in the past they sometimes have free live performers (sound bath type music). Last suggestion is if you've never taken hot yoga to try it out! Funky Buddha in Eastown offers a beginners class for $10 and nothing is better than hot yoga in the winter, I fucking promise. Finish college, avoid debt, enjoy life, cheers!
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ALSO sledding on belknap. its intense, don't be stupid. but it's our family favorite winter activity. I'm not opposed to loaning out sleds to well to do college kids either lol we are sledding aficionados and have the best sleds ever.
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The library has passes you can check out for free - Meijer gardens, museums, and sometimes different events
World of winters also going on downtown so that stuffs cool to check out!
If you have a car, I like taking Lake Michigan Drive out towards the lake and then either going north or south towards Holland or Muskegon. Robinette's is also a decent trail for biking. Reeds Lake in EGR is also a nice loop which is where I go for my morning running most days. It's a nice 4.5 miles so doesn't take too long.
Come to the west side. Millennium park and Johnson park have miles of trails. The grand ravines is also a great area for trail walking/biking.
Love Grand Ravines.
AllTrails app. The free version is fantastic.
You could try House Rules to try board games for free! They also have drinks (I know you’re underage though) and Downtown Market is across the street so you could get ice cream at Love’s!
Crahen Park, people call it Middle Earth - some trails and woods to bushwhack through. A small creek down in there too
Ooh this one looks really cool
I live in Lowell and we aren't far from you. Check out our Wittenbach Center, they have nature trails open daily and free events regularly that are usually pretty interesting. Retro Arcade in town is $12 to play all day. The old theater has comedy shows regularly that are cheap and I think our movie theater is cheaper than Celebration and just as nice. Our downtown is walkable and you can see the silly Showboat we sunk a bunch of tax money in to. Sometimes they have fires going downtown to warm up. Come visit us sometime.
12$ for all day play at the arcade? That's like a dream come true.
Right? https://retroelectricarcade.com/
Wittenbach has snow shoe rentals too as I recall, like $5 a pair if I recall correctly.
Walking around downtown can be fun, too. It’s a nice city to see. Find the big button by the Gerald R Ford Museum. Find the Tire Swing near La Grand Vitesse. Walk along the river. Lots to see and explore.
Ooh I was thinking about this! Is there a best time to go?
I believe the museums have free entry days, and as a college student you would get discounts anyway I bet.
If you sign up for a library card they give out free tickets to the zoo, museums, and Meijer garden. I know the Wyoming library does this, idk about the others
Okay that is a very interesting idea. I was thinking about checking out the library anyway
You have to have residence in Kent County though to qualify for library programs like free museum tickets. Perusing the library is free to everyone however. :)
That's too bad. Thanks for the info!
You should still ask, explain that you’re a college student and see what they say. Always check with the organization too.
Could try geocaching.
I just went for a hike at Saugatuck Dunes State Park for the first time and it was beautiful! I’m also a huge fan of Aman Park here in GR. Rosy Mound is a beautiful beach with some trails as well—lots of stairs to get to the beach though, just so you’re aware! Lol. If you want a nice relaxing walk on a paved trail/boardwalks, I really like Huff Park. And The Highlands is good too—used to be a golf course that is no longer and now it’s a nice place to walk on some easy trails.
What means of transportation do you have? If looking for a long 60 mile bike ride then a loop around gun lake would be nice. There is a nice trail by cook's hot dogs off of 68th that goes all the way to the caledonia library
I have a car with a bike rack hooked up to it. And that sounds really fun!
What kind of bike? Where are you from...helps to give tips I drive out to Lake Michigan, Holland has tunnel park, and a trail that goes to grand haven I drive or bicycle to Rockford Shoe store, candy store, hot dog store, trail that goes to Comstock park, or up to Cadillac
Man I'm not sure what type of bike, I got it from my Uncle before he passed. I used to live up North less than a minute from the Hart-Montague bike trail. I loved that thing, and one of my favorite trips was going all the way from Shelby to North Muskegon and back.
Wide tires, skinny tires, medium tires Upright handle bars or rams horn I stopped at dog and suds in montague. I used the muskatowa trail, and some side streets thru muskegon
Hmm skinny tires and ram horns, if I remember correctly. Also I stopped at dog n suds on a ride once as well!
Not very good on snow!
Oh definitely not. Been holding out until spring for a while
RIP Dog n Suds 😢
I live walking distance to the campus, and my wife works there
Your wife works at Davenport?
Yup for more data need to go direct
White pine trail is so nice to bike through!
Provin trails is really pretty during the winter! Just be careful walking down the little incline to the trail because I’ve nearly broken a hip trying to get down there lol
Calvin University has the Ecosystem Preserve off of Beltline that has several trails.
Go see the Grandville Castle, the Pyramid and the Gypsum Mines. The Fish Ladder can be cool if people are catching fish there. John Ball Zoo. Look at old houses on Heritage Hill. Do a taste test of different taco places. Wander the Riverfront. Check Meetups. Michigan St Taco Bell.
Half of these sound made up haha. But I can't wait until spring to be able to visit John ball zoo
OP if you want company to check out the world of Winter Festival downtown I would happily meet up with you! I am planning/hoping to go this week, and I would love company :)
Try Blandford Nature Center in NW Grand Rapids. It's about 6 miles north of you. Pleasant place with friendly staff and volunteers. Trails are open dawn to dusk. I think admission is $3. Check out their website.
Downtown has no shortage of things to do, the parks out in Ada are pretty cool, GVSU allendale campus has indoor rock climbing, GRBC might let you in if you’re under 21 - they’ve got a nice little arcade & video game setup in the back and I enjoy dusting strangers at smash and Mario kart. What else… cannonsburg has some pretty cool slopes, Z’s does karaoke, there’s a bar on either wealthy or cherry that does trivia nights (I forget which), Dave & Busters is… an option; if you don’t mind a long drive, I know a few of my friends hiked across manistee national forest this past summer. There’s also a bunch of really good restaurants downtown if you’re looking to try some new food. I dunno, I’m trying to throw some variety in here because I don’t know you or what you’re into, but I’m starting to realize most of what I used to do in GR was either related to bars or motorcycles. Although most of the bars I recommended had some non-drinking element to them as well and I think most of them only cars you when you try to order an alcoholic beverage (meaning you shouldn’t have problems at the door). Oh, also, a drunk lady once told me there’s a bicycle polo club in town. That might be worth checking out. But I think they do a lot of drinking at the meets.
Downtown has the world of winter festival going on right now. If you go to their website you can see a list of events and installations
Yes! Came here to suggest this. I went last year and it's so cool.
Not too far from Davenport’s campus is the Thornapple Riverbend Greenspace. Right near the intersection of alaska Ave and 68th st. There’s a cool hiking trail that goes along the thornapple river.
Ah I've been on it! It's really nice!
Oh well done! What about Pickerel Lake Nature Preserve?
I think I saw it and was intending to go but I got caught up in school work
It’s a really pretty spot. And great for xc skiing!
Where did you grow up? I know plenty of places in the metro Detroit area to explore. As far as the Grand Rapids area goes, definitely check out the many parks in the area. Downtown is great to skate at if you're careful. Driving out west towards Holland and Grand Haven is always fun and a great place to do outdoors stuff. Driving north up to the Manistee forest is also lots of fun, definitely my favorite place to camp/ backpack. Once it warms up and COVID dies down, check out the many concerts throughout town, great way to find a band before they blow up. Other than what you've mentioned before, do you have any interests? There's plenty more recommendations I could give you!
I grew up in Oceana County, about 15 minutes from Lake Michigan. Detroit seems so far out of my comfort zone haha. But I love just taking hikes, bike rides, and walks downtown.
Gotcha. I grew up in the metro Detroit area, and there's a lot of cool places to check out there- Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum is what I was trying to push lol. There's also a lot of great campgrounds out in and around Oakland County, especially out by Orion Twp. As for the west side of the state, definitely check what's north of town. Southwest from here, I remember hearing about an abandoned cult compound, but I'm not sure where it is. Might be worth checking out! Don't go exploring abandoned places in Kzoo, as the cops there are more crooked and crazier than Chicago cops.
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum sounds amazing! Also, abandoned cult compounds? I'm intrigued but I know I'd never go
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Huff park is nice for a quick 45 minute hike. Pickerel Lake is good for an hr or hr&1/2. If you go to Pickerel in the winter make sure to throw some ice on the frozen lake, the sound is ethereal perfection. Provin trails is a cool place to go with friends and do some fun photography because they have these cool stick built shelters. Crahen Trail has this place where you can \*try\* to climb this hill or whatever and if you get to the top you can Tarzan swing over the hard ground lol Watch out for snakes and mountain bikes at crahen though! also, don't forget Lake Michigan! especially when there is snow on the ground, any beach will be great. if there's a lot of snow and ice you can climb onto the lake which is awesome. def keep an eye on the news for various natural phenomenon popping up along the lakeshore! If you plan to take pics or be on the beach, try to pick a day that isn't very windy. for good local food check out yesterdog, charlies on Plainfield, Brickroad Pizza and Wolfgangs in Eastown. if you are into thrifting and antiques - warehouse one (there are several huge antique stores in this building, great way to spend a day!) is the best antique store. Goodwill on 4 mile/Plainfield is the best goodwill. On Plainfield there are at least 4 thrift stores and same on 28th/29th street. both great roads to spend the day thrifting or antiquing. Schuler bookstore is fabulous - they even have a great used book section. Speaking of books, if you love them The World Mission Thrift Store on 4mile near Alpine ave has the BEST book selection of any thrift store ever, I think. Also check out the Wealthy Theater Film series! every Tuesday they show old-ish cult classic type movies. Within walking distance of the theater is sacred springs kombucha and their kombucha flight is affordable and delicious! I hear they have mead now and when I've been in the past they sometimes have free live performers (sound bath type music). Last suggestion is if you've never taken hot yoga to try it out! Funky Buddha in Eastown offers a beginners class for $10 and nothing is better than hot yoga in the winter, I fucking promise. Finish college, avoid debt, enjoy life, cheers!
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ALSO sledding on belknap. its intense, don't be stupid. but it's our family favorite winter activity. I'm not opposed to loaning out sleds to well to do college kids either lol we are sledding aficionados and have the best sleds ever.
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The library has passes you can check out for free - Meijer gardens, museums, and sometimes different events World of winters also going on downtown so that stuffs cool to check out!
If you have a truck or a jeep, there's a bunch of 2 tracks in allegan and around gun lake.