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Grand Rapids, MI
Best Sightseeing (Attractions & Activities)
(10 Overall Closest) |
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Calder Plaza |
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(Attractions & Activities - Sightseeing) |
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300 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids 49503 • 616-456-3696 |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. This gentrified public area, nestled between Grand Rapids City and Kent County governmental offices, hosts a wide array of community events and celebrations throughout the year, including August's Germanfest, Soul of the City, the Polish Festival, and Fest Italiana. The focal point of the plaza is a statue entitled "The Grand Vitesse, " a name that pays respect to the swift rapids for which the city is known. In turn, the plaza is named in honor of the statue's creator, the internationally renowned Alexander Calder, who completed the work in 1969. |
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Heritage Hill Historic District |
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(Attractions & Activities - Sightseeing) |
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126 College Ave SE, Grand Rapids 49503 • 616-459-8950 |
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Description:
EAST DOWNTOWN. One of the state's largest historic districts, Heritage Hill has long been thought of as Grand Rapids' "first" neighborhood – first in style, first in influence, first in power. The neighborhood's 1300 homes, some of which date back as far as the 1840s, boast more than 60 different architectural styles. A tour of Heritage Hill leads visitors past the chateauesque Voigt House (1895), the Georgian Revival Brayton House (1889), the Italianate Shelby Houses (1873 and 1882), and Meyer May House (1909), Frank Lloyd Wright's last Prairie-style home. The district also serves as the setting for six quaint bed and breakfast inns. |
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Historic Lowell |
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(Attractions & Activities - Sightseeing) |
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W Main St at N Hudson St, Lowell 49331 |
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Description:
LOWELL. This cozy, riverside town east of Grand Rapids offers a refreshing glimpse of life the way it ought to be. An old-fashioned commercial district beautified by sidewalk gardens, small shade trees, and friendly faces features a surprising wealth of shopping and dining venues. Peruse antique shops and small boutiques. Grab a bite at one of the charming cafes. Spend some time at Lowell Museum. If you plan your visit just right, you can even catch an old-timey showboat summer concert. |
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Lookout Park and Earthwork |
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(Attractions & Activities - Sightseeing) |
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Fairview Ave NE, Grand Rapids 49503-1013 |
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Description:
COIT. From Lookout Park, visitors have excellent views of the downtown area and of the Grand Rapids River as it winds its way through the city. Earthwork was the brainchild of artist Robert Morris, who wanted to create a functional piece of artwork that afforded visitors to Lookout Park direct access to the Belknap Park ballparks below. This piece of landscape art, known by locals as "The X," scales the steep hill using an ingenious combination of asphalt and earth. |
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User Rating: 10 / 10
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Rockford & Squires Street Square |
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(Attractions & Activities - Sightseeing) |
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Squires Street Sq, Rockford 49341 • 616-866-2000 |
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Description:
ROCKFORD. This northeastern suburb of Rockford offers an eclectic mix of shopping and dining options in a cozy, small town atmosphere that seems to breathe Americana. Stroll through quaint little shops in the commercial district: high-end merchandise for the entire family at Glik's, specialty toys at Aunt Candy's, and second-hand and retro duds at Twice as Nice Consignment Boutique. Squires Street, restored to recapture its turn-of-the-century charm, is noteworthy for its light posts, brick sidewalks, and brilliant flowerbeds. Arnie's, the famous GR restaurant, opened shop in an old riverside mill in Rockford, and, of course, a burger and fries at world-famous Rosie's Diner is always a sound option. |
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Rosa Parks Circle |
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(Attractions & Activities - Sightseeing) |
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Market St at Monroe Ave, Grand Rapids 49503 • 616-456-3696 |
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Description:
DOWNTOWN. Grand Rapids' leaders commissioned international artist Maya Lin to create this breathtaking urban scene in the heart of the downtown area. The circle features a public amphitheater and a pond that freezes in the winter and is open to the public from mid-November to early March for ice-skating. In summer months, the city hosts a variety of public concerts here. |
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