Grand Rapids/West Michigan Photos (Ionia, Rockford: apartments, rent, hotel)

[magellan]

Post em if ya got em!

I'll start. Hot and muggy day in Grand Rapids? Head to Millennium Park. Even with the entrance fee that they charge to get into the beach/spray park area, it's still pretty cheap ($6 for 4 of us, $40 family season pass).

I can't get over how beautiful the first phase is:





10:30 AM on a weekday is a perfect time to go (if you can make it). No crowds.






OK, so the splash pad area was a bit crowded:




I'll post more here in a day or two. Anyone else, feel free to join in.

[windfarmer]

nice pics Magellan! Millenium beach is wonderful! Just brought the family there the other day. It was about 90º I think.. However the beach was just perfect, the water was warm enough, not too crowded, the barbecues were empty so we were able to make use of them.

Are you aware of a map online that indicates exactly where the trails are? I love birdwatching and would hope that is possible there.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by windfarmer

nice pics Magellan! Millenium beach is wonderful! Just brought the family there the other day. It was about 90º I think.. However the beach was just perfect, the water was warm enough, not too crowded, the barbecues were empty so we were able to make use of them.

Are you aware of a map online that indicates exactly where the trails are? I love birdwatching and would hope that is possible there.

Yeah, here at this link:

Phase 1 of Master Plan

With 8 more miles of paved paths to be completed this year, and 12 more in the next 2 years:

Construction on 16 miles of new Millennium Park trails begins this summer - Latest News - The Grand Rapids Press - MLive.com


Another place you can take the family windfarmer is Rockford. Nice little downtown with a lot of little shops and restaurants right next to the Rogue River. You can rent kayaks and/or canoes down the Rogue, or take bikes and ride the White Pine Trail.

[windfarmer]

Thanks for the links Magellan. It's nice to see the overview of the park.. Like I said I haven't ventured beyond the beach area.

Rockford looks like a nice quaint town. I'm a big fan of canoeing – definitely a must before the summer ends.

[Christoph83]

This should be made into a sticky. Let's see somemore Grand Rapids/West Michigan photos!

[Yac]

Originally Posted by Christoph83

This should be made into a sticky.

Done
Yac.

[josie3461]

where in holland is millenium park?or is it in grand rapids.i never heard of this park.i just moved back to grand rapids,after12 years living out of state.and now im back.can you tell me where is this beach?

[magellan]

Originally Posted by josie3461

where in holland is millenium park?or is it in grand rapids.i never heard of this park.i just moved back to grand rapids,after12 years living out of state.and now im back.can you tell me where is this beach?

Kent County Park, Southwest of Grand Rapids (near the Grand River and Johnson Park):

Millennium Park

Maps & Directions

[Carlos Perissinotto]

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!!!Man, I lived in Grand Rapids for almost 17 years and when I look at this photos it brought tears to my eyes. I love Michigan a lot, what a beautiful places!!! I remember all this places and I can say from the bottoms of my heart that MICHIGAN IS A LOVELY PLACE!!! yehh, the fall season is the best, the colorsand also the winter time. You guys believe or not I do LOVE SNOW!!!I´m back to my country that is Brazil but I still miss Michigan a lot. Great Place and great people!Best to You all and keep it coming more photos!...

[magellan]

Here are some shots I've taken recently.

First snowfall of the season:



A beautiful old hotel on South Division being renovated for apartments and retail:



Ionia Ave entertainment district in the Heartside Historic Area:




Also, if you haven't checked it out, the Grand Rapids flickr group has 730 members and some great Grand Rapids scenery:

Flickr: Grand Rapids, Michigan