Visiting Grand rapids? (Monroe, Ionia, Saugatuck: business, bars, art)

[Brent85]

I've been in MI my whole life, 80 miles from Grand rapids, yet have never been there. I've been almost everywhere in the state except that area. I want to visit the city next month just for the day. What should I check out there? What are some good places to eat? I was thinking of doing Grand rapids, Grand haven, and the Saugatuck dunes. Hopefully they'll be as good as the Sleeping bear sand dunes. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[rstravis]

GR has much to offer. Start downtown, and just walk the streets. Make sure to check out Heritage Hill (east of downtown), a beautiful historic residential district. Then, go down the hill into downtown proper. South Ionia (south of Fulton) has some nice bars/clubs. Monroe Center is an interesting street, although I haven't been on it in awhile. Go up north of Michigan St. and you'll find an area really being revamped. Plus, there are some neat little districts on the west side, on Bridge, Stocking, and Fulton.

Then, head east. The area around Diamond/Lake/Cherry is an up-and-coming business disrict. And of course you have to check out Eastown -- the closest GR has to a bohemian neighborhood.

Specific restaurants? Well, it's hard to say because there are so many. Yesterdog is a great dot joint in Eastown (or another one is the Dog Pit on Monroe Center). On Fulton downtown you'll find a place called San Chez, a Tapas Bistro. Great food there. Almost any restaurant downtown is nice. I've always been partial to Z's (great food, great prices), a sports bar west of Monroe, south of Pearl if I remember right. Of course, for night life, the Bob has something for everyone. If you don't like the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, though, head to south Ionia.

If you're going to spend just a day, that should do it. If you have a bit of extra time, go over to the East Beltline to Frederick Meijer Gardens, or to John Ball Zoo downtown.

Enjoy GR!