New to GR, Sister coming in- what to do?

nursegirl01 · September 2010

I've been here for a month now, but with DH still in Kansas City I haven't done a lot of exploring. My sister is coming from Texas for a visit this weekend. What are your top picks for things to do/things to experience in the city? Here are a few things I thought about, but need some guidance.

1. Art Prize (of course!), but how and where? Just park somewhere downtown and stroll around?

2. Fred Meijer Gardens- is this fun?

3. BOB- for someplace to eat and get a few drinks- is this fun? Any better places you suggest?

4. Lastly, my parents are driving up from Indiana on Sunday to see us both. Any suggestions for a place to have dinner? A place original to GR with a good variety (nothing too exotic) of food?

Thanks everyone! This is a tall order!

Zebe912 · September 2010

Meijer Gardens is great, but I enjoy it more during the summer when everything is in full bloom. However, it is part of ArtPrize right now, so you could go there, park, look at their exhibits, (pay to go in the gardens if you want) and if you buy the wristbands ($5 for the first $1 for any extras) then you can ride the shuttle from there into downtown & not have to re-park. If you pay for the wristband, you also get the ArtPrize map and can just wander downtown to see all sorts of things. I found the map helpful to have this year as a reference.

Then stop at any of the eateries downtown. I really like Bar Divani (wine & martinis, a bit pricey), San Chez for tapas (also on the higher price end), HopCat (reasonable, more American menu, & lots of craft beer), or Charley's Crab (seafood, obviously). I find the BOB can be hit or miss. However, it is also one of the AP venues, so you can go in to check out the art while checking out the vibe of the place and whether or not you want to stay. If you like local breweries, Founders isn't too far away.

There are so many places to see, especially during ArtPrize that even if you just go & park (likely to cost), you can wander for hours and find just about anything you'd want to do. That's what I'll be doing tomorrow afternoon.

Deeder522 · September 2010

1. ArtPrize: we ended up just parking near the Public Museum and walking around. We didn't really need a map we just looked at where the people were and for the signs. Of course I'm sure we missed a few pieces this way. 2. Gardens: depends on the weather in my opinion. It is visit worthy but maybe spring/ summer time. 3. What type of drinks and fun. clubbing then yes for the crush in the BOB. Also look into MoJo's. Beer and talking then Founder's is a good place believe. 4. Check out any of the Gilmore groups of restaurants. You may want to look a few things up at grnow.com

jillianmb · September 2010

I didn't read the other replies so sorry if this is repeat:

1. Sort of behind the Ford Museum there is a lawn (between the museum and the river) and there is a great piece down there- my favorite I think. It is a whole "society" called "Plan B." I thought it was fun to walk around and really interesting to look at.

2. I'm not that big on FMG.

3. The BOB is good, but it is going to be a madhouse b/c of artprize. DH and I went last Saturday and it was shoulder to shoulder people. So call ahead to see how busy it is or find another place. One of our favorites is Mangiamo (same owners as the BOB) and it is not downtown so it won't be so crazy. Great food, awesome atmosphere (it is an old historical mansion turned restaurant), and a good list of drinks.

4. Mangiamo, Rose's on Reed's Lake, or Blue Water Grill (these are all Gilmore Collection places... I love them).

gvsubride05 · September 2010

nursegirl01:

1. Art Prize (of course!), but how and where? Just park somewhere downtown and stroll around? - The OP was correct about buying the wristband, however the Meijer Gardens only has a shuttle that leaves on the hour and I saw a sign today saying the shuttle has been extremly popular and rides have been filling up. I would go to the Gardens, either look around at the Art Prize stuff there for free, or go ahead an buy admission tickets. They have the ColorFall exhibit going on, so it is quite pretty with all the mums and fall plants. I was there today and everything looks in great shape. The sculpture park (which is located in the Gardens) is pretty, even if you aren't looking at the art. The landscapping is nice and they have a lot of Chilualy (sp?) pieces on display.

Now back to the wristband. If you don't want to drive downtown to park, buy the wristband, and head down the road to the Knapps Corner Meijer STORE, they have shuttles that run from there and is run by the GR Public Transportation Dept.

For parking, I would get off whatever express exit you would normally get off, find a lot that has public parking, pay the fee, and get out and walk, walk, walk. Meters are free on weekends, so if you have patiences and don't mind driving around , you can might be able to find a free spot.

2. Fred Meijer Gardens- is this fun? see above

3. BOB- for someplace to eat and get a few drinks- is this fun? Any better places you suggest? - If you want to have nice "let's catch up and talk" type dinner, I would avoid the BOB this weekend. Maybe just go for a quick drink. A lot of places downtown might be crazy during 6-9ish period to eat. Now, it might rain on Sat, so who knows, it might not be that bad.

4. Lastly, my parents are driving up from Indiana on Sunday to see us both. Any suggestions for a place to have dinner? A place original to GR with a good variety (nothing too exotic) of food?

hmmm..... tappling head, thinking.... I'm just not sure what local places are open on Sunday and which ones are not. What side of town are you on and do you care if you have to drive a little. And what is the price range you were looking for?

Thanks everyone! This is a tall order!

goodgollie · October 2010

I would definitely take them downtown, whatever you do. GR has such a nice downtown and so many great restaurants, and now with Art Prize it will be a fabulous way to spend a day. I agree with San Chez or The Bob for places to eat downtown. I really like Twisted Rooster on the Beltline near Knapp's Corner. They use mostly local food. I love the Gilmore Collection restaurants, too. Blue Water Grill, Mangiamo's and Rose's are all some of our favorite restaurants. FMG is pretty cool, but expensive. I would go when the weather is decent. By the way, are you a member of the GR public library yet? You can check out tickets to the zoo, FMG, and many of the museums downtown all for free. The tickets allow up to 6 people to get in free. We use them all the time. Have fun with your fam!

jillianmb · October 2010

goodgollie:
I would definitely take them downtown, whatever you do. GR has such a nice downtown and so many great restaurants, and now with Art Prize it will be a fabulous way to spend a day. I agree with San Chez or The Bob for places to eat downtown. I really like Twisted Rooster on the Beltline near Knapp's Corner. They use mostly local food. I love the Gilmore Collection restaurants, too. Blue Water Grill, Mangiamo's and Rose's are all some of our favorite restaurants. FMG is pretty cool, but expensive. I would go when the weather is decent. By the way, are you a member of the GR public library yet? You can check out tickets to the zoo, FMG, and many of the museums downtown all for free. The tickets allow up to 6 people to get in free. We use them all the time. Have fun with your fam!

I've never heard of this. How does one go about doing this?

Deeder522 · October 2010

This is new to me too. I looked it up at the library website. It's called Check It Out. You have to go to the info desk at the library. I'm going to stop in tomorrow and get more info on this program. I would love to use it.

New to GR, Sister coming in- what to do?

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