Don’t let the snow keep you inside—go out and enjoy a few of the wonderful things Grand Rapids has to offer. You can start at the Robert Downes book signing at the library, enjoy a fresh take on a Disney classic, and kick off the holidays by seeing Santa’s parade followed by scoring a picture at his workshop.
Spend an afternoon checking out the “fantastic creatures” of John Ball Zoo or wake up early for an outdoor fitness session followed by coffee in igloos at Outside Coffee Co. You can also help The Mitten celebrate its sixth birthday, hear from area storytellers spinning tales for national Telebration, and check out winter fashions from Burton during a runway show at The BOB.
Between the boom in restaurants, coffee shops and office tenants, it is no surprise Grand Rapids’ West Side has become a go-to spot. Rockford Construction, which has been the catalyst for many of the changes on the West Side, wants the historic neighborhood to not only be a destination for eating and shopping, but also a place to call home.
Get ready to cheer for the home team this weekend. The Grand Rapids Drive plays its first home game on Saturday. You can also check out local band Pink Sky when the duo plays the Grand Rapids Public Library’s Music in the Stacks series.
If the fall air has you thinking about cozying up indoors, don’t! Head out and fill your belly with the season’s most delicious comfort foods. Visit the Downtown Market on Friday, where vendors will be offering samples of their “fall favorites.” Later that night, Local First is bringing together restaurants from across the city for Fork Fest.
The biggest football game of the year for Michiganders takes place this weekend when MSU and U of M kickoff against each other. So break out your maize & blue or green and white and head to your favorite sports bar to catch the game over beer and pizza.
Return to a time when dinosaurs walked the Earth this weekend with Jurassic Quest, a traveling dinosaur exhibit roaring into Grand Rapids. If you enjoy live music, you’re going to have a great weekend. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and violinist Damian Escobar will both be in town for performances.
If you are a fan of the AMC show “The Walking Dead” head to 20 Monroe Live on Sunday night for the season nine premiere. Looking for fun family activities this weekend? Frederik Meijer Gardens is hosting Family Fall Day. You can also enjoy classical music with the Grand Rapids Symphony, create your own artwork at the GRAM or check out several local food vendors making vegetarian and vegan treats at VegFest.
ArtPrize enters its second weekend and promises plenty of activities to keep you busy. Make sure to visit your favorite venues and vote for the pieces you’d like to see take home that $200,000 grand prize. The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and Grand Rapids Symphony are just two of the area’s arts & culture organizations getting in on the ArtPrize action this weekend.
ArtPrize isn’t the only event taking place this weekend, but it certainly could keep you busy for the next four days with all of the official and unofficial events dubbed with the ArtPrize moniker.
