Two days in Beer City USA — Founders Brewing, the ArtPrize district, Frederik Meijer Gardens, and the Grand River trail.
Founders Brewing is the most internationally recognized Michigan brewery outside of Bell's. The taproom on Grandville Ave is the flagship. The ArtPrize district runs through downtown — even outside the competition season, the sculpture installations stay up.
Founders CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout), KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout), and All Day IPA are the anchor beers. The taproom is large, loud, and genuinely fun. The kitchen food is above-average brewpub — the pretzel and the burger are the right orders. Weekend afternoons pack the bar.
Tapas restaurant and bar in downtown that's been the reliable date-night option for 30 years. The manchego and fig tapa and the lamb chops are the orders. Good wine list for a mid-sized Midwest city.
ArtPrize runs for 3 weeks in September — 1,500+ artists install work in 200+ venues across the city. The public votes for the winner. The quality varies wildly but the experience of walking through a city transformed by art is unique in the US. Book hotels 6 months out.
GRR is 10 minutes from downtown — one of the most convenient airports in the Midwest. Uber runs $12–18. The airport has a good food court for a quick bite before the regional connection home.
Frederik Meijer Gardens in the morning, then drive 35 minutes to Grand Haven for the Lake Michigan beach and lighthouse.
One of the best sculpture parks in the US — 158 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens with major works by Richard Serra, Alexander Calder, and Yoko Ono. The tropical conservatory is excellent year-round. The Michigan farm garden is the most local section. $22/adult.
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