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Jun 30, 2023

Best of Grand Rapids 2023: Showcasing the Best of Grand Rapids for Families in 43 Fantastic Categories

Every day, families in Grand Rapids go about their lives, enjoying the region’s

Every day, families in Grand Rapids go about their lives, enjoying the region's remarkable offerings and untold variety of things to do.

We work, eat, shop, and find special ways to mark milestones and make memories.

Today we pause to celebrate and highlight the exceptional establishments that make our city a great place to raise a family in our annual Best of Grand Rapids results report.

Your votes told us where you love to shop, play, and eat – thank you!

They are reflected here, in the 2023 Best of Grand Rapids lists. Take a look at 2023's top places, food stops, and experiences that make Grand Rapids a cherished home for families.

Experience old favorites and try something new – The Best of Grand Rapids 2023 is packed with old standbys that have stood the test of time as well as exciting newcomers that popped up on the West Michigan scene in the past year.

The top ten winners in each sub-category are listed (exceptions made in cases of a tie.)

Let's play local and celebrate all there is to love about Grand Rapids!

Explore the best museums in Grand Rapids!

1. Grand Rapids Public Museum 2. Grand Rapids Children's Museum3. Air Zoo4. Grand Rapids Art Museum5. Holland Museum6. Gerald R Ford Museum7. Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives8. Saugatuck Center for the Arts

Check off these ultimate indoor play places in West Michigan, where kids can unleash their imagination and have endless hours of fun.

1. Craig's Cruisers2. Grand Rapids Children's Museum3. BattleGR Tactical Games4. Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena (Jenison)5. Holland Aquatic Center6. EverPlay Cafe7. Altitude8. Tarry Hall Roller Rink9. For the Kidz Gymnastics10. Allegan Event10. Amped Virtual Reality

The Best of Grand Rapids for families would not be complete without zoos and animals!

A huge variety of animal adventures are at our fingertips in West Michigan. Explore the best places that offer captivating and immersive animal experiences for all ages at our local animal experiences & petting zoos.

1. John Ball Zoo2. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park3. Deer Tracks Junction4. Blandford Nature Center5. Anderson & Girls Orchards6. Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo7. Critter Barn8. Deep Roots 9. Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm10. Gull Meadow Farms

more animal experiences & petting zoos

Crown the autumn harvest season with a visit to one or more of West Michigan's top-voted apple orchards and fall destinations!

Apple picking, hayrides, corn mazes, and a plethora of seasonal activities are waiting to be discovered!

1. Schwallier's Country Basket2. Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery3. Ed Dunneback & Girls Fruit Farm4. Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo5. Anderson & Girls Orchards6. Deep Roots Produce 7. Crane Orchards U-Pick and Corn Maze8. Heidi's Farmstand9. Wells Orchard10. Grange Ave. Market & You Pick Orchard

Gamers and hobby lovers have spoken! The new Bricks & Minifigs store took home top honors. Check it out – and other cool outlets to take your next family game night to the next level.

1. Bricks & Minifigs Grand Rapids2. House Rules Board Game Lounge3. Out of the Box – Kentwood, Zeeland & Holland4. Galactic Toys & Games – Alpine5. Rider's Hobby Shop6. Blue Bridge Games7. Pixel Perfect Video Games8. DNA Brix9. Rookies Sportscards Plus10. The Griffin's Rest

more game night

West Michigan's favorite libraries for kids, listed!

Expect engaging storytelling, interactive programs, and a wealth of children's literature – plus summer reading programs, too!

1. Kent District Library – East Grand Rapids Branch2. Kent District Library – Plainfield Township Branch2. Georgetown Township Public Library4. Kent District Library – Wyoming Branch5. Kent District Library – Walker Branch6. Kent District Library – Cascade Township Branch7. Kent District Library – Caledonia Township Branch8. Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch9. Kent District Library – Byron Township Branch10. Kent District Library – Amy Van Andel Library (Ada)

Find your village with local mom & parenting groups.

1. GR MoMs (Grand Rapids Mothers of Multiples)2. Thornapple MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers)3. ABC Moms Group – Ada Bible Church4. Where Moms Connect- Magnify Church Rockford

If you like sprawling green spaces, playgrounds, picnic areas, and recreational activities for every age and interest, you’re going to love our area's host of parks and playgrounds.

Don't know where to start? The best of Grand Rapids has crowned Millennium Park as the top park for families in the area – try that one first!

1. Millennium Park2. John Ball Zoo Park3. Frog Hollow4. Hager Park 5. Cascade Township Park6. Imagination Station – Grand Haven7. Tunnel Park 8. Grand Rapids Township Park9. Rosewood Park 10. Legacy Park

These are the places so good that you want to visit them over and over again.

Meijer Gardens took home top honors in the Best of Grand Rapids contest this year, highlighting the many ways the organization caters to families, including:

1. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park2. John Ball Zoo3. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park4. Grand Rapids Public Museum5. Grand Rapids Children's Museum6. Blandford Nature Center7. Altitude Trampoline Park8. Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum9. Impression 5 Science Center9. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

1. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park2. Blandford Nature Center3. Pickerel Lake Park – Fred Meijer Nature Preserve4. Millennium Park5. Grand Ravines6. Provin Trails Park7. Kent Trails8. Outdoor Discovery Center9. Reeds Lake Trail10. Roselle Park

more walking trails

Greater Grand Rapids boasts some of the best splash pads and spray parks, offering refreshing water play areas where kids can cool off and have a splashing good time when the heat is on.

1. Millennium Park2. Maplewood Park3. Rosewood Park4. City of Zeeland Splash Pad Park5. Aberdeen Park6. Lamar Park7. Allendale Community Park8. Pinewood Park8. Wilcox Park10. Tanglefoot Park

The top-voted toddler time activities in Grand Rapids include interactive children's classes, engaging indoor play spaces, and entertainment options.

Add these winning things to do with toddlers to your rotation!

1. Craig's Cruisers – Grand Rapids2. Little Feet2. For the Kidz Gymnastics3. Mary Free Bed YMCA4. Rising Starz Gymnastics and Fitness5. Gymco6. Joyful Sounds Music Studio – Music Together7. EntertainZone8. Kindermusik -Spring Lake

more things to do with toddlers

We rounded up the top voted destinations for your next vacation.

These are the best resorts, water parks, Disney vacation planners… and even a few ideas for a local hotel pool.

The top-voted family family day trips in Michigan include exploring the stunning Mackinac Island, visiting action-packed Michigan's Adventure, and enjoying the natural beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and discovering the hidden trails at Ludington State Park.

1. Mackinac Island2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore3. LegoLand / Sea Life Aquarium, Auburn Hills, MI4. Michigan's Adventure5. Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo6. P. J. Hoffmaster State Park7. Ludington State Park Beach8. Petoskey State Park9. Crystal Mountain (Michigan)10. Allegan Event

more day trip destinations

The best Disney travel agents are knowledgeable, experienced professionals who help create magical and seamless trips, providing expert advice on park tickets, accommodations, dining reservations, and insider tips for a truly enchanting experience.

Here's a list of Disney vacation planners local families trust:

1. Shellie Burton (My Mickey Vacation Travel)2. Sara Bonzheim (Travelmation)3. Jennifer Witham Buck (Love the Mouse Travel)4. Melanie Gifford (Travel with the Magic)5. Margie Lenau (Wonderland Family Vacations)6. Jamie Lynn Bird (Dream a Little Dream Travel)7. Nicole Kaameraad (Key to the World Travel)8. Sally Blackport (Love the Mouse Travel)9. Lesa Konecsni (Wonderland Family Vacations)

more Disney travel agents

The best water parks in Michigan offer thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and interactive play areas. Most are outdoors, but Michigan's Adventure cleaned up with their Wildwater Adventure Outdoor Waterpark this year!

1. Michigan's Adventure2. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark3. Zehnder's Splash Village Indoor Water Parks4. Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain Resort5. Double JJ Resort Waterpark6. Soaring Eagle Waterpark

more water parks

Great Wolf Lodge is the top-voted family resort. Known for its impressive indoor water park, themed suites, interactive attractions, and family-friendly amenities, the waterpark hotel makes for a fun, splashy getaway.

1. Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Waterpark2. Boyne Mountain Resort3. Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island4. Crystal Mountain Resort5. The Homestead Resort6. Garland Lodge and Golf Resort

1. Amway Grand Plaza 2. Holiday Inn Grand Rapids South3. Embassy Suites Downtown Grand Rapids4. Drury Inn & Suites Grand Rapids5. Residence Inn by Marriott Grand Rapids Downtown

more water parks hotels

We love date night more than ever these days.

We’ve got your resource for a lovely night out whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner, cocktails, dessert or, if you’re lucky, a full night stay at a nearby hotel.

MDRD

1. Max's South Seas Hideaway2. Butchers Union3. Rockwell Republic4. Social Misfits5. Stella's Lounge6. SpeakEZ Lounge7. Eastern Kille Distillery – Wealthy8. The Green Well9. IDC10. Mill Creek Tavern10. One Bourbon10. Less Traveled10. House Rules Lounge10. The Commons

more date night ideas

1. Furniture City Creamery2. Underground Cookie Club3. Amore Trattoria Italiana4. The Melting Pot5. Sweetlands Candy6. Martha's Vineyard Fine Wine & Gourmet Grocery7. San Chez A Tapas Bistro8. MDRD9. Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen – No.2

more date night ideas

1. Amore Trattoria Italiana2. San Chez Bistro3. Butcher's Union4. Leo's Seafood5. The Melting Pot6. MDRD7. Cooper's Hawk8. Reserve Wine and Food9. Luna – Grand Rapids10. One Twenty Three

more date night restaurants

1. Meijer Gardens2. GLC Live at 20 Monroe3. The Intersection4. The Score5. Mojo's Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant6. Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm7. The Pyramid Scheme7. Sullivan Field8. Wildwood Family Farms9. Midtown (Formerly the Listening Room)

more date night ideas

1. Dr. Grins Comedy Club2. River City Improv3. Wealthy Theatre4. The Comedy Project5. Creston Brewery6. Midtown- the listening room

more date night ideas

Responsibility comes hand in hand with having a family. Part of that are the will & trust plans we all must make (even if we don't want to think about it.) Taking care of details like this is so so important.

The top-voted services for estate planning, financial planning, realtors, and other adult-oriented needs are listed here.

Use this to find the professionals area families trust for expert guidance and personalized solutions as you navigate the complexities of managing assets, securing your future, and making informed decisions in these important areas of life.

Alles Law estate planning

1. Alles Law2. Miracle Law3. Miller Johnson4. Verity Law5. David, Wierenga & Lauka6. Coles Law Firm7. Michael Zahrt (Foster Swift)7. Rob Huff (Varnum LLP)9. Tanis Schultz10. Colletti & Mobilia, P.C

more wills and trusts attorneys

1. Abby Lininger (Drake Financial Group)2. Justin Knapp (Edward Jones)3. Sheri Postema (Edward Jones)4. Adam Schwallier (Schwallier Wealth Management)5. Lisa Dean (BridgePoint Wealth Management)6. Chris Carlson (Edward Jones)6. David Hart (Edward Jones)8. Kurt Faasse (RSC Advisors)9. Laura Morrison (Edward Jones)

1. Kellen Keck (City2Shore Real Estate)2. Amanda Rogers (Rogers Neighborhood Realty)3. Kyle Visser (Keller Williams)4. Kristin Siebers (City2Shore Real Estate)5. Karla Amaya-Leone (Home Sweet Homes)6. Lucas Howard (Keller Williams)7. Ashley Schaefer (Hello Homes GR)7. Kim Hensley (REMAX United)9. Erin Fester (GR Home Team)10. Paul Spica (Spica Real Estate)

more realtors

You can usually have more fun if you have a good plan.

Having a baby? Great!! But he will need a safe place to be loved and cared for while you’re at work.

Use this list to find a birthday party venue, daycare center and more.

1. Milestones Child Development Center2. AppleTree & Gilden Woods Early Care & Preschool3. Big Steps Little Feet (Ada)3. Grand Rapids Early Discovery Center5. Grand Rapids Christian Schools6. The Goddard School (Grand Rapids – Cascade)7. West Side Christian School8. Adventures Learning Centers

more daycare centers

1. Kumon Math and Reading Center of Grand Rapids – North2. Grand Valley State University K-12 Connect3. Reading Success Plus4. Sylvan Learning of Grand Rapids5. SLD Read6. The Tutoring Center – Wyoming

1. Camp Newaygo2. Camp Henry3. Camp Roger4. YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin5. CranHill Youth Summer Camps6. Camp Geneva7. Pine Ridge Bible Camp8. Lake Ann Camp9. Camp Blodgett

more overnight camps

1. Craig's Cruisers2. John Ball Zoo3. BattleGR Tactical Games4. Accidental Art5. The Mud Room @ Knapp's Corner5. Pour-d7. Rebounderz (Jenison)8. Bricks & Minifigs9. I’m An Artist Community Studio10. Tarry Hall Roller Skating Rink10. Allegan Event

more birthday party venues

Want to enroll your child in dance, swimming lessons or music programs, but don't know where to start?

We’ve found the best Grand Rapids places to learn and discover with your kids!

Goldfish Swim School swimming lessons

1. Scoil Rince Ni Bhraonain2. Caledonia Dance & Music Center3. Hearts in Motion Dance4. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts5. Integrity Dance Arts6. Rockford Dance Company7. Ohana Dance Company8. HIS Dance Academy9. Grand Rapids Ballet School10. Over the Top Academy of Dance10. Body Language Dance Company

more dance classes

1. Caledonia Dance & Music Center2. Academy of Music in Grand Rapids and Jenison3. St. Cecilia Music Center4. Interlochen Center for Arts4. Joyful Sound Music Studio6. The Piano Cottage Studios7. Riverside Guitar School8. Jeremy Verwys Music Lessons9. Melody Rose Studios

more music lessons

1. Goldfish Swim School2. Shelley's Swim Lessons3. Kroc Center4. Miss Julie's Swim School5. YMCA – Mary Free Bed6. YMCA – SpartanNash7. YMCA – David D. Hunting8. MVP Sports Clubs9. Holland Aquatic Center10. ISR Angel Swimmers (Michele Davis)10. Zeeland Recreation10. Tri-Cities Family YMCA

more swimming lessons

1. The Mud Room2. Accidental Art (Rockford)3. Pour-d4. The Common Thread Studio5. Cultivate6. I’m an Artist Community Studio7. Interlochen Center for Arts8. Hearts for the Arts9. Little Art Park GR10. Pottery Lane10. Lionardo Art Studio

more art classes

1. Rising Starz Gymnastics & Fitness2. For the Kidz Gymnastics3. Caledonia Dance4. GR Gymnastics5. Gymco6. Newton Aerial Academy7. Kids Unlimited Activity Center8. R-Athletics9. A Vaulting Connection @ Legacy Stables/Karin's Horse Connection10. Horizon Complex

more gymnastics classes

1. Legacy Stables & Karin's Horse Connection2. The Barn For Equine Learning3. HighPointe Farms4. AJS Farms

more horse riding lessons

1. Jungle Survival Drivers Training2. Century Driving School3. All Star Driver Education4. Main Street Driving School5. Courtesy Driving School6. Georgetown Driving School7. Official Driving School8. Buckle In Driving Academy

more driver's training schools

1. NW Youth Soccer Association2. SCOR – Soccer Club of Rockford3. Michigan Soccer Buddies4. Jenison (GR) Soccer-Zone5. Midwest United FC6. AYSO Grandville6. Michigan Futbol Academy8. Cedar Area Select Soccer Association9. Michigan Rangers FC10. AYSO Allendale10. AYSO Sparta

more soccer lessons

Time for some pampering!

A little self care goes a long way and our reader's voted on their top spots for pedicures, massages and haircuts – some for you, some for kids and even "Mommy & Me."

Haircuts at Cookie Cutters

1. TK Nails & Head Spa, LLC2. Benji Salon & Spa3. Posh Nails & Spa – Downtown GR4. Posh Nails & Spa – Jenison5. Ruby Nails & Day Spa6. Nail Lounge & Spa6. Studio Monroe8. Infinity Beauty8. VV Nails and Spa10. Bella Nails10. Cheshire Nails & Spa10. A-T Nails10. Alice Nails

more Mommy and Me pedicures

1. The Woodhouse Day Spa – Grand Rapids2. Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa3. Ethos Day Spa4. Benji Salon & Spa5. Design 1 Salon Spa Grandville6. Salus Massage Therapy and Skin Care7. Simply Massage8. Heidi Christine's Salon & Spa (Caledonia)9. Yoga Zen10. Wanderlux Spa10. Gaslight Family Chiropractic

more massages

1. Screaming Needle Tattoo & Body Piercing Studios2. Paperdoll Boutique3. Honest to Goodness Tattoo & Piercing4. IRIS Piercing Studio5. Banter by Piercing Pagoda6. Decorum Body Piercing

more kids ear piercing places

1. Cookie Cutters2. Sharkey's Cuts for Kids – GR3. Benji Salon & Spa4. Heidi Christine's Salon & Spa5. Serendipity Hair Design6. Dar's All Star Salon7. Great Clips – Forest Hills Center7. Kings Room Barbershop9. Caledonia Hair Company9. Marco's Hair and Nails10. The Hairport10. Coiffeteria Salon

more haircuts

1. The Barre Code2. Mary Free Bed YMCA3. SpartanNash YMCA4. David D. Hunting YMCA5. Salvation Army Kroc Center6. Visser Family YMCA7. MVP Athletic Club – Crahen8. MVP Athletic Club – Rockford9. Mind Body Baby10. Burn Boot Camp

more gyms with childcare