# Where in the world is Grand Rapids? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 25, 2000, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446 "2000-02-25T21:47:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2000, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/1 "2000-02-25T21:47:00Z")
OK, it’s in Michigan. I know that, but what is there to do there? I’m heading out on business in a few weeks and I may have a day or so to kill there. Any cool zoos, aquariums, etc? 🙂 Zette * * * Love is like popsicles…you get too much you get too high. Not enough and you’re gonna die… [Zettecity](http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/zettecity/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![saraam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@saraam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saraam)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2000, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/2 "2000-02-25T21:54:00Z")
No. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![pluto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f08c70/32.png) [@pluto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pluto)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2000, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/3 "2000-02-25T21:56:00Z")
They do have some rapids that are, to some people anyway, grand. * * * If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2000, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/4 "2000-02-25T21:57:00Z")
Well, there’s a Grand Rapids, Ohio, too. Just up the might muddy Maumee River from Toledo. * * * _Here’s mud in yer eye!_ Yer pal, UncleBeer. ---
**Author:** ![Frankie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@Frankie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankie)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2000, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/5 "2000-02-25T22:03:00Z")
Zette- There really isn’t anything to do but ridicule those different than you! But the locals sure seem to enjoy that! * * * -Frankie I’m a wholesale dealin papa, but I retail on the side.-Brownie McGhee ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2000, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/6 "2000-02-25T22:11:00Z")
They also spend a lot of time talking about how superior they are to Grand Rapids, MN but to no avail since at least they have the 3m factory. * * * You always use violence. I should’ve ordered glutinous rice chicken. ---
**Author:** ![BunnyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BunnyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyGirl)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2000, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/7 "2000-02-25T22:20:00Z")
Zette, 3 words: Gantos Outlet Store. Eastbrook Mall. Check it out. I got a suit coat there for $5.00. Nice stuff. Anyway, here’s some more info on Grand Rapids; it’s one of my favorite cities (many good memories of an old flame!). [http://gr.milive.com](http://gr.milive.com) Hope that works! [www.grmuseum.org](http://www.grmuseum.org) There’s going to be a rodeo at Van Andel Arena on the weekend of March 4th and Britney Spears (if you care) will be there March 19th. [www.gram.mus.mi.us](http://www.gram.mus.mi.us) This is for the Grand Rapids Art Museum. It’s a nice town, just kind of spread out. ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2000, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/8 "2000-02-26T01:47:00Z")
IIRC from a childhood vacation, Grand Rapids is the home of the Gerald Ford Museum. That’s right…the Gerald Ford Museum. You can see his many merit badges from his Boy Scout days (no, I’m not kidding). I mean, if you think you can handle the excitement of it all… ---
**Author:** ![Poto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ab992/32.png) [@Poto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poto)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2000, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/9 "2000-02-26T01:57:00Z")
Isn’t there some Steel Case furniture plant there? ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2000, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/10 "2000-02-26T02:00:00Z")
I wonder if this works: [http://gr.mlive.com/](http://gr.mlive.com/) There’s some info on GR there. ---
**Author:** ![sly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@sly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sly)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2000, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/11 "2000-02-26T02:20:00Z")
Grand Rapids is an office furniture mecca: Steelcase, Herman Miller to name a few. I spent a month there one week. Not a whole lot to do this time of the year. The Tulip Festival, in nearby Holland, is held in early May. Plenty to do at the festival. The Museums are actually first rate for a not so big city. Don’t miss the planetarium. The GR Symphony plays at Devos (I think its called) Hall and Royce Auditorium. Ticketmaster shows Jonny Lang at the Orbit March 5. Heck, you could see (gag) Britney Spears (un-gag) at Van Andel arena. ---
**Author:** ![Babar714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Babar714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babar714)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2000, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/12 "2000-02-26T05:33:00Z")
A message from my friend Rob, who submitted the very useful Kessel Run info: WARNING: I used to live in GR in 1989, and i must be quite frank- If you are black, Jewish, Catholic,democrat, nonwhite, hell anything that is not Dutch or a member of the Dutch reform church DO NOT try to get cozy in Grand Rapids. All the people I knew were horrible, almost neonazi-esque racists. It is a hateful town, and that is why my family could not live there. We left after 11 months because it is such a miserable place. People are not discrete about there prejudices, and they are numerous here. I am not joking or trying to make trouble; I simply feel the need to warn you. If you are Dutch Reform, perhaps the Gerald Ford museum (also not a joke-- well, sort of. Let’s just say that it does exist) will interest you. ---
**Author:** ![Babar714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Babar714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babar714)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2000, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/13 "2000-02-26T05:35:00Z")
A message from my friend Rob, who submitted the very useful Kessel Run info: WARNING: I used to live in GR in 1989, and i must be quite frank- If you are black, Jewish, Catholic,democrat, nonwhite, hell anything that is not Dutch or a member of the Dutch reform church DO NOT try to get cozy in Grand Rapids. All the people I knew were horrible, almost neonazi-esque racists. It is a hateful town, and that is why my family could not live there. We left after 11 months because it is such a miserable place. People are not discrete about there prejudices, and they are numerous here. I am not joking or trying to make trouble; I simply feel the need to warn you. If you are Dutch Reform, perhaps the Gerald Ford museum (also not a joke-- well, sort of. Let’s just say that it does exist) will interest you. ---
**Author:** ![Babar714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Babar714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babar714)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2000, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/14 "2000-02-26T05:37:00Z")
A message from my friend Rob, who submitted the very useful Kessel Run info: WARNING: I used to live in GR in 1989, and i must be quite frank- If you are black, Jewish, Catholic,democrat, nonwhite, hell anything that is not Dutch or a member of the Dutch reform church DO NOT try to get cozy in Grand Rapids. All the people I knew were horrible, almost neonazi-esque racists. It is a hateful town, and that is why my family could not live there. We left after 11 months because it is such a miserable place. People are not discrete about there prejudices, and they are numerous here. I am not joking or trying to make trouble; I simply feel the need to warn you. If you are Dutch Reform, perhaps the Gerald Ford museum (also not a joke-- well, sort of. Let’s just say that it does exist) will interest you. ---
**Author:** ![Amazingrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Amazingrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazingrace)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2000, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/15 "2000-02-26T23:42:00Z")
Grand Rapids also has the Fredrick Meyer Gardens, which has this 3 story bronze horse, which I think was originally an idea of Leonardo DaVinci. I haven’t been, but I know several people who have, and I’ve heard only good things. It’s been nice outside, especially for February (low 60’s) for the last week or so, so you might want to check it out. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2000, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/16 "2000-02-27T00:26:00Z")
Babar, I heard you the first time!! 😉 Thanks for the tip… I plan on checking out the botanical gardens- looks like that’s about the extent of my tourism there. Looks like a fun place to kill a day, though! Thanks guys! Zette * * * Love is like popsicles…you get too much you get too high. Not enough and you’re gonna die… [Zettecity](http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/zettecity/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2000, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/17 "2000-02-27T04:43:00Z")
Having gone to college in good ol’ GR, I have some first hand knowledge. While it might appear to be a somewhat closed place to those who aren’t Dutch and/or Christian Reformed (like me), it’s not the hell on earth described by Babar. Eastown is quite a progressive place, (it’s no Haight-Ashbury, tho) however it’s small. Good breakfast joint-Wolfgang’s or the Brandywine. As for dinner, try San Chez or the Sierra Room downtown (I once ran into Gerry Ford there, or would have, if the secret service hadn’t got in the way!). Also Rose’s on Reed’s Lake. The B.O.B. has about 4 bars and a few resteraunts in the same building. The Ford museum is interesting, as is the Meijer Gardens. Stay away from 28th street. It’s a depressing monument to consumerism. There are some great old homes to tour on Heritage Hill. In late February/ early March the weather can be a little schizo, so be prepared for snow and 20’s or rain and 50’s. Finally, it can appear quite dull at first, but after 4 and a half years, I learned to appreciate it. Hopes this helps! ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2000, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/18 "2000-03-07T08:15:00Z")
Zette: I’m interested in reading what you thought about GR. It’s a surreal place. Have you gone yet? * * * It’s not how you pick your nose, it’s where you put the boogers ---
**Author:** ![Babar714](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Babar714](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babar714)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2000, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/19 "2000-03-07T08:26:00Z")
Has anyone ever achieved a triple before? Please let me be the first! \*crossing fingers ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2000, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446/20 "2000-03-07T11:54:00Z")
BigDaddy, I’m leaving the 15th and staying until the 20th. I’m getting excited about it- I can’t wait to go to the Gardens and I also saw that there is a zoo very close to where I’m working! (I couldn’t find a website for it). I’ll let you know! Zette 🙂 🙂 * * * “If I had to live your life, I’d be begging to have someone pop out both my eyes. Just in case I came across a mirror.” - android209 (in the Pit) [Zettecity](http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/zettecity/index.html) Voted “Most Empathetic”- can you believe that? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-grand-rapids/14446.md?page=2)