Good Morning Grand Rapids!

This week, CNN voted Grand Rapids one of the Best Towns to visit in the United States, thanks to our vibrant beer, food, art, and outdoor activities.

Of course, this comes as no surprise to those of us who live here. Here are even more reminders why Grand Rapids is such an amazing place to visit and live!

Let’s get into it!

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🌩️Yikes, what a storm Hopefully you battened down the hatches and secured your outdoor furniture! We lost power for two days and lost some of our brand new patio furniture 😐️ 

#8! Our lovely town was voted a top city to visit in the US by CNN.  

🏀 Sports -

IPW presents - FATE OF EIGHT - Live Pro Wrestling: Come to Patterson Ice Center this Saturday, June 29, at 7 PM to see the fate of eight decided.

FlannelJax's Drop-In Axe Throwing League: Come to FlannelJax's Sunday at 1:00 PM to take part in some drop-in axe hurling goodness!

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🎤 Open Mic at Mulligan's Pub: Wednesday, June 26, Mulligan’s Pub

Westnedge / The Foleys / Sentenced To Life: Friday June 28, Mulligan’s Pub

🎵 616 & Friends: Come here the best the Grand Rapids hip-hop scene has to offer this Saturday, June 29, at The Philmore South

Relax to some free jazz music on Sunday at SpeakEZ Lounge - 6-9pm

Listen to live music on Fridays & Saturdays throughout the summer at FireRock Grille from 5-8pm (good chance you’ll see my wife and I here!)

Pyramid Scheme, as usual, has a show every night this upcoming week. Tickets are typically $10 and many of the shows are for all ages.

🍎 Fun Fact

Grand Rapids used to be known for the high-quality of out pigeon racing!

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Stuff -

👸 Princess Party 2024: Come to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park this Saturday, June 29, to celebrate the princess in your life!

🧩 Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt: Voted Grand Rapids' best scavenger hunt since 2016! Happening every day for the remainder of 2024! 50 Ottawa Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49503, 2:00 PM

🔍️ You Sleuth Augmented Reality Detective Experience: Clue meets Pokemon Go in this augmented reality experience that's fun for the whole family.  533 Avalon Terrace SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 at 10:00 AM every day until the end of October

Mosaic: Meijer Garden: Here’s a chance to luxuriate in some gorgeous early summer weather in one of Western Michigan’s most stunningly beautiful settings. The Mosaic: Meijer Garden floral show runs through August 31

📷️ Snapshot Quest: Have a lil scavenger in your life? Snapshot Quest is one part scavenger hunt, one part photography challenge, and 10 parts fun! Running through September 2024.

📚️ Summer Reading Challenge: Summer is officially upon us! That means it’s time for Summer Reads. Every week, the Grand Rapids Public Library will be hosting weekly reading challenges through September 7.

🤖 Wimee’s Dreams at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Got a little science lover in your midst? You will after visiting Wimee’s Dreams at the Grand Rapids Children Museum, where children of all ages can explore the magic of green screen technology, investigate a distant star, dress up in costumes and play with zebras and cupcakes! Running through September.

🥇 Golden Years

Serenity Tai Chi Chuan: 6810 Old 28th St SE, 6:00 PM

☘️ Plant Walk at Donald J. Lamoreoux Trail: Sunday 10:30 AM, 4385 Coit Ave NE

👻 Grand Rapid Ghost Tours: History lovers and ghost hunters alike will love the Grand Rapid Ghost Tours, where you take a walking tour through some of Grand Rapids’ most iconic buildings. Happening daily through January 2025.

🏊️Aqua Stretch and Tone: This Spring and Summer, the KROC Center in Grand Rapids is hosting a series of low-impact, low-intensity workouts for toning, strengthening, and relaxing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

🏠️Meyer May House Tours: Here’s a chance to tour one of Frank Lloyd’s Wright’s greatest triumphs right here in Grand Rapids. Tours are available every Tuesday and Thursday, but tickets often sell out ahead of time, so make sure to reserve your spot early!

🥘 Senior Meals at 121 Franklin SE: Every Monday through Friday at noon, join the 60+ community for fun, friendship, and delicious Latin American food!

😎 Other Cool Stuff

This “Michigan Bundle” for Cedar Point is STILL a GREAT DEAL.

Get your kids to these this theater camp where they’ll learn backbackstage tech, scenic build, costumes and acting, singing and dancing. Next session starts on July 29th. Ages 6-12

🏷️ GRrrrrrrreat Discounts for Subscribers!

Hydrowash Solutions - 50% OFF
Your home looking a little dirty or green this spring? Get 50% off your home's first pressure wash (up to 1500 sq ft). Only $300 for GR Newsletter subscribers.
Text "Wash" to 616-730-3949 get on the calendar. (First 10 homes only)

Let The Good Times Roll - $150 OFF
Need a bartender for your special day? Whether it's a wedding, backyard bbq, or any other special occassion - I am your certified and insured bartender and food handler. $150 off any event for GR News subscribers!
Text "Bartender" to 847-924-2447 to claim your discount!

JDPotter Lawn Care - First Grass Mowing is FREE!
I’m a bit biased, as Jackson has been cutting my lawn for several years. He’s a great young man with a thriving business. He’ll cut up to two acres for free, for first-time customers. And, you’ll love it so much, he’ll be your lawn guy for life.
Text “Free Mow” to 616-818-8805 to get scheduled. (First 15 lawns only)

Miss Clean It All - 40% OFF
Get your first cleaning job on the books at 40% off! Two hours of deep cleaning for only $40! Servicing residential & commercial customers.
Text "First Cleaning" to 616-433-5497 to get scheduled 

👨‍💼 Highlighting New Businesses

The nostalgic Rocket Fizz candy store just opened a new location over at the Tanger Outlets. Go give them some love and make your kiddos happy.

The Ada Village General Store is getting a new lease on life this summer, updating the 165-year old brick building into an upscale eatery.

An Italian restaurant, Rossana’s Table, is now open at 107 E. Main St. SE in Caledonia, the former location of Fricano’s Pizza.

Cottage Inn Pizza is now in GR! This was one of my favorites as a child on the east side of the state, and they are now open at 533 Wealthy St SE

Thanks for being a Good, Great, Grand Rapidian.