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Post by AnastasiaBeaverhausn on Mar 24, 2016 16:01:38 GMT
DBF and I are headed to western Michigan this weekend. We are staying in Grand Rapids and will be taking some day trips to maybe Saugatuck and Kalamazoo. Any suggestions of what to see, do, where to eat in GR, Saugatuck and Kzoo? The Presidential Museum is closed and we can do the Meijer Gardens in GR and Binder Park Zoo in Kzoo. More interested in Saugatuck for a day trip. Suggestions?
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Post by lily on Mar 24, 2016 16:09:36 GMT
Years and years ago we lived in Kalamazoo, and we went to the Lake Michigan beach. It was so nice...the water was shallow enough that you could walk way out and it would only be shoulder high! In Saugatuck we walked around the marinas and saw huge yachts. There are also Sand Dune rides in Saugatuck! www.saugatuckduneride.com/ |
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by blue tulip on Mar 24, 2016 16:38:32 GMT
you'll be right in my neighborhood!  Saugatuck downtown is cute and full of little shops. the dune rides are fun, if you're more the walking/hiking type, the Saugatuck Dunes state park has trails thru the woods/dunes of varying length that will take you to the beach. otherwise oval beach is right on the water, no hiking required. You can "climb" Mt. Baldy, it's a very long wooden stairway to the top. There's a ferry that goes down the river. I can't make any real eating recommendations because we're never there for more than ice cream, but the elbo room is a sister restaurant to one in my town that is very good.
if you want to come 20min north, Holland has a beautiful red lighthouse and lots of shopping and craft breweries downtown. then you can hop back on I196 to get back to GR. |
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abbyg7
Shy Member
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Post by abbyg7 on Mar 24, 2016 16:47:48 GMT
Saugatuck is more of a summer town and there isn't much going on yet. It has some cute shops. For a meal I can recommend Phils or Wallys. Wallys looks kind of like a dive, but the food is good.
I don't know of anything special going on in Kalamazoo right now, but it's always fun to wander around downtown. If you like craft beer, there are some excellent places to try.
The Meijer Gardens has Butterflies are Blooming going on right now. It is amazing, thousands of butterflies flying around. For restaurants we like Stellas, HopCat and San Chez. Also there are lots of places to try craft beers.
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Deleted
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May 3, 2024 22:04:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 16:53:04 GMT
If you like to drink beer, go to Saugatuck brewing. Good beer, good food.
Kalamazoo - check out Bell's. Want more variety? The beer exchange. Warning, it's extremely popular. We've gone three times and only got in once because it was over an hour wait.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 3, 2024 22:04:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 16:55:53 GMT
Oh and binder park zoo is not in Kalamazoo but about 30 miles east in battle creek. There's nothing good in battle creek. The area close to the zoo is all chains. However, Territorial brewing is a German inspired place. Not sure if they're open this Sunday.
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Post by shutterbug2sue on Mar 24, 2016 16:59:31 GMT
I was going to comment on Meijer Gardens and the butterflies, but abbyg7 beat me to it.
I like visiting Holland and it is so close to GR. (Ha, I just figured out blue tulip's name! - Holland has a Tulip Festival every May.)
GR has a zoo - John Ball Zoo.
If you're just around for the weekend, there is plenty to do in GR. They have a good website with lots of attraction listings. You mentioned the Presidential Museum, they also have history and art museums. Lots of indoor attractions are available as the weather may not be favorable for outdoor activities.
Enjoy your visit!
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Saugatuck downtown is cute and full of little shops. the dune rides are fun, if you're more the walking/hiking type, the Saugatuck Dunes state park has trails thru the woods/dunes of varying length that will take you to the beach. otherwise oval beach is right on the water, no hiking required. You can "climb" Mt. Baldy, it's a very long wooden stairway to the top. There's a ferry that goes down the river. I can't make any real eating recommendations because we're never there for more than ice cream, but the elbo room is a sister restaurant to one in my town that is very good.
