🌊 Michigan Getaway | 2-Day Grand Rapids Itinerary

🌊 Michigan Getaway | 2-Day Grand Rapids Itinerary 👀🎣😛 Labor Day weekend calls for a road trip! I drove 2 hours from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids—and let me tell you, this city’s got charm, even if it’s super quiet (downtown felt like a ghost town at times! 😂). Two days was the perfect amount to explore—here’s how I spent my time! 📅 Day 1: John Ball Zoo 🦁 → Grand Haven 🌇 (Sunset & Small-Town Vibes!) Day 1 was all about wildlife and waterfront magic—total win! 🐘 John Ball Zoo (10/10 Recommend!!!) This zoo is way better than I expected—do yourself a favor and add it to your list! Student tickets are around $15 (such a steal 🎟️), and the animals here are so happy and active—no “back-to-you-and-sitting-still” laziness! I got up close to a hippo for the first time ever (it blinked at me—my heart melted 🥹)! There was also a tiger pacing its enclosure like it was on patrol, and a brown bear rolling around in the grass—watching them move around made the experience feel so alive, not just like “looking at caged animals.” Pro tip: Wear comfy shoes—there’s a lot of walking, but every exhibit is worth it (don’t miss the red pandas—they’re tiny and fluffy! 🐼). 🌉 Grand Haven (My New Favorite Small Town!) After the zoo, I drove to Grand Haven—and fell in love with this lakeside town instantly! Here’s how I soaked up the vibes: Beach Sunset: I grabbed snacks beforehand (chips, fruit, a soda 🥤) and plopped down on the sand to wait for sunset. The lighthouse at golden hour? Chef’s kiss 🌅—the sky turned pink and orange, and the lighthouse silhouette against the water was like a postcard. RV Park Vibes: Right by the beach, there’s an RV park—so many people were grilling, playing frisbee, or just sitting on their RV steps chatting. Americans really know how to relax, man 😂—made me want to rent an RV for a trip someday! Tiny Downtown: Grand Haven’s downtown is just one street, but it’s packed with cute spots. I hit up Dairy Creme for ice cream (vanilla with sprinkles—classic and delicious 🍦) and passed a hot dog stand with a huge line (next time, I’m trying that!). Dinner at Snug Harbor: For dinner, I ate at this waterfront spot with a lake-view patio. The vibe was so chill—wind in my hair, lake sounds in the background 🎶. I ordered two pastas, and they were loaded with big chunks of lobster (no skimping here! 🦞)—so flavorful, I cleaned my plate. Nighttime Bonus: I even caught the town’s music fountain after dinner! Suddenly, it felt like everyone in Grand Haven showed up—kids dancing, families sitting on blankets… it was such a warm, happy moment. 📅 Day 2: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 🎨 → Grand Rapids Public Museum 🏛️ Day 2 was for culture—with a little heatwave twist! 🌿 Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (Pretty, But Hot!) This place is beautiful—don’t get me wrong—but fair warning: it’s huge, and on a hot day? I was sweating through my shirt by the end 😂. Highlights include a big greenhouse (filled with tropical plants—like stepping into a rainforest 🌴) and outdoor gardens dotted with cool sculptures (think big, colorful art pieces mixed with flowers). The way art and nature blend here is really cool—great for photos if you can handle the sun! That said, if you’re not super into plants (hi, me—I studied plants in undergrad, so I was a little “been there, done that” 🥱), or if it’s a scorcher, you might not need to spend all afternoon here. An hour or two is enough to see the best parts! 🏛️ Grand Rapids Public Museum (My Favorite Spot of the Trip!) Okay, this museum blew me away—I had way more fun than I expected! It’s 3 floors, each with a different theme, and every floor was a vibe: 1st Floor: Old Grand Rapids Streetscape: This was my favorite! They recreated a vintage Grand Rapids street—old-fashioned shops, a tiny theater, even a retro diner. It was so detailed and cute—like stepping back in time 🕰️. Perfect for photos (I took 20+ pics here—no shame!). 2nd Floor: Currency Exhibit: My partner and I spent forever here—they had coins and bills from all over the world, including ancient Chinese round-hole coins and knife-shaped coins! Seeing pieces of my home country’s history in a Michigan museum felt so surreal (in the best way 😊). Bonus: Blue Bridge View: The museum also has a spot where you can see Grand Rapids’ famous Blue Bridge—such a pretty photo op, especially if the sky is clear! 💭 Final Thoughts Grand Rapids is the ultimate “chill getaway”—no crazy crowds, just nice spots to wander and relax. Two days is more than enough to see the best of it—great for when you want a trip with no stress, no tight schedules, just good vibes 🧚🏻‍♀️. If you’re in Michigan and need a weekend break, this is the spot—you won’t regret it! #TravelGuide#WeekendGetaway#UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor#Michigan#LakeMichigan#InternationalStudent#GrandRapids#GrandHaven