Chris Lanning, Author at Indy's Child Magazine

From colorful glass masterpieces at Frederik Meijer Gardens to sandy afternoons along Lake Michigan, our family discovered why Grand Rapids makes an unforgettable Midwest getaway. When planning a family trip, we always look for a destination that gives everyone something to enjoy. With young kids, that means finding the right balance — activities that keep them excited, experiences adults can appreciate and enough flexibility to slow down and enjoy the moments together. For our summer getaway, we headed north to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and quickly realized it was the perfect family destination. The city offered an incredible mix of art, outdoor adventures, hands-on experiences and great food. What made this trip stand out was that the adventure started before we even arrived. Instead of viewing the drive as something to simply get through, we found ways to make the journey part of the experience. Make the Drive Part of the Adventure: Howard Park in South Bend Traveling with young kids means finding ways to break up longer drives, and Howard Park in South Bend was the perfect stop along the way. The playground and splash pad gave our kids a chance to get out of the car, burn off some energy and have fun before continuing north. We paired the park visit with lunch at Howard Park Public House, located nearby. The burger there was easily one of the best burgers I have ever had. It was one of those unexpected vacation highlights that made the drive feel like part of the adventure. For families traveling from Indianapolis, South Bend is a great reminder that the road trip itself can become part of the experience. Staying in the Cherry Hill Historic District Neighborhood One of the best decisions we made was staying in Grand Rapids’ Cherry Hill Neighborhood. The location was ideal for our family. Not only were we less than 15 minutes from every attraction we wanted to visit, but we were within walking distance to various coffee shops, restaurants, ice cream and shopping. After full days exploring with kids, it was nice not having to load everyone back into the car just to find dinner or a treat. We could simply walk around the neighborhood and enjoy a slower pace that best accommodated our family’s needs. One of our favorite discoveries was Chartreuse Sisters, a French-inspired café that felt like a little piece of France in Grand Rapids. The beautiful china, food and drinks created such a unique experience, and their matcha was incredible. Our only complaint was that we didn’t make it there until the last day! Another one of our favorite finds was Hopscotch Children’s Store, a local toy store filled with unique toys, books, games and gifts. The owner was very kind, informative, and knew how to guide customers to exactly what they were looking for. It was a fun stop for our kids and another reason we loved staying in a walkable neighborhood. The Highlight of Our Trip: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park The highlight of our entire trip was Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Before visiting, we knew the gardens were known for incredible landscapes and artwork, but what surprised us most was how much there was for kids to experience. It was not just a place where adults could appreciate art — it was a place where kids could explore, play and create their own memories. The current CHIHULY exhibition was incredible. Throughout the gardens, colorful glass sculptures are placed among flowers, trees and water features, creating surprises around every corner. Additionally there is an indoor installation containing a variety of intricate pieces and sketches from the design process. For adults, it is an impressive art experience. For kids, it feels like an adventure — exploring the grounds and discovering something new around every corner. One of our favorite moments was seeing the excitement on our kids’ faces as they discovered the sculptures throughout the property. One of their biggest “wow” moments came when we walked up to The American Horse sculpture. Our daughter first noticed the two smaller horse sculptures nearby, but then she looked up and saw the massive horse standing in front of her. Her reaction was priceless as she realized just how big it was. That is what makes Meijer Gardens so special for families. The artwork sparks curiosity, and kids naturally turn the Sculpture Park into their own scavenger hunt, wondering what they will discover around the next corner. The Lena Meijer Children’s Garden quickly became another favorite part of our trip. In fact, this area alone could easily keep families busy for hours. It is one of the largest interactive children’s gardens in the country and is designed for kids to climb, explore, touch and play while learning about nature, gardens and art. Our daughter especially loved the splash pad interactive water feature. She could have easily stayed there all afternoon. It was one of those moments every parent recognizes — when your child is having so much fun that leaving becomes the hardest part of the day. Beyond the splash pad, families can launch boats and build waterways in the Great Lakes Garden, climb through Treehouse Village, explore imaginative play areas and even search for fossils in the Rock Quarry. The Kid-Sense Garden provides children the opportunity to experience nature through all five senses with plants they can touch, smell and hear (??). It is a great example of how Meijer Gardens encourages kids to learn through exploration. Another area families should not miss is the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Walking through the rainforest environment, complete with waterfalls, streams, bridges and tropical plants, feels like stepping into another world. Families with younger children will also enjoy Michigan’s Farm Garden, where kids can explore a recreated 1930s farm setting with historic buildings, gardens, orchards and animals. A helpful tip for families: plan plenty of time here. Many visitors spend 1–2 hours just in the Children’s Garden, and when you add the Sculpture Park, CHIHULY exhibition and Conservatory, a half-day visit goes by quickly. Meijer Gardens also makes it easy to take breaks during a longer visit. Families can stop at the James & Shirley Balk Café for a meal or snack, or grab a treat from Mary’s Ice Cream Parlor in the Children’s Garden area. For families who want to explore more of the property without walking the entire distance, Meijer Gardens offers a tram ride around the grounds for a small additional fee. It is a great option for younger children, tired legs, strollers or wagons. For our family, Meijer Gardens was one of those rare attractions where everyone had something to enjoy — parents appreciated the art and beauty, while kids had the freedom to explore, play and make the experience their own. A Museum That Keeps Kids Curious Another stop our family enjoyed was the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The museum’s new Oceans exhibit gave our family the chance to explore the underwater world through interactive experiences. One thing that stood out was how hands-on the museum was. Our kids loved the Game Garden, which features larger-than-life versions of classic games, including a giant version of Operation. We also visited the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium and watched an Elmo-themed show designed specifically for younger children. The shorter format was perfect for our family. At less than 30 minutes, it gave our kids the chance to experience a planetarium without expecting them to sit through a longer show. Our son especially loved it. Watching him laugh and enjoy the planetarium experience was one of those simple moments that made the day memorable. A Day Along Lake Michigan in Grand Haven No trip to West Michigan is complete without spending time along Lake Michigan. We spent a day at Grand Haven Beach, where the kids played in the sand, enjoyed the water and took in the views. After a morning at the beach, we stopped at The Toasted Pickle, where their twist on a Cuban sandwich was one of the best I have ever had. More Family Favorites Around Grand Rapids While Meijer Gardens was the highlight of our trip, several other stops made the week memorable. At John Ball Zoo, our kids loved the otter exhibit. Being able to see the otters from different viewpoints made it feel interactive and exciting. Watching them swim and play was one of their favorite parts of the zoo. The baby hippo was another highlight and gave our kids a memorable animal experience. We also enjoyed blueberry picking, exploring Reeds Lake and visiting the Downtown Market. Where We Ate: Some Worthwhile Stops A big part of any family trip is discovering great food along the way. Some favorites included: Wolfgang’s Restaurant A great breakfast stop before a busy day of exploring. Donkey Taqueria A fun local spot with great tacos and Mexican-inspired dishes. The Ral: Modern Thai and Cocktails A memorable dinner with creative Thai-inspired dishes. Bistro Bella Vita Italian-inspired dishes featuring handmade pasta made in-house. Love’s Ice Cream & Chocolate The perfect stop for a sweet treat after exploring. Grand Rapids Family Trip Details Getting There: Grand Rapids is an easy road trip from Indianapolis, making it a great Midwest getaway for families. A stop at Howard Park in South Bend makes the drive easier with young kids. How Long to Stay: A 5-day trip is ideal for families who want to experience Grand Rapids without feeling rushed. This allows time to enjoy Frederik Meijer Gardens, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, John Ball Zoo, Grand Haven Beach, blueberry picking and local restaurants while still leaving room for slower mornings, coffee stops and time to simply enjoy the city. Best Ages: Grand Rapids is especially great for preschool and elementary-aged kids because so many attractions are hands-on and allow kids to explore at their own pace. Don’t Miss: Frederik Meijer Gardens and the CHIHULY exhibition Lena Meijer Children’s Garden Grand Rapids Public Museum and planetarium John Ball Zoo Grand Haven Beach and Lake Michigan Local coffee shops, restaurants and ice cream stops Family Travel Tip: Choose a walkable neighborhood if possible. Being able to walk to coffee, restaurants, ice cream and local shops made our trip much more relaxing. Why Grand Rapids Is Worth the Drive What stood out most about Grand Rapids was how easy it was to create a trip that worked for our entire family. We had days filled with adventure and exploration, but we also had moments where we could slow down — walking through beautiful gardens, playing at the beach, enjoying local food and watching our kids experience something new. For Indianapolis families looking for a Midwest getaway, Grand Rapids offers the perfect mix of attractions kids will love and experiences parents will enjoy too. We came home with a lot of great memories, and it is already a place we would love to return to.

Chris Lanning

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