Grand Rapids landmarks & cityscape

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Seeing as how the other Grand Rapids travelblog entries are mostly about traveling to other countries or non-travel stuff, I am taking the liberty to present some of downtown GR's classic cityscape pictures* I took back in 2001.

One place I didn't include but should mention are the Fish Ladder, which is the very first hurdle the salmon and steelhead comes across in their journey upstream from Lake Michigan to Lansing (mid-Michigan) to spawn. Other places of interest are the Grand Rapids Children's Museum (LOTS for kids to do), Grand Rapids Public Museum (with an old-fashioned indoor carousel, 3 levels of stuff), Grand Rapids Art Museum (famous works and local), Grand Rapids Symphony (classical and fun concerts, including the popular Lollipop series for young children) and downtown Wealthy Theatre (located next to the Children's Museum). My boys, 7 and 3, have been to, and experienced, every one of the aforementioned places for their various offerings (age-appropriate activities of course).

Grand Rapids has much more now to offer a lot than it did when I moved here in 1996. I admit I am rather spoiled in the arts and entertainment, music and sports culture not only from Kalamazoo (where I lived for 9 years), but also from my various travels to Chicago and other places that have such divine entertainment offerings.

My personal favorite websites I go to for updates on places to go, people to see, things to do are:

PLACES TO GO
http://www.grcm.org/ (GR Children's Museum)
http://gramonline.org/ (GR Art Museum)
http://www.grmuseum.org/ (GR Public Museum)
http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/
http://grsymphony.org/
http://www.johnballzoosociety.org/
http://meijergardens.org/

SPORTS
http://griffinshockey.com/
http://www.rampagefootball.com/
http://www.whitecaps-baseball.com/

THINGS TO DO
http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/ (typical government website though)
http://vanandelarena.com/
http://www.michigan.org/ (sign up for their free travel eNewsletter - always has current happenings and great discounts)

*The only picture I added that was not downtown but on the northeast side is the bronze horse sculpture at the Meijer Gardens. The gardens are worth visiting and there's quite a lot to do and see with adults and kids.

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Photos

Ah Nab Wen Park
Once the site of a Native American village, this 6.5-acre park began as a bicentennial project which involved extensive public design input. The name, "Ah-Nab-Awen," was proposed by the Elders of the Three Fires Council and means, "Resting Place." The Park exhibits numerous pieces of art and interpretive markers and is often viewed in the context of the later addition to the site, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Ah-Nab-Awen Park hosts many large community-wide festivals including the July 4th fireworks and Celebration on the Grand.

Calder Plaza
The open, hard-surface plaza adjoining the City and County buildings hosts numerous large community events and "La Grand Vitesse," the Alexander Calder Stabile which symbolizes the City of Grand Rapids.

Gerald R Ford Museum
Where Ford was eventually buried earlier this year.

Grand Valley State University Clock Tower
Unique to the university and highly visible.

John Ball Park Zoo - Statue of John Ball
Nice little city zoo.

Rosa Parks Circle
The heart of downtown Grand Rapids features a public art space designed by the world-renowned artist, Maya Lin in 2001. Ice-skating in winter; concerts and picnicking in the summer.

Van Andel Arena
Home to the Griffins (hockey), Rampage (arena football), numerous concerts, musicals, sports events.

Leonardo da Vinci's The American Horse
Contemporary American scultor Nina Akamu created this bronze sculpture that pays homage to Leonardo Da Vinci. Titled "The American Horse" (1998). Can be found at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Great place to visit, esp. for kids.

Downtown city street
You can see how the city has preserved the old cobblestones in some of the streets.