Whether you’re headed to a festive family gathering, a Christmas feast with co-workers, or a holiday soiree with friends — we’ve wrapped up your guide of great local spots to find holiday host gifts in Grand Rapids this season! Wax Poetic Candle Bar — This holiday, have as much fun making the gift as you’ll have presenting it — with a candle pouring experience at Wax Poetic Candle Bar! Let your senses guide you through the Fragrance Bar as you select a few favorite aromas, then choose your container and an expert will help concoct your custom blend. Grab a bite, a pint, or a glass of wi ..read more

Soft, fluffy White Pines to fragrant Concolor Firs, fresh-cut or cut-and-carry — whichever type of holiday tree you’re after, these festive Christmas tree farms have you covered! Lenderink Tree Farm (Belmont) See why families flock to Lenderink’s year after year! Choose from 10 varieties of trees — Balsam, Fraser, Douglas, Grand, and Concolor Firs to Blue and Black Hills Spruces — and deck the halls with wreaths and garland, birch logs and firewood bundles. Wagon rides and weekend Santa visits make the trip magical for kids — marshmallow roasting and hot cocoa by the bonfire are a bonus ..read more

From u-pick pumpkin patches & orchards to zoos & animal parks — each of these outdoor spots is a must-try for fall, families! John Ball Zoo: Meet more than 200 species of animals and see your kiddos smile from ear to ear! Watch penguins fly underwater at the Van Andel Living Shores Aquarium and feline predators roam at Crawford Tigers of the Realm. Swing past the chimpanzees at Mokomboso Valley, and help brush the goats and sheep on Red’s Hobby Farm. Catch Living Lights events on select autumn evenings for an after-dark, illuminating family experience! Frederik Meijer Gardens &a ..read more

Trees dotted with juicy apples & fields filled with perfect carving pumpkins — these u-pick orchards & farms in Grand Rapids are ripe with fall adventures, families! Frugthaven Farm: 120 acres of autumn magic, including 100 acres of apples, a bakery, boutique, Kaffebar, and hard cidery. Sip hot cider (or a caramel apple latte, or locally roasted Madcap coffee) and snack on fresh, house-made donuts while you wander around the gorgeous property. Pull a wagon through the u-pick pumpkin patch, grab a seat by the bonfire, and enjoy a peaceful fall day on the farm. Watch for special p ..read more

If you prefer a waffle cone heaping with hand-dipped — or a cup of creamy frozen yogurt piled high with toppings — these local Grand Rapids scoop shops have your summer cravings covered! Ice Cream Shops Love’s Ice Cream — Organic, grass-fed dairy ice cream & non-dairy vegan gelato, scratch-made from intentionally sourced ingredients. Try: Almond Toffee Crunch made with browned butter and dark chocolate-covered toffee bits, or Blood Orange Mango vegan gelato. Furniture City Creamery — Cozy microcreamery churning small-batch, scratch-made specialties. Natural, locally s ..read more

Grand Rapids’ food scene is a year-round treat. But, all through summer and beyond, that scene spills out into the streets, filling parks to parking lots, markets to plazas with inventive dishes & fresh local flavors! But which trucks are cooking up what you’re craving, and where can you track down everything delicious? Follow along to cruise the lineup of our favorite local Grand Rapids food trucks! Local Food Trucks in Grand Rapids The Everyday Chef and Wife: Upscale street food, rustic-modern mobile kitchen. Banh Mi Sandwich, Banh Mi Fries, Posole Rojo Taco, Vegan Mac & Cheese. Arca ..read more

Sandy beaches & boat rentals. S’mores by the fire & sleeping under the stars. These Grand Rapids campgrounds have all the makings of a kid-friendly summer vacation! Woodchip Campground (Byron Center) See why families love to go to Woodchip! With 122 grassy, shaded sites — and fun activities to pack every hour — you’ll also see why no one wants to leave! Let the kids enjoy the pool and playground, inflatables, arts & crafts, barrel train rides, and a giant jumping pillow — plus free root beer floats for the perfect cool-down. There’s even a dog park for four-legged family mem ..read more

Pack the snacks & pump up the tires: these kid-friendly bike trails in Grand Rapids are paved & ready for your family to ride! Fred Meijer Millennium Park Trails (Walker) Explore 18 miles of mostly-paved trails through one of the largest urban parks in the United States! Choose a ride length that’s just right for your family using the convenient Millennium Park Trail Map — or go straight for the Sandy Hansen Shoreline Trails to loop around peaceful inland lakes and bike over scenic boardwalks! After your cruise, cool off together at the Mehney Splashpad and sandy, six-acre beach! Gra ..read more

If your green thumb’s been itching all winter or hints of warm weather have you feeling inspired to plant — these nurseries, greenhouses & garden centers will help you get your hands back in the dirt! Horrocks Market (Kentwood) With its sprawling greenhouse, well-stocked nursery, and garden center for staples like soil and mulch, Horrocks is a paradise for planters. And with a grocery, gourmet market, deli, and tavern, too — you’ll want to spend an entire afternoon exploring! Browse row after row of healthy nursery stock — including hard-to-find plants, lush evergreens, and gorgeous ..read more

Whether you’re adding to an antique glassware collection or on the hunt for upcycled vintage furniture — these local Grand Rapids treasure troves are as unique as the rare finds inside. Bluedoor: A Home CollectiveStep into this Uptown shop and be amazed by each piece of thoughtfully repurposed furniture — from dressers and buffets to cabinets and coffee tables. Find whimsical décor, antique windows and doors, and a stunning lighting collection complete with European chandeliers and vintage sconces.  City Antiques Resale BoutiqueNestled inside Bluedoor: A Home Collective, this estate res ..read more