Summer has begun in Michigan! After a long, Midwest winter, the sunny skies are a welcome sight. Whether you’re starting the season with a long to-do list or are looking for ways to squeeze every last drop of fun, Apple Ridge Apartments are the perfect home base for city and lakeshore adventures. Here are 12 activities to enjoy this summer in the Grand Rapids area.

 

1. Have a roaring good time at the John Ball Zoo

For young animal lovers, the John Ball Zoo offers educational camp opportunities during the summer. The zoo also hosts a mesmerizing annual lantern festival that typically extends from April to June.
 

2. Get out in the sunshine at Frederick Meijer Gardens

Summer is a fabulous time to stop and smell the roses, but at the Meijer Gardens, there’s also tea gardens, flowering Japanese cherry trees, and 158 acres of more natural wonders. Enjoy the fresh air, serene atmosphere, and a walk around the four waterfalls or sculpture park.

Did you know that the Meijer Gardens are home to Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory? Plan your visit between their summer events, such as art exhibitions and the Summer Concert Series, which brings together the Grand Rapids Symphony and some of the biggest names in the music industry, like O.A.R., Lucy Dacus, and more.
 

3. Savor masterpieces at the Grand Rapids Art Museum

When you need to enjoy some visual delights (or some air conditioning), there are plenty of indoor museums to sightsee. View works of art from the Renaissance period to modern cinema showings. If you’re looking to escape the heat with little ones, there’s also the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the latter of which offers free admission for kids in Kent County aged 17 and under.
 

4. Spend time with family at Great Lakes Glow Golf

Up for some competition? Strike up a friendly game with family over 18 holes of indoor ultraviolet miniature golf! Additionally, the venue boasts an arcade, duckpin bowling, and concessions.

For more group-friendly outings in Grand Rapids, check out Craig’s Cruisers, Main Event, or play a game of fetch with your four-legged friend at Shaggy Pines Dog Park.
 

5. Indulge your sweet tooth with plenty of ice cream

Few things go better together than summer and ice cream. For the best ice cream in Grand Rapids, locals are torn between Love’s Ice Cream and Frosty Boy Grand Rapids in the Creston neighborhood. Love’s Ice Cream offers handcrafted ice cream, as well as an ice cream flight for the perfect chance to try five different flavors. Meanwhile, Frosty Boy’s original shop is known for its specialty soft-serves, ideal with a cone and a long walk in the sunshine.

Of course, Grand Rapids is home to a handful of highly-rated ice cream shops, including Tippy Cow Ice Cream, Furniture City Creamery, and Jersey Junction, so your best bet might be to sample them all!
 

6. Take a dip along the Lake Michigan shore

Every Michigander knows the lakeshore is the place to be when the weather starts to heat up. Each lakeside town promises a different flavor to enjoying the water. Grand Haven rests just about 40 minutes from Grand Rapids and is known for its small-town atmosphere, 1.5-mile boardwalk, and its annual Coast Guard Festival.

Holland, however, offers a little bit more of a unique, artsy, and fairly touristy appeal. With a walkable downtown, a renowned tulip festival in May, and the iconic De Zwaan windmill, things to do outside of beachside activities are in no short supply.  

Looking for a quieter strip of sand? Take a trip out to more secluded beaches like Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Woodman Beach, or Newcome Beach for fewer crowds. For closer swimming spots away from Lake Michigan, Millennium Park rests just a 9-minute drive from Apple Ridge Apartments.
 

7. Get involved in something local

For fun things to do in Grand Rapids this summer, look no further than downtown! Don’t miss out on special events where the area’s culture, art, music, and culinary scenes showcase fantastic local talent. Jam out to annual music festivals like Upheaval Festival and Breakaway Music Festival, perfect for rock and EDM fans. Enjoy something out of the box with tickets to the Burning Foot Beer Festival in August, which promises good music, great beer, and a chance to get your toes in the sand.
 

8. Try something off the beaten path at TreeRunner Grand Rapids Adventure Park

In the thick of summer, even your favorite go-tos can feel overdone. Thankfully, in a city like Grand Rapids, you can always count on something unique to do. Make memories with friends and family along TreeRunner’s ropes courses and zip lines or revel in an evening of competition among the House Rules Board Game Lounge’s library of over 600 board games. If you’re feeling brave, there’s also the Grand Rapids Ghost Tours and Haunted Pub Crawls for a spooky nightcap.
 

9. Explore antique stores and farmers markets

Whether you need a new summer wardrobe or are hoping to frequent the farmers market, there are plenty of ways to shop until you drop. Locals know that Grand Rapids has some of the best shopping in the West Michigan area, between Woodland Mall, RiverTown Crossings, and the Tanger Outlets Grand Rapids, but there are plenty of hidden gems to discover as well.

You can easily spend an afternoon or two exploring Warehouse One Antiques's swath of treasures. The same can be said of Wally’s Castle, Pinky’s Place, and The Elevated Market. As far as farmers markets go, the Fulton Street Farmers Market is a must-see, as it is the oldest and largest farmers market in Grand Rapids. Just 10 minutes from Apple Ridge Apartments, you can browse produce, explore handmade goods, and maybe treat yourself to a bouquet of flowers at the Grandville Farmers Market.
 

10. Feast on burgers at Black Napkin

Grand Rapids is nicknamed Beer City, but a good burger can make the perfect pair on a breezy summer evening. On the culinary scene, the competition is griddle-hot, but Black Napkin has consistently ranked highly in polls for local favorites, and their inclusion of vegetarian and vegan options is always welcome. Mr. Burger and Choo Choo Grill are also top players in the burger game, both are famous for their olive burgers.
 

11. Hike and watch wildlife at Cascade Peace Park

Lace up your hiking boots and head out on the trails! Cascade Peace Park and Siedman Park offer beautiful unpaved trails that extend about 4 miles, and both are within a 25-minute drive of Grand Rapids. For something more accessible and easier on the knees, Reeds Lake Trail is 4.2 miles and offers paved pathways and boardwalks. Of course, don’t leave home without your bug spray, and keep an eye out for ticks.
 

12. Take advantage of free activities in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is a great place to live for inexpensive fun during the summer months. Many cultural festivals downtown, like the Pride Festival, Italian Festival, and Return to the River Festival are free to enter and enjoy, with food available for purchase.

The Meyer May House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is free to tour and sightsee, with dozens of other historic homes to admire in the neighborhood. Tour through the Grand Rapids Art Museum on a Meijer Free Thursday Nights and get in with free general admission. Speaking of art, one of the city’s most notable events, ArtPrize, brings millions of people to Grand Rapids toward the end of the summer to experience riveting art installations around the city – all for free!

As a resident at Apple Ridge Apartments, budget-friendly summer fun is never too far, either. With community amenities to enjoy at home, you can lounge by the pool, plan a picnic along the beautiful green spaces, or rent the community building for a gathering with friends. Our apartment community is a great place for relaxation and adventure in West Michigan.