Welcome to the Best of Grand Rapids 2025
Your votes told us where you love to shop, play, and eat -and all of your favorite things to do in Grand Rapids. Thank you!
This year’s results are reflected here, in the 2025 Best of Grand Rapids.
You told us where you like to eat, play, visit – and even where to plan our next road trip.
Take a look at 2025’s top places, food stops, and experiences that make Grand Rapids a fabulous place for families.
2025 Best of GR Winners Lists
Experience old favorites and try something new – The Best of Grand Rapids 2025 is packed with old standbys that have stood the test of time as well as exciting newcomers that popped up on the West Michigan scene in the past year.
The top ten winners in each sub-category are listed (exceptions made in cases of a tie).
Let’s play local and celebrate all there is to love about Grand Rapids!
The ‘Best of’ rankings displayed on this website were determined through votes cast by our community members, parents, and other website users. They are solely based on the preferences and opinions of the individuals who participated in the voting process.Quick Look at the Winners – Open here!
| Category | Winner | Our Article |
|---|---|---|
| Museum | Winner: Grand Rapids Public Museum | Explore the best museums in Grand Rapids! |
| Place to See Animals | Winner: John Ball Zoo | Discover the best places that offer captivating and immersive animal experiences for all ages. |
| Fall Farm/Apple Orchard | Winner: Schwallier’s Country Basket | Visit top-voted apple orchards and fall destinations with activities like apple picking, hayrides, and corn mazes. |
| Coolest Park Playground | Winner: Millennium Park | Enjoy sprawling green spaces, playgrounds, picnic areas, and recreational activities for every age and interest. |
| Overnight Camp | Winner: Camp Roger | Create long-lasting friendships and memories at day and overnight camps. |
| Birthday Party Venue | Winner: Craig’s Cruisers | Host your next birthday party at one of the top ten places voted by Grand Rapids area readers. |
| Indoor Play Place for Little Kids (paid) | Winner: Grand Rapids Children’s Museum | Check out ultimate indoor playgrounds in West Michigan for endless hours of fun. |
| Game or Hobby Store | Winner: Aunt Candy’s Toy Company | Explore the best game & hobby stores for family game nights. |
| Romantic Restaurant (non-chain) | Winner: Amore Trattoria Italiana | Discover the best voted date night restaurants in Grand Rapids. |
| Haircuts for Kids | Winner: Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids – Grand Rapids (Knapps Corner) | Schedule your child’s next haircut at one of the top voted places. |
| Financial Planner | Winner: Geoff Sadek (Academy Wealth Management) | After getting your finances in order with the best local financial planners, pass along some pro tips to your teen about financial independence. |
| Disney Vacation Planner | Winner: Jennifer Witham Buck (Love the Mouse Travel) | Knowledgeable Disney Travel Agents help create magical trips. |
| Michigan Waterpark | Winner: Michigan’s Adventure | Thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools at the best Michigan water parks. |
| Resort in Michigan for Families | Winner: Great Wolf Lodge – Traverse City | Reserve your room at one of the best resorts in Michigan, including a winter trip at these top ski resorts. |
| Dance Studio/Lessons | Winner: Integrity Dance Arts | Discover the top voted dance studios for kids. |
| Music Studio/Lessons | Winner: Academy of Music in Grand Rapids and Jenison | Schedule lessons at the top voted music studios. |
| West MI Experience Gift for Kids | Winner: Membership to John Ball Zoo | Top voted experience gifts for kids like memberships and tickets. |
| Swimming Lessons | Winner: Goldfish Swim School – Grand Rapids | Invest in swimming lessons at top voted places. |
| Art Instruction/Studio for Kids | Winner: The Mud Room | Get creative at top voted art classes and studios for kids. |
| Gymnastics/Tumbling/Movement Classes | Winner: Rising Starz Gymnastics & Fitness | Get your little tumblers moving at readers’ favorite gymnastics places. |
| Place to take Driver’s Training | Winner: Jungle Survival Drivers Training | Sleep easy knowing your teen has been well-prepared at top voted driver’s training places. |
| Soccer Lessons/Program | Winner: LASSO Lowell | Readers love soccer lessons and programs at these places! |
| Coolest Coffee Shop | Winner: Herman’s Boy | Grand Rapids has over 40 cool coffee shops. |
| Candy Store | Winner: Sweetland Candies | Find top voted candy stores and places for sweet treats. |
| Outdoor Patio/Deck/Rooftop in West MI | Winner: The Score | Get outstanding views at top voted places with rooftop seating or beach & outdoor patio seating. |
| Couples Weekend Getaway | Winner: Traverse City | Enjoy a romantic getaway less than 3 hours from Grand Rapids. |
| Bucket List Items | Winner: Frederik Meijer Gardens Butterflies | Find over 50 iconic GR places and experiences for families’ bucket lists. |
| Photographer for Senior Pictures | Winner: Memories by Mandy Photography | Celebrate your high school senior with top voted senior pictures photographers. |
| Family Fun/Activity Center (Paid) | Winner: Craig’s Cruisers | Play indoors at family fun centers, art studios, or any of the 70 local indoor play places. |
| Local Spot for Parent-Child Dates (Paid) | Winner: John Ball Zoo | Check out these top local outings to experience with your child. |
| Performing Arts Org | Winner: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre | Aspiring young performers can check out these classes. |
| Mobile Entertainment Service | Winner: BattleGR Tactical Games | Bring the party anywhere with the best mobile entertainment services. |
| West MI Beaches | Winner: Grand Haven State Park | Spend the day at one of 60+ beaches in Michigan. |
| Cheap Date Night Idea (Outside of the House) | Winner: Grand Haven – watch the sunset | Choose from 19 date night ideas under $25! |
| Cocktails in GR | Winner: Max’s South Seas Hideaway | Grab a drink with your special someone and use this A-to-Z list of date night ideas to plan your next stop. |
| Desserts in GR (non-chain) | Winner: Frosty Boy – Grand Rapids | Enjoy an after-dinner treat at these tasty dessert places. |
| Date Night Experience (Paid) | Winner: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre | Find over 100 date night ideas to enjoy in GR. |
| Breakfast in Grand Rapids | Winner: Lucy’s | These top breakfast spots will make waking up worthwhile. |
| Ice Cream Shop | Winner: Frosty Boy – Grand Rapids | We all scream for ice cream at these top-tier ice cream shops. |
| Fries | Winner: Stella’s Lounge | Pass the ketchup and try some of the best fries in the area. |
| Locally Owned Mexican Restaurant | Winner: Tacos El Cuñado – Burton St. SW | Enjoy a taco, fajita or margarita at these best-loved local Mexican Restaurants. |
| Sushi in Grand Rapids | Winner: Ju Sushi & Lounge | Locals agree, these are the best spots to go when you are craving sushi. |
| Pizza in Grand Rapids | Winner: The Mitten Brewing Co. – Grand Rapids | Make pizza night extra special at readers’ favorite pizza spots. |
| Burger in Grand Rapids | Winner: Stella’s Lounge | Whether you like your burger smashed, doubled up, or plain, you’ll find some of the best burger options at these local restaurants. |
| Family Dining Experience (Non-Chain) | Winner: The Old Goat | Explore the top places to dine in Grand Rapids. |
| Cinnamon Rolls | Winner: Anna’s House – East Beltline | Pick up freshly baked cinnamon rolls at these top bakeries and restaurants. |
| Instagram-Worthy Family Photo Spot | Winner: Rockford Dam Overlook | Snap a photo at the top Instagrammable spots around GR. |
| Event/Festival | Winner: John Ball Zoo Lantern Festival | Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience at a Michigan festival this year! |
| Local Spot for Grandparent-Kid-Parent Fun | Winner: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park | Local fun for Grandparents and grandkids alike! |
| Local Non-profit Helping Families | Winner: Kid’s Food Basket | Explore volunteer opportunities for kids, teens and families. |
| Local Family-Owned Business | Winner: Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park | Shop local with these top-tier family-owned businesses. |
| Sports Team Fan Experience | Winner: West Michigan Whitecaps | Experience the thrill of a Whitecaps Game, a Griffins Game or Grand Rapids Rise match. |
| Family Staycation Spot (Overnight) | Winner: Sandy Pines Resort | Staycation? No problem with 60 fun things to do with kids in West Michigan. |
| Stops in Ohio | Winner: Hocking Hills | Ohio offers waterparks, zoos, museums and many other family-friendly adventures throughout the state. |
| Stops in Tennessee | Winner: Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Create memories at these must-see vacation spots in Tennessee. |
| Stops in Wisconsin | Winner: The Dells | Splash around at the Dells or experience more of Wisconsin at these travel destinations. |
| Stops in Illinois | Winner: Shedd Aquarium | Explore the Windy City and the state of Illinois on your next trip. |
| Stops in Indiana | Winner: Shipshewana | Check out all Indiana has to offer, including the largest Children’s Museum in the world, plus stops in Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne. |
| Tutoring/Academic Support | Winner: Kumon Math and Reading Center of Grand Rapids – North | Get help for your student with West Michigan tutoring programs. |
| High School Theater Program | Winner: Rockford High School | Enroll in one of West Michigan’s theater and acting classes. |
| Elementary Language Immersion Program | Winner: Ada Vista Elementary School | Find language immersion programs near you. |
| High School Band Program | Winner: Rockford High School | Listen to the best local marching bands. |
| High School Football Program | Winner: Rockford High School | These high school football programs make for memorable fall Friday nights. |
| Inspiring Principal | Winner: Jeremy Karel – Valley View Elementary School | Parents and teachers cherish these local principals. |
