DESTINATION

Grand Rapids

Downtown stands the Alexander Calder sculpture “La Grande Vitesse”; it pays homage to the rapids (vitesse). In contrast are the stolid lines of a reconstructed covered bridge that spans the Thornapple River at Ada, east of Grand Rapids via SR 21. Also downtown is DeVos Place, on Monroe Avenue, offering large convention and exhibit halls.

In the Heritage Hill historic district at 115 College Ave. S.E. is the three-story Voigt House Victorian Museum . Built in the late 19th century, the opulent house retains the original furnishings of the Voigt family. The home is only open during special events; phone (616) 456-4600 for more details.

Rosa Parks Circle, at Monroe Avenue and Pearl Street, includes an amphitheater and hosts special events and concerts throughout most of the year. In cold weather—typically late November through February—the site is transformed into an outdoor ice rink. Much to skaters' delight, the floor features fiber-optic lighting that creates an image of how the sky appeared in Michigan on the first night in the year 2000. This artistic representation of stars, planets and constellations can be seen year-round.

Broadway shows and performances by the Grand Rapids Ballet, Broadway Grand Rapids, Opera Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Symphony are presented at DeVos Performance Hall, on Monroe Avenue N.W. The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 N. Division Ave., presents community theatrical performances. Concerts and sporting events are held at the Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St.

Science buffs should check out Calvin College's campus. The observatory is open to the public Wednesday evenings (weather permitting) except for the last 2 weeks in December. The Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum in North Hall has a small but impressive collection. It is open Wed.-Fri. 12:30-4.

Visitor Centers

Experience Grand Rapids 171 Monroe Ave. N.W. Suite 545 Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Phone:(616)258-7388 or (877)847-4847

Shopping

The Fulton Street Farmers Market, which has been operating since 1922, is open year round with vendors selling produce, eggs, meat and flowers as well as local arts and crafts. It's held at 1147 E. Fulton St. Wed., Fri. and Sat. 8-2, May-Oct; Sat 10-1, Nov-Apr.

The Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. S.W., is home to Market Hall (open Mon.-Sat. 9-7, Sun. 10-7, year-round) and the Outdoor Market (open seasonally).