Legend if not history has it that following his victory over the British, Gen. George Washington — soon to be the nation’s first president — was celebrated by the masses as the “King of America” but he famously responded by stating that he was “Not a King.”
To celebrate Washington and his also legendary distillery prowess, and almost all presidents, in the month of the President’s Day holiday, Journeyman Distillery again offers a patriotic tribute to our nation’s first distiller-in-chief with its Not a King Rye Whiskey release.
Batch #6 of Journeyman’s Not a King Rye was officially released at the Three Oaks distillery on Feb. 12, but to find where you can get it locally check out journeymandistillery.com/find-your-spirit.
Handcrafted from grain to barrel to bottle, with a mash of 60 percent rye, 35 percent corn and 5 percent malted barley, the limited release is, according to supplied material, “an interpretation of Washington’s original rye whiskey recipe” that “takes drinkers back to the late 1700s with nuanced flavors reminiscent of the spirit America’s original settlers would enjoy.”
“The Crossing” has Jeff Daniels as Gen. Washington. (crop of publicity poster)
Aged 3 years in 30 gallon barrels, it’s the makings for a perfect Old Fashioned or Manhattan, with a twist of history, we are told. The offered-up mixology is a drink called “The Founding Father (2 oz. Not a King Rye Whiskey and 1 oz. Amaretto, shaken over ice and strained into a clean or ice-filled rocks glass, then finished with an orange peel.)
Me, on a cold February night, I say find the movie “The Crossing” — a fine period piece starring the great Jeff Daniels as the General — on your television, pour a clean shot, and drink with the president.
The Michigan Brewers Guild usually holds big beer festivals each year, including one in Kent Country, and may still yet later in 2021. But this year, as last, things are different. Still the guild is looking forward to sunny summer days on the golf course, with a beer or two at the 19th hole, by announcing plans for three “Great Beer State Golf Outings” coming up this year, the first being local, on Wednesday, June 9, at North Kent Golf Course in Rockford.
The other outings will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at Forest Akers Golf Course in Lansing, and Saturday, Oct. 9, at Treetops Resort in Gaylord.
“The golf outings we have planned are not intended to replace our larger events and we are hopeful that we will be hosting beer festivals again this year,” Scott Graham, executive director of the guild, said in supplied material. “We are looking for additional ways to raise operating funds for our non-profit trade association, while also getting together with some of our brewery members, allied businesses and beer enthusiasts in a fun and safe way.”
Registration for teams and sponsors the first outing will open in March. Details for all events will be posted soon on MiBeer.com under the EVENTS tab.
Formed in 1997, the Michigan Brewers Guild represents nearly 300 member breweries.
To heck with Punxsutawney Phil, summer is coming
New Holland Brewing is ignoring Punxsutawney Phil’s disheartening winter prediction for 2021 and has released a new style of craft beverage, a Watermelon Spritz — one part seltzer, one part sparkling ale, and a healthy splash of natural watermelon.
New Holland Watermelon Spritz can (Supplied)
If that doesn’t say summer nothing does.
The hybrid beverage, according to supplied material, is the result of brewing a wheat beer that is high in fruity esters, combined with natural watermelon and fizzy seltzer for a “bubbly, crisp and slightly tart” beverage with bold fruit flavor. Watermelon Spritz comes in at a “respectable” 4.3 percent ABV.
Watermelon Spritz hit the market this month in 6 packs of 12-oz. cans — their Summer Ale — a tart IPA — will become available in May in the same way. For more information visit NewHollandBrew.com.
If there is something that staff from West Michigan hospitals have learned during the past couple of weeks, if you ask, the community will rally to help.
As the announcement of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order came out and area hospitals began to see the number of COVID-19 cases rise, hospital officials put out a request for items.
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Public Relations Manager Jamie Allen said Metro Health has received a number of donations from the community. Among those contributing are:
• Amway donated 3,400 bottles of hand sanitizer
• Steelcase donated 1,800 face shields
• Byrne Electric donated 500 face shields
• The Center for Physical Rehabilitation donated an assortment of gloves, wipes, and sanitizer
• Planet Fitness donated hand sanitizer and disinfectant products
• Posh Nail Spa and Girl Cave Nail Salon donated gloves
• Hoekwater Family Dentistry donated masks and gloves
• Home Depot donated make, filters, and gloves
“We are now asking for homemade cloth masks from the community,” Allen said, adding that they have received about 600 handmade masks from individual donors. “These are something we want to provide to our non-clinical staff members.”
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is accepting donations from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Items are to be brought to Metro Health’s System Services and Learning Center, 1980 Metro Court, Wyoming. People should enter using the door on the south side of the building, facing M-6.
Area schools contribute
With public school and college buildings shut down due to the governor’s order, staff at KentISD and several area universities and colleges discovered they had extra personal protection equipment that would not be used for the current school year.
School News Network reported that the Kent Career Tech Center’s Exploring Health Careers program has donated personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, isolation gowns, and cleaning items like hospital-grade wipes and hand sanitizes to Spectrum Health and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
According to School News Network, other schools that have donated include Rockford, which donated 5,000 medical gloves and more than 1,000 masks and Grandville High School science department donated 219 pairs of protective eyewear to Metro Health. As well as Grand Rapids Community College, which donated more than 70,000 pieces of medical and personal protection equipment and have had faculty members volunteering time and expertise to Spectrum Health and GRCC’s Nursing Programs loaning thermometers and donated more than 1,500 thermometer probe covers to the Grand Rapid sPolice Department.
Various departments at Grand Valley State University have donated medical supplies to regional health care systems and facilities. Efforts include donating disposable gloves from science laboratories as well as custom-made masks designed and created by engineering students and faculty, and face shields and respirators donated by occupational safety and health laboratories.
“It seemed like the right thing to do,” said Michele DeWitt, lead lab supervisor with the GVSU Chemistry Department, who led efforts for donating 90,000 disposable gloves to Spectrum Health. “We don’t want the doctors, nurses and other health professionals to get sick. We want them to be able to help us.”
The Padnos College of Engineering and Computing and the applied Medical Device Institute worked to design and create approximately 1,000 face masks, all made by hand from fabric and metal. Because elastic is in short supply, the design incorporates a metal clamp to hold the mask in place comfortably. Those masks will be donated to American Family Care, an urgent care in Grand Rapids that was already in short supply of equipment.
Businesses getting creative
Business leaders have also rolled up their sleeves to help where they can.
Hearing that there was a major shortage of nasal swaps for the COVID-19 test kits at a Grand Rapids hospital, The Right Place staff identities Keystone Solutions Group, a member of its medical device consortium, MiDevice, that had the capabilities to fulfill the request. The company’s team worked to develop the swabs and being production for West Michigan health care systems.
Many have heard of Holland’s Coppercraft Distillery’s efforts to produce hand sanitizer with the company delivering a 1,000 gallons to Holland Hospital before the end of March and another 1,000 gallons to the Detroit Fire Department last week.
While Coppercraft is focused on area hospitals and other emergency agencies, Three Oaks’ Journeyman Distillery has answered the call of providing hand sanitizer to the community.
“In the early 1940s, the Warren Featherbone Company supported the war effort by manufacturing raincoats for the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Journeyman founder and self-proclaimed history buff Bill Welter. “Now, almost 80 years later, we’ve converted our production facility in the historic Featherbone factory to make hand sanitizer for front-line healthcare and essential service providers—as well as our community.”
In March, Journeyman had a fundraising bottle sale for its Hourly Employee Fund and from there requests for hand sanitizer started rolling in with the company website taking online orders.
Southwest Airlines Grand Rapids station staff prepares to take snacks to Spectrum Health. (Supplied)
Due to national restrictions, travel has been down especially on the airlines. Southwest Airlines found it had an abundance of snacks it normally serve for on-board flight service and wanted to make sure food items were put to good use. This week, Southwest Airlines Grand Rapids station dropped of 30 boxes of snacks to teams at Spectrum Health as a way of saying thanks to all the healthcare employees putting in long hours to battle COVID-19.
Donations are being accepted at many facilities. For a list of items, click here.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Find gift ideas, special events, dinners, and get-aways to treat your Valentine to a uniquely West Michigan experience.
Gift Ideas & Valentine’s Day Events
Need help finding a card for your Valentine? Kalamazoo’s Bell’s Brewery has you covered! Choose from 23 Bell’s Brewery inspired Beerentine e-cards to send digitally to someone special.
Join swing dance instructor Becky Biesiada at SE4SONS Gastropub inside the Muskegon Country Club for a series of three dance classes in February. This is a fun opportunity to learn something new! Don’t forget to check out SE4SONS Gastropub after class for great Happy Hour Deals. Call 231-755-3737 for reservations. Classes will be held 6 – 7 p.m. on Feb. 13, and 20. Cost is $85 per couple, $60 for individuals.
Head to Guardian Brewing in Saugatuck on Feb. 13 for Guardian Beer School: Galentine’s Day Beer, Cheese, and Chocolate Pairing.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, from 6 — 8 p.m., celebrate your Valentine and friends with Date Night: Pizza & Puzzles at the Muskegon Museum of Art. Bring your sweetheart or a friend for a relaxed night of pizza and puzzles in the galleries. Tickets include a table for puzzle building with your partner, pizza, and one free drink ticket for the cash bar. Puzzles are provided. The cost is $20 per person.
For special gifts, visit downtown Marshall. You’ll find flowers, wine, specialty shops to write love letters or memory books, and treats for your four-legged Valentine. Strawberries dipped in chocolate are a romantic treat, but what about pickles and chocolate, or chocolate-covered cheesecake jalapeno poppers? These unique treats and more await you in Marshall.
Valentine’s Day Weekend Dinners & Events
Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day menu at The Grove Restaurant at Gordon Beach Inn in Union Pier. Dinner is $80 per couple and includes butternut squash soup, mixed green salad, surf & turf featuring lobster tail and filet, parmesean risotto croquettes, chocolate dipped strawberries, and split of proseco. Reservations are requested, call 269-934-9700 to reserve your table.
Journeyman Distillery serves up an evening of cask-strength laughs on Valentine’s Day at Comedy on the Rocks, featuring award winning stand-up comedians and craft-cocktails with a view of their working stills at their Three Oaks distillery. Featuring Zako Ryan, headliner Amy Sumpter, and your host for the evening, Maxwell Tidey. Admission is $20 per person.
Cornwell’s Turkeyville will feature a Murder Mystery Dinner on Feb. 14 and 15. (Cornwall’s Turkeyville)
Cornwell’s Turkeyville in Marshall hosts a Murder Mystery Dinner: Get a Clue, Feb. 14 and 15, a fun and entertaining way to spend your Valentines’ weekend!
Spend Valentine’s Day at Vineyard 2121 in Benton Harbor with a candlelight dinner and wine pairing suggestions, live music, and dancing to your favorite romantic songs, Friday, February 14th, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm. Seating is limited and advanced tickets are suggested.
Airway Fun Center in Portage is hosting a Couples Cocktail Class inside their taproom February 14th at 6:00 pm. Guests will enjoy step by step instructions as they create three creative cocktails. Appetizers will be included in the cost of the class. Registration is $30 per person.
This Valentine’s Day, say “I love you” with a romantic dinner date at the historic W.K. Kellogg Manor House in Hickory Corners, overlooking beautiful Gull Lake. Enjoy a four-course dinner that will include grilled mojo sirloin steak or grilled salmon filet, both served with fresh pico de gallo, avocado, tortilla strips and Cotija cheese, coconut rice and fresh vegetables, and a dark chocolate ganache served with fresh fruit and whipped cream for dessert.
Crane’s Winery presents the 2020 Cider-Maker’s Dinner on Feb. 15, 6 – 9 p.m., at their restaurant in Fennville, showcasing West Michigan’s wonderful cider-making expertise with a six-course pairing dinner featuring dishes made from local ingredients in an “Upscale Cider Pub” theme. Courses include wild game and local cheese selections, creamy New England clam chowder, lemony kale caesar salad in a parmesan crisp bowl, spicy elk nachos, smoked chicken & waffles, and a specialty Crane’s dessert. Seating is very limited. Tickets are $65 per person (this includes tax and tip), available at eventbrite.com. Come show some love to the amazing food and drink West Michigan has to offer. Crane’s is a family owned, family run business that has been a treasured travel destination in West Michigan for decades. Nestled in the lush, rolling hills of the family’s fruit farms just minutes from Lake Michigan’s shore, at Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery you will take home with you an experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression. The Crane’s family of businesses can be found throughout the Lakeshore with locations in Fennville (farms, pie pantry and winery), Crane’s Wine and Cider in Saugatuck and Crane’s In The City in Holland.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market will be hosting an ice sculpturing event Feb. 14 – 16.
Join the Grand Rapids Downtown MarketFeb. 14 — 16 and chill out with over ten ice sculptures under the Downtown Market Shed, part of the Grand Rapids World of Winter events. On Saturday, enjoy an outdoor bar while watching chainsaw masters perform ice sculpting demonstrations throughout the afternoon.
Michigan’s only professional ballet company, Grand Rapids Ballet, presents Eternal Desire, a “mixed-bill” program featuring five different stand-alone pieces, including three never-before-seen world premieres, Feb. 14 and 16 at the ballet’s Peter Martin Wege Theatre.
Enjoy live music, cookie classes, gourmet hand-dipped chocolates and treats, and a special Daddy-Daughter Dance when you visit the Holland Area for Valentine’s celebrations.
Beer lovers, head to Grand Haven’s sixth annual Craft Beer Crawl on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2 — 7 p.m. Enjoy craft beers from over a dozen Michigan Craft Breweries at participating venues on a casual Saturday afternoon in Downtown Grand Haven.
Join Lemon Creek Winery Grand Haven Tasting Room for Wine and Chocolate Pairings celebrating Love, Wine & Chocolate Month in February. Starting weekends in February, visit the Grand Haven Tasting Room Fridays through Sundays for these special pairings featuring chocolates and Lemon Creek Wines. This featured tasting will also be available on February 14th, so bring your special someone. Cost is $14 per person or two for $25. Ice wine tasting, chocolate dessert cups with your favorite wine, and specialty chocolates are also available. Groups of 10 or more should call ahead for reservations. Must be at least 21 years old for wine tastings. Hours are Fridays & Saturdays noon — 7 p.m. and Sundays noon — 5 p.m.
On Friday, Feb.14, from 5:30 –7:30 p.m., come to the Lakeshore Museum Center in Muskegon for a Valentine’s Day Friday Family Fun Night. Take the whole family on a date at the museum. Enjoy collecting Valentines from various museum creatures, create your own Valentine’s Day craft, and learn some love science. You’ll also get a Valentine’s Day treat to take home. The cost is $5. No RSVP is required.
Treat your sweetheart to performances around Muskegon over Valentine’s weekend, including live music from popular West Michigan bands or stand-up comedians. Find details to help plan your weekend at the Muskegon Community Calendar.
Saturday, Feb. 15, the Muskegon Luge & Adventure Sports Park presents “Parkas & Plates.” This is a fun night for couples and friends who want to hit the lighted cross country ski or snowshoe trails, enjoy some amazing food and beverages, and kick back to live acoustic music. It’s the perfect Valentine’s date night or just a fun night out with friends.
Whether you and your sweetheart are keen to cozy, romantic dinners by candlelight or something a bit more adventurous like skiing or sledding, the Mt. Pleasant area offers a variety of Valentine’s Day date spots. Plan your Valentine’s Day date with the Mt. Pleasant date guide. Looking for unique, one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day gifts for that special someone? Check out the Mt. Pleasant gift guide to find the perfect gift for your sweetheart.
Hotel Frankfort is hosting a Valentine’s Day Five Course Dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. Dinner is $50 per person and includes brie en croute, crab cakes, caprese salade, choice of filet minot or shrimp scampi, salted carmel apple crisp, and wine samples especially paired for each course. Reservations are required, call 231-352-8090.
A romantic Valentines Day wine paired dinner awaits you at the Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. The Valentine’s-themed menu will be curated with courses to be shared making for a truly amorous, wine-paired culinary experience. Tables are limited, so purchase your tickets today.
Surprise your sweetheart with the gift of adventure in the most pristine, northernmost-tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, an area of rugged beauty, ancient Lake Superior shorelines, and breathtaking terrain with Keweenaw Adventure Company in Copper Harbor. Cozy up in the Adventure Chalet and get out to explore by mountain bike and sea kayak.
Treat Your Valentine to a Special Getaway
South Haven has a gift for you when you stay at one of the area’s participating lodging properties between February and April 2020, including Lake Bluff Inn & Suites, and Baymont Inn & Suites. Receive two bottles of wine, a red and a white, two wine glasses, and corkscrew in a very nice, four bottle, insulated bag. Plus, coupons for free wine and beer tastings are included compliments of local breweries and Cogdal Vineyards. Don’t miss out on this fantastic Gift Bag Promotion, click here for participating lodging properties. From November 1st to May 15th, stay in one of the participating lodging properties and receive a free $25 Dine on Us card, then relax at one of South Haven’s top-ranked, participating restaurants, such as Taste, and enjoy the local cuisine.
Make it a weekend getaway at Maplewood Hotel in Saugatuck! Stay Friday night and get half-off Saturday night stay through Feb. 18. Book directly by calling 1-800-650-9790.
Plan a romantic, winter weekend getaway and experience the true joy of winter in West Michigan. From snowshoeing to ice fishing to indoor hot tubs, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Get the most out of your weekend getaway this winter by staying at one of Ludington’s top hotels. Stay Saturday night at the standard non-discounted rate and get Sunday night free! The Comfort Inn Ludington is the perfect balance of relaxation and fun. Call (231) 845-7004 to book your weekend getaway!
Amway Grand Plazain Grand Rapids is offering a Celebrate Romance package with overnight accommodations, complimentary bottle of sparkling wine or cider, and breakfast for two. Choose a romantic dinner for two at onsite restaurants, or a massage for two at Amway Grand Plaza Spa & Salon, or treat your special someone to the gift of relaxation with a certificate to the spa.
Celebrate a night of romance with overnight accommodations at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids. Elevate your evening with a bottle of wine or chocolate covered strawberries. Enjoy a special menu at Margaux or a massage for two at The Spa at JW.
Is your Valentine a fishing enthusiast? Treat them to a getaway at the Pere Marquette River Lodge in Baldwin, an Orvis-endorsed fly fishing outfitter, February 21st-23rd for Steelhead School. The school teaches the basics of fly fishing for steelhead and includes two nights lodging, breakfasts, lunches, and a half day guide trip for $405/person (based on double occupancy). For more, call the fly shop at 231-745-3972 or book your stay online.
Treat your Valentine to a getaway at Terrace Inn in Petoskey with a two night stay in a cottage room on Valentines weekend (Feb. 14 and 15) for $279. This package includes dinner for two and a Champagne split and a fabulous breakfast is also included each morning. Guests who just want to visit for dinner can enjoy a three course meal for just $39.95 per person and Nathan Towne will be performing in the dining room.
Indulge in sweeping views of Little Traverse Bay, a bottle of champagne, breakfast for two, and an evening in the hot tub or by the fireplace while being minutes away from Petoskey’s most romantic destinations. The Courtyard by Marriott Petoskey’sRomance Package is the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day in Northern Michigan. Book your Romance Package today.
Love is in the air at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire. Surprise someone special with a weekend getaway and enjoy the outdoors. Create a custom package, including spa treatments, lift tickets, or cross-country trail passes, to get away to a Northern Michigan resort that spans 5,000 acres.
Whether you’re planning a surprise trip or celebrating an anniversary, Mackinac Island’s romantic charm can be felt around every corner. Give the gift of Mackinac this Valentine’s Day with Mission Point Resort’s Island Romance package; A picturesque getaway for two in a setting of historic churches, garden gazebos, refreshing lake breezes, and turquoise blue waters. This package features two night’s accommodations, a wine and cheese welcome amenity, half-day bike rentals to explore Mackinac Island, tickets aboard a Sip N’ Sail boat cruise, a romantic dinner for two in Chianti, and much more! Experience the magic of Mackinac with the one you love this summer.
Escape to the Keweenaw Area and find special Valentine’s Day experiences and packages, including luxury lodging with flower bouquets and in-room champagne or a spa experience designed to rejuvenate your body and mind with hot and cold-water exposure. Find more Keweenaw lodging options and specials by visiting the Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau.
See West Michigan from a different side by going behind the scenes. These tours show things you might not see on an ordinary visit, from secret wine cellars to private tastings. You’ll receive the inside scoop on everything West Michigan during these in-depth tours.
Tour Something Unique
Get a behind the scenes look at something fun and unique! These are places that will make your visit truly special.
Schedule a group visit to Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo: Henderson Castle is the ideal place for groups of all types to gather and tour. Choose one of their tour packages or customize your experience to create exactly what you’re looking for. Tours can be scheduled to be self-guided or guided through the three-story historic castle and the surrounding property.
Holland is home to a local bowl manufacturer, crafting wooden bowls for over 150 years. Learn about their process and uniqueness of their bowls with a guided tour.
Head to Chocolates by Grimaldi in Grand Haven for a fun factory tour, and learn about the creation of chocolate, from pod and bean to delicious delicacies! Taste fresh samples right off the line and visit their production area to see where the magic is done. They use a 1950s enrober just like on I Love Lucy! Tours will not be available from November 12th to December 31st due to the holiday season.
A tour of the Kilwins Chocolate Kitchen in Petoskey is a must-see on your next visit to northern Michigan. Tours run Monday through Friday and include a comprehensive review of how Kilwins makes truffles, chocolates, caramel, brittles, and other confections. Of course, there are free samples at the end of each tour!
Beer is a way of life in West Michigan. If you have a favorite brewery, odds are that they offer behind the scenes tours. See what goes into making your favorite brews on these specially crafted tours!
Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids created the Founders Education Department to give the public fun ways to learn more about their favorite brewery. They offer several in-depth classes to teach you about the brewery, beer and food pairings, and brewery tours. There’s a lot to learn to become a craft beer expert, and Founders is here to set you down the right path.
Bell’s Brewery offers free tours at both their Kalamazoo and Comstock locations. Their original, Kalamazoo brewery is where beers like Amber and Oberon were first brewed. Their Comstock Brewery is home to their 50-barrel and 200-barrel brewhouse, located on 30 acres, and only a short 7-mile drive from Kalamazoo. This facility is designed to allow guests a first-hand look at their brewing process, fermentation, and packaging, and also includes two complimentary samples.
Dark Horse Brewing Company in Marshall has guided tours that will help you discover the process of producing the perfect craft beer, bottling it, and tasting the outcome. The tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday and end with a visit to the VIP lounge for a tasting in your souvenir pint glass.
Great Legs Winery, Brewery & Distillery in Holland is happy to provide complimentary behind the scenes tours of their compact production facility. They produce everything on-site and they’ll be bottling wines again in the near future. Want to observe the bottling experience? Call or email Great Legs to secure your spot!
Every Saturday, Saugatuck Brewing Company hosts Brewery Tours. The cost is $7.50 and includes beer samples, an SBC logoed pint glass or growler, and a full tour of all their facilities. The tour is open to the first twenty paid ticket holders, so get there early!
There’s a lot that goes into your favorite wine or cider. Find a whole new appreciation for your beverage of choice with these in-depth tours!
A fall stop at the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula often offers the opportunity to see the fall harvest in action. Pay attention as you approach the wineries to see the staff in the vineyards picking and gathering grapes for your favorite wines. Some wineries even offer tours and guided tastings, so you can get a peek behind the curtain or learn more about wine from the experts!
Set your sights on Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay in a whole new way! Plan your trip and enjoy a 45-minute guided tour through the breathtaking property, including the exclusive inn, centennial barn, and wine cave, all while learning the history of this iconic 160-acre estate and the incredible journey from grape to glass. The tour concludes with a premium tasting (souvenir glass included), featuring Black Star Farms’ award-winning wine, cider, and spirits.
Visit Traverse City and take a complimentary tour of the Chateau Grand Traverse’s grounds and winemaking facility, taking you through the winemaking process from harvest to bottling. All tours begin on their vineyard overlook deck, where your tour guide will highlight winery history and outline their growing practices. The tour will proceed into the winemaking facilities, where you will see first-hand how their wine is made.
Join Dablon Winery in Baroda on a winemaker led walking tour through their world-class vineyard, winery, and underground barrel cellar. You will experience the many components involved in creating first-class wines. Their winemaker will explain how their grapes are planted and cared for, as well as the barrel aging process. The $20 ($15 for Dablon Wine Club Members) tour also includes a wine tasting of their small-batch, handcrafted wines.
At Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville, tours are offered based on the season. Fenn Valley believes wine should be approachable. These tours are pretty in-depth, running an hour and forty-five minutes in length, and involve wine tasting throughout to illustrate the various points being made. During select times of the year, they also offer specially designed tours involving food and wine.
Great Legs Winery, Brewery & Distillery in Holland is happy to provide complimentary behind the scenes tours of their compact production facility. They produce everything on-site and they’ll be bottling wines again in the near future. Want to observe the bottling experience? Call or email Great Legs to secure your spot!
St. Julian Winery’s main location in Paw Paw offers free tours year round. Get more out of your experience by upgrading to a Standard or Enhanced Tour & Tasting. Standard Tours include six samples of your choice and a complimentary logo glass to take home. The Enhanced Tour & Tasting consists of an extended tour and your choice of a cheese or chocolate pairing option. Their wine educators will offer an intimate, in-depth education on the winemaking process from bud-break to bottling.
Take a tour to learn about making proper cider at Virtue Cider in Fennville. From pressing apples into juice to the ins and outs of barrel-aging, you’ll get to know Virtue and the traditional methods they use for their ciders. Virtue Cider offers three different experiences: the Cidermaker Tour, Production Tour, and Family Farm Tour. The Cidermaker Tour focuses on how Virtue Cider crafts the perfect cider, while the Production Tour takes you through the basics of their process. The Family Farm Tour is a tailored experience for families, letting the young ones meet some of the farm animals and taste non-alcoholic cider. Tours can be booked on their website.
Distilleries are finding their place in Michigan’s craft beverage scene. To learn more about this exciting industry, take a tour and talk to the experts!
Coppercraft Distillery offers tours at their Holland location, available Thursday through Saturday. These tours take you through the process of creating premium, small-batch spirits by hand using local ingredients. Learn how Coppercraft uses corn and grains from a local Holland farm to make their bourbon.
Gray Skies Distillery, located on the north side of Grand Rapids, began whiskey production in December 2015. Last year, Gray Skies began offering weekend tours to guests looking to learn more about craft whiskey and peek behind the scenes at the distillery. They offer two tours: their Gray Skies Tour and the Craft Whiskey Tour, both offering guests insight and samples.
Drop by and take a tour of the Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks. See first hand how whiskey is made and explore the history of the Featherbone Factory. Tours at Journeyman Distillery include a general overview of the production process along with a unique historical perspective on the building itself. Journeyman Distillery is located in an 1800s factory building with several unique architectural and historical talking points. Most importantly, at the end of the tour, you’ll have a chance to sample Journeyman’s finest spirits.
Visit Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids for a tour, where visitors are taken through the distilling process and the principles behind it. You’ll get the chance to know what’s in your glass and where it came from. Each tour is conducted by a distilling expert who is friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to answer any question. Best of all, after learning about the spirits, you get to try them!
Great Legs Winery, Brewery & Distillery in Holland is happy to provide complimentary behind the scenes tours of their compact production facility. They produce everything on-site and they’ll be bottling wines again in the near future. Want to observe the bottling experience? Call or email Great Legs to secure your spot!
It’s easy to get a behind the scenes look at your favorite places in West Michigan. These tours take you to multiple places, making it easier than ever to get a peek behind the curtain.
Guided tours are a great way to experience the Saugatuck/Douglas area, as many of them are tailored toward specific interests like food, beverage, art, or activities like running or biking. The brewery tour at Saugatuck Brewing Company gives you a look at what goes into your favorite beers, with samples along the way! If wine is more your thing, the Fall Vineyard Tours at Fenn Valley includes a wine tasting, tour of the vineyard, explanation of how the grapes are grown, and a look into their wine-making process. The area offers more tours, ranging from art and fall colors to the lakeshore.
If you want a unique way to tour the Grand Rapids beer scene, take a ride with the Great Lakes Pub Cruiser. Hop on this 15-person party bike with your friends and family as you make your way around Grand Rapids, stopping at bars, breweries, and restaurants along the way. Personalize your tour and choose the stops and route that you want.
Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel offers Adult Tour Groups. These tours provide an unforgettable setting for any group, with its distinctive dining and accommodations, as well as Afternoon Tea, golf, biking, swimming, and many other activities. In addition, there’s plenty to explore on Mackinac Island. All group tour rates include meals and accommodations.
Whenever you visit a place, you’re never seeing the full story. There’s always something going on behind an “employees only” door or a little secret that only the well-informed know. Luckily for you, some of the best places to visit in West Michigan have tours to show you everything you need to know. Ever want to see how Bell’s brews their beer? Or how Grimaldi’s chocolates turn out so delicious? Look no further than some of these behind the scenes tours!
South Region
Henderson Castle
The historic Henderson Castle was built in 1895 and is one of Kalamazoo’s most treasured landmarks. Today, they welcome visitors to come explore the castle in its entirety with their VIP Legacy Tour package. With this package, you can explore all floors of the castle from their basement kitchen to their rooftop deck and everything in between. Places that guests typically don’t see such as the vineyards and wine cave are also shown. If you want to get the most out of your trip to Henderson Castle, look no further than this extensive tour package!
Journeyman Distillery
Journeyman Distillery offers tours every day! The distillery is located in an 1800s factory building and has retained much of the original and historic architecture. Tours last approximately one hour and include the history of the distillery, a tour of the production facility, and an overview on how their spirits are produced. Of course, the tour concludes with a tasting of some of Journeyman’s finest spirits!
West Michigan Beer Tours
Why just tour one brewery when you can tour three? West Michigan Beer Tours offers variety of public tours with most including stops at three breweries to sample, tour, and meet the owners or brewers. Your tour director is knowledgeable in both the beer industry and the local area so you know that you’re getting a great tour. You’ll travel comfortably from brewery to brewery on their mini-coach bus. West Michigan Beer Tours is one of the best ways to see the behind of the scenes of local breweries!
Bell’s Brewery
Bell’s Brewery was a significantly different kind of brewery 30 years ago. It had one employee, Larry Bell, who worked out of plastic garbage bags and a 15-gallon stock pot. Today, Bell’s employs more the 400 people over 22 states and has their original brewery still in Downtown Kalamazoo. They offer free tours there on Saturdays and Sundays for those looking to see what goes into making their beer. Their Comstock brewery offers self guided tours where the public is welcome to observe the large area at their own leisure.
St. Julian Winery
St. Julian Winery’s Paw Paw location offers free year-round tours! Tours run seven days a week and all ages are welcome. After your tour, don’t miss their standard tasting of six samples of your choice and a complimentary logo glass which is yours to take home. Choose from over 40 products including wines that are exclusive to their tasting rooms, their Grey Heron Vodka, and their A&G Brandy. If you want even more, their Enhanced Tasting & Tour is reservation only and more than just your average experience! This is an extended tour and includes your choices of cheese or chocolate pairs. Their wine educators offer an in-depth education on the winemaking process from bud-break to bottling!
Marshall Historical Society
Don’t miss the longest running home tour in the Great Lakes area with Marshall Historical Society‘s Historic Home Tour! Private residences, commercial buildings, museums, and fairground buildings are given the tour treatment. The public is always invited to come see some of these amazing and unique places. Want to learn more about the architecture or the history behind of some of Marshall’s most famous buildings? Then take a day or two to explore and learn from one of the most trusted sources on Marshall’s past. Keep an eye out for 2016 dates!
Central Region
Grand Rapids Symphony
Have you ever wanted to see what goes into producing a symphony? The Grand Rapids Symphony offers both backstage tours as well as musician meet-and-greets to educate the public on their exciting work. With their new program, Backstage and Behind the Music, each session corresponds to one of the symphony’s concerts and gives guests the opportunity to see the entire process. For adults ages 21 to 35, there is the MySymphony360 program which includes discounted tickets, best available sating, exclusive backstage access, and musical meet-and-greets.
Long Road Distillery
Long Road Distillery takes great pride in their signature whiskies, vodkas, and gins. To show how much work goes into these creations, they invite you to tour their distillery. Led by one of their distillers or owners, tours take visitors through the entire distilling process, its principles, and where the ingredients come from. Questions are encouraged so don’t hesitate to ask your knowledgeable tour guide. You might even get to sample a spirit or two when you’re done!
Chocolates by Grimaldi
The factory tour at Chocolates by Grimaldi is the perfect way to learn about the process of making chocolate. See everything from the pod, to the bean, to the chocolate that you can eat! Taste fresh samples right off the line and see the production area for yourself. Check out their 1950s enrober that is just like the one from I Love Lucy. Schedule your tour today to see how Grand Haven gets their unique chocolates!
North Region
Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel’s new stable is a great way to not only see the horses up close, but to also tour the island. Group carriage tours around Mackinac Island are perfect to learn about the area. These narrated tours start in downtown and stop at many points of interest along the way. The Grand Hotel’s concierge desk will help you personalize your route and even point out places on the island that are unseen by many. With an endless possibility of routes, adventure awaits you on Mackinac Island!
Chateau Grand Traverse
The tasting room at Chateau Grand Traverse invites you to check out their award-winning wines and enjoy their breathtaking views! Complimentary tours of the facilities are offered along with an overview of the history of the Northern Michigan wine industry. Your guide will teach you about the winemaking process from harvest to bottling. Don’t miss the chance to check out Chateau Grand Traverse’s wine making process and the amazing view that brought them there over 40 years ago.
Leelanau Adventures
Leelanau Adventures offers awesome guided tours and overnight stays at various locations. Have you ever wanted to experience Sleeping Bear Dunes or Manitou Island with a tour guide that will show you the best kept secrets? Look no further! You can choose between guided backpacking day trips or overnight stays with everything you need provided to you. Learn what it takes to survive in one of West Michigan’s most treasured locales. Trips run from June to September so check back next year to book your adventure!
Point Betsie Lighthouse
Marking the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage, Point Betsie Lighthouse stands as one of Benzie County’s most famous landmarks. The lighthouse was built in 1857 and had significant restoration work done in 2006. Their tours give the public the chance to see the lighthouse up close and personal. You can even climb the tower! Tours run from May until October so make sure to check it out when they reopen it next year.
There is so much to do in West Michigan to kick off the Halloween fun! This three part series will dive into different Fall and Halloween activities all throughout the West side of this Marvelous State. Part one and Southern Michigan comes down as the first leaf to hit the ground.
As Halloween approaches, all the little ghouls and goblins have one thing on their minds: Trick-or-Treating! To keep the kids’ minds off candy just a bit longer, kick off your Halloween fun early in West Michigan! Whether it’s family fun at the corn maze, or Halloween-themed pub crawls for the grown up ghouls, there are plenty of Halloween activities for all ages around West Michigan to get you in a Halloween mood!
South Michigan Halloween Fun
Stokes Homestead Farm Market
Stokes Homestead Farm Market in Grand Junction is kicking off fall fun this season with their Shadow Hollow Haunt, a one-of-a-kind haunted trail, that will run every weekend in October! They’ll be throwing in some new twists, turns and scares this year. Check out all the details at stokeshomestead.com.
Cornwell’s Turkeyville
Cornwell’s Turkeyville in Marshall is preparing for their family friendly Fall season of fun, frights, and memories. Every weekend in October, Cornwell’s holds their family friendly “Haunted Adventures,” open from 12pm-8pm on Saturday’s and 12pm-5pm on Sundays. Some of the activities include a pumpkin patch, spooky hay ride, and Haunted Barn. Each year the owners alter the theme of the Haunted Barn to explore all of the aspects Halloween has to offer.
This year’s theme is reminiscent of the things that caused your imaginary night time fear of monsters: shadows! All of the walls have spooky shadows thrown across them; but participants be warned, there are things lurking in the shadows, so prepare to be spooked. The haunts found in the barn are appropriate for even young children, and employees willing to help out the most scared of kids. Wristbands last all day and include all activities. The cost for a wristband is ten dollars per person – excluding babes in arms. Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre will be performing Abra Cadaver, an interactive murder mystery, on October 30 and 31 for more spooky, entertaining, & delicious Halloween fun!
Franke Center for the Arts
Plan to visit the Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall on Saturday, October 24th at 8pm for a performance by Mind Reader & Illusionist Christopher Carter. Carter is recognized as one of the world’s greatest “mind-readers,” but he’s not psychic. He’s just an incredibly skilled observer of human behavior.
Starting at the age of eight, when an uncle allowed him to sit in on a poker game, Christopher began to realize that people broadcast their thoughts in ways beyond words. This led to a lifelong interest in non-verbal communication and ‘people reading.’ Although he pursued dual interests in psychology and theater in college, it wasn’t until he was doing graduate work that Chris finally put it all together: he blended his fast-paced, humorous theatrical style with stunning displays of psychological ability. The ovations and accolades have been coming ever since.
As an entertainer, Christopher has earned feature appearances on “The Martin Short Show” and the “Donny and Marie Show.” As one of the most popular performers on college campuses, he has been awarded the highest honor in the Campus Activities industry: Entertainer of the Year. Tickets for the show are $20 in advance and $22 at the door.
West Michigan Beer Tours
Get in the Halloween mood with West Michigan Beer Tours and their spooky tour featuring a brewery with a haunt, and of course, some great fall seasonal beers. Be prepared for a night of frights, flights and fun.
The Halloween tour will begin at Shakespeare’s Pub in downtown Kalamazoo where pumpkin ales, hard ciders, and other autumn classics will be on tap. The group will then make the short jaunt west to Paw Paw Brewing Co. where the crew will get you in the spirit of the season with fall ales and perhaps a few scary surprises.
From there, you’ll make way to Psycho Ward & Nightmares, one of Kalamazoo’s best haunted attractions tucked into the woods behind the Kalamazoo Speedway. Enjoy steeply discounted prices and VIP access to the freak fest. You’ll then conclude with a quick ride north to Plainwell’s Old Mill Brewpub. Owner and brewmaster Scott Zylstra plans to serve some of his first beers and offer a tour of the more than 100-year-old building known to be inhabited by a few ghosts. The Halloween Beer Tour takes place on October 30th and lasts for five hours. Book your spot directly through West Michigan Beer Tours.
Journeyman Distillery
Journeyman Distillery will be hosting the Three Oaks Pub Crawl on Halloween (October 31st) from 2-10. Tour the town’s drinking establishments and compete for a chance to win coveted Pub Crawl t-shirts. Costumes are encouraged and the best ones will be rewarded. Watch out for the spirits this Halloween!
Henderson Castle
Prepare for an evening of intrigue, lies, and deception at Henderson Castle in Kalamazoo as you try to unravel all the clues and solve a case of murder. All this while socializing with the cremé de la cremé of this city’s high society, friends, loved ones.
During the dinner, you get to know everyone, share what you know and find out what you can… you will need this to establish a motive… for murder. Who knows, you may be the murderer and not know it! The October Murder Mystery Dinner takes place the night before Halloween, on October 30th at Henderson Castle. The cost is $69 per person.
Michigan Maritime Museum
The Michigan Maritime Museum will host a free trick-or-treating event at the Museum for children ages toddler to 10 years on October 31st from 4pm-6pm. The event will have trick-or-treating stations around the Museum campus and aboard tall ship Friends Good Will. Children must be in costume to participate. Bring out the whole family! All children must be accompanied by an adult for this event.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel
Join FireKeepers Casino Hotel this Halloween for a weekend of fun and entertainment, including the annual Halloween Costume Contest, Here Come the Mummies Concert, and Halloween Slot Tournament!
The festivities start Friday, October 30th with the Halloween costume contest at 7pm on the casino floor. All those interested in participating in the costume contest will need to join the parade line beginning at 7pm. At 7:45pm the Top 10 will be announced and asked to come to the Money Keepers Mainstage for the next round of judging, where the top 3 will be selected for audience voting. All of the top 10 costume participates will receive a prize.
The 1st place winner will walk away with a cash and Red Hot Credit prize of $5,000! Continue the Halloween excitement with Here Come the Mummies. The concert will begin at 9pm in the event center and ticket are just $25. The Halloween Slot Tournament will begin at 10am on October 31st. To qualify, simply earn 31 points on your Red Hot Rewards Club Card starting at 9am on October 31st. The tournament will run from 10am-3pm with the top 4 from each hour advancing to the final. The top 20 finalist will share a total prize pool of over $40,000 in prizes, with the 1st place winner receiving $20,000 cash!
The Inn at Harbor Shores
The Inn at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph invites you to celebrate this Halloween with them in a variety of ways! Visit the weekend of Halloween for Happy Halloweekend at The Inn, which will incorporate a series of frightening events for all ages, beginning with pumpkin carving and ending with a costume bash to end all others!
On Wednesday, October 28th, the local library will present Scary Stories, and Artist Pumpkin Carving Begins. Vote for your favorite pumpkin in person or on The Inn at Harbor Shores’ social media. On Halloween, the pumpkin carving winners will be announced, and the Costume Ball will kick off at 8pm! Enjoy dancing, a DJ, snacks, a cash bar, and prizes for the best costume! Tickets are $20, or can be included in your overnight stay package.
Crane Orchards & U-Pick
Crane Orchards & U-Pick in Fennville offers a 20-acre Corn Maze through October 30th. A lot of creative energy goes into this project every year to make it the best corn maze anywhere! Adults are $7, Ages 6 years to 10 years are $5, and kids 5 years old and below are free! This is a family friendly corn maze, and be sure to catch a hayride or Cowtrain ride while you’re there!
South Haven
If you’re in the South Haven area on Halloween, dress up, come out and join all the witches, goblins, vampires, superheroes, princesses, skeletons, and all the scariest costume in between for a fun filled candy gathering extravaganza! South Haven Trick-or-Treating will take place from 5:30pm-7:30pm on Halloween. Be sure to have a big container to hold all your candy, and don’t forget the three magic words: “Trick-or-Treat!”
Coldwater Country
Celebrate Halloween in Coldwater Country with costumes, scares, and a parade! Adventure out for a spook-tacular time in the Haunted Forest at Rotary Park in Coldwater on October 29th. The younger crowd will enjoy the less scary time from 6pm-7pm for the true Haunted Forest, scare time is 7pm-9pm. Don’t miss out on the Haunted Halloween Parade on October 31st! The theme changes every year, and you’ll see entries from organizations, businesses, and individuals.
Gilmore Car Museum Spooktacular
The 4th Annual Gilmore Car Museum Spooktacular will take place at the Museum on Thursday, October 29th from 4:00-7:00pm! Fun for the whole family, the Spooktacular will feature cool cars throughout the Museum, trick-or-treat throughout the galleries for children 12 and under, a featured film in the theater, and special treats and samples from local businesses! Costumes are encouraged! Kids 12 and under are FREE – Adults $5.00/person (children must be accompanied by an adult at all times).
Make sure to check out part 2 on Thursday for Halloween activities in Central West Michigan!
A tasty meal from San Chez Bistro, one of the amazing restaurants West Michigan has to offer
What is it that makes dining not just something you have to do, but also a rich, fulfilling experience? Think of the meals that stand out in your memory. The ones that were made with the freshest ingredients, the ones that pushed boundaries exploring new flavor ideas, the ones enjoyed with families and friends, and the ones that were prepared with love and attention. West Michigan has an abundance of restaurants, farm-to-table offerings, and culinary tours which are sure to get your taste buds watering for your next visit to West Michigan.
South
A Hungry Village Tour is the perfect way to enhance your Saugatuck/Douglas vacation. Small groups maximize the tour experience. Hungry Village Tours offers an exceptional “behind the scenes” glimpse of local culture, food, wine, customs, and fun! Let them create a special tour for your group, or join a scheduled departure. Hungry Village Tours begins each tour at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, acknowledging its weekly Greenmarket, culinary arts connection, and the Center’s history as a pie factory. There are two tours available from all year long: One is a 3 hour “Culinary Walk”, exploring Saugatuck’s and Douglas’ culinary secrets behind their storefronts with demonstrations and tastings. The second option is a 6 hour “Delicious Drive,” featuring a tour of the lakeshore’s producers including farms, orchards, blueberry patches, vintners, brewers, creameries and other artisans. Contact Hungry Village Tours leader, David Geen, at 269-857-1700 or info@hungryvillagetours.com.
There is the age-old adage that you are what you eat. If those words hold even a little truth, then Food Dance in Kalamazoo thinks it’s time to take a closer look at what we’re putting on our plates. This is more than their work – it’s a bit of an obsession. Food Dance is fixated on finding honest-to-goodness fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs that come from the farm, not the factory. All this brought together to build a menu of thoughtfully constructed great tasting American food.To you it may be a unique and natural alternative to today’s chain invasion – to Food Dance it’s like changing the world – one meal at a time.
Journeyman Distillery
It isn’t just food that can boast local farm-to-table offerings, but also local beverages! At Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, they are committed to using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. They use midwestern grains in all of their spirits, and local ingredients are a large part of their food and cocktail menus. You can get a look into their process for yourself on one of their distillery tours, offered weekdays at 12:15pm and Saturday and Sunday at 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm and 5:00pm.
At Goldberry Woods: Bed & Breakfast, Microfarm, & Cottages, they know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and they aspire to inspire you with every bite. They make everything from scratch and strive to use the freshest ingredients possible, many grown right on the premises. Even their breakfast sausages and bacon are produced locally. The animals are raised organically and humanely in Harbor Country. They are happy to accommodate any special dietary needs and will do so as creatively as possible. The breakfast menu at Goldberry Woods in Union Pier changes with the seasons but always includes a fresh fruit starter and a full, hot, made-from-scratch breakfast.
Take a foodie tour of the Fenville area, and we guarantee you’ll leave full and happy. Start with lunch or dinner at Salt of the Earth, located in the heart of southwest Michigan farm and orchard country. They cook from scratch to create their entrees, sandwiches, wood oven fired pizzas, creative soups, fresh salads, desserts, and artisan breads. Their ‘Specialty Sips’ menu includes a scratch margarita, fresh mojitos, and other seasonal cocktails made with Michigan craft beers, hard ciders, spirits, and wines. Salt of the Earth is also an entertainment destination presenting the finest roots musicians on the scene at weekly house concerts. When you’re done with your meal, head down the road to Crane’s Pie Pantry, where you’ll have your choice of over a dozen different styles of pie! Grab a slice to eat now, a whole pie to take home, or a frozen pie that you can bake right in your own oven. Your final stop is Fenn Valley Winery, who’s tasting room is open year-round for free samples of their award-winning wines and champagnes. Hop on one of their public winery tours, and get a behind-the-scenes look at making world-class wines, with plenty of tasting opportunities along the way!
Bistro on the Boulevard
Discover the Bistro on the Boulevard, an extraordinary dining experience in downtown St. Joseph, MI. Their seasonally changing menus feature one-of-a kind appetizers, entrees, and desserts made with locally sourced ingredients. The Bistro was named “Region’s Best Fine Dining Restaurant” by Shore Magazine and is one of only two Southwest Michigan restaurants to boast Wine Spectators award of excellence for “one of the best restaurant wine lists in the world.” The Bistro is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. When dining at the Bistro on the Boulevard you will enjoy meals prepared with local ingredients. Several farmers from Southwest Michigan deliver their meat and produce to the restaurant every week!
Arcadia Brewing Company was established in 1996 as a microbrewery specializing in handcrafted British-style ales. As well as craft beers, they also offer locally-sourced dishes at their two pub locations. In addition to harvesting from their own garden, they source from many local farms and bakeries to provide visitors with the freshest, high quality ingredients. They offer house-smoked BBQ and their own burgers, made with a custom blend of chuck and brisket ground fresh daily.
Central
A Celebration of Culinary Crafts! The Midwest’s largest wine festival comes together November 20-22 with over 1,400 wines, beers, ciders and spirits from around the world, along with creations from the area’s finest restaurants at the International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. The event attracts thousands of food and wine enthusiasts and offers a vast array of extraordinary tastings, cooking demonstrations, wine and beer seminars, gourmet foods, specialty items and accessories. For more information, visit GRWineFestival.com. Keep an eye out for local chocolatiers from Grand Haven, Chocolates by Grimaldi, who will be on site offering their gourmet chocolates, including creamy truffles, buttery caramels, and their signature potato chips in chocolate.
Earth to Table Dining: Artfully Crafted Cuisine. Grove restaurant, located in Grand Rapids, is a tribute to the bounty of the earth’s harvest and how Grove brings that to the table with impeccable service, natural ingredients and innovative cuisine. Their seasonal, frequently changing selections hint at the classics with natural sauces and a slant toward sustainable seafood. They responsibly source as many ingredients as possible from local, family and sustainable farms and prepare each dish to demonstrate their respect for how these farmers raise or grow their products. Grove carefully pairs their daily, innovative menus with the best modern wines. Their beverage menu also includes eclectic and top-shelf liquors, their own housemade infused spirits, craft beers, pour-over coffee and espresso. They’re located in the heart of East Hills at 919 Cherry Street. Visit them online at grovegr.com or make a reservation by calling 616.454.1000.
Inspired, handcrafted foods that nurture both body and community. At Terra in Grand Rapids, they follow their passions – and the seasons – for only the freshest, health-filled ingredients from the region’s most dedicated growers. They pride themselves on distinctive fare, expertly crafted with passion, intellect and culinary skill. You’ll enjoy handcrafted meals that honor the purest ingredients from the finest regional farms and fields. Terra’s focus on seasonal offerings means they only use fresh, honest ingredients bursting with the flavors of each season. Not only will you find delicious dining at Terra, but also a community dedicated to the promotion and rewards of a health-conscious lifestyle.
Twisted Rooster
Satisfyingly savory and always fresh, using Michigan made products with a twist—that’s what you can expect when dining at the Twisted Rooster in Grand Rapids. Twisted Rooster’s Executive Chef Dave Ogren and his culinary team work with local vendors and suppliers to provide guests with a decidedly tasty twist on classic American fare. Twisted Rooster’s mantra is to provide each guest with “Simply Impeccable Food & Drinks with Uncommon Hospitality.” Their locally sourced, scratch made menu is full of local flavor and includes vendors such as Byron Center Meats, R.W. Bakers, Faygo and Founders Brewing Company. Ogren said their menu is meant to emphasize their twisted “Commit to the Mitt” motto.
Fish Tacos are a must have at the Twisted Rooster. This house favorite #1 seller, consists of Founders Pale Ale battered flash-fried tasty Grouper, fresh pico de gallo, shredded white cheddar, housemade crispy noodle slaw, cilantro sour cream and tortilla chips. The Twisted House salad isn’t your typical house salad: it is made up of mixed greens; Traverse City dried cherries, Michigan grown apples, Roquefort bleu cheese, strawberries, cinnamon raisin bread croutons and toasted pecans tossed in a homemade cherry maple-vinaigrette dressing. The famous Twisted Mac & Cheese is a favorite for locavores everywhere. Twisted cavatappi noodles are blended with a bold white 5 cheese sauce, house smoked chicken, sweet peas, asparagus, cherry tomatoes with baked cheddar bread crumbs and fried parmesan. Needless to say, Twisted Rooster is a necessary stop on your next west Michigan road trip. Get more information at www.twisted-rooster.com.
Honest Fayre. Local Flair. At The Green Well they serve honest fayre with local flair in a neighborhood setting that keeps customers coming back. Their innovative gastro pub is green beyond its name: Their LEED® certified building is environmentally safe, ultra efficient and leaves behind the smallest possible carbon footprint. “Gastro pub” is British for a public house that specializes in high-quality food served in a relaxed atmosphere. The Green Well’s creative menu features a global range of eclectic flavors prepared with ingredients from local farmers. Over 20 rotating taps focus on Michigan brews, as well as a vast selection of bottles, ranging from local and American craft to traditional European styles. The wine list features creative flights that encourage multiple wine flavors paired with food. Classic cocktails are also available. Their greenness also spills over to their guests who benefit from affordable prices and outstanding service by a fun, welcoming staff. Located at 924 Cherry Street in East Hills.
Bistro Bella Vita
Fresh. Natural. Local. Mediterranean Countryside Cuisine. At Bistro Bella Vita, they go above and beyond to deliver the ultimate dining experience with top-notch, personable service, whether it’s a simple pizza and beer with friends, or an elegant chef’s table meal perfectly paired with appropriate wines. Their vision is to be West Michigan’s most respected restaurant destination. Guests enjoy Bistro Bella Vita’s unique downtown atmosphere and their creative cuisine made exclusively from fresh, natural, ingredients purchased daily from local farmers in season. The culinary team creates authentic, scratch-made recipes that blend the delicious flavors of the Mediterranean countryside with a perfectly paired beverage offering served by a devoted staff whose passion is to ensure your complete satisfaction. They’re located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, just west of the Van Andel Arena on Grandville and Weston. Make your reservation online or call them at 616. 222. 4600.
Stop by San Chez Bistro for the most unique dining and entertainment venue in Grand Rapids. San Chez Bistro offers a blend of authentic European and Mediterranean cuisine in a fun, laid-back, and artful atmosphere. Take a break from fast food with breakfast and lunch by San Chez Café, made with the finest local ingredients, and prepared to order fresh seven days a week. Enjoy omelets, scrambles, pastries, bagels, yogurt, fresh fruit, or the best sandwiches and soups in town. Appreciate gourmet fair-trade coffee and whole leaf organic tea while you linger with free Wi-Fi, or hold a breakfast meeting in our comfy café.
CityVū Bistro is Holland’s hotspot for all things fresh. Fryers and frozen foods are out. Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, creative menu concepts, and healthy yet delicious dishes are in. Their 100% whole grain, hearth-baked flatbread, topped with unique combinations of savory ingredients, is the ultimate edible plate. Now you can have your plate and eat it too! If flatbreads aren’t your forté, choose from a diverse array of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées, and desserts. Regular menu revisions by their chef, including a monthly “Taste Of” feature highlighting the culinary nuances of international locales, will satisfy even the most discerning of palettes.
The JW Marriott signature restaurant, six.one.six, and destination lounge, mixology, offer the breathtaking blend of sophisticated urban ambience, palate-pleasing cuisine, as well as the finest wines and perfectly poured cocktails. But more than just a “pretty face,” six.one.six. takes its cuisine seriously. Dedicated to the concept of buying local, the chef’s pantry is bursting with locally grown ingredients, some of which are picked just a few feet away at the JW Chef’s Garden. The six.one.six. kitchen also participates in Sort, a recycling and composting program coordinated with Zeeland-headquartered Spurt Industries, which helps turn food scraps into top-quality soil for area parks. You’ll find dishes sourced from New Holland Brewery, Black Star Farms, Founder’s Brewery, and many more when you dine at six.one.six.
Downtown Market Grand Rapids
Downtown Market Grand Rapids offers farm to table dining, and everything in between. Visit in the spring and summer for their outdoor farmers market, where the best of everything fresh and local will be on display for purchase. The indoor Market Hall is open year-round, and offers everything from local produce, fish, meats, and cheese to restaurants serving tacos & thai food sourced from local ingredients. Downtown Market offers regular cooking classes & demonstrations to help you bring that fresh and local taste right into your own kitchen.
Not only can you tour a working dairy farm when you visit Country Dairy in New Era, you can taste the fruits of their labors in their Farm Store. Pick up your favorite cheeses, try one of their unique ice cream flavors, or visit the Fresh Meat Market for cuts of beef which are corn-fed and hormone free from Country Dairy’s own steer herd. They have a restaurant on site as well, so order a burger, wrap, or sandwich, and don’t forget about the bottomless cup of milk to go along with your meal!
