Last year, we introduced the Attractions categories to Best of the West.
Places like museums, zoos and bowling alleys didn’t quite fit in anywhere else, even though they’re a big part of our lives! I was hoping to highlight places with activities like fowling and axe throwing, but ah well, we’ll get ’em next year.
Clearly, Revue readers love our institutions like Frederik Meijer Gardens and the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and understandably so! These are some of the greatest attractions not just in West Michigan, but in the country. They exist to make the arts easy to enjoy and understand, and that’s why we see them at the top of the Attraction, Family Attraction and Art Museum categories.
For the other categories, our leaders are holding strong, with Gun Lake Casino coming out on top once again, alongside Clique Lanes and Celebration! Cinema. The latter does have an advantage with multiple locations, but the incredible Studio Park in downtown GR doesn’t hurt either.
Finally, I’d like to point out the performing arts groups, whom we’ve sorely missed. Welcome back to the stage: The Civic, Circle Theatre, GR Ballet, and every other theater crew out there!
BEST ATTRACTION
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1st
1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Art Museum, 2nd
John Ball Zoo, 3rd
FAMILY ATTRACTION
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1st
1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
John Ball Zoo, 2nd
Grand Rapids Children's Museum, 3rd
ART MUSEUM/GALLERY
Grand Rapids Art Museum, 1st
101 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 2nd
UICA, 3rd
THEATRE/PERFORMANCE ARTS
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 1st
30 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
Circle Theatre, 2nd
Grand Rapids Ballet, 3rd
BOWLING
Clique Lanes, 1st
533 Stocking Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Northfield Lanes, 2nd
Wengers Bowling Center, 3rd
CASINO
Gun Lake Casino, 1st
1123 129th Ave., Wayland
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, 2nd
Firekeepers Casino, 3rd
MOVIE THEATRE
Celebration Cinema, 1st
celebrationcinema.com
Wealthy Theatre, 2nd
NorthStar Cinema, 3rd