Looking for something to do this winter? Of course you are.
No matter the season, it’s always good to be on the lookout for exciting new experiences beyond the usual favorites like eating and drinking—though of course, we encourage those too. But West Michigan has a bounty of fun to be had with friends, family and strangers.
So, next time you’re looking to be entertained but feel like you’re all out of ideas, consult Revue’s Entertainment Guide. It’s not meant to be comprehensive, but we’re positive something here will strike your fancy.
MUSIC VENUES
The Intersection
133 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
sectionlive.com
With five stages in one venue, The Intersection is built for just about every kind of show you could hope for. While electronic/EDM/house music has a strong presence here, so do hardcore, hip-hop, tribute bands, country, retro parties and more.
The Pyramid Scheme
68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
pyramidschemebar.com
The ultimate indie venue, Pyramid Scheme is home to quite a few local showcases, along with larger indie touring groups like Jeff Rosenstock and Slaughter Beach—as well as metal shows like See You Next Tuesday. Plus, their front bar is full of pinball machines!
Bell’s Eccentric Café
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
bellsbeer.com
Bell’s has been absolutely crushing it with their shows recently, both on the indoor stage and the larger outdoor space in the Beer Garden. Here you’ll find big gets like Waxahatchee and Belle & Sebastian alongside intimate singer-songwriter shows and smaller local bands. Also: Lots of craft beer and great food!
Midtown GR
123 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
themidtowngr.com
Formerly known as The Listening Room, this is a seated, unique, very intimate venue with a focus on atmosphere and acoustics. Head here for shows you really want to pay attention to and soak in (plus, regular improv comedy from River City and Pop Scholars).
Kalamazoo State Theatre
404 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo
kazoostate.com
It’s quality over quantity at Kazoo State, a beautiful Spanish-styled theater hosting indie legends like Silversun Pickups and The Mountain Goats, along with country bands like Home Free and Jason Isbell.
Skelletones
133 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
skelletones.com
This legendary venue has returned after years of being closed. It’s an all-ages space, alcohol-free and wheelchair accessible, focused largely on punk, hardcore, metal, emo, ska and other underground genres.
ALL AGES
Air Zoo
6151 Portage Road, Portage
airzoo.org
This world-class, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum is a wonder to behold and a blast to explore, with more than 100 air and space artifacts, full-motion flight simulators, indoor amusement park rides, interactive exhibits, and hands-on classes. It’s a true gem of edutainment, perfect for people of any age who love space, flight, machinery and rides.
Trampoline Parks
Sky Zone | Altitude | Rebounderz | Airborne Adventure
Not long ago, you had to hope the local gymnastics center had a spare evening if you wanted to book some time with trampolines and foam pits. Now, we have bespoke trampoline parks all over West Michigan, each offering dozens of things to do. Beyond the trampolines and foam zones are free climbing walls, parkour courses, ropes courses, foam jousting, trapeze, silks, zip lines, slides, and more. Adults are welcome to play too!
Craig’s Cruisers
Grand Rapids, Holland & Muskegon
craigscruisers.com
When you can’t decide on just one activity for the day, this is the place to go. Craig’s offerings go far beyond his cruisers (go karts), including robust laser tag arenas, bumper cars, indoor rides like the Cruiser Coaster, and an arcade with nearly 100 games. When the snow melts, you can also enjoy a seated zip line over the mini-golf course, bumper boats, and The 360.
BattleGR
284 Dodge Court, Comstock Park
battlegr.com
For another option with huge variety, check out Battle GR, which is all about active group fun. Their laser tag can be customized thanks to moveable obstacles and objective based games/missions. Their axe throwing has patent-pending, no-bounce-back borders for extra safety, along with special games like Connect Four and Tic Tac Toe. Their Gel Blaster is a unique approach to paintball, using soft and squishy pellets that disintegrate on contact. They also have archery tag, and a full sports court!
Pinball Land
114 Courtland St., Rockford
pinball-land.com
All the fun of a retro arcade without the hassle of quarters—Pinball Land has seven rooms of play space, home to more than 50 pinball machines and over 100 arcade games to enjoy for as long as you’re there. It’s just $7 for one hour ($15 for all day) to play everything from DDR to Pac Man, Crazy Taxi, Turtles in Time and beyond.
Bowling, Fowling & Duckpin
Clique Lanes | Northfield Lanes | Fowling Warehouse | Woodrows Duckpin Bowling | Airway Fun Center
Bowling is a prime winter activity, perfectly crafted to blend socializing, friendly competition and movement (plus bar food and cheap beer, if you like). If you want to change it up, check out duckpin or fowling. Duckpin is similar to bowling, but with smaller balls that fit right in your hand, so no need to find the right weight and size for your fingers—and you don’t have to rent or change your shoes! The lane is also shorter and the pins are smaller, attached by strings at the top, which means everything moves quicker. Or, for the opposite end of the spectrum, check out fowling to chuck some footballs at pins in a big ol’ warehouse!
Escape Rooms
The Great Escape Room | The Ruse | Locked 460 | Lakeshore Quest | Escapology
Escape rooms have taken America by storm for a reason. You might think puzzles aren’t for you, or that being locked in a room for an hour sounds like a stressful time, but we’ve seen people be converted time and time again. These rooms are full of all kinds of puzzles, and you’ll naturally gravitate toward whichever excites you. Each clue you solve is a little burst of joy, and it quickly becomes addicting. Try an escape room—you won’t regret it (and, believe it or not, they’ll let you out at any time if you just ask).
Axe Throwing
Wood-Splitters | FlannelJax | Muskegon Axe Throwing | Choppin Co.
Axe throwing is sweeping the nation, partly because we all love to take turns throwing things as a form of socialization—and in a much larger part because of how fun and satisfying it is to feel the axe leave your hand, fly through the air and stick in the wood. Some spots have added additional games as well, like crosscut sawing to make you feel like a lumberjack, and Thump the Stump, in a race to hammer a nail with a hatchet. Call me Ke$ha because I’m yelling timber.
SPORTS
Grand Rapids Gold
We may not have Lions, Tigers and Red Wings, but we do have spectacular sports teams of our own to spectate. Of course the winter months are perfect for watching the GR Griffins and Kalamazoo Wings sweep the ice in hockey, but the Van Andel Arena is also home to the Grand Rapids Gold, our official minor league NBA team now associated with the Denver Nuggets (hence the name). If you want to see pros play before they head up to the big leagues, here’s your chance!
Grand Rapids Rise
This year, the Grand Rapids Rise is playing its inaugural season, with 24 games ahead. This is a female professional volleyball team, played by elite athletes, “who, for the first time, have an opportunity to make a REAL living wage without leaving the county.” Head to Van Andel to see this athleticism on display!
Grand Raggidy Roller Derby
grandraggidy.com
Founded in 2005, Grand Raggidy Roller Derby is proud to be one of only 30 founding member leagues of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come see their games, where women showcase their speed, agility and strategic prowess. Watch skaters with names like “Marzi Pain” and “Scary Magdalene” slam into each other, slip past each other and race around the track. It’s fun for everyone!
COMEDY
Pop Scholars
popscholars.com
When it comes to improv, Pop Scholars have something special. There’s a chemistry between the four guys that started strong and has only grown over 15 years of performing together. If you think improv just isn’t your thing, you’re probably wrong—check out Pop Scholars.
GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
livenation.com
You’ll find many of your favorite comedians at GLC Live, where second shows are regularly added due to popularity. Stavros Halkias, Lewis Black, Nimesh Patel, Nikki Glaser, Ari Shaffer—just a few of the comedians already slated for 2024!
Dr. Grins Comedy Club
20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
thebob.com
Every week, typically Monday through Wednesday, a new comedian takes up the mic at Dr. Grins, the comedy venue inside The B.O.B. These are largely the comedians who are out there touring and crushing it before they develop a massive following. Beth Stelling, Don Friesen and Step Tolev are some upcoming names!
The Comedy Project
540 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids
thecomedyproject.com
The Comedy Project is the area's only full-time, professional improv and sketch comedy theater venue, performing "Second City-style sketch and improv comedy shows" every Friday and Saturday—not to mention popular comedy classes. Head here on weekends for cocktails and multiple improv comedy shows ranging in themes from Battle Bots to Jellybean Station, “the comedy kid’s show no kid should see.”
NIGHTLIFE
Billy’s Lounge
1437 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
billyslounge.com
With DJs on Sundays (playing throwback tunes), Mondays (electronica), Wednesday (Latin) and Thursday (College Night), Billy’s is a great place to dance throughout the week, smack dab in Eastown.
Eve
20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
thebob.com
Eve is back, with different DJs playing every single Friday and Saturday. If you want to dance all night and get lit in a classy nightclub setting, head up the stairs of The B.O.B. to the top floor.
Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar
180 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids
mojospianobar.com
Don’t let the name fool you—while there is a dueling piano bar downstairs, and it’s a fun time to be sure, Mojo’s also has a dance floor with DJs on the second floor, Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m.
Rumors Night Club
69 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
rumorsnightclub.net
The most popular gay bar and dance club in the city has DJs playing hits on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Head there anytime after 10 p.m. and it’s bound to be lit. Plus, karaoke on Wednesdays, and show nights on Sundays!
