A Grand Giveaway: Grand Rapids Family Getaway

As you know, a couple weeks ago I was treated to a girls weekend getaway in Grand Rapids, Michigan, courtesy of Experience Grand Rapids. I never really gave the run-down of what all we actually did, so here goes!

Our first night there we attended the International Food & Wine Festival downtown at Devos Place connected to our hotel, the luxurious Amway Grand Plaza.

(It was my first time having Tower Club card access- meaning I could go to this secret floor for free drinks and appetizers and ooh la la!) (Ok, it's the little things.)

We ate dinner at the fest at the 1913 Room. It was pretty incredible. I'm not going to tell you what I ate because it is so very not vegan and I have to keep up the appearances, right? But it was really delicious.

Saturday we met early for breakfast at the hotel and then were off to the Grand Rapids Art Museum across the street- which- had our weekend paused or even ended there I would have been completely satisfied. I loved the "GRAM" and everything about it- from its unique origins to their participation with Art Prize to the amazing Princess Diana exhibit: Diana, A Celebration.

(It's there until February 16, 2011. Bring tissues.)

art prize winner- all done with eighty #2 pencils

But, the time came that we were all hungry and we were off to The Green Well- the kind of menu I love to see- ingredients from local farmers, quinoa! soups! fresh salads, and unique sandwiches. Loved. I ordered the tomato bisque and a Michigan Harvest salad, with an iced tea and a hot apple cider. Because I know you wanted to know that.

After lunch it was shopping time! We actually had time allotted for SHOPPING. So, we shopped. Tons of neat boutiques, a natural baby & kids store, antiques, consignment, all in one great swoop. I bought a mirror with a moustache painted on it from Rebel Reclaimed, a place that repurposes and reclaims old antiques and adorable retro pretties. It hangs above my kitchen sink and I love it.

shop owner, he was so nice to play along

We stopped for coffee and then had a short drive over to Frederik Meijer Gardens. I would love to take the kids here. We had a wonderful tour through the gardens and sculptures- and seriously the sculptures alone are worth it.

the indoor structures are like trees. loved.

THEN there is a whole children's garden there, too. This and the GRAM are absolutely on my list when we take the kids. They will love it. And I am already imagining all the pictures I will take...

some kind of carnivorous plant that can eat birds and stuff. really.

We headed back to our hotel and I got a pumpkin facial at the hotel spa Vasaio. For real. It was fabulous and what I call a sneaky pampering because you really get an arm massage, foot massage, and shoulder massage along with a heavenly facial. I like.

We had some free time to chill, visit the Tower Club, then walk over to San Chez for dinner- an experience! We had a great time ordering all sorts of tapas to pass around (yes the first thing I ordered was the roasted garlic. I could eat that like candy!) (Hubs totally noticed when I came home.)

The place was packed but you felt like you were in a room all to yourself. If you know what I mean? Maybe I was just having so much fun not even worrying about the kids, and just letting go. Who knows. It was a great time. I want to go back.

So, it worked, city of Grand Rapids! You won me over.

You can be won over, too. Be a fan on Facebook and follow along on Twitter if that's your cup of hot calming tea.

Anyway. Get to the point! I know!

Win! Experience Grand Rapids is giving away an overnight stay at the Hilton Grand Rapids +
a family package of tickets to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park,
iPod shuffle with Grand Rapids podcast,
The Polar Express movie (did you know Grand Rapids is in the movie??),
Official Experience Grand Rapids Visitor Guide
(visit must be scheduled by November 22, 2011)

Leave a comment to enter- anything will do. Have you been to Grand Rapids? Where do you like to go for a quick getaway? What is most important to see when you go on a family overnight trip? Or like I said, enter however you wish, just be sure to leave your contact info with your comment- I must know how to reach you if you win!

I will choose a winner at random sometime after 11:59 PM (CST) Tuesday 12/14. Check out these other blogs for even more chances to win:

• Hormone Colored Days- Grand Rapids, MI Family Getaway Giveaway! (ends 12/14)
• Grand Rapids Girlfriends Getaway (ends 12/18)

Winner has been chosen: congrats to Lisa of Heaven Sent!

Disclosure... Experience Grand Rapids paid all my expenses during my weekend getaway, and is also providing this giveaway. I was not paid nor even asked to write this review of my weekend in Grand Rapids (but they did ask if I wanted to do a giveaway and I said yes). These are my real thoughts and feelings! Yay!