Romie Robertson is an Atlanta-based content creator who specializes in affordable travel with a historical and cultural focus. After enjoying her first visit to Grand Rapids in March 2024, she decided to return six months later to sample the global art competition and cultural experience known as ArtPrize, the city’s largest annual event. This time, she brought her father Roger with her for an extended weekend trip.

“Though we have a 40-year age difference, we both had the most perfect weekend – full of good food, good sights, good art and the best quality time a daddy-daughter duo could ask for,” says Romie. “I was reminded of how fitting a destination Grand Rapids is for all ages.”

Romie's father, Roger, tossing salad at Thought Design

Thought Design Learning Studio offers hands-on cooking classes for food enthusiasts.

Photo by Courtesy of Romie Robertson (@roamingwithromie)

Day 1

Romie and Roger came in the day before ArtPrize 2024’s opening ceremonies and spent the evening in Rockford, about 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids. They took a “Classic Italian” cooking class at Thought Design Learning Studio, working together to create deep-dish garlic bread, an Italian salad with garlic vinaigrette, cheese manicotti and tiramisu under the supervision of an expert chef. They enjoyed the fruits of their labor for dinner.

When you visit, make time to explore quaint downtown Rockford, which is home to Thought Design as well as many one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants as well as the Rockford Dam Overlook, which provides a spectacular view of the Rogue River.

Selfie of Romie and Roger at the Grand Rapids Presidential Museum.

The Grand Rapids Presidential Museum showcases fascinating artifacts from Ford’s time in office and personal life.

Photo by Courtesy of Romie Robertson (@roamingwithromie)

Day 2

The next day kicked off with a visit to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in downtown Grand Rapids, just steps away from Romie and Roger’s hotel, the historic Amway Grand Plaza. The Museum is an entertaining celebration of the life and times of the 38th President of the U.S., who grew up in Grand Rapids and represented the area in the U.S. Congress for 25 years.

The Museum was one of 170+ venues hosting ArtPrize 2024 entries, with 37 pieces displayed in and around the building – including “Dynamic Sunset,” a colorful oil and acrylic painting by artist John Katerberg, which went on to win the public voting component of ArtPrize 2024 and the $125,000 grand prize.

Romie and Roger were able to view the art as well as wander the museum full of fascinating artifacts, an experience Romie pronounces “amazing.”

Then it was off to Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm, 15 minutes north of Grand Rapids on The Fruit Ridge, one of the world’s finest agricultural regions. The farm includes a restaurant and makes its own beer, hard cider, seltzer and wine using ingredients grown on site. Romie and Roger grabbed some lunch, visited the country store and interacted with some farm animals.

After some downtime, the duo headed to the Uptown neighborhood for dinner at Mangiamo, a fine-dining Italian restaurant situated in a historic mansion. “It’s one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had,” raves Romie. “Ten out of ten.”

The ArtPrize opening ceremony kicked off at 7pm that evening, so dad and daughter joined the crowd on downtown’s Pearl Street Bridge for music, snacks and all the festivities – including the spectacle of “David,” a 35-foot-tall illuminated puppet that scaled the 29-story Amway Grand Plaza to the delight of all in attendance. The ceremony culminated in an “amazing” 15-minute long firework show over the Grand River.

Romie and Roger at Tiki Bar

The three-hour Taste of GR tour included five tastings and a mile of walking through downtown.

Photo by Courtesy of Romie Robertson (@roamingwithromie)

Day 3

“One thing that surprised me as a visitor to Grand Rapids is how good the food is,” says Romie. She and her father sampled some of the city’s finest culinary creations on a walking food tour conducted by Taste of GR.

The three-hour tour features five food tastings at downtown restaurants and about one mile of walking. Tour guides relate tidbits of Grand Rapids history and highlight public art pieces along the way.

“Definitely one of the best food tours I’ve gone on,” says Romie. “By the time it’s done, not only are you full but you’ve also developed a new appreciation for Grand Rapids.”

Romie and Roger were thrilled to discover that their visit coincided with the Grand Rapids African American Art & Music Festival, an annual event showcasing African American art, music, culture and people.

The free festival took place in downtown’s Rosa Parks Circle, where 10+ musical acts took to the stage during the 10-hour celebration, culminating in a performance by Kevin Jones & Tenth World, who combine the harmonic sensibilities of jazz and soul with the rhythms of the African Diaspora.

“We checked out a lot of cool performances,” says Romie, whose Instagram shows her singing along with her dad and recording an impromptu dance number in the crowd. The duo also browsed vendor booths hosted by local African American entrepreneurs at the event.

Romie and Roger at Artprize.

Since its debut in 2009, ArtPrize has become the most visited art event globally, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Photo by Courtesy of Romie Robertson (@roamingwithromie)

Day 4

The final day of the trip started with brunch at downtown’s San Chez Bistro, which offers a blend of authentic European, Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine. “Highly recommended,” enthuses Romie.

Before heading to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport for their return trip home, Romie and Roger checked out more ArtPrize pieces around downtown. ArtPrize 2024 featured more than 950 entries, so the two saw only a fraction of the art on display – but it was enough to appreciate why it became the most visited art event on the planet soon after its 2009 debut.

Romie’s Recommendations

“What really made this trip special was the fact that I got to experience it with my dad,” says Romie. For your own special family trip, Romie recommends these all-ages Grand Rapids experiences:

  1. ArtPrize, held every fall. Mark your calendar for Sept. 18 - Oct. 4, 2025 and Sept. 17 - Oct. 3, 2026.
  2. The Grand Rapids Art Museum and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, offering enriching experiences for both adults and kids.
  3. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum for a deep dive into American history.
  4. Year-round festivals, from summertime music festivals to fall cultural festivals to World of Winter, America’s largest winter festival (Jan. 10 - March 2, 2025).
  5. Hands-on experiences and tours that let you immerse yourself in the unique delights of Grand Rapids – including candle and fragrance making, Black history and art tours, and cooking classes like the one Romie and Roger took.
  6. A safe and walkable downtown with 200+ shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and cultural sites within a 10-minute stroll (or free shuttle ride).
  7. Outdoor adventures including family-friendly trails, parks and rivers for hiking, biking and kayaking.
  8. The local food scene, from the family farms that surround the city to the restaurants that use farm-fresh ingredients to create an astonishing array of cuisines – you’ll see (and taste!) why Grand Rapids has been named one of America’s Top 20 Foodie Cities.