THINGS TO DO WHILE IN BIG RAPIDS

One thing to do while in Big Rapids is check out a few local Real Estate properties with me, Randy Ostrander. Although that sounds fun to me, tastes do differ, so here are a few other things to do while here in Big Rapids:

BIG RAPIDS RIVERWALK 

You could spend an entire day enjoying the Big Rapids Riverwalk that runs from Maple Street to Northend Riverside Park. Whether on bike, blade, or just plain walking, this recently completed project allows visitors the chance to enjoy the outdoors while still remaining within town. With several benches and other places to stop and relax, this gem of a pathway provides an almost constant view of the Muskegon River and can make exercising seem fun again. From Maple Street, it's only a short walk downhill to Hemlock Park, which is the premier destination for outdoor-loving families. Hemlock's spacious lawns and beautiful trees are the perfect place for a quick nap in the sun or the shade while the fishing platforms provide access to the river's abundance of fish. Hemlock also provides tennis courts, basketball courts, and softball diamonds for the sports enthusiasts and plenty of room to play a game of Frisbee or catch with your kids. There are also places to grill and pavilions to provide shelter if Mother Nature decides to rain on your play day. Of course, ask any child what the crown jewel of Hemlock Park is, and you won't hear about pristine rivers and peaceful parks, but the brightly colored PlayScape at the north end of the park. The PlayScape is a maze of fun that most kids rush to get to and have trouble leaving. Built by volunteers (including myself), it is one of the hotspots for the children in your life. The park also provides numerous seating areas for you to enjoy a good book or meet a new friend. After prying your kids off of the PlayScape, you can continue your stroll northward towards Northend Riverside Park. Along the way, you'll cross the Muskegon on a walk bridge that, while it looks rustic and antique, is perfectly safe for crossing. On the other side of the river, you'll soon come across new condos that are being built facing the river. If you would like to look around inside of them, just check with your favorite Big Rapids Realtor. Just past the condos, you'll come to Sawmill Point, where you can see a restored sawmill building and carriage house. If history isn't your thing, this is also the location of Sawmill Tube & Canoe, where you can enjoy an afternoon floating down the Muskegon. Once across the Baldwin Street Bridge, you'll arrive at the more scenic portion of the Muskegon, where nature is at its best. Here you'll see the occasional log along the shoreline, a remnant from the area's logging past, as well as a variety of wildlife, such as a spotted fawn or any number of birds. This stretch of river, which is where an old dam once stood, is also a prime place to fish as the rapids cut down on the number of tubers. Continuing north, you'll soon come to the other bookend of Big Rapids' Riverwalk, Northend Riverside Park. This park, which is located at the north end of Fourth Street in Big Rapids, is a quieter park that offers many of the same amenities that Hemlock does. There are horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, pavilions, grills, and even a children's play area, although not nearly as large as the PlayScape. There are also a number of small walkways that wind through the immediate area. This park can also serve as a temporary staging area for the White Pine Trail, Michigan's largest Rails-to-Trails walkway at 93 miles. For the more adventurous outdoorsman, this trail can take you as far north as Cadillac and as far south as Comstock Park. Of course, Hemlock and Northend Riverside aren't the only parks in the Big Rapids area. These links will provide maps and information on all of Big Rapids' area parks:

City Parks: http://www.ci.big-rapids.mi.us/maps/City_Park_Map.pdf

County Parks: http://www.mecostacountyparks.com/

SPORTS ACTIVITIES

If bicycling or rollerblading the rails to trails isn't your cup of tea here are a few other things to try. Golf anyone? You can go just south of town and test your golf skills at Falcon Head Golf Course. If you don't have time for nine holes, how about hitting a bucket of balls at their driving range. Or if you are looking for a smaller version of the golf game you may try east of town. There is  putt putt golf right next door to Eastgate Bowling alley. Did someone say bowling? There are two bowling alleys here in town. Eastgate on the East side and BRB on the South side of Big Rapids. Either is a source of great entertainment for young and old. As I mentioned earlier, there are several parks to play softball or baseball or a game of football. Tubing is a must do while here in town. I can't begin to imagine how many tubers go down the Muskegon a year but on any given week end you can see the line enjoying the river. Depending on the season hunting and fishing are only minutes away. If your into water sports you can go south a few miles to Rogers Heights and launch a boat at the public access at Rogers Pond or pick a number of area lakes with public access. Or if you want to go swimming the City of Big Rapids has a public Pool.  While mushroom hunting is not technically a sport, it should be. And the morels usually win. Hunting the elusive Morel is perfect for a lazy spring day.

OTHER TO DO'S 

If you are looking for something a little more leisurely, there are plenty of shops and stores just begging for your attention. From the high-tech adventures to be found at Area 51 to the old-time atmosphere of the Old Pioneer Store and Emporium, Big Rapids has something for everyone. If you're looking for the intimate shopping scene that can only be found in a quaint downtown area, downtown Big Rapids has a number of distinctive shops that are located in the same buildings that were here 100 years ago. If you are looking for more of a big-box type of shopping experience, Big Rapids is also home to K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Meijer, Lowe's, and now Menards. Has all of the shopping and playing made you a little hungry? Well, Big Rapids offers the fast-food franchises of the big city as well as the small-town restaurants that are entirely unique. Pizza Hut, Domino's, Little Caesar's, Papa John's, Burger King, McDonald's, Wendy's, Ruby Tuesday's, Bennigan's, and Applebee's all offer your favorite meals that you've come to enjoy, while Pepper's, Pizza King, The Bungalow, and others like them each offer you a taste of something different. While I've tried to list everything that the Big Rapids area has to offer, I know that I haven't listed everything. If something's missing that you would like to see, send me an email and I'll include as soon as I can. Big Rapids is the perfect blend of big city and small town, where there's always something going on, and yet you can always get away from it all. Thanks for stopping by.

RETURN TO HOME PAGE