Location: Big Rapids
Top Things to do in Big Rapids
The 10 Best Things to Do in Big Rapids, United States
Big Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,601 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Mecosta County. The city is located within Big Rapids Township, but is politically independent. Big Rapids is home of the main campus of Ferris State University, a four-year public university, well known for its College of Pharmacy and the Michigan College of Optometry, as well as its NCAA Division I hockey team, the Bulldogs.
Restaurants in Big Rapids
1. Big Rapids Riverwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By ConvertibleWoman - Goshen, Indiana
I found the park during lunch one day on our vacation and had an enjoyable walk. The park is beautiful and walking/biking along the park is very enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the rafters coming down the river.
The next day we parked at the Riverwalk so we had access to the bathrooms for our bike trip on the White Pine Trail. We thought the Riverwalk was the best part of our ride.
2. Schuberg's Bar and Grill
Overall Ratings
5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By carol e - Big Rapids, Michigan
Best hamburger in the state of Michigan. Locals frequent this bar. Always great food and drinks. Great place to meet up after a trip downtown Big Rapids.
3. Kilwins Chocolates
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Lori N - Hersey
This is my favorite place to spoil myself. I stopped by and it was so pretty decorated for Valentines Day. However I was on a mission for ice cream...they had it. Kilwin's French Silk. Such a great smooth chocolate that wasn't a heavy one with chocolate chunks in it. A personal favorite!
4. Jim Crow Museum at Ferris State University
Overall Ratings
5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Dale H
This collection of racist items starts with the beginning of slavery including items from current times. It also includes items concerning the achievements of minorities throughout history. Can be very challenging to view many of the items that are contained in the museum. Because of the emotional impact of some of the items the site is only open when a museum guide is present.
5. Artworks
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Artworks is a nonprofit arts and culture center in Big Rapids, Michigan. We have a large gallery for local and visiting art and cultural exhibits and The Painted Turtle Gift Shop features art and gifts by Michigan artists.
Reviewed By Shybz - Big Rapids, Michigan
Artworks is more than a gallery. Although on the 2nd floor it does have wonderful exhibits year round, it also has a wonderful gift shop and offers exceptional classes for those interested in dabbling in the arts. Something for everyone. Art is the shop is provided by Michigan artists and priced affordably.
6. Sawmill Tube and Canoe Livery - Day Trips
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Melodysmom - Houston, Texas
We absolutely LOVED our tubing trip down the river! We had three tubes, two without bottoms and one with a bottom for an 8 year old. This was a spur of the moment trip, and we are so glad we did it. We loved the scenery. We saw deer by the banks and a bald eagle. There are sections of the trip that are so quiet! We felt like we had the river to ourselves! It was so relaxing and beautiful!
The guys that we rented the tubes from were super nice. They were very patient with us and all of our questions. They were also very clear about where we were to exit at the end of our trip. The driver that picked us up was also very nice. He arrived about 5 minutes after we were out if the water.
This is something we will definitely do again if we are in the area.
7. Ferris State Ice Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff S - Michigan
The ice arena at Ferris State is a great place to see division 1 ice hockey without all the trouble of traveling to larger university campuses. It is small, seating just under 2500, but spectators are real close to the action. Advance tickets are almost a must because this place sells out quick, especially when the larger schools (Sparty/ Wolverines) come to visit. The student section, known as the dog pound can be quite loud and their enthusiasm spreads out of the pound quickly. 2 things of note, there is a $5.00 parking fee per event And the concession stands only accept CASH.
8. Newaygo State Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Tom A
I'm torn: The park itself is beautiful and rustic and the campsites are very private, with 20ft of woods in between each one. However, if you're not a boater, the campground doesn't have much to offer. There is nowhere to fish on site (you have to drive 15 minutes away) and the beach is well beyond disappointing. They have nice hiking trails and geocaching (if you're into that) but the trails are pretty bland.
This campground is RUSTIC, so all of your visions of passionate sex in a tent will go out the window after a day of sweat and no showering. As mentioned before, there is a beach, but it is so small that you might walk right past it without noticing. The water was embarrassingly dirty. They even post notices nearby stating that they do not test the quality of the water. Needless to say, we didn't go near it.
There is a nice gas station with ice cream nearby, which is a plus if you forgot something.
They do have vault toilets on site--think porta-potty but bigger, with an endless well of waste and toilet paper and clusters of flies. It was pretty nasty.
I've been to rustic campgrounds before, but this one just wasn't for me.
9. The Card Wildlife Education Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By jarIndiana - Muncie, Indiana
While staying in Big Rapids, I discovered info on this neat little exhibit right here on TripAdvisor. Took our granddaughter there because she loves learning anything about animals. She loved it! Fantastic exhibit for such a small place. One room showcases the animals of the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, and also the different types of woods found there. All the animals at this exhibit are preserved via taxidermy and there are no live animals on display. However, dont let that stop you from visiting this extraordinary display of animals from all around the world. This is one of those lesser known gems that was nice to find. The exhibit was FREE. Donations are accepted.
About one hour is needed to view all of the animals. The young gentleman at the center was also very nice and helpful during our visit.
2 thumbs way up on this one!
Enjoy!
J.
10. Carmike Big Rapids 4 Cinema
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By OldBoyScoutFox - Fairborn, Ohio
We were visiting in the area and decided to catch a couple of movies here. The theater has four screens. The seating area is smaller with about 50 seats. There was plenty of leg room between the rows and the floor was clean and not sticky or slippery. For us the volume of the ads & previews was much too loud.
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