8 Amazing Kent County Sights and Landmarks That You Should See!
Kent County, Michigan is such a beautiful place. It’s the home of many amazing landmarks, tourist spots and exciting destinations. Aside from the world famous Frederik Meijer Gardens, the place also holds lots of other attractions that are truly worth visiting.
Below are some of Kent County’s most amazing sights and landmarks. They all have this kind of beauty and charm that can surely captivate your attention.
Meyer May House (Grand Rapids)
This prairie-style house is a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. Meyer May House is located in the Heritage Hill Historic District of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was built for a prominent merchant in 1908-09. It is considered a fine example of Wright’s Prairie School era, and “Michigan’s Prairie masterpiece”. The Meyer May House tours (free admission) are offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10 to 1 and on Sundays from 1 to 4.
Art Prize (Grand Rapids)
If you love arts, this event, attraction and destination is a must visit and see! ArtPrize is an open, independently organized international art competition and festival held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For 19 days in the early fall, around 400,000 attendees descend on three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids.
ArtPrize is recognized as the most-attended public art event on the planet according to The Art Newspaper and was recently highlighted in The New York Times’ 52 Places To Go in 2016. Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown in over 160 venues—museums, galleries, bars, restaurants, theaters, hotels, public parks, lobbies, buildings, walls, bridges, laundromats, and auto body shops—and it’s all free and open to the public. A day won’t be enough to really
Fallasburg Covered Bridge and Village
This picturesque and historic bridge is a 100-foot (30 m) span Brown truss covered bridge, erected in 1871 in Vergennes Township, Michigan. The Fallasburg Covered Bridge is located in the Fallasburg Historical District south of Whites Bridge and Smyrna. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of only four Michigan covered bridges open to vehicle traffic. The village still has the old school, carriage house, old structures and more. Certainly a good place to visit and see in Kent County.
Ada Township Covered Bridge (Ada)
The Ada Covered Bridge is a 125-foot (38 m) span Brown truss covered bridge erected in 1867 in Ada, Michigan. This bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is now open only to pedestrian traffic and connects the Village of Ada on one side of the Thornapple River with a
park on the other side. Not many bridges like this are still around so visit now and enjoy the uniqueness and charm of it.
Deer Tracks Junction (Cedar Springs)
Probably one of the most underrated destinations in Kent County is the Deer Tracks Junction in Cedar Springs. If you are an animal lover and would love to get up close and personal with variety of animals, this place is a must visit. They allow bottle feeding of animals by schedule. Deer Tracks Junction also has its very own homemade ice cream with waffle cones that can surely complement your trip.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse (Grand Rapids)
This one of a kind, gigantic horse sculpture will leave you speechless. The Leonardo Da Vinci’s horse or also known as The American Horse is one of the most talked about attractions inside the Frederick Meijer Gardens. The horse is erected in a huge open area or garden making it perfect for photo ops.
This amazing masterpiece was created by animaliere or animal sculptor, Nina Akamu. The work was inspired, in part, by a work created by Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci for the Duke of Milan in the late 15th century. The project was championed by Frederik Meijer in the late 1990s. The horse is about 24 feet tall.
Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve (Rockford)
Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve is one of West Michigan’s flagship natural areas. It has very convenient parking and over a mile of meandering trails that allow visitors to appreciate the bog, prairie, forests, and fields. It is also features and supports a diversity of wildlife in all seasons.
River Edge Gathering Place (Lowell)
If you love the outdoors, this is the place to be! In River Edge Gathering Place, you can appreciate the beauty of nature even more. This destination is situated on over 100 acres of mature spruce and pine forest, tall prairie grass, numerous trails and nearly one mile of private frontage on the Flat River. Because of its huge natural area, River Edge Gathering Place became an ideal venue for important occasions and activities such as weddings, corporate events, family gatherings or church get-togethers.
Among these Kent County sights, destinations and landmarks, which one is your favorite?
Great list! It’s sad that I’ve lived in GR for 3.5 years and have been coming here most of my life, and I’ve only see the Leonardo DaVinci horse at Frederik Meijer Gardens on this list. I want to take photos at the covered bridges in the fall with all the fall colors in the background.
These sights need a visit. I want to go there when I have the time. This is amazing! i love to see the painting.
Wow! So many great things to see! I haven’t spent much time in Kent county, but now I have an idea of what I have been missing. I will have to take a trip that way.
the covered bridges would be great backdrops for my photography business. loving those views!
Art prize and Leonardo Da Vinci’s horse are my favorite. I am an absolute art geek and I love Da Vinci’s work and exploring the arts. I want to go to Kent now!
You’ve definitely peaked my interest! Looks like there’s plenty to see in Kent County!
I love covered bridges! It always reminds me of that movie, Bridges of Madison County. These ones are beautiful. I hope I could visit Kent County sometime. Gorgeous places to visit. The museum is a must-visit too!