Another grand adventure in Grand Rapids and Holland, MI during the Labor Day weekend. For the first time, we stayed at the Embassy Suites by Hilton along the Grand River on the north end of downtown Grand Rapids. We were very impressed with our two-night stay. The hotel was nicely appointed, well maintained, service oriented, and located out of the hustle of downtown yet still within walking distance.
On Saturday we enjoyed downtown Holland, shopping and eating lunch at Market Zero, before setting off on a 21-mile bike ride along Lake Michigan. The beautiful 85-degree day encouraged us to stop at a hidden, unnamed beach on the ride back for a dip in Lake Michigan.
Returning to Holland we stopped at one of our top five breweries (4 Two 4) for a few beers. I enjoyed the Breakfast in Istanbul Hazelnut Coffee Stout (9.7% abv). Karen tried, and loved, a new beer named Imperial Orange Push-Up Milkshake Ale (10% abv). We enjoyed the outstanding beers with a Hawaiian pizza from Sluggo’s (consistently one of the best pizza’s we’ve ever had).
On Sunday, after a nice 3-mile walk/run around downtown G.R., we hopped on our bikes for a 42-mile round trip ride to our all-time favorite brewery – Cedar Springs Brewery. It is an authentic German brewery, following the beer purity law and have excellent German and other food.
Karen and I both had the grilled Salmon pita wrap with brussel sprouts and fries. Since all their beers are outstanding, we always wind-up sharing beers to maximize our selections. This time we shared the Appreciator Doppelbock (8.0% abv) and the Pale Weizenbock (7.4% abv). It was beer heaven!
Following a walk Sunday evening walk to the West End (Grand Rapids) for a Palazzollo ice cream sandwich and a Saturday morning run and breakfast at the hotel, we headed home.
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