One of my favorite things about living in Northwest Indiana is how easy it is to leave… Indiana.

Michigan, Illinois, even Wisconsin are all just a short drive away.

Until now we’ve only ventured to The Dells or New Buffalo or Chicago or maybe Indianapolis with the kids. But, a few weeks ago I went to Grand Rapids, MI and fell in love. What a hidden treasure less than 3 hours away! Road trip!

I’ve written more about the awesome things you can do in Grand Rapids here (in which I’m also giving away a family getaway, so enter!) but I’ll also link to my favorites below.

(I’d seriously consider a day trip to Grand Rapid to do some of these)(Also, perfect withOUT kids- for a girls overnight or date with your significant other!):

Grand Rapids Art Museum
Ice Skating
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Shopping- excellent antique shops, resale, boutiques
Food- good affordable restaurants everywhere you turn

Also, one of my very favorites about Grand Rapids was the big city feel with “little city” prices and traffic.

Have you been? Where do you sneak off to when you just have to get away?

Also, be sure to enter to win the family getaway to Grand Rapids here!

More from Close To Home:
A Christmas Story Comes Home
Time Stood Still
All before 1 o’clock in the afternoon

Stephanie is Mom to three boys & a girl in Valparaiso, IN and blogs daily at Adventures In Babywearing . Follow her on Twitter- she’s babysteph .