Riverview is an amazing place to start a family in. The basics like paved roads, off-street parking, and on-site managers are readily available. However, the community goes even further by offering RV/boat storage, a grassy play area for kids with an accessible hiking path along the riverbank and even community events like Farmers’ Markets and musical performances.
By offering both the homeliness of a small-town and the amenities of a big city due to Riverview’s proximity to Grand Rapids, the River community offers the best of both worlds. More importantly, it offers access to many enriching attractions and events for your children to grow up with. Read on to find out our top recommendations for kids’ attractions to visit!
Fish Ladder Park
Fish ladder park is an example of architecture that is both aesthetic and functional. Designed by Joseph Kinnebrew, it is truly a unique sculpture. Why bring your kids here though? Well, it is a special opportunity to observe migrating fish and admire art! The sculpture works by functioning as a ‘ladder’ for migrating fish to swim upstream where they will spawn young. This is not just an educational tool for letting your kids learn about environmental impacts of human structures, but also an opportunity to observe difference wild fish species like the chinook salmon, brown trout, and even smallmouth bass. Most importantly, unlike other art pieces that are hidden behind price walls in a museum, this sculpture is free to visit!
Deer Tracks Junction
Deer Tracks Junction features both an adventure park and the Site 57 Safari! In the Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park, you can get up close with friendly animals like bunnies, donkeys, alpacas, pigs and more! You can pre-book to bottle feed young animals or purchase some food on the spot to feed your favorite animal. Voted as the top attraction on grkids.com for outdoor family attractions and outdoor playground categories, the adventure park will not disappoint! If you are up for larger and wilder animals, opt for the Site 57 Safari! Get close and personal with bears, yaks, bison, and more. Best of all? You will not even have to leave the comfort of your own car!
The Ruse Escape Rooms
Located in Grand Rapids, MI, The Ruse Escape Rooms has recently just been awarded the best escape room in the 2019-2020 Grand Rapids Magazine Readers Poll. This means that the people of Grand Rapids recognize this is as the best escape room option in the nearby region. Why should you even go to an escape room? There are many benefits to attending one – for example, it is a fun bonding experience where you and your family work as a team to solve puzzles. Not only will you be able to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses better, but it is also a great opportunity to improve communication. An escape room will also prompt you to think outside the box in order to get to the final answer. The Ruse Escape Rooms offers both indoor and outdoor escapes, meaning that you can come back to try different rooms each time!
These are just some of the many attractions that await you and your family around the Riverview community. You may just find another hidden gem as you explore our amazing neighborhood!