Ada Village Guide: Discover and Enjoy a Flourishing Community
This quickly growing town, located just east of Grand Rapids, was first established as a fur trading post in 1821. The blooming community is now home to more than 13,000 residents and 100 businesses! Here’s a guide for West Michigan travel enthusiasts that are looking to explore Ada village and discover Kent County’s first official settlement. There are a lot of great things happening in this growing township!
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Photos provided by Ada Village.
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Places To Eat
Ada Village offers a diverse array of food options. There are a variety of small businesses that are sure to satisfy whatever craving! Visitors will find Ada sprinkled with a delightful assortment of restaurants and coffee shops.
Mudpenny
Here you will find a crew of people creating delicious food and drinks for the city! In 2012, Mudpenny, then known as Grace Coffee, was a coffee cart in the main lobby of the Waters Building in downtown Grand Rapids. This once one-man show has now expanded into a crew with two spectacular locations!
Sprinkles
This delicious spot ensures their donuts, icings, and fillings are made fresh daily. Sprinkles Donut Shop is a family-owned bakery, dedicated to making the best quality donuts possible. Gary VanderStelt Jr. promotes his father’s legacy by continuing to offer delicious treats with the same passion for quality, freshness, and family.
Gravel Bottom
Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery was established in 2013 in Ada, Michigan. They offer more than just one-of-a-kind craft beer and the Mug Club. Mug Club members enjoy daily and weekly discounts, a special mug, and entrance into members-only events. This family-friendly environment hosts events and educational classes as well.
Ada Village General Store
Browse around this lovely little store as loved ones reserve a firepit or shanty, grab a snack, or sip on something warm at this historic building. The General Store was previously known as, The Little Red Schoolhouse. This spot is a familiar feature in the village of Ada. It has meant many things to many people over its 150+ years.
This well-loved structure was built in 1859 as Carl School, Ada Township’s District #3 Schoolhouse. The building was a space for educating Ada’s youth for 105 years.
The General Store is nestled next to a park, in the middle of Ada Village.
Nonnas
Stop into Nonnas for a comfortable atmosphere, welcoming staff, and a scrumptious taste of Italy! Going to Nonnas is an experience that includes the best ingredients and a reminder of the value of simple, well-prepared food. Allow the flavors to take your tastebuds on a trip abroad!
Schnitz Ada Grill
This local favorite transforms itself from a deli and bar during the day to casual fine dining in the evening. With world-famous sandwiches, salads, and house-made sides, the deli offers huge portions and great quality in a casual environment. Order at the counter or take a seat to have your lunch delivered right to you. The Ada Grill has something every member of your group will crave!
Zeytins
This Turkish restaurant offers a spacious, inviting atmosphere. During the warmer days, the outdoor patio provides the perfect relaxation spot with views of the new Ada Village, Legacy Park, and Grand River. Zeytin caters to those seeking an intimate dining experience, large lunch crowds, and friends just looking to catch the game.
Brody’s Be Cafe
Brody’s Be Cafe is a welcoming workspace that serves coffee with a purpose. Become part of their movement to be inclusive to all who live in the community with each purchase or donation! They are dedicated to providing equal work opportunities for all of their employees. This quaint cafe dedicated itself to serving only the best coffee from Uncommon Grounds and works to provide the best place to enjoy a quiet moment alone or nurture a gathering with friends.
Where To Shop
You’ll hop ’til you drop in Ada Village! With local shops featuring a wide assortment of styles, gifts, and everything in between. These charming storefronts are sure to have something you can’t live without!
The James
This three-in-one salon, spa, and boutique prides itself on its commitment to customer service. The James Family makes it their mission to care for every facet of their clients’ aesthetic needs. Step through their doors and you’re sure to be greeted by a deep sense of comfort and restoration then leave feeling beautiful, enlightened, and confident.
Pursuit
Pursuit is more than just a gift shop. They offer workshops, greeting cards, wall prints, onesies, journals, wholesale items, and more. Their line can be found in over 200 stores nationwide and beyond. This is truly a space to share laughter and show gratitude.
Things To Do
Enjoy the playground at the park that runs along the Thornapple River or visit one of the four community parks! With over 1,000 acres of public land and miles of trails spread across 37 square miles—there’s a little something for everyone. The great outdoors in Ada has so much to offer! From a fishing pond to the Locke Arboretum, there are countless opportunities to take a stroll, and view wildlife and migrating birds.
Roselle Park
Roselle Park is a 240-acre nature preserve. The park features an observation deck for bird-watching, a canoe stop along the Grand River, an exterior rock climbing wall, a playground, a picnic area, rain gardens, bird nesting boxes, and a converted silo observation tower with panoramic views of the entire park. You’ll never be bored!
With both paved and mowed natural trails that wind through wetlands, prairies, and forests—you won’t want to stop walking! But if you want even more of a challenge, Roselle Park provides great opportunities for cross-country skiing in the winter. The multi-purpose building is used for Parks Programming, meetings, and other educational events, and can also be rented out by the public.
Ada Township Park
First established for the United States Bicentennial in 1976. This beautiful 57-acre park offers paved paths, a nature trail, a playground, picnic pavilions, soccer fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, softball and baseball fields, a fishing pond, and an arboretum. The Bud Locke Arboretum is home to 200 trees including over 50 species from around the world! There are also plenty of tables and open areas for picnics and gathering—so, it’s a win-win!
Ada Preserves
Grand River Natural Area
The Grand River Nature Area, a linear park of over 150 acres, offers stunning views of the Grand River and many opportunities to view wildlife. The paved trail begins at Ada Park and continues off of Dogwood Meadows Drive and runs through Cascade Township, ending at the FHPS boathouse. There’s so much to see along the nature trail that runs along the Grand River.
Carl Creek Crossing Preserve
This Preserve offers a perfect spot for a lunch break or morning meditation. Explore the eight acres of this hilly, wooded nature preserve along the banks of Carl Creek. The open hardwood forest has spectacular wildflowers in spring and is absolutely beautiful when the leaves change colors in the fall. A small parking lot is located off Grand River Road and the park extends to Fulton Street for easy access for all!
Leonard Park
Leonard Park, located along the Thornapple River, serves as the heart of Ada. This park features the historic Ada Bridge, a pedestrian bridge for walkers and bikers alike to enjoy. Originally built in 1867 and replaced after a fire in 1979, the covered bridge is one of the area’s most cherished icons. Bonus, it’s one of the few covered bridges left standing in Michigan to this day!
Ada is indeed a quickly growing town that is flourishing with new business waiting to be explored. From a fur trading post to a blooming community, a lot has changed since 1821. Great things happening in this growing township. Happy exploring all of you West Michigan travel enthusiasts!
Spots To Stay
Coming soon:
A luxury 1860’s inspired boutique hotel that will meet all of your away-from-home needs. Ada House.
Follow Discover Ada on Social Media to stay posted on events, eats and openings in Ada Village. a known brand that’s recognized for promoting new Ada Village businesses, creating community events, and providing a platform that allows businesses to share their content.
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Jasmine Jelsema
Jasmine Jelsema is a writer, artist, and healer whose passion is to nourish spirits, enrich souls and inspire minds. After living in Washington State for 10 years, she has returned to her roots in West Michigan to create and share positive light. It is her hope to inspire you to find the magic in everyday.
