One Star – The Worst Reviews of Grand Rapids Landmarks

I can say with certainty that the majority of us appreciate the beauty of Meijer Gardens, but it turns out that there are some people who hate it.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I suppose. But, when I saw a bad review of Meijer Gardens, it got me thinking about other landmarks around town and wondering what people think of them.

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TripAdvisor.com allows people to rate landmarks in cities across the USA, so I headed there to check out some of the "less kind" reviews of our fair city and its landmarks.

Here are some comments from the lower end of the TripAdvisor spectrum.

The Worst Reviews of Popular Grand Rapids, Michigan Landmarks

I'll leave out the names and remind you that these are quotes, so the spelling errors aren't my fault.

Frederik Meijer Gardens

Had a terrible experience, butterflies were forced upon my daughter trapping her in a box. Won’t go back, not a safe place for kids. My daughter has nightmares.

I just... what? You did realize that you were going there to check out an exhibit that's called "Butterflies Are Blooming", right? And it's not like the butterflies are trained... So, I think it's less that the butterflies were "forced" on her and more that the butterflies liked her.

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(As a person with Lepidopterophobia, the fear of butterflies and/or moths, I simply don't go to the exhibit...)

ArtPrize

I've been to Art Prize a few times and always not because I planned to go. You would think it would bring out the educated, however I can't tell you how many times I see the back woods crazies crawl out from under their rocks to visit the "city".

Okay then... Is this a disgruntled local, or a visitor who didn't enjoy having to share the space with the "back woods crazies"? Either way, the art is for everyone, friend.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

I depend on Trip advisor and was really disappointed to see the museum has been closed since March. Trip Advisor has not updated their listing. I am reminded I need to go to the site website too

This isn't the fault of the museum and you left a review of a place that you didn't even step inside of? Rate TripAdvisor one start, not the museum, ma'am. Also, yeah... checking the website of the place that you are visiting to make sure that they are open seems like common sense.

Van Andel Arena

Home of the $17 white claw...hang on a second, I need to sell an arm and a leg. Total rip off on food and drinks.

Have you ever been to a concert at any other large venue... ever?!? Frankly, the prices at Van Andel seem to be on par with what I've seen at other large venues I've been to for shows. (And please don't sell your body parts...)

The Calder Statue 'La Grand Vitesse'

Bulky, odd, unbeautiful, like a dissected elephant, this is not one of Calder's more inspired or inspirational pieces. Local yokels in the late 60s were enraptured however.

You do NOT get to insult the symbol of our city like that! And why do you know what a dissected elephant looks like?

Heritage Hill Historic District

It's like visiting your grandparents who tried to modernize while keeping the original house. Resulting in a terrible, incohesive blend of styles. Fun for those who don't know anything about design and are looking for a day to forget about.

Ooof, harsh! Even if you don't love the style choices that the current owners have made, you can't say that the architecture in Heritage Hill isn't spectacular. Maybe those people don't like the style of YOUR home, either.

The Fish Ladder

Weird. I don't know what I expected - an actual ladder? We saw exactly two fish, just hanging out and our kids couldn't even really see them.