Ada is a town in West Michigan, east of Grand Rapids. It is best known – and most visited – as the world headquarters of "multi-level marketing" giant Amway.
Get in
Ada is located on Michigan state highway M-21, roughly 10 miles east of Grand Rapids. Driving is the only practical way to reach the town; there is neither bus service nor an airport.
Get around
As Ada is a small town, there is no public transportation. The downtown area is easily navigable by bike or walking.
See
- Center for Free Enterprise. Amway headquarters, a shrine of sorts to the principle of "freedom" and to company founders Rich DeVos and Jay VanAndel.
- Ada Covered Bridge, 42.9525°, -85.4863°. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ada Covered Bridge crosses the Thornapple River. It's been closed to vehicular traffic for many years; the bridge has burned to the ground several times but has been rebuilt after each fire.
Do
- Take a walk down to Ada Park and discover miles of trails.
- Pick up some donuts from Sprinkles
- Buy some Starbucks next to the Ada Fresh Market
- Walk though the Ada that has been getting updated since 2016
- Walk though Legacy Park then walk down to the Schoolhouse and get some nice ice cream
Buy
- Grand Rapids Bicycle Co. (Ada Bike Shop), 597 Ada Drive, 42.95415°, -85.48904°, +1-616-682-2453. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. Bicycle sales and service 2017-03-10
- Heather Lane Pottery, 7270 Thornapple River Dr SE, 42.95503°, -85.48870°, +1-616-682-0730. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. Hand-crafted pottery and gifts
Eat
- Zeytin Turkish Restaurant, 400 Ada Drive SE, 42.95510°, -85.48467°, +1 616 682-2222. Daily 11AM-10PM. Bills itself as Michigan's only Turkish restaurant. $13-21 2017-03-09
- Schnitz Ada Grill, 597 Ada Drive SE (Above the Ada Bike Shop), 42.95414°, -85.48907°, +1-616-682-4660. M-Sa 11AM-10PM, closed Sunday. Deli and sandwiches by day, casual dining by night. $8-20
- Vitale's Ada, 400 Ada Drive SE , 42.95515°, -85.48414°, +1-616-676-5400. Pizza and Italian food in a sports bar setting. $8-17
Drink
- Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery, 452 Ada Dr SE. Microbrewery with a rotating roster of craft beers to take home or drink on the spot. 2021-03-29
Sleep
Go next