COZYING UP

If trekking through the snow and speeding downhill isn’t how you like to spend winter, there’s still plenty to enjoy outside in West Michigan.

It’s important to get out of the house and do enriching things, experiencing new places and spending time around people, especially in these cold and gray months. One silver lining of the past few years is a huge increase in the number of covered patios and heated domes for restaurants and bars, along with big beer gardens and fire pits.

So, here are just a few of our ideas (with some help from Experience Grand Rapids) for staying comfy while getting out of the house this winter.

Oasis Hot Tub Gardens

Multiple locations | oasishottubs.com

We all know hot tubs are the ultimate luxury in winter, but not many of us can actually afford to have and maintain one at home. That’s why Oasis Hot Tub Gardens exists, but they take things a step further by having tubs of all different sizes across heavily themed rooms. Sail away to Fiji, cross the pond to Santorini or head up north to Nova Scotia with one of these fun, private tubs equipped with jets and speakers for music.

IDC

187 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids | idontcaregr.com

An outdoor, covered, heated patio is open year-round at this hip little disco-themed bar hidden inside the Amway Grand Plaza.

FOUNDERS BREWING CO.

235 Cesar E. Chavez Ave. SW, Grand Rapids | foundersbrewing.com

The largest beer garden/patio in the city is open, with its many outdoor heaters and fireplaces blasting, as usual.

GARAGE BAR AND GRILL

819 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids | garagebargr.com

Garage is well-known for its street-side patio, and now it’s heated, cozy and partially enclosed.

LUNA

64 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids | lunagr.com

This award-winning Mexican restaurant in downtown Grand Rapids now boasts spacious, enclosed huts with windows right outside. Great for people watching and taco eating.