With prom approaching for the 2023 school year, students may need suggestions on restaurants or picture destinations. Prom is being held downtown Grand Rapids at The New Vintage Place on April 21 from 8:00 to 11:00 pm. There are many great restaurants and photo opportunities nearby.
If you want further away options from the venue there are other options available. If you want to eat somewhere fancy, the Melting Pot is a great option. However, the Melting Pot is a little more expensive than some of your other restaurants. The Melting Pot also takes a little longer to eat because you get to cook your own food, so make sure you give yourself extra time so you can make it to the dance on time.
Senior Ava Pandin gives her insight into why she doesn’t mind spending the extra money.
“I try to go places that aren’t too expensive, but I don’t mind spending a bit extra [money] on a nicer restaurant,” Pandin said.
However, if you would like somewhere fancy but not too expensive, you can go to Olive Garden. Olive Garden would be a good option because there are many locations around town.
If you decide to eat outside of downtown you can take great pictures near your restaurant location. Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park has amazing scenery both inside and outside of their building. You can also go to Downtown Rockford for an all outside scenery. Downtown Rockford has great potential with the dam and the river.
Senior Nick Gallatin, a student who attended frequent dances in the past, recommends attending a restaurant near the venue.
“We try to pick places near the venue to shorten [the] drive and walk time,” Gallatin said.
Downtown Grand Rapids has many restaurants you can attend that are near The New Vintage Place.
“We try to find different places each year, this year is a French Cuisine restaurant [Margaux],” Gallatin said.
The Chop House and Ruth’s Chris Steak House are great options if you’re looking for something fancier downtown. They are more expensive but have great food and a good variety. Both of these restaurants have an elegant atmosphere.
For something more relaxed but still good food, you can go to the Brickyard Tavern. This place has very good burgers and tacos.
These are all fairly close to the venue of the dance. However, some people don’t mind the distance they are from the venue.
“[I don’t decide where to go off of the venue location.] I go wherever, I normally want to try to eat dinner and take pictures somewhere that’s not going to be filled with people from my school, just so it’s more unique and not as busy,” Pandin said.
Pictures downtown can turn out very well. Many places you can walk to. If you want to go indoors but still want a luxury and grand feeling, The Amway is a great option. You can go into the lobby or even walk around the hotel to find cool spots.
“I try to discuss [where we are going] with the group I am going with,” Pandin said. “It’s important to make sure that everyone is happy with where we are going to eat and take pictures.”
The Blue Bridge is a good option if you want something outside but overlooking Grand Rapids. This can make for some natural city photos.
“I always go to dinner and take pictures before the dance,” Pandin said. “In my opinion, it adds to the experience and makes it more memorable.”
