09/01/2026
Ferris is a beautiful campus! But sometimes you want to explore a little more off campus! Here's local only places (no chains) that we recommend around the Big Rapids area!
While we sometimes joke that Big Rapids is neither big nor rapid, the reality is, this is really a cool place to live! We encourage you to get off campus and explore your new home!
Food places for when you want something different than the dining halls.
Pizza in Paris is about 8 miles from campus and well worth the drive!!
The Backroom is behind Toppings on Michigan Ave so you can get froyo AND coffee in the same building!
All the coffee shops have great seating areas to sit and talk or to knock out some homework!
Dairy Depot in Reed City is only open until mid-September and is cash only as an FYI!
The Muskegon River is beautiful to walk along! Don't miss out on this!
All of these places are ones our staff have used, trust and would go back to without a problem. Their work is solid, they're honest and we've had no issues with them!
We go to Big Rapids Tire for anything they can do. Prices are good, availability is quick and they're kind and helpful!
Crossroads would be our next choice for anything the tire shop can't do. Very considerate staff and helpful! Quality Car and Johnson Automotive are both excellent car shops (and they're honest!) but they are more expensive and charge for diagnostics. But the work is good!!
Chase Creek is about 30 mins from campus but it's WELL worth the drive!!
They have a huge movie selection as well if you're cutting streaming services.
Our staff attend RCnaz and Big Rapids Free Methodist. Both of these are solid, Biblical churches that we have found amazing community and church connections at! RCnaz is a bigger church for this area with a wide variety of ages. The BR Free Methodist is smaller and more traditional and absolutely loves college students!
Many of our students attend Trinity and Res on Sundays and have found good connections there!
His House also functions as an on-campus church, specifically designed for YOU as a college student! We would love to have you join us in DEC 202 on Wednesdays at 7!