When you think of Grand Rapids, Michigan, you may think of snow, but we are a city of four seasons and we embrace each with open arms—just as we embrace our visitors.
With 1.3 million people, Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan, and one I call home. Birthplace of 38th President Gerald R. Ford, Grand Rapids offers many historical, cultural, and all around exciting experiences for locals and travelers alike.
No matter the time of year you are visiting Grand Rapids, you will always be able to find an activity to make your experience enjoyable. In the heart of downtown Grand Rapids there are four museums to draw in all ages that are looking for an educational experience; Grand Rapids Public Museum, Art Museum, Children’s Museum, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum can all be visited in just one day, thanks to their close proximity to one another.
In between museum visits, there are plenty of lunch spots along the way to satisfy those mid-afternoon cravings. Craving a burger and an ice cold beer? Grand Rapids was just named “Beer City USA 2013” for the second year in a row, and for good reason!
Stella’s Lounge prepares America’s Best Burger, according to GQ magazine (2012), while just blocks away you can have a nightcap at HopCat, which was voted the 3rd Best Beer Bar on the Planet by Beer Advocate in 2012. In the heart of downtown you can visit Founder’s Brewery, one of the most recognized breweries in the United States. And ranked as one of the top four breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com for the past four years, Founder’s has several beers on Beeradvocate.com’s top 100 list.
Summertime in West Michigan offers minor league baseball with the West Michigan Whitecaps, beautiful nearby sandy beaches, and 28 public golf courses within 15 miles of downtown G.R. (as us locals call it). Thanks to the appreciation of arts in the Grand Rapids area, there are many opportunities to visit local festivals and concerts throughout the summer months. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park offers a Summer Concert Series at its amphitheater. In addition, you can visit the park’s beautiful gardens and arts all summer long.
One of the most recognized events of recent years has been the addition of ArtPrize in 2009. ArtPrize is an international art competition that awards a top prize of $250,000 as decided by public voting. For nearly three weeks in the late summer months, Grand Rapids becomes a giant display to some of the most creative artwork in the world. By using some of the most random of spaces to display their artwork, artists have watched hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Grand Rapids to view their work.
While the arts are appreciated greatly during the summer at local festivals, Grand Rapids likes to celebrate art at local theatres and venues with performances throughout the year. The Civic Theatre offers great plays, while the Van Andel Arena, located directly downtown, has many events including concerts and circuses to keep people coming back.
Winter months, though cold and snowy in West Michigan, still offer a fun experience for visitors. Defending American Hockey League Calder Cup Champions, and Detroit Red Wing affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins play downtown at the Van Andel Arena from October through May. Just across the street from the Griffins home ice is Rosa Parks Circle, a plaza that is converted to a public ice skating rink for people of all ages to enjoy.
Grand Rapids grows by the second and so does its business scene. From furniture manufacturers like Steelcase to global distributor Amway and now Southwest Airlines, we are a thriving community. There is a reason publications like Forbes have named us the “Top City to Raise a Family,” and one of the “Top 30 Places for 30-Somethings.”
One of the parts about West Michigan is getting here, and getting around here. Traveling in and out of the Gerald R. Ford International airport is easy. You have the option of traveling to big cities and fabulous destinations, but the small-town feel of our airport and the ease of security make it a pleasant experience. It’s probably hard to believe that the airport services 120 daily nonstop flights because when you travel in and out of Grand Rapids you feel like you’re in a small town with the ease associated with our airport.
Speaking of airport—ours continues to grow. With Southwest beginning service in West Michigan today, we are adding more destinations, more flights, and more room for West Michigan to expand. Local business leaders are excited to have flight options among the largest domestic carrier in America, and Grand Rapidians (as we call them) are explorers in search of new places to visit!
West Michigan is a hidden gem—close to everything, convenient, friendly, successful, and most of all—fun! We welcome you to give us a try, and if you’re here in January, just don’t forget to pack your skis or snowshoes. The slopes, trails, beaches, and breweries are waiting for you!!
Enter for a chance to win a travel package to Grand Rapids, Michigan!
When you think of Grand Rapids, Michigan, you may think of snow, but we are a city of four seasons and we embrace each with open arms—just as we embrace our visitors.
With 1.3 million people, Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan, and one I call home. Birthplace of 38th President Gerald R. Ford, Grand Rapids offers many historical, cultural, and all around exciting experiences for locals and travelers alike.
No matter the time of year you are visiting Grand Rapids, you will always be able to find an activity to make your experience enjoyable. In the heart of downtown Grand Rapids there are four museums to draw in all ages that are looking for an educational experience; Grand Rapids Public Museum, Art Museum, Children’s Museum, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum can all be visited in just one day, thanks to their close proximity to one another.
In between museum visits, there are plenty of lunch spots along the way to satisfy those mid-afternoon cravings. Craving a burger and an ice cold beer? Grand Rapids was just named “Beer City USA 2013” for the second year in a row, and for good reason!
Stella’s Lounge prepares America’s Best Burger, according to GQ magazine (2012), while just blocks away you can have a nightcap at HopCat, which was voted the 3rd Best Beer Bar on the Planet by Beer Advocate in 2012. In the heart of downtown you can visit Founder’s Brewery, one of the most recognized breweries in the United States. And ranked as one of the top four breweries in the world by Ratebeer.com for the past four years, Founder’s has several beers on Beeradvocate.com’s top 100 list.
Summertime in West Michigan offers minor league baseball with the West Michigan Whitecaps, beautiful nearby sandy beaches, and 28 public golf courses within 15 miles of downtown G.R. (as us locals call it). Thanks to the appreciation of arts in the Grand Rapids area, there are many opportunities to visit local festivals and concerts throughout the summer months. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park offers a Summer Concert Series at its amphitheater. In addition, you can visit the park’s beautiful gardens and arts all summer long.
One of the most recognized events of recent years has been the addition of ArtPrize in 2009. ArtPrize is an international art competition that awards a top prize of $250,000 as decided by public voting. For nearly three weeks in the late summer months, Grand Rapids becomes a giant display to some of the most creative artwork in the world. By using some of the most random of spaces to display their artwork, artists have watched hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Grand Rapids to view their work.
While the arts are appreciated greatly during the summer at local festivals, Grand Rapids likes to celebrate art at local theatres and venues with performances throughout the year. The Civic Theatre offers great plays, while the Van Andel Arena, located directly downtown, has many events including concerts and circuses to keep people coming back.
Winter months, though cold and snowy in West Michigan, still offer a fun experience for visitors. Defending American Hockey League Calder Cup Champions, and Detroit Red Wing affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins play downtown at the Van Andel Arena from October through May. Just across the street from the Griffins home ice is Rosa Parks Circle, a plaza that is converted to a public ice skating rink for people of all ages to enjoy.
Grand Rapids grows by the second and so does its business scene. From furniture manufacturers like Steelcase to global distributor Amway and now Southwest Airlines, we are a thriving community. There is a reason publications like Forbes have named us the “Top City to Raise a Family,” and one of the “Top 30 Places for 30-Somethings.”
One of the parts about West Michigan is getting here, and getting around here. Traveling in and out of the Gerald R. Ford International airport is easy. You have the option of traveling to big cities and fabulous destinations, but the small-town feel of our airport and the ease of security make it a pleasant experience. It’s probably hard to believe that the airport services 120 daily nonstop flights because when you travel in and out of Grand Rapids you feel like you’re in a small town with the ease associated with our airport.
Speaking of airport—ours continues to grow. With Southwest beginning service in West Michigan today, we are adding more destinations, more flights, and more room for West Michigan to expand. Local business leaders are excited to have flight options among the largest domestic carrier in America, and Grand Rapidians (as we call them) are explorers in search of new places to visit!
West Michigan is a hidden gem—close to everything, convenient, friendly, successful, and most of all—fun! We welcome you to give us a try, and if you’re here in January, just don’t forget to pack your skis or snowshoes. The slopes, trails, beaches, and breweries are waiting for you!!
Enter for a chance to win a travel package to Grand Rapids, Michigan!