Grand Rapids boasts a number of attractions that are must-see for visitors, including Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, John Ball Zoo, the Grand Rapids…
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At Experience Grand Rapids, we've long believed that our work is about much more than attracting tourists—it's about building our community's economic future. A recent study we contracted with…
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Home to more than 130 global companies and one of the fastest-growing economies in the U.S., West Michigan has long been known as a great place to do business. Whether in small, family-owned companies…
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A vibrant art community, eclectic shopping district and distinctive food-and-drink scene add character and charm to this largely rural city 20 minutes east of Grand Rapids. Historic downtown Lowell…
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While downtown Grand Rapids boasts the city’s largest concentration of shopping and dining destinations, there are numerous neighborhood business districts offering their own distinct pleasures. Many…
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Large numbers of Dutch farmers began immigrating to America in the early 19th century, driven by high taxes and low wages. Many settled in the Midwest, especially West Michigan. A wave of Calvinist…
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President Gerald R. Ford wasn’t actually born in Grand Rapids, but since his mother moved here when he was just two weeks old, the city has always claimed him as a native son. Ford never quibbled with…
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Facts about the 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford arrived in Grand Rapids in 1913, two weeks after his birth in Omaha, Nebraska. He was originally named Leslie Lynch King, Jr. but…
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Chef Cliff Rome, who grew up on the south side of Chicago and navigated poverty on his way to becoming a chef for former President Barack Obama, came to Grand Rapids in February 2026 to speak to…
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