A College Student's Guide to Hosting Friends and Family

If you couldn’t tell from its lively energy and abundance of young faces, Grand Rapids is a college town. There are more than a dozen colleges and universities in the area, and they bring with them a multitude of students living on their own for the first time. Many of them are eager to show off their new surroundings to the folks back home – whether home is across the county, the state, the country or the world!

We asked Grand Valley State University student Anahi Villeda to share some tips for ensuring a fun trip for visiting family and friends. She’s hosted both during her four years at GVSU, which is the area’s largest university (2024 enrollment: 22,011) and maintains campuses in downtown Grand Rapids and in Allendale, 20 minutes from the city center.

Big-city excitement meets small-town ease

Anahi came to GVSU from Battle Creek, Michigan, about 90 minutes away from Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids is Michigan second largest city and Battle Creek ranks #32, so it was a bit of a culture shock for the newcomer. “It seemed like the options of activities, places to eat and even just hangout spots were endless compared to my smaller town,” she recalls. “Grand Rapids gave me a big-city vibe without being intimidating or stressful to navigate. I loved it here from the start.”

Like any good host, Anahi tailors itineraries for her visitors to their interests. “I like to show them around campus and maybe take them to a football game, but for the most part I come up with a few options I know they will enjoy based on their hobbies and personalities, and I let them choose.”

Engaging with art

For example, she’s invited her “artsy” friends to pottery classes at Pottery Lane and painting classes at Brush Studio, “both of which are really fun.” These trips might also include visits to the Grand Rapids Art Museum, home to 5,000 diverse works of art, and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the world’s 100 most visited art museums – and America’s Best Sculpture Park, according to USA Today.

The annual Butterflies are Blooming exhibition at Meijer Gardens (March 1 - April 30) is a sure-fire dazzler, says Anahi, but with 200+ captivating sculptures scattered around 158 acres of themed gardens, “the park is beautiful all year long.”

Celebrating culture

Visitors who like to be immersed in culture and community can join in the fun of year-round festivals and celebrations, most taking place in the heart of downtown GR. The Asian-Pacific Festival (June), Hispanic Festival (August) and Christkindl Markt (November - December) are three of Anahi’s favorites.

Lined with artisan gift and food vendors, holiday entertainment and festive fun, “Christkindl is always fun to attend, and it lasts for more than a month, so it’s easy to find a weekend that will work for a visit.”

Playing games

Any time of the year is a great time to drop in to House Rules Board Game Lounge, West Michigan’s first Friendly Local Game Store (FLGS), featuring a full bar, restaurant and gaming lounge with 600+ games to choose from. “Game nights were always big in our family, so anytime they come up, House Rules is a must,” says Anahi. Gamers might also enjoy the city’s many arcades offering everything from pinball machines to virtual-reality experiences.

Hitting the beach

If fun in the sun is visitors’ goal, “I love to take people to Grand Haven.” A Lake Michigan coast city about 40 minutes west of Grand Rapids, Grand Haven offers a boardwalk, historic lighthouse and pier, and, according to Travel+Leisure, one of the nation’s top 25 beaches: Grand Haven State Park.

Don’t have time for a trip to Lake Michigan? Anahi says Millennium Park is a worthy alternative. Just five minutes from downtown GR, Millennium Park features a six-acre beach and splashpad, boat rental facilities, nearly 18 miles of trails and other diverse opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

Fun with Food

Foodies enjoy trips to the year-round Fulton Street Farmer’s Market, established in 1922 and offering “tons of fresh produce” from the dozens of family farms that surround Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids Downtown Market, featuring 19 artisan food merchants and restaurants, is another fantastic stop for gourmets and gourmands alike.

Speaking of food, “There are a few staple restaurants that I usually take my friends and family to for meals,” says Anahi. Her brunch favorites include Uptown GR’s Basalt, a modern Tex-Mex eatery and Good Truckin’ Diner, which offers delectable breakfast burritos and omelets, and Social Misfits, a waffles, cocktails and coffee restaurant in the heart of downtown.

For dinner, Anahi recommends Stella’s Lounge, which GQ Magazine says serves America’s best burger, and Luna, a hip, modern Mexican restaurant. Both are located in downtown GR’s Ionia Avenue Entertainment District, steps away from bars, music venues, a movie theater and more.

“If your guests are looking for an experience along with dinner, try King Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot,” suggests Anahi. At KPot, guests gather around tabletop grills and simmering pots of broth to cook and share a variety of meats, seafood, vegetables and noodles. “It’s delicious and there are three area locations to choose from.”

Stay and Play

Anahi has lived in both Allendale and Uptown GR during her time in Grand Rapids, and she says it’s easy to get around the region wherever you start from.

“Most times, my friends and family stay with me, but there are a bunch of hotels all over the area so you can find a location and budget that works for you.” Her personal favorites: the Amway Grand Plaza, a historic luxury hotel, and the Canopy by Hilton, a newer hotel boasting mid-century modern design. Both are downtown, steps away from 300+ restaurants, shops, nightlife venues and cultural attractions.

“Anyone I’ve hosted from Battle Creek has wanted to come back,” concludes Anahi. “It’s a relaxing and laid-back big city that has a lot of variety in food choices and activities. Visitors also like the fact that downtown is walkable and not daunting. 

“You can be proud to invite friends and family to experience Grand Rapids!”