One of my absolute favorite reasons for living in Kent County is the diverse mix of urban, rural, and natural areas intertwining to create a wide variety of unique worlds to explore. If “natural” piqued your interest there, Kent County offers a plethora of parks and hiking trails for outdoor…
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Congratulations to the soon-to-be-married couple! So many of my friends (and now my friends’ children) have tied the knot in Grand Rapids, and for good reason. Our setting, with plenty of outdoor space and a thriving riverfront, and our countless and varied venues, are gorgeous any time of year. But whether you’re getting married next month or next year, first you’ll want to host a Bachelor or Bachelorette party. Using one or a combination of the following ideas, Grand Rapids will deliver one to remember…
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On a recent Saturday morning, my family of four embarked on an adventure to Blandford Nature Center. Tucked away off Lenoard Street on Grand Rapids’ West Side, Blandford’s mission is to provide a place for people in the community to enjoy, explore, and learn in nature. The Mary Jane Dockeray…
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Raise a Glass Wine Tours is a venture that chauffeurs guests around the greater Grand Rapids area for a luxury, one-of-a-kind local wine tour, beginning when the chauffeur picks you up at your downtown hotel or location of choice. Public tour options include a dinner wine tour and a brunch wine…
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West Michiganders anticipate summer with joy for good reason: the weather is gorgeous, the sparkling lakeshore beckons, and every weekend holds the promise of something new and exciting to do around Grand Rapids. Whether you live in West Michigan or are visiting, you can take advantage of the…
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When ArtPrize launched in 2009, I was skeptical. I’d never heard of anything like it (because there isn’t anything quite like it) and couldn’t conceive of the entire concept. Nonetheless, I picked up a map, planned a route, and headed downtown to check it out. Amazed isn’t an exaggeration of how I…
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The Makowski family loves flights. Not of the airplane variety, however. I’m talking about “flights” typically associated with beer, pizza, ice cream, dips, donuts, or really anything you can turn into a sampling of variations of things you love. For our family, that now includes playgrounds thanks…
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Everything is truly sweeter in the summer. West Michigan’s skies are filled with blue and the temperatures are warm yet comfortable. There isn’t a moment to waste in summer, which means you need a plan. And I’m here to give you a head start on creating magical memories with your family. Whether you…
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Celebrating pride in Grand Rapids for 35 years If you have never been to the Grand Rapids Pride Festival, you’ll want to check it out on Saturday, June 17, from noon to 10 p.m. at Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids. This year the event will ring in 35 years of celebrating Pride in the city of…
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As the designated party planner of my friend group and family, I understand the struggles of organizing a large group gathering. Luckily, whether you’re planning a birthday bash, a graduation celebration, holiday outings, corporate events, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or just a fun gathering with…
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