West Michigan is becoming a magnet for collaboration in medical research, innovation and care. This is the first in a...
Experience Grand Rapids
The people of West Michigan have a deep love for the Great Lakes, the surrounding watershed and the other natural...
Experience Grand Rapids
When it comes to caring for our planet, we all have a role. Many manufacturers in the plastics industry take that role...
Experience Grand Rapids
Just because autumn is approaching and the summer heat will soon break, doesn’t mean festival season is over. Grand Rapids has plenty of festivals and events to attend as summer draws to an end.
Grand Rapids has been named America’s Best River Town (Outside Magazine) and one of the country’s Top 10 Beach Towns (National Geographic). So it’s no surprise that the area is a mecca for stand up
Whoever said nothing in life is free hasn't been to Kent County, Michigan. The greater Grand Rapids area offers a wide variety of no-cost activities to keep you busy throughout the fall. So take out
In Grand Rapids, you don't have to travel far to escape the lights of the city for dark, starry country skies. About a 25-minute drive from Grand Rapids, in Lowell, amateur astronomers and curious
Most people love to enjoy an afternoon at the zoo and to explore local museums. However, for people with sensory challenges, these typically family-friendly spaces can include loud or unexpected
If you have never been to Grand Rapids Pride Festival, you’ll want to check it out on Saturday, June 15 from noon to 10 PM at Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids. One of the largest one-day events
Surrounding Grand Rapids’ bustling city center is an abundance of biking trails that wind through a variety of the area’s diverse landscapes. West Michigan’s warmer months offer the perfect
A sure sign that summer has arrived in Grand Rapids is the annual three-day Festival of the Arts (commonly called Festival), which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The festivities kick off
Adrenaline junkies or anyone looking for unconventional things to do in Grand Rapids, look no further. Whether you’re visiting the city or are a local looking for something new to do, we’ve curated a
Summer festivals in West Michigan are the perfect way to enjoy your favorite things or discover something new. From June through September, Grand Rapids offers many affordable, family-friendly
Underground Cookie Club. Daddy Pete’s BBQ. Do Your Wurst. D&D’s Gluten-Free. Patty Matters, winner of the 2019 Food Truck Burger of the Year award by Mobile Cuisine. These are just a handful of more
Grand Rapids has a national reputation for beer, but that’s not the only beverage in town to sip on. For those who prefer wine, Grand Rapids offers a wide range of places to indulge in delicious grape
No matter the time of year, it’s always nice to get some fresh air, change up the scenery, and explore new venues. Experience Grand Rapids continues its focus on accessibility with an installment
Starting Sunday, May 12, through Saturday, May 18, Grand Rapids will devote seven days to the local cider scene for the third annual Cider Week GR. Supported by the Michigan Cider Association and
After 10 years of the annual art competition, ArtPrize® will now move to a biennial competition. This means the next ArtPrize competition will take place in Grand Rapids in 2020: September 16-October
With beautiful parks, miles of trails, a farmers’ market, Grand River frontage with an accessible kayak launch, an iconic bakery, one of the region’s largest shopping and dining districts, and so much
Whether you enjoy reading the newest bestsellers, comic books, or old classics, Grand Rapids has a bookstore for you. Bookstores are all over Grand Rapids, so no matter where you’re staying, a local,
Now with almost 20 locations throughout the midwest, HopCat started out in downtown Grand Rapids more than a decade ago and has since helped Grand Rapids become Beer City, USA. When Grand Rapids
Voted Best Beer Town, Best Beer Scene, and Beer City, USA, the Grand Rapids area is surrounded by more than 80 breweries. However, only a couple of decades ago, Grand Rapids wasn’t nearly as prominent
While there’s no shortage of opportunities to enjoy craft beer in Grand Rapids any time of the year, Beer Month GR, which takes place February 15-March 15, is an open invitation to visitors and locals
Voted Best Beer Town, Best Beer Scene, and Beer City, USA, the Grand Rapids area is surrounded by more than 80 breweries. Ever wonder how this river city obtained its reputation for beer? In the
With more than 80 breweries in the greater Grand Rapids area, it’s no wonder the city is known as Beer City, USA. However, only a couple of decades ago, Grand Rapids wasn’t nearly as prominent on the
Grand Rapids is full of delicious pizza joints. Whether you’re looking for a traditional pie or something unique, there is a spot for you. In honor of National Pizza Day (February 9), we asked
West Michigan offers lots of opportunities for outdoor winter activities, such as fat-tire biking, snowshoeing, skiing, and with so many inland lakes nearby, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy ice fishing,
With nearly 80 breweries within an hour of its downtown, Grand Rapids – also referred to as Beer City, USA – is a hotbed for craft beer. From hops to dark stouts, you can always find an interesting
One of the great thing about Grand Rapids is the city’s close proximity to wildlife, nature, and beautiful outdoor scenes. You can easily find yourself in a winter wonderland within minutes of
With the popularity of electronic dance music (EDM) over the past 20 years, DJs are spanning the entertainment scene, even in Grand Rapids. You can find DJs spinning the latest tracks at a variety of
You don’t have to travel the world to experience an abundance of cultures. Instead, celebrate a variety of cultures in the heart of West Michigan! Grand Rapids is a melting pot that honors a variety
Grand Rapids’ beauty shines bright during the winter months. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway this winter, Grand Rapids is a great destination for visitors of all ages and interests. We’ve
When most people think of festivals, they likely think of an event that occurs during the warmer months, but why should the summer get all the fun? In Grand Rapids the festival scene happens all year
Grand Rapids’ DASH bus service is a convenient and free (yes, you read that correctly) way to get around downtown. In summer 2018 the DASH added additional routes, times, and introduced fun, new
The gift shops in Grand Rapids’ local attractions offer one-of-a-kind items perfect for unique gift giving all year round. If you’re on a tight schedule and don’t have time to tour local attractions
Grand Rapids is home to numerous distilleries that are focused on producing high-quality distilled liquor blended with superior ingredients, careful technique, and attention to detail. In fact, Grand
Cheers to the fourth annual Cocktail Week GR! Over 35 restaurants, bars, and distilleries are putting their creativity on display with specially crafted Cocktail Week GR spirits, recommended food
“Where should I eat?” “What’s fun to do in Grand Rapids?” “Where do I park?” These questions don’t need to weigh you down when you’re adventuring around Grand Rapids. Each question can be quickly and
It’s hard to beat a glorious fall day in Michigan. Michigan’s well-defined four seasons are among the top reasons to live in or visit the Mitten, but ask around and it can quickly become evident a
“Gezillig” (or Gezelligheid). “It’s a social thing, about people,” says DeHop’s Brewing Company and Café owners Cathy and Mark DeHaan in tandem. It’s Dutch for a feeling that expresses, “It doesn’t
The bustling downtown of Rockford, approximately 15-mile drive north of downtown Grand Rapids, is filled with abundant recreational opportunities, unique shops, a variety of restaurants, and its own
ArtPrize10 will fill the streets of Grand Rapids from September 19 to October 7, 2018, but there are other incredible festivals that take place during the same time! From music, beer, and poetry
Not only does Grand Rapids have a plethora of breweries, but many of these breweries offer tasty meals to pair with their award-winning brews. We asked locals what breweries they recommend for savory
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) welcomes more than 250,000 visitors every year for a unique experience jam-packed with a variety of cultural attractions. The Spillman Carousel within GRPM has
It’s almost as if the city of Grand Rapids was designed with runners in mind; Grand Rapids and surrounding areas are home to dozens of running groups and events. It’s no secret that Grand Rapids is
While most folks in West Michigan are gearing up for summer, a dedicated group of people have been working hard to prepare for ArtPrize 10, which will take place September 19 to October 7, 2018. After
If you love the sand, sun, and shore, West Michigan is the place for you. With 300 miles of gorgeous shoreline, lucky visitors and residents have quick access to a number of beaches that dot the
For the last year, co-owners Jeff Coffey and Eric Fouch have run Thornapple Brewing Co., a craft brewery on the southeast side of Grand Rapids in Cascade on 28th Street.
With over 90 music venues, Grand Rapids has an impressive music scene that offers many places to dance the night away. Experience Grand Rapids polled their followers on social media to find out the
It's a common scenario: You're on your way out the door for a fun day exploring Grand Rapids, and then your canine companion flashes you with sad puppy dog eyes… You find yourself wishing you could
One of the best ways to explore Grand Rapids and all it has to offer is by biking it. Lucky for us, Grand Rapids has more than its fair share of trails to explore.
Grand Rapids is home to dozens of incredibly delicious Asian restaurants. From Taiwanese, Indian, Korean, and Vietnamese, there is a diverse and tasty offering of authentic Asian cuisine in West
