At Jaqua Realtors, we are proud to welcome you to Grand Rapids-- a city known for being the reigning “Beer City USA” title holder, its thriving Fortune 500 companies, & for being home to ArtPrize-one of the world’s most highly attended art events. With its bustling downtown, exceptional dining & entertainment venues, & a wide variety of indoor & outdoor recreation--we feel confident that no matter what your interests & passions may be, you’ll be thrilled to call Grand Rapids home.
Grand Rapids Population: 196,445 -- 198,829
Kent County Population: 648,594 -- 649,231
City of Ada: 13,142 -- 14,528
City of Byron Center: 5,822 -- 5,822
City of Caledonia: 1,618 -- 1,527
City of East Grand Rapids: 11,731
City of Forest Hills: 25,867 -- 25,867
City of Grandville: 16,002 -- 15,970
City of Kentwood: 50,764 -- 51,747
City of Lowell: 4,044 -- 4,092
City of Rockford: 6,229 -- 6,264
City of Walker: 24,822 -- 24,822
Gender Distribution:
Female: 50.8% Male: 49.2%
Median Age: 31.1 Years
High School Degree or Higher: 89.8%
Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 34.7%
Over 810 restaurants 54 lakes with public access 120 public parks
Kalamazoo: 48 mins
Lansing: 1 hour 2 mins
Detroit: 2 hours 20 mins
Chicago: 2 hours 48 mins
Grand Haven: 37 mins
39 public golf courses 26 wineries 80+ brewpubs
Traverse City: 2 hours 20 mins
Holland: 44 mins
Saugatuck: 50 mins
South Haven: 1 hour 4 mins
St. Joseph: 1 hour 28 mins
The climate in Grand Rapids has four distinct seasons, where fall is vibrantly beautiful with the changing colors of the leaves, winters yield the perfect background for fun in the snow, springs are gorgeous with the newness of life, & summers are some of the best you will ever experience.
4 ski resorts 3 state game areas 1 outdoor ice skating rink
Since 1979, Winterfest has reigned as the much anticipated weekend of winter fun in Grand Haven. Throughout this interactive festival, a range of activities are held both indoors & outdoors including cardboard sled racing, skiing/ snowboarding competitions, ice cream eating contests, glowbowls & much more.
West Michigan’s largest & longest-running bridal show featuring award-winning wedding experts, beautiful Michigan event sites, delicious samples & the area’s largest bridal fashion show! Brides, Grooms, friends, family & wedding professionals can enjoy two full days with wedding vendors of all kinds.
As the Beer City USA title holder, Grand Rapids celebrates with a full month of raising glasses to the many local craft brewers & their creations. Some of the highlights include the outdoor Winter Beer Festival, food & beer pairing specials, & Tree Beer -a collaboration between area brewers & the Grand Rapids Parks Department which features treethemed beers with proceeds used to plant trees to increase GR’s tree canopy.
Meijer State Games of Michigan is an Olympicstyle, multi-sport event where everyone is welcome regardless of age or ability. Winter games include cross country skiing, fatbike races, speed skating & many more winter sports. Experience great entertainment complete with an opening ceremony, a parade of athletes, & the lighting of the cauldron!
Prepare to be awed by over 7,000 tropical butterflies at the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies are Blooming; the nation’s largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibit. Butterflies from around the globe roam freely in the warmth of the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory.
This 10-day festival is the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter featuring stand-up, showcases, improv & more, & was created as a way to honor laughter’s integral role in emotional health & well-being.
Michigan’s largest St. Patrick’s Day street party hosted in the heart of Downtown Grand Rapids spanning the length of three city blocks.
Festivals throughout the year range from art to food to comedy to entertainment...For over eight years and counting, the GRLA Film Festival has been bringing diverse films to the Wealthy Theatre; 9 films are screened with panel discussions and Q & A periods following the show.
The Blandford Nature Center is hosting an afternoon of outdoor activities in honor of Earth Day and in celebration of its 50-year anniversary. Come explore the trails, tour the buildings and farms, and take part in Earth Day activities.
Presented by Fifth Third Bank with Spectrum Health, the Amway River Bank Run includes the nation’s largest 25K race & has been a Grand Rapids Tradition for over 40 years. Event day features a 5K Run, 10K Run, 25K Handcycle race, 25K Wheelchair race, 25K race & a 5K Community Walk.
Each year since 1969, a varying line-up of 7-8 private homes and 2 to 3 historic buildings are opened to the public; each with their unique story. During the Tour, guides stationed at each house will share information and highlight special features. The historic Heritage Hill neighborhood is one of the country’s largest urban historic districts recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. More than 1,300 homes stand within the boundaries of Heritage Hill and date from 1843. Nearly every style of American architecture, from the Greek Revival to Prairie, is represented in the district.
The kick off to summer in West Michigan, Festival of the Arts draws hundreds of thousands of people each year to celebrate the arts. This is a free, 3 day event featuring several stages of continuous performances, a Regional Art Exhibition, food booths run by nonprofit organizations, & plenty of creative activities for all to enjoy. This event is nonprofit, with each purchase giving back to our West Michigan community.
A celebration of the rich traditions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans; featuring numerous cultural performances like Lion Dances, martial arts demonstrations, vendors and more.
Played at the Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, this women’s professional golf tournament doubles as a fundraiser to help feed hungry families in need.
Meijer State Games of Michigan - Summer Meijer State Games of Michigan is an Olympicstyle, multi-sport event where everyone is welcome regardless of age or ability. Summer games include a 5K race, archery, rowing, & so many more summer sports. Experience great entertainment complete with an opening ceremony, a parade of athletes, & the lighting of the cauldron!
Offers a variety of distances to attract everyone from top, competitive athletes to beginners. Despite being the largest independent triathlon in Michigan, each of the race categories- Sprint, Olympic & Half Iron have separate transition areas giving it the feel of a smaller race.
Sponsored by the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, this annual event is located at GR’s Ah-Nab-Awen Park & features family activities, games, vendors, live bands, food trucks, & of course-- a spectacular fireworks display!
A nationally recognized, annual festival situated on the shores of Lake Michigan & Grand Haven pier honoring the men & women of the United States Coast Guard. Offering a variety of musical performances, events such as cardboard boat races & Grand City Skiers, along with plenty of food & vendors.
A two-day, weekend experience that brings black culture, music, business, dance, culinary, and art together for a fashionable and kaleidoscopic experience. Spend time out on the links for the Charity Golf Outing, head over to Rosa Parks Circle and enjoy jazz performances, take the kids for a rollerskating event, or dress up for the main event at the Kent Country Club!
More than 60 local restaurants participate in this event with special menus highlighting fresh, local ingredients & specially priced lunches & dinners sold at participating restaurants. $1 from each meal purchased is donated to the endowed scholarship fund at the Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education.
One of Grand Rapids’ favorite events, Greek Fest is fun for all with dance demonstrations, wine tastings, live entertainment, & of course--tons of delicious, authentic Greek food!
Celebrating the variety of rich, Hispanic cultures in West Michigan, this is a free, three day event that features dancing, live entertainment, children’s activities, Mercadito, & lots of delicious food.
Truly an experience! ArtPrize is an independently organized international art competition which takes place over a couple of weeks each fall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A weekend of unique films, screenings, educational events & more!
The African American Art & Music Celebration is a FREE two-day festival that will immerse the community in exceptional art, delightful music, dance, entertainment & scrumptious food.
Art, live music, & refreshments. Interact with artist’s receptions & demonstrations in a fun creative atmosphere.
Enjoy beer & wine as well as spectating/ participating in contests like keg-tossing & stein-holding. Oktoberfest is held on 103 acres featuring amusement rides, game booths, beer tents & gardens, & vendors selling souvenirs & a large variety of delicious German food.
Express your creativity by dressing as your favorite character, enjoy meet & greets with celebrities & story creators, or check out the huge vending room selling comic books, anime/manga, movie memorabilia, action figures & toys.
Sip & savor wine, beer, cider & spirits from around the globe at this annual Michigan premier tasting event.
Free activities for the family including carriage rides, live reindeer, & an appearance of Santa & Mrs. Claus along with lots of tasty treats. Always held the Friday after Thanksgiving at the Regatta Plaza in East Grand Rapids.
Get a close-up look at Santa’s live reindeer at this free, annual event located at the Gerald R. Ford Grove near the entrance to the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden.
Celebrate the season while learning first hand how countries around the globe get into the holiday spirit; enjoy strolling carolers, & a myriad of festive lights.
The Calvin Oratorio Society lifts their 130 voices in this 100 year Grand Rapids’ tradition; the Oratorio Society performs at the Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center Auditorium.
Places Rated Almanac ranked Grand Rapids as the #3 city in the nation for fun & recreation...
Enjoy snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking, farm animals, children’s garden & greenhouse on Blanford’s 264+ stunning acres. Organized activities, festivals, concerts, seasonal camps & educational opportunities.
Located on 80 acres featuring fantastic animals! Visitors are able to feed the giraffes and camels. Ride the tram to check out more animals not on the footpath. Special annual events include the Park Before Dark event in mid October & Baby Animal week in July.
A unique facility that houses an indoor tropical conservatory & changing exhibits. On the 158 acre grounds you can explore the impressive sculpture tour, nature trails, guided tram & children’s garden. An array of artists tour the outdoor amphitheater for the summer concert series.
Explore the lives of America’s 38th President and Grand Rapids native, Gerald R. Ford and beloved First Lady Betty Ford. Both the President and First Lady are buried on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and the burial site is open to the public. The museum is also host to numerous temporary exhibitions throughout the year, and a wonderful gift shop.
Initially a museum “without walls”, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum made its debut in 1993 in the Woodland Mall with two exhibits: Funstruction and Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles!. After its tremendous success, and exposing 30,000+ children and their families to “hands-on” learning and exploration, the museum founders went on to create the museum we know and love today. For over 25 years, GRCM has invited children and families to visit their ever changing exhibits for more hands-on learning and exploring!
Located in the heart of downtown GR, the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives preserves the shared stories of African Americans from this community. Enjoy the various oral histories, local artwork, & historical objects.
The GRPM is Michigan’s oldest Museum, founded in 1854, and features world-class exhibits on history, nature, and cultural heritage. Enjoy over 250,000 artifacts and specimens throughout its various collections, stargaze in the Roger B. Chafee planetarium, and ride a carousel from 1928. The museum features numerous traveling exhibits throughout the year, making this a spot to enjoy several times a year-if not more!
The world’s first LEED® Gold Certified art museum features more than 6,000 works of art. Permanent collections are 19th and 20th century prints, paintings and sculptures. The museum’s other permanent and borrowed galleries focus on themes and exhibits highlighting Michigan artists.
Home to three permanently mounted astronomical telescopes and several portable instruments that are all available for member use (with proper orientation/instruction), this is an amazing place to observe the stars, planets and other astronomical wonders Tours and presentations available.
John Ball Zoo is home to numerous wild animal habitats and adventures to be had nestled amongst the ravines and bluffs of this urban zoological park. Upon arrival, ride the Idema Funicular up to the top of the park, interact with the penguins at the Living Shores Aquarium & Penguinarium, take a camel ride and much more! The zoo also hosts several special events throughout the season, like IllumiZoo, which is a magical, one-mile outdoor nighttime journey through the zoo.
Check out new or favorite books; free to local residents. One of 19 locations in the area.
Tour this Prairie-style home built in 1909 by Frank Lloyd Wright & restored in 1987.
For over 100 years, Robinette’s Orchard is open year round and offers a bakery and dining, a winery, cider mill, and fun activities such as hayrides and corn mazes.
Throughout the year, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts displays changing gallery exhibitions from regional to international artists featuring art, music, film, literature, dance and performance art. UICA also plays host to events such as concerts, performance art, artist receptions, gallery talks, and movie screenings.
X-Golf’s state of the art indoor golf simulators offer players unparalleled accuracy & realism through a combination of camera systems, infrared lasers, impacts sensors & advanced gaming software. The dedicated kiosks combine virtual reality gaming, food & beverages, competitions, golf lessons, memberships & social events. These services provide visitors with the ultimate golfing entertainment experience.
The Grand Rapids Culture Pass is a 3-day Pass that allows visitors to get out & explore Grand Rapids! The pass gets you admission into many attractions & exclusive discounts. Passes are delivered to your phone via email & text & are ready to use immediately. Some attractions included in the pass include:
Grand Rapids African American Museum And Archives, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, John Ball Zoo and Urban Institute For Contemporary Arts (UICA)s.
Live performance theater for Grand Rapids Community College showcasing the talents of local actors & a training resource for theater students in West Michigan.
Partnered with MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Broadway GR draws the top national New York Broadway touring productions to perform the tales of award winning Broadway shows at the Devos Performance Hall.
Established in 1952, The Circle Theatre bounced around from different locations throughout Grand Rapids, before finally settling on the Catholic Secondary Schools & Aquinas College as it’s current home. May through September catch the five main stage productions including three musicals and two plays. There are 80 performances during the season along with Magic Circle Family productions re-telling of classic stories or fairy tales with a modern twist. There is truly a genre for everyone also offering: educational workshops, community theater & concert series.
Inside DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall seats over 2,000 guests. Performances by The Grand Rapids Symphony, Ballet Company, Broadway, & Opera all utilize the hall including touring concerts & shows.
Recipient of the ArtServe Michigan Governor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Cultural Organization & Michigan’s only professional ballet company, the Grand Rapids ballet has gained attention nationally as well as internationally. The artist Director James Sofranko has produced creative & contemporary shows along with classics like The Nutcracker & the Junior Company performances.
Founded in 1925, it is one of the oldest & 5th largest community theatres in the nation offering nine mainstage productions each year with the help of over 800 talented volunteers along with the highest quality performances, award winning education programs & outreach.
With over 400 performances a year, this professional orchestra is recognized nationally for the high quality of its concerts & educational programs. Annual performances include the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony & Classical Orchestra, & Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Choruses. The Symphony also provides the orchestra for Opera Grand Rapids & the Grand Rapids Ballet Company.
The Jewish Theatre offers quality theatrical productions with Jewish themes that are universal in appeal aiming to inform, educate, & engage both the Jewish & non-Jewish community.
A Christian theatre that offers four main stage shows per year along with camps for youth, classes for children & adults, & touring performances.
A night at the opera is filled with talented vocalists, melodic soundtracks, drama, & storytelling. An array of talented artists bring the performances to the stage along with stage directors, conductors, choreographers, set designers, & costume designers.
Since 2007 the theater has been home to the Grand Rapids Ballet with stadium style seating for 300 people.
On the National Register of Historic Places, the Music Center seats 500 people & brings timeless musical genres to the stage; classical, jazz, & folk. It is home to affordable & accessible music education & performance programs including the school of music, concert series, cultural & special events with a dedication to changing lives through music.
Wealthy Theatre was constructed in 1911 & served during World War I as a warehouse for the Michigan Aircraft Company. Restored & reopened in 1998 as a community arts center with state-of-the-art technologies, bringing an array of entertainment to the area with performances, live music, film, theatre & dance.
With an ever changing artist’s work on display, find unique pieces of art to take home at LaFontsee Galleries. Voted “Best Place to Buy Original Art” by readers of On-The-Town magazine.
Throughout the year, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts displays changing gallery exhibitions from regional to international artists featuring art, music, film, literature, dance & performance art. UICA also plays host to events such as concerts, performance art, artist receptions, gallery talks, & movie screenings.
Lions & Rabbits is a gallery-boutique, education center, & event space where community & art combine to create a unique opportunity to serve the community.
New reclining seats, traditional concessions, upgraded food options, & 3D theaters to make your movie watching experience one to remember.
Choose from 4 locations in the West Michigan area. Depending on location, amenities include: concessions, in-seat food & beverage service, IMAX, reclining seats, & event space.
The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts Theater shows independent, international, & documentary movies in downtown Grand Rapids Tuesday through Sunday year round.
Shopping mall in Grandville featuring a long list of retail stores, a food court, five sitdown restaurants & an antiquestyle carousel. Also home to a Celebration! Cinema.
Breton Village offers popular, area-exclusive brands including but not limited to; Anthropologie, Ann Taylor Loft, Leigh’s, lululemon, Evereve, West Elm, Orvis & more.
A major shopping corridor strategically positioned just off of Interstate 96, five minutes north of downtown GR, featuring national brand stores & more along with popular chain restaurants.
Over 60 locations to find unique pieces like art, clothing, & specialty pet items. The Downtown Market houses more than 20 artisan food shops or find an extra special gift at one of the six museum gift shops downtown.
Grand Rapids features a lot of antique shops, up-cycled outlets and vintage stores waiting for shoppers to discover the many treasures that await them. These shops feature one-of-a-kind treasured items from the past ranging from furniture to jewelry to collectibles & more!
Save big & enjoy this outdoor shopping complex in Byron Center. Over 70 designer discount stores in addition to standard retail stores.
Find boutiques & other specialty stores including: home furnishings, fishing, toys, candy & more! Other activities in the downtown area include: kayaking, canoeing, & tubing down the Rogue River.
Spend a day browsing this enclosed shopping mall featuring over 100 stores including name brand retailers, a food court & sit-down dining, & an on-site Celebration! Cinema along with a children’s play area & free cell phone charging stations.
Enjoy the view of Reeds Lake as you try one of the fine restaurants, check out the shops or walk & bike around the scenic Gaslight Village.
A diverse & historic neighborhood, this 70 square block community is a destination for popular one-of-a-kind dining as well as unique shopping.
Outside Grand Rapids, the city of Lowell has a 6 block shopping district & art scene. In addition to the shops there are parks, lakes & golf courses.
Over 100,000 sq. ft. of antiques dealers offering a wide selection of jewelry, furniture & furnishings, vintage clothing, fashion accessories, books, bicycles, comic books, old toys, new toys, & much more!
Food lovers will want to visit the downtown market! Featuring indoor vendors, full service restaurants, monthly outdoor events, cooking classes, venues for events, greenhouses & more!
Lost & Found This industrial, loft-style building has two stories of space to display their many genres of furniture & accessories for your home. Mid-century modern, outdoor & indoor classics from the 30’s to the 60’s & repurposed antiques. Get lost in the themed rooms & find your own style inspiration.
Newly renovated downtown Ada has redesigned Thornapple shopping center, home to local shops & businesses for community residents & visitors to enjoy.
Treasures With an eclectic mix of vintage & new home décor, rusty farmhouse finds & artisan creations, this store has found the perfect mix of farmhouse in the city.
Vintage Plus More Restored & refurbished furniture, home furnishings, jewelry & more can be found along with new items, supplied by multiple vendors.
©2017 DJZ Photography, LLCA family-owned regional favorite for breakfast, brunch & lunch; offering a wide range of menu items with freshly made, locally sourced ingredients. There are also vegan & gluten free dining options available.
Neighborhood bar & restaurant with a relaxed, fun atmosphere & reasonably priced cuisine & cocktails.
Using ingredients from local farmers, the food & overall experience is based on creating a relationship with the community. Butcher’s Union is known for their collection of 100 plus whiskeys, beers & inspired cocktails.
Rustic-chic restaurant with pub-style bar has a long & storied history as well as great food & drinks. Enjoy the newly renovated outdoor seating area or the comfortable inside seating.
Homemade award winning food, made with quality ingredients & sourced locally. Serving breakfast & lunch in a relaxed atmosphere.
Grand Rapids has an endless amount of restaurants, bars, bistros, & cafes to choose from. Here are some of the most popular:
Dedicated to offering a unique pub menu, handcrafted cocktails, weekend bloody Mary bar & live jazz.
Famous for their sweet potato fires, huge sandwiches, unique cuisine & 40 kinds of craft beer. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner & brunches.
A homestyle breakfast joint that is popular with Grand Rapids residents for a good reason. Try the handmade hash browns & other creative dishes.
Located in downtown Rockford, The Corner Bar has been a regional favorite for over 50 years. Famous for their “Corner Bar Hot Dog Wall of Fame”, it’s clearly a great spot for a delicious dog & so much more with an expansive menu that’s sure to please!
In the heart of downtown, this 10,000 sq. ft. sports grille is a great spot for sports and Italian-American food with over 60 flat screen TV’s.
Serving over 100 wines, with wine flights & charcuterie boards, along with lunch & dinner. Serving locally farmed foods with options for small or large plates. USA Today hails Reserve Wine & Food as one of the best new wine bars in the world.
Eco-friendly gastropub with a diverse menu offering vegetarian & vegan options in addition to traditional fare. Local & European beers in Grand Rapids East Hills Neighborhood.
Travel back in time to the atmosphere with hints of a speakeasy pub. Offering modern & old-time cocktails along with creative entrees & items available for vegetarian & vegan diets.
San Chez Tapas Bisto offers a Mediterranean & Spanish tapa menu in a fun environment. They also offer cooking classes.
This historic spot is a Grand Rapids staple located in East Grand Rapids with a lovely lakeside view; offering Mediterranean, Italian & American fare.
Located in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel & overlooking the Grand River, The Kitchen features an eclectic mix of global fare & made-from-scratch comfort food straight from the kitchen of worldfamous chef, Wolfgang Puck.
This gastropub is located in the lively heartside district of Grand Rapids & serves up a variety of made-from-scratch, seasonal cuisine to include fresh sushi, amazing filets & fantastic craft cocktails. Everything is served up in an eclectically casual environment with exposed brick walls & high ceilings. There is an elevated beer garden for the warmer months, & a 3-season lounge as well.
Offering traditional sushi & unique asian-fusion dishes.
Serving Asian Cuisine including Japanese, Chinese & Thai. These dishes are a work of art in presentation & flavor.
Japanese cuisine featuring an extensive sushi menu, grill options & craft cocktails with an Asian flair.
This terrific Thai spot prides themselves on their use of locally grown ingredients & attention to detail.
A ‘foodie’ paradise! The Euro Bistro is now located in Grand Rapids, & specializes in classic French & European cuisine with incredible attention to detail.
At Margaux, a classic French bistro meets the sophistication and luxury of the JW Marriott brand. Here, crisp aprons and select wine lists complement chic design and contemporary flair.
This chic French steakhouse & bistro is located in a historic 1914 building that was formerly the New Hotel Mertens; the menu features many classic French dishes, handcrafted cocktails, & wine list.
Since 1998, Bombay Cuisine has been serving Indian cuisine featuring authentic recipes, fresh ingredients, & exotic spices along with a full bar, a selection of East West Brewing Company beers, a variety of wines to pair with each meal & a lunch buffet on Fridays & Sundays.
Bringing the taste of gourmet India to Grand Rapids, the Palace of India uses a traditional Tandoor (clay oven) & Kadhai (Indian wok). Experience the flavors & atmosphere of the Maharajas here.
Award-winning Chef Jenna & the staff of Amore pride themselves on the “immersive Italian experience” that a visit to this restaurant provides. Classically authentic, locally sourced, Italian comfort food at it’s best!
Bistro Bella Vita offers modern French & Italian cuisine made from scratch with as many sustainably-sourced ingredients as possible including homemade pasta, brick-oven pizzas, rotisserie-roasted meats, freshly prepared tiramisu, & much more!
Since 1963, Fred’s is a family owned restaurant that has been at the forefront of local Italian Cuisine in the Northview area offering quality products, friendly service, & fair prices.
Noto’s is a local family-owned fine dining experience serving Old World Italian family recipes presented skillfully in casual elegance. The lounge at Noto’s has live music & a gracious but casually elegant dining room with a massive wine list.
European inspired dining, Nonna’s offers a breakfast & lunch menu that features hearty favorites & lighter options, & a dinner menu featuring pastas, meats & seafood alongside a great selection of European wines & daily desserts.
Known for almost 40 years for their classic & signature pasta dishes, Pietro’s is a casual Italian restaurant featuring hand-carved Tuscan doors & authentic Tuscan tile floors.
Palio Ristorante offers a bold & vibrant menu including authentic Tuscan-style cuisine such as large pizzas cooked in an industrial gas fired stone pizza oven, bolognese, carbonara, lasagna, & many other reinvented classics prepared with freshly cut herbs from their own in-house herb garden. Palio serves lunch & dinner, & features a happy hour with food & drink specials along with a full bar, large dining room & during the warm months, garage doors opening to the spacious patio.
Open since 2000, Bosna offers a unique dining experience featuring primarily Bosnian cuisine along with a cultural clash of authentic Turkish, Greek & many Central European countries.
Parsley Mediterranean Grille offers homemade soups, dressings & a delicious variety of dishes made from scratch along with catering featuring party trays & lunch bowls.
With a focus on health & flavor, Sheshco serves an extensive menu of Mediterranean dishes using extra virgin olive oil, whole grains, fresh vegetables & lean Halal meats.
Offering some of the best Tex-Mex food in GR including burritos, tacos & quesadillas. The wet burritos have won “best in show’ multiple times over the 50+ years.
For over 50 years, Adobe has been serving delicious Mexican food to the people of Grand Rapids. Starting as one of the first Mexican restaurants in the area, Adobe has now expanded their service to two locations offering dine-in, drive through & walk-up window service.
Cantina Mexican Grill offers the great tastes of Old Mexico for lunch, dinner, or takeout through the drive through, along with a well stocked bar & daily happy hour.
A one-of-a-kind Mexican Street Food concept with premium flavors & finely crafted cocktails, Donkey Taqueria is located in the heart of Wealthy Street.
Mexican Grill serving delicious, authentic Mexican dishes like grilled cactus, & bright pink, sweet Jamaica juice made from the Jamaica flower.
La Huasteca Mexican Restaurant
Originally from Mexico, the owners of La Huasteca share their proud heritage through secret family recipes & authentic Mexican food.
A mix of Latin American & West Michigan Cultures, Luna works with local & independent farmers, purveyors, distributors, & producers to bring local, fresh ingredients to their large menu featuring shareables, tacos, entrees, desserts!
Found in downtown Grand Rapids, Mexo is a genuine Mexican restaurant & bar whose cuisine brings a modern touch to the classic pre-Hispanic cuisine of Mexico.
This Downtown Market eatery offers tacos, burritos, & quesadillas, along with Latin American grocery items & a self-serve salsa bar.
Contemporary grill chain serving dinner, lunch, or brunch offering an innovative menu with seasonal specials using the highest-quality, fresh ingredients.
People come from all over for what has been called that “Fat Man’s flavor,” a secret flavor said to be guarded closer than Area 51. Fat Man’s Fish Fry offers 22 seafood & fish choices, 18 vegetables, & two types of chicken.
Fish Lads is a full-service retail Fish Market & quick-service restaurant offering fresh, never frozen seafood along with a full menu, feature menu, & an oyster bar. They pride themselves on offering professional help & advice on preparing & cooking your fish.
Boasting the best Fish N’ Chips around, fresh & cooked fish, & will also cook your own fresh caught lake fish as long as it is cleaned & filleted. They also have their own tartar sauce, a secret recipe that has stayed with the restaurant since it opened.
Located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, Leo’s offers exquisite seafood & classic cuisine with separate, unique menus for lunch, early dinner, & dinner, along with an extensive wine list & dessert menu. The elegant, yet casual atmosphere consists of a dining room with soaring ceilings & romantic lighting, perfect for celebrating a special event.
Rio Grand Steakhouse Rustic, family-friendly eatery & bar featuring steaks, seafood, Southwestern dishes & great daily specials.
Steakhouse chain known for its 500° sizzling plates & award-winning wine list located right inside the Amway Grand Plaza.
Upscale 1940’s design with gas lamps, art, & marble accents. Known for the finest midwestern grain-fed prime beef selections, fresh fish, wines & a cigar bar.
Located in the Cork Wine & Grille, Vintage is a luxurious restaurant featuring prime aged steaks, incredible seafood, a 180 bottle wine list, & impeccable service.
Brick & Porter offers a full bar along a variety of beers as well as a great kitchen serving all the classic pub foods.
Family owned & operated, Charlie’s offers great food, great service & great prices. They offer as much “Michigan Made” as they can, including local beer, wine, bread or kielbasa.
The Elbow Room is a full service eclectic bar offering top quality pub meals at a reasonable price in a casual & inviting atmosphere.
Known for great food & a relaxed atmosphere, the world-famous Irish hospitality comes in the form of a smile & a cold draft. The entire bar was remodeled in modern Irish charm & is a relaxed, authentic Irish pub with great specials & a curated craft beer & whiskey list.
A West Side bar offering a full kitchen, nightly entertainment including karaoke, daily food & drink specials, craft beer selection, pool tables, Michigan lottery, three gaming machines, & much more.
Grand Rapids Garage Bar &
Bringing a Global Pub atmosphere to Grand Rapids with a full menu featuring brunch & daily specials, Graydon’s Crossing specializes in British & Indian inspired foods. During the warmer months, head outside to dine al fresco on their inviting patio!
Kick back & unwind at O’Toole’s Public House where you can’t go wrong with O’Toole’s Irish pub flatbread pizza, gourmet burgers, whiskeys & card games.
Just blocks from the Devos Place in downtown, Rocky’s Bar & Grill is open daily for lunch with a full menu, & nightly for entertainment with different performances & DJs in their upstairs bar area.
The Sundance Grill & Bar offers breakfast, lunch, & dinner with a menu of American favorites with Southwestern flavors that can be paired with the perfect artisan cocktail.
Established as the “last chance” to get a beer on the way out of town, The Last Chance Tavern offers a wide selection of craft beer,
From Spring to late Fall, you will enjoy colorful displays of fresh fruits & vegetables from local growers. Pick-your-own season starts in July with fresh fruit & goes to October with apples & pumpkins.
Every Tuesday from June 6th to October 31st, you will find a broad selection of West Michigan’s locally-grown farm produce, including vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, breads & flowers. Ada Farmers Market is also the only West Michigan market to offer a chef preparing fresh farm foods on site & serving samples of the dishes they prepare using ingredients from vendors at the Market.
Celebrating 97 years of service, The Fulton Street Farmers Market is the longest-running farmers market in the GR community. This permanent, yearround farmers market seeks to provide a diverse, inclusive, & vibrant community marketplace that offers convenient access to high quality, locally grown, farm fresh products.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a mixed-use facility bringing together local food production, education, & entrepreneurship opportunities. Home to 20+ indoor market vendors, 2 full service restaurants, monthly outdoor market events, hands-on cooking classes, private event venues, rooftop greenhouses, & much more!
Ken’s Fruit Market strives to bring their customers the best quality produce at the best prices, with great service & local flavor. They offer fresh, local produce, the best cuts of meat prepared daily by their in-house butchers, & a selection of groceries (including their own private label products), candy, garden center products, beer & wine.
The Kentwood Farmers Market takes place in front of the Kentwood Library & features a variety of goods from local vendors. The market is held rain or shine every Saturday from 9am-1pm from June 1 through October 5.
The University of Michigan Health - Metro Health Farmers Market offers farm-fresh produce, baked goods, flowers & plants, homemade foods, handcrafted items & more from about 50 different vendors on Thursdays from May through October.
Family owned farmers market in Caledonia offering pumpkins, apples, corn, & raising animals. You can also check out the Wild Bird Nature Walk, which the family created across the bridge in the backwoods.
Rakowski Family Farm & Market is a local family farm offering pork, grass fed lamb, grass fed beef, free range eggs, free range chicken, turkey & duck. The family farm is located in Wayland but Rakowski Family Farm & Market has a storefront on Fulton Street in Grand Rapids & can also be found at the Fulton Street Farmers Market during the regular season.
Speyer’s Farm Market is a family owned business that has been farming since 1921 offering hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, Proven Winners, herbs, & vegetables plants!
This market is used not only to support & connect with local farmers & eat nourishing food, but to host kid’s activities, learning opportunities, & entertainment for all to enjoy. The Terra Square Farmers Market meets every Wednesday & the last Saturday of every month.
Family owned orchard offering apples & peach trees, as well as tomatoes, flowers, & other farm fresh vegetables at a high quality, & always reasonable prices.
A third & fourth generation fruit farm with a market operating May through October in a beautiful, nearly 100-year-old barn. Ed Dunneback & Girls Fruit Farm offers fruits & vegetables available in season, both already-picked or u-pick, along with a kitchen & gift shoppe.
Orchard in Sparta featuring easy U-pick & already-picked sweet cherries & a picnic area.
Established in 1903, Versluis Orchards is a 5-generation family farm providing peaches, plums, cherries, & apples.
For over 100 years, Robinette’s Orchard is open year round & offers a bakery & dining, a winery, cider mill, & fun activities such as hay-rides & corn mazes.
Moelker Orchards & Farm Market grows & sells a wide variety of tree fruits including apples, peaches, pears, plums & cherries. The fun, friendly environment includes u-pick orchards & pumpkin patches, farm fresh fruits grown locally, jams, fruit salsas, & a bakery selling donuts, fudge, cookies, pastries & more!
Wells Orchards is committed to growing the highest quality fruit at a reasonable price. This family owned orchard uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principals as their growing practice & their goal is to spray as little as possible & still grow high quality fruit. They offer many fruits & assorted veggies, along with donuts, cookies, salsas, pies, syrups & more!
Living by the philosophy of a healthy environment means healthy animals, you will find that Woodbridge goes the extra mile with their grass fed beef, milk fed pork, duck & chicken eggs.
Committed to educating West Michigan about the integral part farms play in society, as well as the benefits of technology in the dairy industry. Dairy Discovery at Swisslane Farms is helping to expose the story of the daily life of farms, & engages tourists in an interactive & enjoyable experience.
Grand Rapids claimed the title as Beer City USA in 2013, when the city was home to only 17 breweries. Now, there are approximately 37 breweries & brewpubs in the city, with many more in the surrounding areas. This beer-loving city has grown to be one of the most important players in the craft beer industry, even celebrating with an entire month dedicated to beer!
In Grand Rapids, small-scale home brewers experiment right alongside master brewers from some of the most popular names in beer. GR’s Beer City Ale Trail boasts 80+ breweries – more craft beer per square mile than almost anywhere else on earth. The city is full of delicious craft breweries to explore!
Popular Detroit-based brewery located in the renovated Rowe Hotel downtown crafting traditional German style lagers, along with unique boutique ales.
Brass Ring Brewing is known for brewing small batch, style-specific fresh beer including traditional pub ales, porters & stouts.
Right here in GR we have the world’s first LEED certified microbrewery. This one of a kind venue is located in a refurbished historic funeral home in the East Hills neighborhood. Brewery Vivant’s unique atmosphere & European inspired food caused it to be voted among the best overall breweries in Grand Rapids.
City Built Brewing Company shows their love for the craft of brewing by making the strange become familiar, & the familiar fresh & bold. They offer a wide selection of house-made beer along with local meads, ciders, wines, kombuchas, & more!
Creston is known to be an eclectic “family” committed to providing exceptional service to each customer.
Brewery just outside downtown Grand Rapids that produces high quality, craft beer by locally sourcing ingredients & collaborating with hop growers & maltsters. Dehop’s brews Traditional Craft Styles, Eurocentric Styles & aggressively trendy beer styles.
Located downtown in the Wealthy Street Business District, ELK Brewing is a rustic-industrial Brew Pub where patrons can kick back & enjoy the fireplace on the patio, play a game of bags, or enjoy a board game inside. Their second location in Comstock Park is located near Fifth Third Ballpark & features a tap room & restaurant.
Grand Rapids is home to one of the highest recognized breweries in the United States. At Founders you will find a laid back atmosphere & endless beer on tap, now among the top ten largest craft breweries in the country & one of the fastestgrowing.
Brewery operated by Grand Rapids Community College students enrolled in the Craft Brewing, Packaging & Service Operations certificate.
With award-winning beers, a unique environment & homemade food, Grand Rapids Brewing Co. is a distinctive destination for happy hour, a dinner date or a special event.
Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery Microbrewery in Ada, MI with six frequently changing taps with different styles regularly featuring homebrew & collaboration beers.
The Greyline Brewing Co. taproom has 16 taps with indoor & outdoor (seasonal) seating. They pride themselves on being small & growing with their patrons. The brewery floor has one of the smallest footprints in Michigan, measuring only 340 square feet & Greyline Brewing Co. is planning on producing less than 1,000 barrels a year, with limited self-distribution.
A friendly neighborhood brew pub in Eastown offering a wide variety of craft beer & award-winning wood-fired pizza creations.
Brewery offering beer & ciders located at Cascade Winery with Thursday happy hour & Tuesday $2 Growler refills.
One of New Holland Brewing’s three locations, The Knickerbocker offers a full drink menu including craft beer, artisan spirits, handcrafted cocktails, wine & cider.
A craft brewery whose approach is all about style, creativity, diversity, quality, & flavor. Osgood Brewing believes there is a beer out there for everyone, order a custom flight & see which ones you like!
Perrin Brewing Co. is committed to crafting high quality & consistent beer with a leadingedge taste. With 18-25 beers on tap, Perrin has something everyone will appreciate in their spacious microbrewery serving up a wide range of draft craft brews & pub grub in an industrial space.
Schmohz is a family owned business & home to one of the oldest breweries in Grand Rapids. Offering the only Non Alcoholic Craft Beer in Michigan, Schmohz features 16 taps of fine crafted ales & lagers, plus their own root beer. The tap room has a Pool Table, Pin Ball, Ms. PacMan & Darts.
Located in Comstock Park, Speciation offers an ever-changing lineup of beers, ciders, & wines. This family-owned company offers releases at the Tasting Room on draft & in cans/bottles.
Microbrewery & pizzeria set in a restored Victorian-era firehouse with a vintage baseball theme.
Thornapple Brewing Co. is a local spot to enjoy original beer, cider, wine & spirits created by internationally awarded & longtime local brewers.
Brewery in Wyoming offering delicious eclectic food & great Michigan beers, including the FIRST craft-brewed hard seltzer in West Michigan. Family-friendly with a great neighborhood feel!
Arktos Meadery prides themselves on continuing in the hallowed tradition of making Honey Wine or Mead making. They aim to provide each mead drinker with the finest & most natural mead possible.
Since 2003, Cascade Winery has been a welcoming & fun experience for wine lovers. This family owned, award winning winery has a variety at the tasting bar. Cascade offers an educational wine making process & you can even pick up a few recipes. Browse a wonderful collection of wine, gifts, & customizable options for souvenirs.
Located on a 150 year old family farm nestled in the woods of rural Ottawa County, but only 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, is the Farmhaus Cidergarten. The Cidergarten Tap Room offers a variety of delicious ciders crafted onsite & welcomes guests of all ages, on two legs or four.
Forty Pearl showcases award-winning wines & distilled spirits. Enjoy tastings along with so much more: food pairings, formal wine dinners, grab & go foods & wines with curbside service for takeout.
Award winning wines offered by the glass or bottle. Hudsonville Winery carries over 30 different wines including Pinot Grigio, Bruno, White Zinfandel & a large selection of fruit wines such as Peach, Acai, Raspberry, Hudsonberry, Pomegranate & Black Cherry, all made on site. They also offer frozen wine slushies & their new Hudsonville Hard Seltzer, a hard sparkling water available in many flavors!
A West Michigan staple for over 100 years, Robinette’s Orchard decided to produce their own wine & hard cider in 2006. Robinette’s now offers more than 20 wines & ciders that are all Michiganmade for sampling in the winery. They are always experimenting with new kinds of wine & currently have several fruit wines including Cranberry, Apple, & Blueberry, & their two most popular winesPassionate Peach Spumante & Chocolate wine!
Started in a one bedroom apartment in 2002, The People’s Cider Co. developed a dry drinkable cider that is a fresh take on craft beverages in West Michigan.
What started as a small beginning, has now turned into a new venture of high-end distribution. Vander Mill’s hard cider varieties are now found in grocery stores, bars, & restaurants all throughout Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Indiana, & Wisconsin. They use only the best Michigan apples for their cider which is never pasteurized & has no added preservatives.
Grain & fruit to glass Micro-distillery offering an expanding line of beer, wine, & spirits with everything made from scratch, handmade, & bottled in-house.
Grain to glass distillery using locally sourced ingredients to produce small batch bourbon, rye, gin, rum & vodka in an industrial-chic tasting room.
Industrial-style eatery & cocktail bar serving an uncompromised lineup of spirits who pride themselves on using honest ingredients grown across the region, supporting the natural & agricultural resources of West Michigan.
Wise Men Distillery Distillery that is passionate about crafting spirits from start to finish using classic techniques, American made copper stills, modern technologies, & the best locally sourced ingredients possible.
The 12,000 plus capacity downtown arena is the Must Play Destination in Michigan’s fastest-growing market, & has thrust Grand Rapids into the forefront of the entertainment industry. Van Andel is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team, & has attracted the biggest names in family shows, concerts & sporting events.
Established in 1972, the intersection features a comfortable atmosphere & hosts a vast range of musical concerts at this intimate, live location. Patrons can enjoy a drink during Happy Hour, an intimate concert in The Stache, or a quality night of entertainment in the showroom.
A charming, state-of-the-art concert hall with around 2,600 seats will bring you fun experiences of live music, comedy shows, & many more performances.
The Pyramid Scheme is known for being a relaxed bar with an ostentatious feel featuring their nostalgic pinball machines & a live rock venue.
Constructed in 2004 on the Grand River is a multi-purpose, premier convention center. DeVos Place offers a unique combination of meeting & exhibition space to accommodate a variety of events & the picturesque riverfront setting is the perfect backdrop for a convention or trade show.
Just outside of GR in Walker MI, you will find this 5,000-seat multipurpose arena offering a wide variety of events but well known as the home of the Grand Rapids Drive, an NBA G League team.
You won’t ever be disappointed with Grand Rapids nightlife - with countless options to choose from including bars, lounges, & clubs. Plus, GR is always adding more! Here are some of the most favored locations:
Billy’s Lounge is a local hot spot in the Eastown Community. The lounge offers customers live entertainment & daily drink specials along with candle lit table service, pool tables & delicious popcorn!
GR’s most unique set-up, this spacious hunting lodge-themed hub features a patio fireplace & offers pop band performances & American grub.
Sing & dance along to some of the most popular songs from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s & today - all played live on the piano by amazingly talented musicians. Along with their dueling pianos, Mojo’s offers a full food & drink menu & a DJ with dancing on the second floor.
Known for their infamous Mulligan Stew shots, Mulligan’s Pub is #7 nationwide for PBR sales & a true hidden treasure of GR. Voted “Best Dive Bar” in REVUE Magazine’s “Best of West,” Mulligan’s is your simple go-to dive bar with reasonably priced drinks, free shows & bar food. Mulligans also has a little concert venue, where you can catch your favorite local & regional musical acts, comedy shows, & other events.
My Place is a Latin night club featuring live bands & DJ’s in front of a giant dance floor.
Known for their whiskey & handmade, stuffed burgers, this retro arcade themed pub with graffitied walls also has an array of vegan/vegetarian specialties, sure to suit anyone to come through Stella’s doors.
Classic neighborhood bar. Great service, excellent drinks, & the perfect place to kick back & meet people.
Enjoy family, friends, fun, & comfort food at Blue Dog Tavern. Blue Dog constantly circulates a wide variety of the best Michigan craft beers & other unique ciders & spirits.
Buffalo Traders Lounge provides the art of cocktail culture to the local community of Grand Rapids. They offer a wide selection of old fashioned cocktails, as well as classy modern creations & a selection of internationally crafted beers in bottle & draft that rotate seasonally.
Old-school tavern serving burgers, ribs & other comfort foods amid notorious themed decorations.
Divani features an intimate big city ambience in the heart of downtown with a knowledgeable, attentive staff & scratch kitchen featuring globally inspired Chef driven menus, hand-crafted cocktails, an extensive liquor collection, an award-winning wine list & a global beer selection featuring local draughts.
HopCat is a restaurant & craft beer bar offering a wide range of regional, global, & Belgian beers with 49 taps, a firkin (monthly tappings) & a 250-bottle list that’s one of the best in the country.
In business since 1938, Potter’s Log Cabin bar features a full bar & menu, Pong Tournaments & Keno. Every night offers something different including karaoke, EDM night, 80’s & 90’s, & live music.
A historic bar in the Amway Grand Plaza complete with fireplace, leather club chairs, a large selection of premium drinks & the menu from Ruth’s Chris Steak House making this the perfect location before or after a night on the town.
Meanwhile Bar, Inc.
Come socialize in Meanwhile Bar’s spacious beer garden, play arcade games inside surrounded by art-adorned red walls & enjoy the refreshing 13 Michigan Beers they have on tap.
Monarchs Club was founded as a Speakeasy on Grand Rapids’ westside in 1925 & reborn as a traditional Corner Bar in 2006. Open daily for lunch, happy hour & nightly entertainment.
Putt Putt’s is dedicated to those merry souls who make drinking a pleasure featuring bar games & happy hour food & drinks.
A little piece of Ireland in Grand Rapids that features live Irish music, pool & darts, perfectly poured pints, & an unbeatable selection of Irish whiskeys.
Rezervoir Lounge boasts 24 beers on tap, with a constant rotation of both local & national microbrews plus numerous seasonal favorites, bottled beer & cocktails. Great space for fun featuring pool, ping pong, darts, board games & flat screens.
With an 18-seat capacity & it’s intimate atmosphere, SideBar offers a seasonally changing menu & a wide variety of cocktails, with a creative staff ready to create a unique cocktail for each patron.
Grand Rapids’ first & only frost rail bar offering daily drink specials, cold beer & an array of house mules.
Although known for catering to the LGBTQ community, EVERYONE is welcome! The Apartment Lounge takes pride in being community rooted & providing exceptional service, offering a wide selection of craft beers & spirits.
Relaxed bar featuring DJs, live country bands & line dancing, plus an extensive list of spirits.
Premier sports bar with 100+ craft beers plus beach volleyball, 60 TVs & live entertainment, plus enjoy summer while eating with your toes in the sand under the palm trees.
Offering over 80 different canned beers with more than 40 being from favored Michigan craft breweries, a full liquor bar, & famous for their Faygo Bombs, Pudding Shots, & delicious food like flatbread pizza, nachos, wings, fried pickles, & wraps!
The most popular Country bar in the region with a vintage & modern Country & Western setting. Friday & Saturday nights feature live country music & a mechanical bull. Enjoy dancing, pool, pong, darts & Keno.
Z’s
Z’s offers weekly karaoke on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, & a kitchen that stays open late seven days a week, along with a great daily happy hour & 30 beers on tap.
First opened in Traverse City, 7 Monks Taproom Grand Rapids is a gastropub offering a rotating 51 tap craft beer bar.
This midsize casino is conveniently located right off of US-131 & offers table games & slots along with a 24/7 cafe & a full food court with chain restaurants.
Grand Rapids is home to 74 city-owned parks with over 1,600 acres of natural beauty & recreational opportunities.
Offering the largest annual migration of steelhead in the Great Lakes region, the Grand River runs right through downtown Grand Rapids. In addition to steelhead, you’ll find salmon, smallmouth bass, lake trout, catfish, bass & walleye!
Steelhead & salmon can be found in the Rogue River, which is a popular waterway for fishing brown trout & rainbow trout as well, both of which the river is stocked with annually.
The Flat River is great for catching smallmouth bass & float-type fishing & wading.
Carp, black crappie, smallmouth bass, northern pike, & bluegill can be found in the Thornapple River, an 88-mile long tributary of the Grand River.
Anglers can also make the trip over to the nearby lakeshore towns to fish Lake Michigan. Located within an hour’s drive of Grand Rapids you’ll find Holland, Grand Haven or Muskegon, all located on Lake Michigan where anglers can fish from the piers or hire a charter boat & head out to open waters.
Go ice skating in the heart of downtown, day & night. Rental skates are free with admission & the ice rink is wheelchair accessible.
The official practice facility of our Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team offers open skate hours throughout the week.
20 minutes northeast of Grand Rapids is Cannonsburg Ski Area which offers skiing, snowboarding, multiple terrain parks, fat biking, & the largest tubing facility in the state.
Bittersweet Ski Resort offers 20 vertical runs along with a terrain park & ski school for beginners.
Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl is a volunteer-run ski hill that offers affordable skiing along with ski & snowboard lessons & rental equipment, plus parents ski free with kids!
Many local county parks offer scenic cross-country trails of varying challenges with both groomed & back-country trails.
This community & specialty park sits on 18 acres with a playground, a new Michigan-themed splash pad, & an urban orchard.
This 6.5 acre park was once home to a Native American Village & today hosts many large community festivals including the July 4th fireworks & Celebration on the Grand.
Just outside the city limits you’ll find this large urban park that spans over 339 acres & has been preserved as a natural area with hiking & cross-country ski trails.
This township park features play equipment, swings, grills, a small shelter, a large grass field & a boardwalk alongside the pond.
This 80 acre, large urban park is undeveloped while also housing a community garden.
Established in the early 1900s, this specialty & community park is the site of the city’s first reservoir & features a ball diamond, a sledding hill, public restrooms & more.
Mountain bike park near downtown with a singletrack mountain bike trail, a tot track for 2-5 year olds, a bike playground, skills loop & more!
Community park with swimming pool with bath house, shower & restrooms, along with playgrounds, basketball courts & an orchard.
An open, hard-surface plaza that hosts numerous large community events & is also home to the bright red, 42 ton La Grande Vitesse or “The Calder,” a public art work.
This city park sits alongside the Grand River & features a picnic area, playground & restrooms, along with a walk/bike path for visitors.
This 55 acre park offers an array of recreational uses including an 18-hole frisbee golf course, two ball diamonds, a multi-purpose sports field, horseshoe pits, a sand volleyball court, tennis courts, playgrounds & much more. During the winter months, a large hill is used for sledding.
Small Eastown neighborhood park with playground, summertime splash-pad, basketball court, & more.
A small, neighborhood park with a picnic area & playground.
12 acre neighborhood park featuring picnic tables, shelters & restrooms, plus baseball & soccer fields.
Neighborhood park featuring playgrounds, a community picnic & events area, shuffleboard & four square courts, & a drinking fountain.
This township park features three ball diamonds, basketball courts, shuffleboard & play equipment, along with a community center & park pavilion which are both available to rent.
This county park offers an up close chance to discover the natural environment along the river valley with a network of trails along nearly 10 miles of Grand River shoreline through woods & wetlands.
This county park is barrier free & offers a year round, heated shelter along with baseball diamonds, biking, hiking/walking, picnic areas & is also an access point to the Kent Trails.
This pet friendly, county park is home to a ball diamond, tennis courts, a cricket pitch, a scenic open picnic shelter available for rent, & varying soccer fields that are used by teams throughout the region.
This 287 acre park in Lowell, MI features a covered bridge across the Flat River, an iconic shelterhouse, picturesque picnic areas & a disc golf course, along with hiking trails throughout the park.
This city park features a functional piece of artwork designed to help fish navigate the man-made rapids in the Grand River. In spring & late summer, park-goers can watch fish jump the “ladder” during their seasonal migration
Multi-use park in East Grand Rapids with playground, splash-pad, basketball courts, & a dog park.
This city park was established in 1906 & includes a playground, picnic area, restrooms & different sports courts & fields.
This city park features a playground, a picnic area & basketball courts.
This city park was established in 1873 & used to have a 9-hole golf course, but now features a view of Coldbrook Creek along with a picnic area, playgrounds, restrooms & sports fields/courts.
The only official dog park in Grand Rapids, Hillcrest Dog Park is a citizen funded city park with restrooms, a ball diamond & a soccer field.
This 12.7 acre park features a picnic area with grills, restrooms, & playground equipment along with soccer & baseball fields & access to the Kent County bike trails.
This city park features wooded wetlands with a 0.9-mile rustic plant identification trail along with several boardwalk crossings & a floating bridge. Hodenpyl Woods is a popular location for birding groups & also has restrooms & benches to accommodate visitors.
This neighborhood park features a new boardwalk, overlook deck, new playground, & improvements to the restroom facilities & concessions building. It also has three baseball fields, grills & a picnic shelter, playground equipment, & much more.
This urban park underwent an expansion project using numerous sustainable, low impact design elements including an underground stormwater treatment facility which treats 40 square acres of upland storm water, LED lights for park lighting, integration of existing playground equipment, & a water playground that reuses water to irrigate greenery in the park. Joe Taylor Park also features a picnic shelter with tables, grills & public restrooms.
Just steps away from the zoo, John Ball Park offers picnic areas, playgrounds, biking, hiking/walking, a pond, & an access point for the Kent Trails.
This lakefront park measures nearly 3 acres & features the only public access boat launch to Reeds Lake, as well as a lakeshore walk, overlook decks, benches, rain gardens, picnic tables, event space/plaza & public restrooms.
This community & special use park sits along Plaster Creek & includes a large natural area along with a paved bike & walking trail along a natural surface path.
This 87 acre underdeveloped area features natural-surfaced hiking trails exploring wooded hills & valleys.
This small riverside park holds a lot of history as home to the 125 foot Ada Covered Bridge, a Michigan Historic Site & Ada landmark crossing the Thornapple River. The current bridge stands as a replica, after fire destroyed the 1967 original.
3.2 acre park on the Thornapple River with an interactive fountain, sculptures, a fire pit, two shelters & a public restroom along with opportunities for fishing, canoeing & kayaking in the river.
Named after President Lincoln, this city park is best known for its beautiful trees & accessibility for the city’s West Siders. Lincoln Park features a picnic area & playgrounds, along with basketball & tennis courts.
53 acre urban park featuring baseball & soccer fields, tennis & basketball courts, picnic shelters & a playground.
With 43 acres, Manhattan Park is Grand Rapids’ largest city park & provides a wide array of recreational activities including volleyball, softball, & tennis along with hiking trails, a picnic area & playgrounds.
This almost 17 acre park includes a swimming pool & picnic areas, along with an orchard & many sporting opportunities including basketball, baseball & tennis.
Northeast park with ball diamond, basketball courts, sledding hill, restrooms, playground, & picnic tables.
Sitting on 1,500 acres, this county park includes a sandy swimming beach with a beach house, picnic facilities, play areas with a concession stand, and paved trails for cycling, walking, running and in-line skating.
Established in 1843, Monument Park features a memorial for the reunion of the Army of Cumberland & was the first in the country to include a built-in fountain along with the first to commemorate the role women played in the Civil War.
This Southeast Neighborhood park features an inclusive, universally accessible playground along with pathways, a picnic area, bike racks, & a refurbished basketball court.
This 300 acre park features paved & natural trails through the park’s expansive forest & wetlands along with a wooded main recreation area that is popular for picnics & events.
Established in 1923 with Native American roots,this 19 acre park is home to baseball fields, tennis courts, a picnic area & playgrounds.
This 2.4 acre neighborhood park was formerly a city parking lot & now features a playground & bike racks along with plenty of grassy area for other activities.
This pet friendly park offers beautiful wooded trails for challenging walking/running as well as an advanced trail for cross-country skiers.
Established in 1915, this 57 acre city park offers a swimming pool, playground, a sledding hill & trails for biking, hiking & cross country skiing.
This 186 acre park is the largest park in the Grand Rapids parks system & is host to many community festivals & events. Riverside Park offers bike & walking paths along the river, boat launch ramps, a playground, disc golf courses, baseball fields, & more.
Established in 1923, Roosevelt Park has a Fitness Center & playground, a splash pad, provides access to Plaster Creek, & features a mural & rain garden.
Named one of 5 Great Public Spaces in America by the American Planning Association in 2017, Rosa Parks Circle was created by internationally known artist, Maya Lin. This plaza is a popular ice-skating destination during the winter months along with an array of concerts held on summer evenings.
This city park offers access to the Historic Sixth St. Bridge & Riverwalk along with boat launches, picnic areas, public restrooms & outdoor fitness equipment.
With its sandy beach on the shore of Versluis Lake, Versluis Park offers playground areas, picnic facilities, horseshoes & volleyball, beach & swimming areas with lifeguard stations & a fishing pier, boating, & a one mile paved walking trail.
Established in 1833, this city park is the home of memorial pillars in honor of WW1, WW11, Korean War & Vietnam veterans.
This city park includes six acres of recently developed lakefront on Reeds Lake & 11 acres of undeveloped woodland & wetland along with a 425-foot floating boardwalk system, fishing decks, shade shelters, & much more.
The neighborhood park features a splash pad along with an array of sporting opportunities including basketball, baseball, tennis & soccer.
This paved trail connects several neighborhoods in Grand Rapids on both sides of the Grand River. The Butterworth Trail connects into the Kent Trails system which runs throughout Grand Rapids & the connecting communities.
This 22.5 mile trail is an integral part of the Mid-West Michigan Rail-Trail Network & links the cities of Lowell, Belding & Greenville. The Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail Trail travels primarily through dense woodlands along a former railroad corridor.
With both paved & crushed stone trails, the Fred Meijer Millennium Trail stretches through rolling hills & wetlands in Millennium Park and connects to the Kent Trails system.
This paved trail spans two counties & ends at the quaint, tree-lined Fred Meijer Park. The Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail connects two long-distance rail-trails: the Musketawa Trail, stretching 25 miles from Marne to Muskegon, & the White Pine Trail State Park, running 93 miles from Grand Rapids to Cadillac.
Extending north from Millennium Park, the Fred Meijer Standale Trail connects retail, civic & residential centers in Walker along the Grand River.
Spanning almost 93 miles, the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail connects Grand Rapids with friendly northern Lower Michigan towns including Big Rapids & ends in Cadillac. This is the state’s second longest railtrail & follows the rail bed of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad that laid the first tracks from Grand Rapids to Cedar Springs in 1867. While the trail remains ungroomed in the winter, cross-country skiing & snowmobiles are allowed, while horses are prohibited from the trail.
This city trail crosses back and forth over the river via pedestrian bridges linking many city attractions including several parks, museums, the university & the planetarium, eventually linking up with the White Pine Trail State Park.
This non-motorized, paved trail stretches 15 miles starting in Millennium Park & heading toward Byron Center along the east side of the Grand River and connecting with other trails in Ottawa County. Visitors can enjoy extensive biking, walking, and running, along with cross-country skiing in the winter.
Blandford Nature Center features 264 acres of natural land consisting of meadows, wetlands, a farm & forests, with more than 7 miles of natural trails. They offer engaging classes, festivals, & camps so that visitors can enjoy outdoor recreational activities and educational programming year-round.
37.5 acres with a boardwalk, walking trails, restrooms, a picnic area & fishing.
The Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve is a one-of-a-kind oasis in the city of Grand Rapids. The preserve’s 100+ acres of forests & wetlands offer boundless opportunities to explore as well as being home to 174 native plants & 179 different bird species.
In Ada, MI visitors can find Carl Creek Wetlands Preserve offering 34 acres of woods & wetlands along Carl Creek.
This entirely undeveloped preserve is located in Wyoming, MI & offers old growth forest & wetlands along with informal trails.
The former Highlands Golf Club is now being transformed into a premier urban natural area through a collaborative project between the Land Conservancy of West Michigan & Blandford Nature Center. In the first season alone, grass has grown high & turtles, fox, deer, muskrat & a multitude of birds & insects have moved in.
Located in Hudsonville, MI, the Hudsonville Nature Center is a 76-acre nature preserve of woodlands, prairies & wetlands offering hiking trails, lookouts, wild flowers & picnic areas.
This 24 acre urban preserve is located within the Grand Rapids city limit yet is home to a highquality prairie fen, a type of wetland that is very rare in West Michigan. Enjoy hiking on a convenient pathway through the preserve with views of Lamberton Creek & the wetlands on either side of the trail.
Pickerel Lake Park offers a scenic mix of natural areas to explore along a branching network of trails through unique wetlands, sandy woods, & rolling forest hills & valleys. The shoreline of Pickerel Lake remains undeveloped & covers nearly 80 acres. With a 900 ft boardwalk crossing a portion of the lake, Pickerel Lake Park is a great setting for fishing or wildlife observation.
Gun Lake Park is a four acre park with over 450 ft of beach on Gun Lake, a playground, a basketball court, picnic tables, grills, & a covered pavilion.
Just over 30 mins from downtown Grand Rapids you will find one of the most beautiful destinations in the state, Lake Michigan. Enjoy the sandy beaches in Holland, Muskegon or Grand Haven. With over 20 close & convenient beaches, visitors can enjoy the sun & sand or explore rolling sand dunes & wooded beachfront forests.
Sitting on 1,500 acres, this county park includes a sandy swimming beach with a beach house, picnic facilities, play areas with a concession stand, & paved trails for cycling, walking, running & in-line skating.
With its sandy beach on the shore of Versluis Lake, Versluis Park offers playground areas, picnic facilities, horseshoes & volleyball, beach and swimming areas with lifeguard stations and a fishing pier, boating, & a one mile paved walking trail.
Large scenic park in Rockford, MI nestled among rolling hills & woods with a public beach, a four-lane boat ramp, various sports facilities, shelters & picnic areas available for rent, and trails with many lake views.
Yankee Springs State Recreation Area sits on the beautiful shores of Gun Lake and features a boat launch, two beaches, a campground, & picnic areas.
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the AHL affiliate to the National Hockey League’s Detroit Red Wings and the 2013/2017 Calder Cup Champions. Home games are played at the Van Andel Arena.
An American professional basketball team of the NBA G League and is an affiliate of the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association. Home games are played at the DeltaPlex Arena.
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A Minor League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Catch a game at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park.
The GVSU Lakers compete at the NCAA Division II level & are members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Grand Valley’s varsity athletic teams have won 22 National Championships in 9 sports & National Runners-up 21 times in 10 sports.
The State Games is a biannual Olympic-style sporting event bringing athletes of all ages & abilities from across the state to Grand Rapids. Both the multi-sport Summer & Winter Games feature opening ceremonies, broad sports lineups, medal presentations & more.
Based out of Grand Rapids, the Aquinas Saints are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) & compete in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), comprised of teams from Michigan, Indiana, & Ohio. The AQ athletic department sponsors 25 varsity sports - recently adding men’s volleyball, esports & an athletic pep band. In 2018-19, the Saints athletic department finished 10th in the country in the NAIA National All-Sports Trophy standings.
Calvin has an NCAA Division III athletics program, & Calvin student-athletes rise to national recognition on a regular basis. Calvin has been in the top ten NCAA finishers more than 100 times. The famous rivalry between Calvin & nearby Hope College has been recognized as a national phenomenon in Sports Illustrated, ESPN, & The New York Times.
Hope College sponsors 22 varsity sports that compete as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) at the NCAA Division III level. The Hope College athletics program is part of the Kinesiology Department & is guided by a community of coaches, scholars & leaders who prioritize excellence & student-athlete experience.
Cornerstone is a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) & the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Featuring 18 men’s & women’s intercollegiate athletic teams that compete in 11 sports. The numerous WHAC, national & NAIA honors include three national championships & 64 conference championships.
Within 15 minutes of downtown Grand Rapids you will find multiple public golf courses & private/club courses, making Grand Rapids a top destination for golfing.
Alpine Golf Course
18 Holes • Comstock Park
Boulder Creek Golf Course
18 Holes • Belmont
Cascade Hills Country Club
18 Holes • Grand Rapids
Egypt Valley Country Club
36 Holes • Ada
Gracewil Lawns Golf Course
36 Holes • Grand Rapid
Indian Trails Golf Course
18 Holes • Grand Rapids
Ironwood Golf Course
18 Holes • Byron Center
Kaufman Golf Course
18 Holes • Wyoming
Kent Country Club
18 Holes • Grand Rapids
Mines Golf Course
18 Holes • Walker
Quail Ridge Golf Course
18 Holes • Ada
Scott Lake Golf Center
27 Holes • Comstock Park
The Pines Golf Course 18 Holes • Wyoming Golf Course at Thornapple Pointe 18 Holes • Grand Rapids
Watermark Country Club 18 Holes • Grand Rapids
Choosing the “right” school system for their children is one of the most important considerations during a relocation. Every family’s needs are different & personal. West Michigan & the Greater Grand Rapids area have a wide array of top-rated schools, with a vast selection of in-demand educational programs to meet every family & child’s unique needs.
Byron Center Public Schools
Caledonia Community Schools
Cedar Springs Public Schools
Comstock Park Public Schools
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Forest Hills Public Schools
Godfrey Lee Public Schools
Godwin Heights Public Schools
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grandville Public Schools
Kelloggsville Public Schools
Kenowa Hills Public Schools
Kent City Community Schools
Kentwood Public Schools
Lowell Area Schools
Northview Public Schools
Rockford Public Schools
Sparta Area Schools
Thornapple Kellogg Schools
Wyoming Public Schools
Ottawa ISD
Allendale Public Schools
Coopersville Area Public Schools
Grand Haven Public Schools
Hamilton Community Schools
Holland Public Schools
Hudsonville Public Schools
Jenison Public Schools
Saugatuck Public Schools
Spring Lake Public Schools West Ottawa Public Schools Zeeland Public Schools
Below, we’ve listed some of the most sought-after educational programs & where to find them in the West Michigan/Greater Grand Rapids region.
Science, Technology, Engineering, (Arts & Design) Mathematics (STEM/ STEAM). Many school systems have opted to implement STEM/ STEAM programs to allow students educational access to a potential pipeline to career-oriented majors that are likely to lead to growingin-demand jobs post-graduation.
Grand Rapids area schools that offer STEM/STEAM at all or some of their campuses/schools are: Forest Hills Public Schools, East Grand Rapids Public Schools, Black River Public Schools, Holland Christian Schools, Catholic Central High School, Jenison Public Schools, Grand Haven Public Schools, Spring Lake Public Schools, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Byron Center Public Schools, Lowell Public Schools, Grandville Public Schools, Hudsonville Public Schools, Caledonia Public Schools, & Zeeland Public Schools.
International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate (IB) is
a comprehensive & fully developed curriculum with an international focus; recognized at universities world-wide. This rigorous program is phenomenal for preparing highly motivated, self-disciplined, & committed students for the challenges of college-level courses & the exacting assessments at universities.
Grand Rapids Area & West Michigan schools that offer the International Baccalaureate program are: East Grand Rapids High School (Diploma Programme), City High/Middle School (Middle Years Programme & Diploma Programme), Great Lakes Elementary School (Primary Years Programme), & Spring Lake High School (Diploma Programme)
There is a growing demand for Language Immersion programs & Greater Grand Rapids/West Michigan is poised to meet families needs; many schools in our area offer Spanish Immersion programs, & Forest Hills Public Schools have recently added a Mandarin Chinese Immersion program.
Schools with Immersion programs in the area include: Forest Hills Public Schools, Grand Rapids PublicSouthwest Community Campus, Grandville Calvin Christian, Grand Haven Christian Schools, Holland Public Schools, Innocademy, Jenison Public Schools, Zeeland Public Schools, Rockford Public Schools, NorthPointe Christian Schools, Grand Rapids Christian Schools, & Zeeland Christian Schools.
Also referred to as year round schools, these schools often schedule shorter Summer breaks to allow for a longer break in the Fall, Winter & Spring to keep kids engaged in their educational process all year long. Many families find this more convenient to planning vacations that won’t disrupt their child’s school year. Area Balanced Calendar Schools include: Ridge Park Charter Academy, Grand Rapids Christian Elementary - Evergreen Campus, Emmons Lake Elementary, & Jenison International Academy.
Experience-based schools integrate hands-on experience with education in core subjects & additional education in specific areas-of-interest. Here are some of the Grand Rapids area Experience-Based School options: Ambassador High, Academy of Business, Leadership & Entrepreneurship, Academy of Design & Construction, Academy of Modern Engineering, Academy of Health, Sciences & Technology, Blandford, C.A. Frost Environmental Science Academy, Center for Economicology @ City, City High Middle, Coit Creative Arts Academy, Grand Rapids Christian Elementary School- Evergreen Program, Grand Rapids, Montessori
Schools, Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, Grand Rapids Public Museum School, John Ball Zoo School, Goodwillie Environmental School, Kent Innovation High, West Michigan Aviation Academy, University Prep Academy, North Park Montessori, Rockford Christian Middle School- Environmental Program, Ridgemoor Park Montessori, Stepping Stones Montessori School, Big Picture Learning at NorthPointe Christian Schools, Ambassador High, & West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science.
Charter schools are operated using taxpayer dollars and are held to the same standards as other public schools, but operate independently & often require a higher level of parental involvement. Many charter schools are theme based & have waiting lists. Some of the Grand Rapids’ area charter schools are: iCademy Global, NexTech High School, New Branches Charter Academy, Byron Center Charter School, William C. Abney Academy, Black River Public, West Michigan Academy of Arts & Academics, Chandler Woods Charter Academy, Wellspring Preparatory HIgh School, Creative Technologies Academy, Walker Charter Academy, Cross Creek Charter Academy, Eagle
Crest Charter Academy, Vista Charter Academy, Excel Charter Academy, Flat River Academy, Vanguard Charter Academy, Vanderbilt Charter Academy, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center, Grand River Prep High School, River City Scholars, Ridge Park Charter Academy, Knapp Charter Academy, Hope Academy of West Michigan, & Innocademy.
Greater Grand Rapids is also home to a variety of private schools, both religious & secular. To learn more about the area’s private schools, check out this terrific online resource: https://grkids.com/west-michiganprivate-public-charter-religiousschools/#grpublicschools
Many families are opting for online schooling for their children; online schools can be publicly or privately funded, which means that some may be free while others may require tuition. Here are some Grand Rapids area online school resources: Clonlara School, K12, Michigan Connections Academy, Michigan Virtual Charter Academy, Michigan Virtual Schools, Virtual Learning Academy of St. Claire County, & Westwood Cyber High School.
Grand Rapids is proud to offer students a multitude of higher learning institutions including state universities, private colleges, Christian colleges, and a nationally top-rated community college.
Home to over 25,000 students enrolled in traditional liberal arts and occupational courses, adult education courses, and skilled training courses and apprenticeships. GRCC is also home to the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, which offers two-year programs in Culinary Arts or Culinary Management.
The reputable GVSU is a 4 year public university, serving nearly 25,000 students every year and offering 132 degrees. Grand Valley most recently climbed the list of American’s 100 largest universities. GVSU is known for its prominent business school, and exceptional community which allows students to remain a “Laker for a lifetime.”
The largest law school in the country, Cooley Law School was founded in 1972 & is located at 3 different locations throughout
West Michigan. Cooley grants Juris Doctor degrees and also enables students to pursue a graduate or joint degree. The program offers both full-time and part-time programs designed for working adults. WMU-Cooley’s Grand Rapids campus maintains strong ties with the local community, creating diverse volunteer and legal service opportunities with the courts, law firms, prosecutor and public-defender offices, other government agencies, and many nonprofit organizations.
Medical Students enrolled in the MSU College of Human Medicine receive high-caliber training in clinical settings, that closely compares to the environment in which many physicians work. The education you receive through MSU is unmatched as part of a Big Ten research university.
Apart from its main Kalamazoo location, Western Michigan University also holds two alternate locations in Grand Rapids which were constructed specifically for working adults proceeding with their education and expertise on a part-time schedule. WMUGrand Rapids offers over 20+ graduate degree programs and classes are scheduled primarily in the evenings or weekends.
Located right downtown, KCAD offers degrees in 17 areas of study with emphasis on art education, design, and illustration. This fine art institution awards an impressive education, and numerous programs led by faculty members who are regionally and nationally known artists. Facilities include well-resourced studios, classrooms, labs, workshops, and exhibition spaces.
Although Ferris State University is known for its location in Big Rapids, Michigan, they also offer 19 off-campus sites throughout Michigan, including Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids location offers many programs including Bachelor’s degrees, Associate degrees, Master’s Degrees, certificates and online programs. Students have the ability to transfer up to 90 credit hours directly to a Ferris degree, or take advantage of the special partnership with Grand Rapids Community College to finish their degree quickly and affordably.
Aquinas College is an inclusive educational community rooted in the Catholic and Dominican tradition. Aquinas provides a liberal arts education with a global perspective, emphasizing career preparation focused on leadership and service to others. At Aquinas, students receive an excellent liberal arts education, advancing their student leadership and service skills. While students receive career preparation in specific disciplines, the goal is to be fit for everything, preparing you for an ever changing world.
The highly renowned Calvin Universitys is a private Christian liberal arts university and is ranked 31 in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report. Calvin offers as christ-centered, admirable education equipping students to enter into the workforce with the mindset to live a life as a compassionate and just servant of Christ.
The acclaimed Central Michigan University began its long history of exceptional education in 1892 in Mount Pleasant. Degrees from CMU are now conveniently available through both its off-campus location in Grand Rapids and its online programs unit designed for working adults. Courses are offered in condensed terms with face-toface, online, or hybrid formats available.
Davenport University offers one of the largest MBA programs in Michigan as well as more than 30 Bachelor degrees, all right here in Grand Rapids. Davenport University is a private, non-profit institution and one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the state of Michigan. DU offers over 60 masters and serves more than 7,000 traditional and adult students in Michigan and online.
Kuyper College is a leading
Ministry-Focused Christian Leadership College, educating and training Christian leaders for service through the integration of high-quality academic curriculum and a biblical, Reformed worldview.
An emphasis on the integration of biblical truth and ministry experience, Grace Christian University is well known for being a true character transformation. Each degree program at Grace Christian University consists of three major components: general education courses, biblical and theological studies, and a vocational major.
Cornerstone University provides students with a highly regarded education in an environment where Jesus Christ is central.
CU offers over 100 different undergraduate, graduate, seminary, online and adult learning degrees and programs. According to U.S. News & World Report, Cornerstone ranks as a Best Value School.
As one of the country’s growing centers of healthcare & research, West Michigan continues to invest wholeheartedly in its ability to offer residents the highest levels of medical care. Grand Rapids’ healthcare facilities deliver award-winning expertise in a vast array of medical specialties. Residents take comfort in knowing they are surrounded with the area’s top medical professionals & facilities.
The Van Andel Institute ignited a multi-billion dollar investment in an area just northwest of downtown; since its start in 1996, this section of Michigan Street is now known as Medical Mile & is packed with clinical, research & academic institutions that continue to attract top medical professionals from around the world. Investments to this area continue to this day, with new buildings currently under construction at the Michigan State University Medical Innovation Campus. In addition to making Grand Rapids a healthcare destination, the Mile has galvanized a surge in new residential & retail developments.
Spectrum Health is an integrated health system, with an award-winning health plan, teams of nationally recognized doctors and providers, and a network of hospitals & care facilities in Southwest & West Michigan.
By working together, Spectrum creates better value & experiences for consumers. The result is a seamless, highly collaborative system of care that offers the best possible outcomes. It’s what they call integrated care, and you’ll find no better way to get healthy & stay healthy.
Spectrum is committed to offering a unique solution tailored for you. They consider physical & emotional needs, extending essential financial education and assistance when necessary.
While no reward compares to helping you achieve better health, Spectrum Health is proud of the national recognition for their efforts. Year over year, Spectrum receives awards for quality, safety & patient experience. Doctors, caregivers & every single employee work tirelessly every day to earn it.
The Wyoming VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic offers primary medical & mental health services. Once eligibility has been determined, each patient enrolling for care at the Wyoming VA CBOC is assigned to a primary care provider & team, who provides continuous & coordinated care. Additional services are available at the Wyoming VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic upon referral from the primary care team including dental, pain management, physical therapy, primary care, & much more.
Mercy Health is a non-profit health care system serving Grand Rapids, Muskegon, the Lakeshore & the surrounding communities. They provide compassionate care, award-winning expertise, & the latest technology, all in an inclusive, Catholic, faithbased setting that honors the sacredness & dignity of every person. Mercy Health is part of Trinity Health, the nation’s second-largest Catholic Health System. The Mercy Health system includes 5 hospital campuses, 60+ physician offices, 1,300+ medical staff physicians, 800+ hospital beds, & 7,200+ colleagues. Mercy Health Physician Partners, a multi-specialty physician network, employs more than 500 physicians & advanced practice professionals in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland & the Lakeshore area.
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital has pediatric specialist after specialist working hard to keep kids healthy. They are here to help whether your baby, child or teenager has a simple injury or a serious illness. The child & family-focused medical care includes inpatient care in Grand Rapids & outpatient care in clinics throughout Michigan. For 25 years & counting, the expert doctors, nurses, technicians & child life specialists have been committed to providing high-quality, safe health care that’s all kids, all the time.
At Mary Free Bed, you’ll be cared for by a team of seasoned experts. The board-certified physicians, nurses & therapists are specially trained in rehabilitation for adults & children with amputations, brain injuries, cancer, spinal cord injuries & strokes. Mary Free Bed is the fifth-largest rehabilitation hospital in the nation & the fourth-largest rehabilitation system in the world, offering a full range of resources for a short course of treatment or a lifetime of care. They provide acute & sub-acute inpatient rehabilitation, comprehensive outpatient services & home care, plus specialized programs such as assistive technology & driver’s rehabilitation. They have been restoring hope & freedom to patients for more than 125 years.
University of Michigan Health-West is a nonprofit multispecialty medical provider that is relentlessly advancing health to serve West Michigan as part of the state’s top-ranked health system. Founded in Grand Rapids in 1942 by a group of steopathic doctors, our organization today serves more than 250,000 patients annually at 30 locations across four counties, including a 208-bed teaching hospital in Wyoming, Michigan. More than 61,000 emergency patients are treated each year at the hospital, a Verified Level II Trauma Center, certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and accredited Chest Pain Center. Our physician-led medical group, University of Michigan Health Partners, drives excellence and convenient access to primary and specialty care, including the expertise of University of Michigan Health, consistently ranked among the nation’s top academic medical centers.
