We’re celebrating our 100th Candidate Newsletter at Hello West Michigan! To celebrate two years of sending out our candidate newsletter, our team worked together to share 100 reasons to love West Michigan.
Hello West Michigan Loves:
- The ability to experience all four seasons
- The liveliness of Downtown Grand Rapids
- The beach being a quick drive away
- All 13 counties that make up West Michigan
- Beer City USA—and all the craft beer that comes with it
- Old Mill Brewpub in Allegan
- The Toasted Pickle’s Green Goddess sandwich in Grand Haven
- Purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at The Muskegon Farmer’s Market
- Downtown Hastings in Barry County
- Learning more about Grand Rapids at the Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Picnics at Kirk Park in Ottawa County
- The history of Gerald R. Ford’s hometown
- Watching the West Michigan Whitecaps hit a homerun
- Looking at the old-timey cars the Gilmore Car Museum
- Weekend dinners and late nights at the BOB
- Hiking at Rosy Mound Park in Grand Haven
- ArtPrize! The biggest art prize in the world
- ReThink West Michigan 😉
- $2 hot dogs at the Grand Rapids Griffins games
- Newaygo’s Fall Color Tour
- Terra Bagels in East GR—the closest thing to a New York bagel I’ve found!
- Appreciating art during ‘free Tuesdays’ at the Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Wednesday nights at New Holland – The Knickerbocker
- Admiring scenic views while walking along one of West Michigan’s 40 trails (130 miles!!)
- Sunset walks down the Grand Haven State Park Pier
- Thursday night street performers in Holland
- The Dragon Trail in Newaygo
- Broadway in Grand Rapids
- The Grand Rapids ballet—the only professional ballet in the state
- Hearing both symphonies, Grand Rapids and Muskegon, play
- The Kerstmarkt in Holland
- Tulip Time in Holland in the spring
- Wine tastings in Saugatuck
- The Red Flannel Festival in Cedar Springs
- The Riverbank Run—the largest 25k in the nation
- Concerts at GLC Live at 20 Monroe
- Breakaway music festival in Belknap Park
- Swimming and riding rollercoasters at Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon
- Luging at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
- Tubing and skiing at Canonsburg
- Checking out winter ice formations at the beach
- Pronto Pup season in Grand Haven
- Honoring different cultures at ethnic heritage festivals
- Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Rosa Parks Circle
- The “Butterflies are Blooming” exhibit at Frederick Meijer Gardens
- The summer concerts series at Frederick Meijer Gardens
- Christmas trees around the world at Frederick Meijer Gardens in the winter
- Starting every morning with a Bigby Coffee
- Tubing down the Muskegon River in Newaygo
- Strolling down the Blue Bridge in Grand Rapids
- Travelling by ferry from Muskegon or Ludington
- Riding the carousel at the Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Camping in one of the 110 campsites in West Michigan
- Riding a dune buggie in Silverlake
- Marge’s Donuts
- Eating an omelette and hashbrowns at Leo’s
- Day trips to other Michigan cities a close drive away from West Michigan
- The Civic Theatre—one of the largest in the nation!
- The Allegan County Fair
- The Ionia Free Fair
- Wind surfing in Lake Michigan
- The largest musical fountain in the world is right in Grand Haven
- The Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington
- Smiling back at the meerkats at John Ball Zoo
- Laughing ‘til our cheeks hurt at LaughFest
- Project Night Lights at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
- Newaygo’s Logging Fest
- Picking apples at Robinette’s Apple Orchard and Winery
- Enjoying cinnamon sugar pumpkin donuts and cider at Post Family Farm
- The Start of Summer Celebration in Rockford
- Testing all the entries at the Grandwich Competition
- Discovering local history museums around the region
- Watching the planes takeoff at the Gerald R. Ford Airport Lookout
- Kayaking at Millenium Park
- Watching the sunset at Lookout Park in Downtown Grand Rapids
- Viewing Alexander Calder’s sculptures and artwork around the city
- Trying to get the whole DaVinci Horse in a photo at Frederick Meijer Gardens
- Lighthouse tours across the region
- Trying foods from different cultures at ROAM
- Watching an outdoor movie in Studio Park
- …while eating Pump House treats
- Taking your kid’s picture with the sculpture of John Ball
- Tacos from Condado
- Chopping down your Christmas tree
- Enjoying ice cream from Jersey Junction while walking around Reed’s Lake
- The Getty’s Drive-In Movie in Muskegon
- Watching a slam dunk at the Grand Rapids Gold game
- Tree tours at Aquinas College
- Watching all the local college and university sports games
- Open ice-skating hours at Griff’s Ice House
- The many options to live somewhere rural, suburban, and urban
- The many volunteering options as the top ranking region in philanthropy
- Sailing at Holland State Park
- Blueberry picking in West Olive
- Picking out my favorite records at Vertigo Music
- Going shopping at Rivertown Mall
- Going out for brunch at Morning Belle
- Happy hour at On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
- Taking Christmas photos downtown Grand Rapids
- Getting warm donuts from Bro’s doughs
We hope this list of our West Michigan favorites inspires you to go out and try some of these fun activities and events!