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: 

  1. The ability to experience all four seasons  
  2. The liveliness of Downtown Grand Rapids 
  3. The beach being a quick drive away  
  4. All 13 counties that make up West Michigan 
  5. Beer City USA—and all the craft beer that comes with it 
  6. Old Mill Brewpub in Allegan  
  7. The Toasted Pickle’s Green Goddess sandwich in Grand Haven 
  8. Purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at The Muskegon Farmer’s Market  
  9. Downtown Hastings in Barry County 
  10. Learning more about Grand Rapids at the Grand Rapids Public Museum 
  11. Picnics at Kirk Park in Ottawa County 
  12. The history of Gerald R. Ford’s hometown 
  13. Watching the West Michigan Whitecaps hit a homerun
  14. Looking at the old-timey cars the Gilmore Car Museum 
  15. Weekend dinners and late nights at the BOB 
  16. Hiking at Rosy Mound Park in Grand Haven 
  17. ArtPrize! The biggest art prize in the world 
  18. ReThink West Michigan 😉 
  19. $2 hot dogs at the Grand Rapids Griffins games 
  20. Newaygo’s Fall Color Tour 
  21. Terra Bagels in East GR—the closest thing to a New York bagel I’ve found! 
  22. Appreciating art during ‘free Tuesdays’ at the Grand Rapids Art Museum 
  23. Wednesday nights at New Holland – The Knickerbocker 
  24. Admiring scenic views while walking along one of West Michigan’s 40 trails (130 miles!!) 
  25. Sunset walks down the Grand Haven State Park Pier 
  26. Thursday night street performers in Holland 
  27. The Dragon Trail in Newaygo  
  28. Broadway in Grand Rapids 
  29. The Grand Rapids ballet—the only professional ballet in the state  
  30. Hearing both symphonies, Grand Rapids and Muskegon, play 
  31. The Kerstmarkt in Holland  
  32. Tulip Time in Holland in the spring  
  33. Wine tastings in Saugatuck  
  34. The Red Flannel Festival in Cedar Springs 
  35. The Riverbank Run—the largest 25k in the nation 
  36. Concerts at GLC Live at 20 Monroe  
  37. Breakaway music festival in Belknap Park 
  38. Swimming and riding rollercoasters at Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon 
  39. Luging at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
  40. Tubing and skiing at Canonsburg  
  41. Checking out winter ice formations at the beach 
  42. Pronto Pup season in Grand Haven  
  43. Honoring different cultures at ethnic heritage festivals 
  44. Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Rosa Parks Circle 
  45. The “Butterflies are Blooming” exhibit at Frederick Meijer Gardens  
  46. The summer concerts series at Frederick Meijer Gardens 
  47. Christmas trees around the world at Frederick Meijer Gardens in the winter 
  48. Starting every morning with a Bigby Coffee  
  49. Tubing down the Muskegon River in Newaygo 
  50. Strolling down the Blue Bridge in Grand Rapids 
  51. Travelling by ferry from Muskegon or Ludington 
  52. Riding the carousel at the Grand Rapids Public Museum 
  53. Camping in one of the 110 campsites in West Michigan 
  54. Riding a dune buggie in Silverlake 
  55. Marge’s Donuts 
  56. Eating an omelette and hashbrowns at Leo’s 
  57. Day trips to other Michigan cities a close drive away from West Michigan 
  58. The Civic Theatre—one of the largest in the nation! 
  59. The Allegan County Fair 
  60. The Ionia Free Fair  
  61. Wind surfing in Lake Michigan 
  62. The largest musical fountain in the world is right in Grand Haven  
  63. The Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington 
  64. Smiling back at the meerkats at John Ball Zoo 
  65. Laughing ‘til our cheeks hurt at LaughFest  
  66. Project Night Lights at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital 
  67. Newaygo’s Logging Fest 
  68. Picking apples at Robinette’s Apple Orchard and Winery 
  69. Enjoying cinnamon sugar pumpkin donuts and cider at Post Family Farm 
  70. The Start of Summer Celebration in Rockford 
  71. Testing all the entries at the Grandwich Competition  
  72. Discovering local history museums around the region  
  73. Watching the planes takeoff at the Gerald R. Ford Airport Lookout 
  74. Kayaking at Millenium Park 
  75. Watching the sunset at Lookout Park in Downtown Grand Rapids  
  76. Viewing Alexander Calder’s sculptures and artwork around the city  
  77. Trying to get the whole DaVinci Horse in a photo at Frederick Meijer Gardens 
  78. Lighthouse tours across the region  
  79. Trying foods from different cultures at ROAM  
  80. Watching an outdoor movie in Studio Park  
  81. …while eating Pump House treats 
  82. Taking your kid’s picture with the sculpture of John Ball  
  83. Tacos from Condado 
  84. Chopping down your Christmas tree  
  85. Enjoying ice cream from Jersey Junction while walking around Reed’s Lake 
  86. The Getty’s Drive-In Movie in Muskegon  
  87. Watching a slam dunk at the Grand Rapids Gold game 
  88. Tree tours at Aquinas College  
  89. Watching all the local college and university sports games  
  90. Open ice-skating hours at Griff’s Ice House 
  91. The many options to live somewhere rural, suburban, and urban  
  92. The many volunteering options as the top ranking region in philanthropy  
  93. Sailing at Holland State Park  
  94. Blueberry picking in West Olive 
  95. Picking out my favorite records at Vertigo Music  
  96. Going shopping at Rivertown Mall 
  97. Going out for brunch at Morning Belle 
  98. Happy hour at On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina 
  99. Taking Christmas photos downtown Grand Rapids 
  100. 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!