Happy New Year! Just like that, another year has gone by, and we are welcoming 2022 with open arms. It wouldn’t be a true new year without a list of resolutions to accomplish throughout the year. Resolutions can be fun to accomplish, especially if you share them with other people.  

If you don’t have your own resolutions this year, no worries. We decided to create our own West Michigan New Year’s Resolutions list! To get you exploring West Michigan, we challenge you to “be a tourist in your own city,” and pick a couple of these resolutions to tackle this year. To take it one step further, our team members have each picked a new place to visit in West Michigan and we will be sharing our experience with everyone once we accomplish our personal resolutions!  

West Michigan Resolutions… 
 

For the foodie:  

Check out some of these highly rated West Michigan favorites:  

  • San Chez A Tapas Bistro – Mediterranean and Spanish tapas in Grand Rapids. 
  • DeBoer Bakkerij – A family-owned Dutch bakery and restaurant that serves authentic breakfast, lunch, and pastries in Holland. 
  • ROAM – Global cuisine inspired by international street foods—but elevated in Grand Rapids.  
  • 18th Amendment Spirits Co. – This historic building was turned into a craft distillery and features craft cocktails and custom drinks in Muskegon.  
  • House of Flavors – The perfect spot for anyone with a sweet tooth with dozens of Michigan’s best ice cream flavors in Ludington.  
  • Bowdie’s Chophouse – Chicago-style fine dining featuring craft cocktails in 3 locations across West Michigan in Saugatuck. 
  • The Paisley Pig – Fresh, local food with specials inspired by West Michigan cuisine in Grand Haven. 
  • Jamesport Brewing Company – “Best Beer in Port” with a 3-barrel brew house featuring American cuisine in Ludington.  
  • Hit the Road Joe – Quaint café with fresh ingredients daily for breakfast and lunch in Newaygo.  
  • Mugshots Coffeehouse – a favorite destination for a cup of coffee, tea, and a quick bite to eat in Allegan.  

 

For the arts, culture, and history lover:  

  • The Grand Rapids Art Museum – See collections and revolving exhibits from various art genres ranging from Renaissance to modern era. **Tuesdays are free! 
  • Grand Rapids Public Museum – Learn about the history of the city, state, and walk through the streets of Old Grand Rapids.  
  • Lakeshore Museum Center – Explore 400 million years of Michigan history, historic structures, and artifacts throughout permanent exhibits. **Main museum is free for Muskegon residents! 
  • Michigan History Museum – Browse through five levels of permanent and changing exhibits that highlights Michigan’s history through rotating and permanent exhibits—some exhibits are even interactive!  
  • Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives – Learn about Grand Rapids’ African American culture or join the Grand Rapids’ Civil Rights 2-mile walking tour.  

For the outdoor enthusiast: 

  • Rosy Mound Natural Area – Go for a hike on this 0.7-mile (one-way) Great Lakes dune system trail! The hike includes high-wooded dunes, open dunes, and access to the beach! 
  • Cannonsburg Ski Area – If you’re not a skier, no problem! In the winter, you can go tubing and winter biking in addition to skiing. In the summer, there’s also ziplining and trails to walk.  
  • Holland State Park – Visit this state park for many different outdoor activities such as relaxing beach days, sailing, fishing, paddleboarding, and camping! 
  • Muskegon Luge Adventure Sportspark – In the winter, you can visit this sports park to ski, luge, snowshoe, and ice-skate. In the summer, there is archery, ziplining, a summer wheel luge track, and a trail quest where you can solve puzzles and clues while walking along the 300-acre trails of Muskegon State Park! 
  • The Dragon Trail – You can mountain-bike, hike, run, camp, or take a stroll on over 20 miles of open trails. 
  • Michigan’s Adventure – If you like an adrenaline rush with your outdoor activities, visit Michigan’s largest outdoor waterpark! The park has 7 different rollercoasters and other rides in addition to the waterslide attractions. 

 

For the music lover:  

No matter what type of music you love, Grand Rapids has various venues to attend concerts and local live shows! Here are a few: 

  • Van Andel Arena – In the nation’s top 10 mid-sized arena and largest venue for live music in West Michigan. 
  • GLC Live at 20 Monroe – a two-level venue with general admission standing room and mezzanine seats.  
  • The Intersection – a smaller live music venue with four different stages.  
  • Turnstiles – a bar/restaurant that showcases various local musical talents. 
  • DeVos Performance Hall – Performing arts facility that features the GR Symphony, Ballet, Opera, and Broadway Theatre Guild.   

Although Grand Rapids has all the biggest venues and stages for performances, there are festivals and performances all around West Michigan throughout the year! Follow our social media to see our posts about local festivals occurring around the region.  

 

For the sports fanatic:  

West Michigan has multiple minor league sports teams to root for, such as:  

 

Now that we’ve covered a general West Michigan resolution list, here’s our team’s personal New Year’s West Michigan Resolutions! Executive Director, Rachel Gray, is a winter outdoor recreation enthusiast, but has never luged! Her resolution is to visit the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sportspark and try it out. Program Manager, Jessica Kuster, is going to take advantage of the free community fitness around town by trying out Yoga on the Blue Bridge as her resolution. Human Resources Intern, Samilla Asante is from Ghana and doesn’t get to experience snow! For her resolution, she wants to go sledding or tubing to experience a true, snowy winter activity. For my resolution (Maria Pappas, Marketing & Web Intern), I want to visit a few different art museums! I’m a big fan of the arts and have yet to go to an art museum in West Michigan.  

Keep up with us on social media as we share photos of us accomplishing our resolutions throughout the year!