After a decade of life in various places—schooling, football, the military, and work—Tommy has made his way back to his roots in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tommy was born and raised in Grand Rapids, and after ten years away, the return was made possible when his wife matched to a medical residency program in the city. [...]
Cafes and Coffee Shops in West Michigan One of my favorite activities is finding a new coffee shop every week and savoring a delicious cup of joe. West Michigan has a wide variety of local roasters and coffee shops to enjoy! Whether you are looking to have a relaxing experience, coffee catchup with a friend, [...]
St. Patrick’s Day Activities 2025 You are in luck if you are celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in West Michigan! As March 17 approaches, there are plenty of things to do to celebrate—just remember to wear green! If you and your lads are still deciding how to spend the holiday, here are a few options: Paddy's [...]
Fall is here. As I add an extra layer of clothing to my outfit, walk to a local coffee shop for a pumpkin spice latte, and spend a portion of my weekend watching football with friends, I am reminded of how cozy this season feels. Now is the time to embrace this cozy feeling and [...]
This is Part 2 of Rachel's Winter Series. To read Part 1, click here. In my job, I often get asked what I like to do on the weekends. For me, the answer depends on the season. During the summer I love to go to the beach and visit farmers markets. In the winter, I’m [...]
If a new job is on your to-do list for 2024, Thanksgiving is the time to start on that resolution. If you’re coming to Michigan for the holiday, it’s a great time to explore what relocation could look like for you. Attend ReThink West Michigan on Thanksgiving Eve to connect with regional employers. In this [...]
If you are pondering whether you should move back to West Michigan, know that there are great benefits to living in this region. We are here to tell you why you should make the move. West Michigan has the perfect work-life balance for employees to have a professional and personal life. The region holds excellent [...]
One of my favorite ways to spend a summer day in West Michigan is at Silver Lake State Park. There are plenty of things to do there with friends and family like dune rides, exploring lighthouses, and visiting farm markets. Silver Lake is home to three miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline and nearly [...]
Did you know that West Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation behind California? In fact, Michigan is one of the top-producing states in growing blueberries. More than 50% of all Michigan blueberries are shipped at fresh markets, but July and August are the perfect time to enjoy a West Michigan [...]
Get active with your community in West Michigan! Plenty of volunteer options exist for you and your friends and family to participate in. Learn about more volunteer opportunities you can be a part of in West Michigan. One volunteer event that is happening right now until November is myTEAM TRIUMPH. This is an athletic ride-along [...]
West Michigan has a thriving coffee culture with a wide variety of local roasters and coffee shops! Whether you are looking to have a relaxing experience, or just need a quick pick me up there’s no shortage of options here! Ferris Co. & Nut is one of the oldest operating businesses in Grand Rapids. With [...]
As a student who is studying at Grand Valley State University and is from the East side of the state, I am not familiar with the Grand Rapids area. Thanks to our Executive Director Rachel Gray who took me along on a Grand Rapids walking tour, I have learned many facts about Grand Rapids, and [...]
Spend your Mother’s Day in West Michigan! With the holiday approaching, it’s time to start thinking about how we can show appreciation to the amazing moms, or motherly figures, in our lives. In West Michigan there is something for every mom, whether she’s into high fashion, trendy, outdoorsy, artsy, or easy-going. If your mom [...]
In honor of Earth Day, let’s take a moment and appreciate West Michigan’s natural beauty because it surrounds us daily. Whether we choose to enjoy the landscapes, the beaches, or the wildlife of West Michigan we are grateful to have this day to celebrate the nature of our home! To celebrate, we’ve put together a [...]
Did you know Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state? Why do we need so many? Because we have more freshwater coastline than any other state. There are over 100 lighthouses in Michigan. Walk the pier with friends, watch the sunset, climb to the top, and learn the unique history of each lighthouse to [...]
It’s that time of the year again…The sun is coming out and the temperature is rising as we welcome the spring season! As we are blooming into the season, we created a list of outdoor activities for you so that you can get a head start on enjoying the sunshine. Spending a day outdoors during [...]
You are in luck if you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in West Michigan! As St. Patrick’s Day approaches there are plenty of things to do to celebrate! For me St. Patrick’s Day is usually spent wearing my favorite green outfit, spending time with friends or family, and enjoying an Irish dinner at a local [...]
Love is in the air for this Valentine’s weekend in West Michigan. Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend, spending time with family, or want to treat yourself. West Michigan has the perfect Valentine’s traditions for you. The Valentine’s Dash: Are you ready to be active? This festive race is a perfect way to [...]
While summer may be coming to a close, it doesn’t mean the end of sunny days best spent outside! One summer activity that can carry into the fall is outdoor dining. Some may even find September temperatures to be more favorable for eating in the open air than the July and August heat! From rooftop [...]
If you’re currently an intern and making the transition to a full-time job, you might feel lost or underprepared. As an intern, you’re following instructions provided by your supervisor; however, in a full-time position, you may not necessarily be relying on someone else—the workload falls on you. As an intern, you often don’t know what [...]
March is Women’s History Month, and it’s important to take this time to celebrate all the accomplishments women have contributed to society! Women in history have sacrificed a significant amount to fight for the rights we’re lucky to have today. This month, we honor and celebrate their bravery, sacrifices, and determination for equality. The Greater [...]
As the end of February nears, we reminisce about the sweet treats that filled our month of love. With Valentine’s Day in the middle of the month, we spend the remainder of our February snacking on our leftover chocolates and treats—or even buying discounted candies on February 15th. Regardless of how you spent your Valentine’s [...]
If you’re currently a Michigander, you know what to expect for a typical Michigan Winter—freezing temperatures, snow past your boots, and icy roads. If you’re new to Michigan or considering relocating to the Westside, you’ll inevitably learn what a lake-effect winter is. Regardless of your Michigan-winter-experience, there's always forgetfulness at the beginning of the season [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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