Explore West Michigan

Grand Rapids is home to nearly 200,000 people. Grand Rapids was voted as Beer City USA according to USA Today. It is also known for its strong growth in recent years. Many industries have a strong presence in the area including high quality healthcare, furniture production, food distribution, technology and many more.  Grand Rapids has over 15 colleges and universities represented, providing many qualified workers to companies through West Michigan. Since 2009, it has also hosted Art Prize, bringing in hundreds of artistic pieces spread throughout the city for the public to see and enjoy. Grand Rapids also has several venues which hosts concerts, sporting events and other entertainment options.

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For information about what to do and fun facts, click here.

Muskegon is home to 26 miles of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, three state parks and seven county parks. Summer and Fall camping are common outdoor activities in Muskegon.  Take a day trip and check out the many biking, hiking and skiing trails throughout Muskegon or a trip on the Ferry going from Muskegon to Milwaukee.  They are also known for their art and music festivals throughout the summer. Looking for a little more excitement?  Check out Michigan Adventures, the largest Amusement park in Michigan.  Michigan Adventures contains both a water park and thriller rides.  Muskegon has a population of over 37,000 residence.  Muskegon's economy runs on tourism, agribusiness, and entrepreneurs.

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For information about things to do in Muskegon, click here.

Grand Haven is a big tourist town in West Michigan. Grand Haven is home to just over 10,000 residence. Come summer time, you will see the streets filled with visitors coming to enjoy many great things Grand Haven has to offer.  From miles of beaches, to over 100 miles of hiking, biking and skiing trails, there is always something to do in Grand Haven. Many guests stop by to visit the pier and lighthouse, which sits at Grand Haven State Park. Grand Haven draws many people in from all over the state, and even Midwest with their events, such as the Coast Guard Festival and the Fourth of July show. Before you leave, don't forget to stop by and get your very own Pronto Pup, a key staple in Grand Haven. Their economy thrives as a result of their tourism and manufacturing industries.

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For more information about Grand Haven, click here.

Holland started out as a Dutch settlement in 1847.  To this day, they celebrate their heritage with the Tulip Time Festival, honoring many different elements of their Dutch culture, from music and dances, a parade, and importing thousands of tulips directly from the Netherlands.  While their roots are still vibrant, Holland has also grown to become a very popular place due to its beautiful lakeshore, beaches, hiking trails, and state and local parks. Looking for more to do? Enjoy the views of the Lighthouse from Holland State Park or visit Windmill Island. Holland also has a number of growing businesses in a number of different industries such as health, education, engineering, and hospitality.  Holland has over 30,000 residents who call it home.

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For more information about Holland, click here.

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Kentwood is a suburb of Grand Rapids.  It has a population of over 50,000 people.  Kentwood has 15 different parks, eight of which contain picnic areas.  Along with the parks, Kentwood has 2 walking trails spanning 13 miles.  Kentwood is filled with shopping and restaurants. There are two malls containing combined over 150 stores, ranging from department stores, technology stores, home goods stores, clothing stores and much more.  Kentwood also has great entertainment opportunities such as escape rooms, a movie theatre, a trampoline park and an annual car show that runs along 28th Street.  It is also home to the Gerald R Ford International Airport, which is the 2nd largest airport in Michigan.

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For more information about Kentwood, click here.

Wyoming is the largest community in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, with a population of over 75,000 residents.  Wyoming has 21 parks which offer a variety of options such as sports complexes, playgrounds, fishing piers, picnic areas, and splash pads.  In addition to parks, you can also visit Craig's Cruisers, an entertainment venue with activities such as putt-putt golf, an arcade, and go-karts.  Wyoming is home to Grace Christian University.  Their economy is driven by food service, healthcare, and manufacturing.  Wyoming partners with Kentwood, to put on the 28th Street Metro Cruise, which runs 15 miles from Grandville to Cascade Township.  This event attracts many people from all over the area.

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For more information about Wyoming, click here.

Rockford is small Michigan city known for its beautiful downtown filled with waterfalls, stores, and restaurants.  Garden Club Park sits in the middle of downtown adjacent to the Rogue river. It is often used for a number of events, such as Rogue River Blues night during the summer. Other events like the Beginning of Summer Celebration and Mitchell's 5k Run also occur downtown Rockford. The Rogue River and the dam provides a number of recreational activities including kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Rockford is also known for its walking, hiking and mountain biking trails.  Rockford is a city of just over 6,000 people.  Rockford's top industries are manufacturing and healthcare.

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For additional information on Rockford, click here.

Ada is a village just east of Grand Rapids.  Ada is made up of 37 square miles and has more than 14,000 residents.  There are two major rivers that run around downtown Ada.  The Thornapple River feeds into the Grand River on the edge downtown.  Ada has three golf courses, multiple local restaurants in the area, and has 43 trails spanning 753 miles.  Downtown Ada is in the middle of a transformation, which will allow greater walkability to residence and visitors, utilize the natural assets, while maintaining the historical beauty in the village. The largest industries in Ada are manufacturing, construction, and professional services.

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For additional information about Ada, click here.

East Grand Rapids is a city of over 10,000 people.  During the summers, they host many events including concerts, movies in the park, art fairs, and celebrations, such as their July 4th celebration.  There are ten parks that offer playgrounds and trails, for residents and visitors to utilize. One of those trails is Reeds Lake Trail, a 4.2 mile loop, that goes through beautiful wetlands and natural wooded areas, also connecting different parks. They are known for gas light village, which is part of the downtown area, containing many shops, restaurants and businesses. On the edge of downtown is Reeds Lake which is a 283 acre lake offering many different activities such as boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and for the winter lovers, ice fishing. The top industries in East Grand Rapids are Education, Healthcare and social assistance, and professional and technical services.

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For additional information about East Grand Rapids, click here.