Grand Rapids is the best place to grow up in the world
Ok, nothing will beat Ann Arbor but G-Raps comes pretty close
So I’m technically not from Grand Rapids: I’m from a small town 20 minutes from Downtown, but it’s close enough. I haven’t always loved living in the 616, but the older I get, the cooler it gets, too. Even though I’ve loved life in Ann Arbor so far, there are some things about Grand Rapids that just can’t be replaced.
Downtown in general
The Amway Grand Plaza is home to a staircase frequented by people taking pictures for dances, and a gift shop where I once broke a bunch of ornaments.
It’s the second biggest city in Michigan and also the second biggest city-shaped spot in my heart (AA is the first of course). There are so many things to do and so many things to see. You could go to the GRAM (Grand Rapids Art Museum), see a Griffins game or concert at VanAndel, ride the carousel at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, be a hipster foodie at the Downtown Market, or just walk around and explore all the interesting places Grand Rapids has to offer. (I sound like a human brochure for this city. I just love it so much.)
Art Prize
This piece won in 2014. It also won Favorite Thing for Couples to Take Pictures in Front of.
Since 2009, the whole city turns into an art exhibit for 19 days, and it’s been one of the best thing to happen to this town. Sure, you can’t get a seat at any restaurant on every night of the week but ART! Speaking of restaurants…
GReat eats
They heat up individual slices just for you so it’s as much of a cheesy mess as pizza should be
Grand Rapids has some pretty amazing food. My favorite place is Georgio’s right next to Hopcat, but for the more refined palate, there are delicious places like the Electric Cheetah, Marie Catribs, Horseshoe Smokehouse, Greenwell’s, Grove, San Chez, and many, many more. But if you’re like me, there are also delicious donuts at Propaganda Donuts and Anna’s House has phenomenal pancakes.
Proximity to beaches
Nothing says fun like icy exploration and possibly sliding to your death.
Both Grand Haven State Park and Holland State Park are about 40 minutes away from downtown. One of the best things about living in Grand Rapids is being able to quickly leave Grand Rapids to go to the beach (each, let’s go get away). Both beaches are fantastic for laying out, or swimming, or walking up and down the piers. For those with more romantic prospects than me, the pier in Grand Haven is a fantastic place to watch the sunset with a date.
Celebration Cinema
You all know the jingle.
Since Spotlight just won Best Picture despite no one having seen it, it’s more important than ever to have a good place to see movies. Celebration Cinemas are unique to the Grand Rapids area and are the best at what they do. They have nifty indie film series featuring all the films played at the Michigan and State theaters back in Ann Arbor you were too busy studying to go see. Also you can buy a refillable bucket that lasts for months, and they have these little cookies you can buy at concessions that are a little over-priced, but wonderful. Just like a movie theater should be.
The people
Not an actual person, but a representation of how nice all the people of Grand Rapids are, offering the metaphorical milkshake of kindness.
Notable people from Grand Rapids (that are also notable people from UMich): Gerald R. Ford and me. While I have met some of the most fantastic people of my life in Ann Arbor, the rest of the fantastic people live in GR.