Ready to Explore Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids offers a rich lifestyle ecosystem: great food, vibrant entertainment, frequent events and festivals, and deep cultural resources. Grand Rapids is a place where our residents don’t just live, but thrive: they can dine out, attend shows, participate in festivals, explore art, and stay socially and intellectually active.

Beer City. USA

Grand Rapids, Michigan, proudly celebrates 13 years as “Beer City USA” in 2025. Since earning the title through a nationwide vote in 2012, the city has continued to raise the bar — earning multiple accolades, including USA Today’s “Best Beer City in America” for five consecutive years (2021–2025). Today, the renowned Beer City Ale Trail, featuring more than 35 craft breweries, stands as one of the nation’s premier food and drink experiences, recognized by TimeOut Magazine as one of the top trails for beer lovers and culinary explorers alike. Over 100 local craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, cideries, and meaderies for you to explore and discover your favorites!
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Award Winning Dining

Grand Rapids has become one of Michigan’s top destinations for exceptional dining, where culinary creativity meets genuine Midwestern hospitality. The city’s chefs take pride in using local ingredients, presenting dishes that balance innovation with comfort. Whether you’re looking for an elegant night out or a relaxed neighborhood meal, Grand Rapids offers something for every taste. Its award-winning restaurants consistently earn praise for their quality, atmosphere, and dedication to the craft of great food. Here are ten of the most celebrated spots in the city that showcase why Grand Rapids continues to earn national attention for its dining scene: Grove, Stella's Lounge, Terra, The Green Well, Maru, Brewery Vivant, Lucy's, Butcher's Union, Amore Trattoria Italiana, and San Chez Bistro.

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Festival Culture in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is a city that loves to celebrate, and its calendar is packed with festivals that bring people together throughout the year. From art and music to food and cultural heritage, every season offers something special. The city’s festival scene reflects its creative spirit and welcoming community, offering experiences that highlight both local talent and international traditions.

Some of the most popular events include ArtPrize, one of the world’s largest art competitions that turns the entire city into an open gallery; Festival of the Arts, a long-standing tradition celebrating visual and performing arts downtown; and the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, which showcases the region’s growing culinary reputation. Other favorites include Blues on the Mall, Asian-Pacific Festival, Polish Festival, and Hispanic Festival, all of which celebrate the city’s diversity and community pride.