City ParksAh-Nab-AwenParkAdjacent to Gerald R. Ford Museum at Pearl St., downtown Canal Street ParkNorth of 6th St. on Monroe Ave. NW, downtown on the Grand River Riverside ParkMonroe Ave. NW, on the Grand River Rosa Parks CircleMonroe Center and Monroe Ave., downtown SnowmobilingRogue River State Game Area8 Mile Rd. & Division Ave.Sparta White Pine Trail State ParkMichigan's longest rail-to-trail linear park stretches 92 miles from Comstock Park, north of downtown, to Cadillac. The trail is open to non-motorized activities such as walking, bicycling, jogging and cross-country skiing. (517) 373-9900 Millennium Park1415 Maynard Avenue SW Its 1,500 acres include a sandy swimming beach, beach house, picnic facilities for families and groups, play areas, as well as paved trails for cycling, walking, running and in-line skating. (616) 336-3697 Rosa Parks CircleMonroe Center and Monroe Ave. Created by internationally known artist, Maya Lin. Water is featured in the frozen, liquid and vapor states. Concerts are held on summer evenings and ice skate rentals are provided in the winter. (616) 456-3696 
The Grand Outdoors— So you love the out-of-doors—so does Grand Rapids. Miles of biking trails, parks, and a wide selection of outdoor experiences dot the landscape of Michigan's West Coast. From beaches and boating to hiking and biking, the area is rich with outdoor beauty. If you like driving in the country, experiencing farms, or hunting, this area has what you’re looking for, too. Add to this, ice skating downtown and skiing and snowmobiling on the outskirts of the city and you’ll understand why Michigan's West Coast is a year round place to stay. Family Fun ParksFrom roller coasters and water rides to go-kart racing and miniature golf, Grand Rapids is chock-full of family-friendly adventure! BeachesMillennium Park, one of the nation's largest urban greenspaces, includes a 100-acre lake with sandy beach frontage - and it's just four miles from downtown Grand Rapids. If you have a little more time, you can explore the incredible beaches of Lake Michigan - and see why Conde Nast Traveler named this one of the world's best 25 shorelines! BikingWest Michigan is a leader in converting abandoned railroad tracks into bike trails - you'll find yourself pedaling through woodlands and wetlands, across streams and rivers, alongside quiet rural roads and majestic Lake Michigan. Parks & PreservesEnjoy the natural beauty of a region carved by massive ice glaciers and nurtured by an abundance of life-giving waters. You're never far away from a perfect spot for picnicking, camping, birdwatching or just communing with nature. BoatingWherever you go in West Michigan, you're never more than six miles away from a lake, river or stream. Here are just a few ways to enjoy our water wonderland. FarmsThe unique climate of Lake Michigan makes this one of the nation's premier agricultural regions. Visit a working farm and sample the season's harvest! FishingField & Stream Magazine named Grand Rapids the nation's sixth best fishing city. You can hook salmon and steelhead in the middle of downtown, and the outlying rivers and lakes are teeming with other freshwater species. Click here to get a fishing license. HikingStretch your legs on a short jaunt through natural splendors just minutes from downtown - or make it a day on one of our long yet easy-to-follow scenic trails. Download a map of area trails. HuntingWest Michigan is prime territory for White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Water Fowl and Upland Game Birds. Click here for licensing information and hunting guides. Dune RidesExperience the one-of-a-kind thrill of a dune buggy ride up, over and around Lake Michigan's towering sand dunes. Ice SkatingLace up for an outdoor skate in the middle of downtown Grand Rapids, in an architecturally significant facility designed by artist Maya Lin. RacetracksFrom short-track stock-car racing to world-class drag racing to thoroughbred horse racing, we've got something for everyone! Cross-Country SkiingIs it a workout or a sightseeing expedition? In West Michigan, it's both! Downhill Skiing & SnowboardingWinter fun for all ages - as close as 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. SnowmobilingWe've got miles and miles of trails dedicated to this winter pursuit. News from Rapid Growth The Rockford FileJune 27, 2007 Traditional neighborhood living and a Main Street-style business district make Rockford a hotspot for day trippers, entreprenuers, and new residents alike. Here's your guide to the City on the Rogue.  Your Carriage AwaitsJune 27, 2007 Five different horse-drawn carriages companies want to take you for a ride in GR. Here's your guide to horsin' around town.  Whitehall invests $160K to upgrade city parkJune 13, 2007 “There's not a day that goes by there's not a couple of hundred people going through there,” says City Manager Scott Huebler. “Our Maritime Festival is a three-day event in August and a few thousand people are there every day.”  Wild West MichiganMay 2, 2007 Sustaining the unique wilderness areas of metro GR is no longer an option. It's essential to the region's economic, cultural, and ecological wellbeing. |
UPCOMING EVENTS
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