While summer begins to wind down, the lakeshore’s lighthouses endure, offering visitors a look at beauty, history, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. 

Here’s where we put the fun, active stuff you’d go to do with friends and family—places where you get involved and hands-on.

Looking for a good read? Perhaps even coupled with a welcoming space to enjoy it in? Come along as we share some of our favorite local independent options for bookworms and lovers of all things literary.

As much as we celebrate arts and entertainment here, none of it would be possible without the people who make the world go ‘round.

Our guide to events, goings-on and things to do in Grand Rapids and all around West Michigan for the month of August.

Want to know a little secret? You can shop local for selfish reasons—it doesn’t just have to be about supporting small businesses.

Get Out is Your Monthly Guide to What’s Great in the Great Outdoors. This month, columnist Allison Kay Bannister takes a road trip across the state to kayak in Detroit—through the canals, into Canadian waters, and around an island with a purported curse.

We're halfway to Christmas, and the Downtown Market is inviting you to celebrate. The Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt is celebrating Christmas in July on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, giving holiday enthusiasts a chance to get a taste of the market months before its official return this winter.

There’s something magical about a West Michigan summer, everyone flocks to the beaches and their nearby lake towns, each offering its own perfect getaway.

Summer means adventure—getting out there and experiencing all the world has to offer.