Dear Grand Rapids,

Moving to the area has made me fall head over heels in love with you. From your cultural attractions like ArtPrize to the delicious food in Eastown, there are so many reasons why you’re the apple of my eye. So many reasons, in fact, that I wrote a love-letter list to fully express my devotion to you. Let me count the ways...

1. Culture

GR has so many different cultural aspects that enrich the community and capture my attention. ArtPrize is the largest art festival in the WORLD, and it calls Grand Rapids its home. Besides ArtPrize, you can look forward to fun events like the Polish Festival, as well as Pride in Eastown come June.

2. Food

Ohhh, baby. The amount of restaurants downtown leave me craving Grand Rapids eats 24/7. In the city, there are some legendary lunch spots like Marie Catrib’s with tasty vegan options, or if it’s dinner time and creative sushi rolls that catch your eye, check out Maru Sushi. Whatever it is that fills your stomach, Grand Rapids has it! And don’t forget about Food Truck Thursday (add it to your calendar right now).

3. Sports

The Griffins. I don’t think there is another city more passionate about its local sports team than Grand Rapids. Home to the Van Andel Arena, this mythological mascot and his men make Apollo unworthy to have the beast draw his chariot, because the Griffins belong on the ice.

4. Nature

Along with the city landscape, Grand Rapids and the surrounding area have some noteworthy areas for those who enjoy connecting with Mother Earth. There are parks in the city like Lincoln Park or Ah-Nab-Awen Park, or hit up the Frederik Meijer Sculpture Gardens to enjoy the many exhibits and feel delightfully tiny as the famous giant horse statue looms over you.

To end this love letter to you, Grand Rapids, I would like to clarify that this letter is addressed to you and not Mayor Bliss, albeit she is a wonderful person in charge of the city, I’m not here to be a home wrecker.

Luckily, there’s a whole week dedicated for us emphatic fans of GR to celebrate being college students in a wonderful city.

Sincerely,

@GrandRapidsFan1234