Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan, with a population of nearly 190,000 residents. With a very diverse community, many ethnic groups, ranging from Dutch, Hispanic, African-American and Polish, call this city home.
The city was named after the rapids of the nearby Grand River. Grand Rapids is home to several colleges and universities, including Aquinas College, Calvin College, Ferris State University and Davenport University.
In historic Heritage Hill, an old Grand Rapids neighborhood, visitors can be led through the Victorian houses on display or go on a walking tour of the district. Grand Rapids has a local art museum, as well as the Gerald Ford Museum, honoring the only Michigan born U.S. President, and the Van Andel Museum Center of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids.
Rock climbing is available at the Higher Ground Rock Climbing Center and camping and canoeing are also available in the greater Grand Rapids area. At the Blanford Nature Center 143 acres of forest house four miles of trails for hikers and cyclists.
Grand Rapids is located in the western central part of the state, just sixty miles southeast of Lansing and approximately fifty miles north of Kalamazoo.
