Two days ago, Lonely Planet released their 2014 list of the Top 10 U.S. Travel Destinations. While pulling clips Tuesday morning, much to my surprise I saw my hometown, Grand Rapids, Mich. at number one! The saying “you don’t know what you have,” really reflected my reaction, as growing up there I never realized so many people would want to visit. Thinking about it now though, there are a lot of things I love about going home, even if I do want to move away while I’m young.
Take winter – like now – when I go downtown and ice skate outside at Rosa Parks Circle. 
Or a couple months ago when my roommate and I explored Art Prize followed by celebrating the nightlife.
My high school summers were filled with countless trips to the nearby beach, usually Grand Haven or Holland. One summer my friend and I even went to as many state parks along Lake Michigan that we could (wasn’t it nice to not work 40+ hrs/wk?).
Last spring the Grand Rapids Griffins won the Calder Cup for their division of hockey (as a college student I recommend dollar beer nights) and each spring LaughFest comes to town.
As someone born and raised in Grand Rapids I can honestly say I’ve seen the city grow so much. Check it out!
CITY GIRL HANNA 