Grand Rapids has 8 distinct destination neighborhoods to explore each with their own personality. Here's the highlights of these great destination neighborhoods.
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Downtown
This vibrant area offers a huge range of entertainment, dining, shopping and sightseeing opportunities, all within a 10-minute walk. You can traverse on foot, bicycle, and look for the new electrically powered scooters that hit the streets in September. Look for the bright teal and blue uniforms if you need assistance, directions, a map or anything else!
Heartside
This Grand Rapids neighborhood encompasses art galleries and retail shops along with leading-edge medical facilities and revered spiritual centers. This is where artists come to live and work, where bodies and souls come to heal, and where visitors come to experience a vibrant, diverse community that is rich in history and progressive in spirit.
Heritage Hill
One of the nation's top old-house neighborhoods, these grand streets boast Michigan's largest and finest collection of 19th and early 20th century houses. Nearly every style of American architecture, from Greek Revival to Prairie, is represented in the 1,300 buildings that date back to 1844. Their neighborhood association celebrates its 50th anniversary this coming Spring.
Medical Mile
The founding of medical-research facility Van Andel Institute in 1996 jump-started a multi-billion dollar investment along Michigan Street just northwest of downtown. Today, this area is renowned as a world-class healthcare destination. The clinical, research and academic institutions that now line this street have attracted medical professionals from around the world. Their influx has spurred new retail and residential developments, transforming this once sleepy neighborhood into a bustling center of activity.
North Quarter
Following the Grand River out of downtown, this village and district boast residential areas, walkable commercial districts and the largest greenspace within the city of Grand Rapids. The communities here emphasize renovation rather than replacement, so historic touches abound even as more and more businesses invest in the area.
Southtown
Just outside of downtown Grand Rapids, these neighborhoods are a collection of six bustling business and residential districts. Each has its own unique traditions and style linked to a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Today, there’s a bold vision to double down on its cultural roots showcasing the diverse array of food, entertainment and attractions for all to enjoy.
Uptown
This is the city's hippest destination, where an eclectic mix of specialty shops and galleries, restaurants, coffee houses and entertainment venues reflect the area's friendly, funky, fabulous character. It's an easy walk or quick drive between the four business districts, on streets lined by historic homes and leafy trees.
Westside
"The West Side is the best side," according to the residents and business owners of this venerable neighborhood, which was first connected to downtown Grand Rapids via footbridge in 1842. An influx of immigrants soon populated the area, establishing distinct business districts amidst tree-lined residential streets. Today, a growing population is adding to the neighborhood’s diversity and contributing to a major revitalization of buildings and businesses.
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Grand Rapids map image sourced from Grand Rapids Magazine.