Guide to the Best of Grand Rapids
Sponsored by Witte Performance Tours
Local recommendations for the best spots to eat, listen, and explore in Grand Rapids. Prepared for you by the people at Witte.
Many of our recommendations are a walkable distance from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel & DeVos Place, but some may require a car. Uber, Lyft, and cabs are all easily available throughout Grand Rapids.
EAT... Don’t miss the chance to try the food at some of our favorite places!
THE KNICKERBOCKER
417 Bridge St. NW (0.7 mi.)
The coolest building ever, located in the up-and-coming West Side. Great atmosphere, food & craft beer from New Holland Brewing.
newhollandbrew.com/knickerbocker
BISTRO BELLA VITA
44 Grandville Ave. SW (0.7 mi.)
Unique dining menu featuring modern French & Italian cuisine made from sustainably-sourced ingredients, and phenomenal martinis.
bistrobellavita.com
OSTERIA ROSSA
16 Monroe Center St. NE (0.7 mi.)
Delicious Italian-inspired small plates, homemade pasta, and wood-fired options at reasonable prices.
osteriarossa.com
THE NEW HOTEL MERTENS
35 Oakes St. SW (0.8 mi.)
An amazing Brasserie set in a stunning renovation that maintains the character of the building’s life since its beginning in 1914. The ‘30s era cocktail list is a tasty trip back in time.
www.newhotelmertens.com
LUNA
64 Ionia Ave. SW (0.8 mi.)
The best Mexican food & margaritas.
lunagr.com
MARIE CATRIB’S
1001-1003 Lake Dr. SE (2.0 mi.)
A favorite place among Grand Rapidians that focuses on locally-sourced ingredients and passionate preparation.
www.mariecatribs.com
YESTERDOG (Eastown)
1505 Wealthy St. SE (2.7 mi.)
Fast, inexpensive, and a quintessential Grand Rapids experience! Follow the staff’s instructions to order properly (dogs first, everything else when the dogs come out and they ring you up). Cash only.
www.yesterdog.com
LISTEN... Where we love to go hear live music in Grand Rapids.
DEVOS PERFORMANCE HALL
303 Monroe Ave. NW (0.2 mi.)
Great acoustics, and wide selection of entertainment options including the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. Conveniently located downtown next to the Amway Grand hotel!
www.devosperformancehall.com
20 MONROE LIVE
11 Ottawa Ave. NW (0.6 mi.)
Because there is not a bad seat in the house. Intimate venue, great acts.
www.20monroelive.com
H.O.M.E. AT THE B.O.B.
20 Monroe Ave. NW (0.5 mi.)
The Big Old Building (aka The B.O.B.) houses a variety of dining and entertainment options, including H.O.M.E, which features great local bands on Friday & Saturday nights.
www.thebob.com/houseofmusic
AH-NAB-AWEN PARK
220 Front Ave. NW (0.8 mi.)
A beautiful setting downtown along the Grand River, and you can bring a picnic. Enjoy live Jazz in the Park on Monday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 PM (Free).
www.michigan.org/property/ah-nab-awen-park
THE INTERSECTION
133 Grandville Ave. SW (0.8 mi.)
A small venue…up close and personal with a wide array of bands.
www.sectionlive.com
FOUNDERS BREWING CO.
235 Grandville Ave. SW (1.0 mi.)
Enjoy live music while drinking one of their world-famous beers in a relaxed atmosphere on the patio or indoors. Tuesdays are Open Mic Nights (8 PM, Free), and live acts perform on Thursdays (Free) and Saturdays ($5 cover) at 9:30 PM. 21+ only after 9 PM.
www.foundersbrewing.com
FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS
1000 E. Beltline Ave. (6.1 mi.)
Great acoustics and setting – there is no more beautiful or relaxing place to take in a show. Local and regional musicians take the stage on Tuesday nights.
www.meijergardens.org/calendar/tuesday-evening-music-club
EXPLORE... When friends visit our city, we always take them…
…ON A TOUR OF LOCAL BREWERIES
Visitors are always impressed with our amazing beer selection and delicious food—after all, Grand Rapids is “Beer City, USA”!
Founders Brewing Co.
235 Grandville Ave. SW (1.0 mi.) Founders put Grand Rapids on the map! Excellent beer in a relaxed atmosphere. www.foundersbrewing.com
Brewery Vivant
925 Cherry St. SE (2 mi.) Rustic, farmhouse-inspired beers and food in a setting reminiscent of the countryside in Southern Belgium and Northern France. www.breweryvivant.com
Grand Rapids Brewing Co.
1 Ionia Ave. SW (0.6 mi.) GRBC was originally established in 1893 and brought back to life in 2012. Stop by the game room, voted the “Best Grown-Up Arcade” in town. www.grbrewingcompany.com
… TO ROSA PARKS CIRCLE 155 Monroe Center NW (0.1 mi.) Stroll up and down the mall, grab some ice cream, and see what’s going on at the Amphitheatre. “Swing” by on Tuesday nights at 7 PM for music and swing dancing (no experience necessary). www.friendsofgrparks.org/parks/find-a-park/rosa-parks-circle
… TO THE GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM
101 Monroe Center St. NW (0.2 mi.) A terrific modern art museum with a world-class gift store. Admission is free on Tuesdays between 10 AM – 5 PM, and on Thursdays from 5 – 9 PM. www.artmuseumgr.org
… TO BROWSE THE DOWNTOWN MARKET
435 Ionia Ave. SW (1.0 mi.) Here, you’ll find an interesting array of food stalls and shops to peruse, underneath a giant greenhouse. downtownmarketgr.com
… OR WALK THROUGH THE FULTON STREET FARMERS MARKET
1145 Fulton St. E (1.8 mi.) Founded in 1922, there is always something interesting to discover here. Terrific local produce, and an array of food trucks on Wednesday evenings (5 – 8 PM) during the Summer Nights Series. www.fultonstreetmarket.org
…TO FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK
1000 E. Beltline Ave. (6.1 mi.) One of the nation’s premier horticultural gardens is located right here in Grand Rapids! Don’t miss the Carnivorous Plant House, the Tropical Conservatory, or the peaceful Japanese garden! www.meijergardens.org/discover
…OUT TO LAKE MICHIGAN
(approx. 35 mi.) Our lakeshore shines during the summer with beautiful weather, gorgeous beaches, historic lighthouses, and salt-free water that stretches as far as the eye can see!