
Biking & Walking-Friendly Areas in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
1. Grand Rapids White Pine Trail
A 92-mile rail trail offering scenic views and biking opportunities, perfect for a leisurely ride.
- Long Trail: Covers a significant length of the city, providing ample space to explore.
- Scenic Beauty: Features beautiful landscapes along its route, including woods and wetlands.
- Accessibility: Has multiple access points for easy entry and exit.
2. Riverwalk Grand Rapids
A scenic urban waterfront walkway along the Grand River offering stunning views of downtown.
- Urban Landmark: Located in the heart of the city, providing easy access to other attractions.
- Public Art: Features numerous public art installations to admire along the way.
- Food and Drink: Surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and bars for a post-walk refreshment.
3. Plaza Towers Park
A park featuring a unique bike rack sculpture, perfect for a picnic or leisurely walk.
- Sculptural Bike Rack: The bike rack sculpture is a fun and unique attraction in itself.
- Picnic Area: Offers a grassy area for picnics or relaxing after a bike ride.
- City Views: Provides panoramic views of the city skyline from its higher elevation.
4. Heritage Hill Historic District
A historic district with beautiful homes and tree-lined streets perfect for a leisurely stroll.
- Historic Architecture: Features well-preserved Victorian and Queen Anne houses.
- Tree-Lined Streets: Beautiful tree-lined streets provide a peaceful atmosphere.
- Cultural Events: Hosts several cultural events throughout the year, such as the Heritage Hill Neighborhood Art Tour.
5. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
A botanical garden and sculpture park offering beautiful landscapes and art exhibits.
- Botanical Wonders: Features over 150 acres of gardens showcasing a variety of flora.
- Sculpture Collection: Houses an extensive collection of sculptures, both indoor and outdoor.
- Events and Programs: Offers a variety of events and programs, including concerts and art classes.
6. John Ball Zoo
A zoo with various wildlife exhibits and a beautiful park perfect for a day out.
- Wildlife Exhibits: Features over 200 animal species, including apes, elephants, and reptiles.
- Garden Attractions: Incorporates beautiful gardens throughout the zoo, such as the African Garden and Tropical RainForest Building.
- Park Activities: Offers a variety of activities like playgrounds, animal encounters, and a carousel.
7. Calder Plaza
A modern plaza featuring the iconic Calder Statue, perfect for picnics or people-watching.
- Iconic Calder Statue: The large, colorful statue is a famous Grand Rapids landmark.
- Food and Drink: Surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and bars for a post-visit refreshment.
- Public Art: The plaza is home to other public art installations as well.
8. Rosa Parks Circle
A circular park featuring a beautiful fountain and ice skating rink in winter.
- Central Location: Located near several major attractions, making it a convenient stop.
- Fountain and Ice Rink: The fountain is beautiful during the summer, while the ice rink is popular in winter.
- Public Art: Surrounded by public art installations and sculptures.
9. Blandford Nature Center
A nature center with trails for hiking and biking, and animals such as raccoons and owls.
- Nature Trails: Offers several miles of trails through woods and fields.
- Wildlife Exhibits: Features wildlife exhibits, including a raptor center and native animals.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs for visitors of all ages.
10. Gilmore Car Museum
A car museum featuring over 400 classic cars, perfect for automobile enthusiasts.
- Classic Cars: Showcases one of the largest collections of classic cars in North America.
- Special Events: Hosts special events, such as car shows and themed weekends.
- Gift Shop: Features a gift shop selling automobile-themed merchandise.
11. Van Andel Museum
A natural history and science museum with interactive exhibits.
- Interactive Exhibits: Features hands-on exhibits for a fun, engaging experience.
- Planetarium Shows: Offers planetarium shows to explore the cosmos.
- Dinosaurs Alive! Exhibit: Features life-sized dinosaur models in a walk-through exhibit.
12. Kent District Library
A public library offering books, computers, and programs for all ages.
- Book Collection: Has a vast collection of books, audiobooks, and e-books.
- Computer Access: Offers computer access for research or browsing the internet.
- Programs for All Ages: Hosts programs for children, teens, and adults, such as book clubs, story times, and workshops.
13. ArtPrize
An annual international art competition held in various venues throughout the city.
- International Art: Showcases artwork from artists around the world.
- Venues Throughout City: Art is displayed in a variety of venues, from galleries to parks and unused buildings.
- People's Choice Award: The public votes for their favorite artwork, with the winner receiving a significant cash prize.
14. Grand Rapids Public Museum
A museum featuring exhibits on science, history, and culture.
- Exhibit Variety: Covers a wide range of topics, from dinosaurs to local history.
- Planetarium Shows: Offers planetarium shows to explore the cosmos.
- Hands-On Exhibits: Features interactive exhibits for a fun, engaging experience.
15. Grand Rapids Bike Tours
Guided bike tours exploring the city's history, architecture, and culture.
- Expert Guides: Tour guides provide insights into the city's history and culture.
- Custom Tours: Offers custom tours to suit individual interests or preferences.
- Bike Rentals: Provides bike rentals for those without their own bicycle.