Downtown Grand Rapids is walkable – one of the top 14 walkable destinations in the U.S., according to Trips to Discover. Attendees at meetings and events held at any of the city’s downtown venues have everything they could need within a few short blocks. Take a look:

Hotels

There are 13 hotels (2400+ rooms) within a half-mile walk of our convention center. The JW Marriott Grand Rapids, Downtown Courtyard by Marriott and Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton are connected to the convention center by the city’s climate-controlled indoor skywalk system, so you can enjoy a pleasant walk in any weather.

A 14th hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites Grand Rapids Downtown, is a mile walk up a somewhat steep hill – perfect for working the glutes, hamstrings and calves, if you’re so inclined. Check out our Hotels page to browse even more accommodations.

Take an elevator to the Downtown Market's second floor to enjoy its greenhouse and rain gardens.

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a mile walk from Downtown and can also be conveniently accessed by the free DASH bus.

Photo by Grand Rapids Downtown Market

Restaurants

Grand Rapids has been named Michigan’s Best Food City by Thrillist. It’s a matter of both quality and quantity: there are 140+ restaurants of all cuisines and price points within a 10-minute walk of the convention center. Whether you have a taste for a latte, a lunch, a craft brew, a quick bite or an elegant dining experience, they're all just steps away. Many restaurants are located in the downtown Refreshment Area, which allows you to enjoy an adult beverage while you stroll city sidewalks and trails. If you need to recharge, settle in at an outdoor dining spot and watch the city bustle around you.

Head to the Grand Rapids Downtown Market – just about a mile from the convention center – to enjoy several dining options under one roof – tacos, charcuterie, sushi, ice cream and more – and browse artisan food shops. If a mile seems too ambitious for a walk, you can take the DASH, Grand Rapids’ free downtown bus service, to and/or from the Market.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum offers plenty to explore, both inside and out.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum has plenty to offer, both inside and out.

Photo by Experience Grand Rapids

Museums

Want to take in a bit of culture between seminars? Take your pick from five downtown museums. Stroll across the pedestrian bridge behind the convention center to visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum (with a planetarium) and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Or head the opposite direction to tour the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives and – just in case you want to indulge your inner child – the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. All of them are within 10-minute walk of the convention center.

Mid-Life Crisis Band Playing at 20 Monroe Live

Both local and nationally known bands frequent downtown music venues like GLC Live at 20 Monroe.

Photo by Experience Grand Rapids

Entertainment

Live music is easily found at 35+ downtown venues, large and small. Van Andel Arena features megastars like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, while GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Midtown, The Intersection and The Pyramid Scheme draw well-known names to more intimate environs. Downtown bars, restaurants and clubs feature local and regional musicians, while the performance hall connected to our convention center hosts musical events from Broadway Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Ballet, Grand Rapids Symphony and Opera Grand Rapids.

More Downtown Strolls

If attendees would like to explore even more of the city by foot, here are a few more options:

  • Follow the Riverwalk along the Grand River just behind our convention center – the “loop” trail traverses the original rapids for which the city is named and passes by some of the area’s most notable attractions (including the historic Sixth Street Bridge).
  • Cross the iconic Blue Bridge, a few blocks due south of the convention center, to view an impressive collection of outdoor public art on the downtown campus of Grand Valley State University.  
  • Download the free GR Walks app to access self-guided walking tours exploring downtown art, culture, history, neighborhoods and more.
  • Take a self-guided tour of downtown murals – see 23 of them on a Center City loop and another 18 on a Heartside loop.
  • Take a walking tour of downtown breweries led by Grand Rapids Beer Tours, Grand Rapids Running Tours or Tours Around Michigan. Tours Around Michigan also offers walking tours of downtown landmarks, art, the riverfront and more.
  • Walk a mile due east of the convention center to Heritage Hill, one of the nation’s largest urban historic districts, to see hundreds of homes dating back to the 1840s.

That's just a partial list. There are also a variety of stores and boutiques for shopping, theater venues for a show, and parks and greenspaces for peaceful relaxation, all within walking distance of your event site. And if you don’t feel like walking back after your stroll, just hop on a free DASH bus to the convention center or your hotel!