Heritage Hill

Heritage Hill Walking Tour

A stroll through Heritage Hill is a window into the past of Grand Rapids. These were the homes of lumber barons, teachers, judges and legislators who shaped our city’s future. The north side of the Hill, divided at Cherry Street, was built mainly between the 1870s and 1890s, and contains many grand mansions that housed the city’s business elite. The south side was developed largely between 1900 and 1930, and it is more middle class in character. The Heritage Hill Historical Association has created a self-guided walking tour showcasing 37 homes that reflect the area’s architectural diversity.

Dog Story Theater

Dog Story Theater is a nonprofit performance venue used by local theatrical groups to present professional quality live entertainment. In addition to hosting plays, it can host small non-amplified orchestral concerts, children’s choirs, performance art, artist galleries, comedy and educational talks. 340 State St SE.

Foster Park

The centerpiece of this small triangular park is a copy of a statue named “The Hiker,” sculpted by Theo Alice Ruffles Kitson. One of only two monuments to Michigan veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898-1902), this statue was dedicated in 1928 and originally stood in the city’s Lookout Park before it was relocated to Foster Park in 1957. The statue is mounted atop a boulder that was dredged from the Grand River. There is also a chess table, bench and picnic table in the park. 343 Cherry St SE.

Meyer May House

This Frank Lloyd Wright home – known as “Michigan’s Prairie Masterpiece” – was built in 1908 and masterfully restored to its original glory 80 years later. The house features pale brick, a hipped roof, lean masonry masses and long broad eaves, and it is carefully sited to allow maximum southern exposure for the living room windows and skylights. The Meyer May House was restored by Steelcase, an international manufacturer of furniture for offices, hospitals, classrooms and residential interiors based here in Grand Rapids. Free guided tours are conducted on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Shakespeare in the Park

Each summer, the Heritage Hill Association teams with Grand Haven-based The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company to present a free, one-time production of a Shakespeare play in Pleasant Park (630 Madison Ave SE), which is just outside the formal boundaries of Heritage Hill. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic dinner!

Beijing Kitchen

Beijing Kitchen is a Chinese eatery offering a wide array of familiar dishes, including fried rice, chop suey, chow mein and lo mein, plus beef, pork, poultry and seafood selections. Open for lunch and dinner. 342 State St SE.

The Commons

Step back into the 1970s at The Commons, where you can enjoy American-style comfort food with an adult vintage ambiance (including specialty cocktails and other adult beverages). Serves a popular brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. 547 Cherry St SE.

La Vacca Butchery

La Vacca Butchery is a locally owned butcher shop offering a diverse array of fresh-cut pork, beef and chicken as well as cured meats. A rotating weekly selection of to-go sandwiches is offered and every Saturday features a breakfast sandwich. Open Tue-Sun. 621 Lyon St NE.

Lyon Street Café

Welcoming neighborhood café offers a rotating selection of food and pastry items along with coffee drinks, assorted teas, hot chocolate and craft beers. Lyon Street Café is open daily.

Martha’s Pizza

Featuring handcrafted pizzas made fresh daily with dough from neighboring Nantucket Baking Company, Martha’s Pizza offers an array of signature pizzas as well as numerous sauce, seasonings and topping choices so you can customize your own pie. Available by the slice, too. No indoor seating; limited outdoor seating is available as weather permits. Open daily. 208 Union Ave NE.

Nantucket Baking Company

Specializing in artisan breads, delectable pastries and amazing cakes, pies, muffins, scones, bars and more, Nantucket Baking Company employs only the highest quality ingredients along with ancient traditions of the baking craft. No indoor seating; limited outdoor seating is available as weather permits. Open daily. 615 Lyon St NE.

Martha’s Vineyard

A global wine selection featuring more than 3,000 labels, boutique and small batch liquors, local craft and imported beers, locally sourced and specialty groceries, cut-to-order cheese from small farms and dairies around the world, and freshly prepared delicious deli items … you’ll find all of this and more at Martha’s Vineyard, a neighborhood corner store that draws customers from throughout the region. Open daily. 200 Union Ave NE.

The Lafayette House

An upscale bed & breakfast in an 1870s Federal-style home, The Lafayette House is just a 10-20 minute walk from everything downtown Grand Rapids has to offer. Each of the three guest rooms is decorated with art from local artists and has its own private bath with heated floors. Guests also have access to the home’s living room, dining room and sun room, which is equipped with a microwave, toaster and minifridge. Meals not provided. 135 Lafayette Ave NE.

The Leonard at Logan House

The Leonard at Logan House is a 9,000 sq. ft. English Edwardian-style house built in 1914. More than 100 years later, this B&B has been named one of the Top 10 Romantic Accommodations in Michigan. Each of the home’s eight guest rooms has a private bath in or near it, and amenities include free breakfast, free parking, an onsite laundry and outdoor patio. 440 Logan St SE.

Peaches Bed & Breakfast

The romance of the past is gorgeously recreated at Peaches B&B, an elegant Georgian-manor style home built in 1916. The home features an intricate Flemish mosaic tile floor, leaded glass sidelights, Art Deco chandeliers, cathedral skylights and abundant antiques. Guests enjoy, bright, uncluttered rooms, luxurious amenities, spectacular gardens and memorable hospitality. 29 Gay Avenue SE.

Annual Weekend Tour of Homes

The Heritage Hill Weekend Tour of Homes takes place over a May weekend each year, opening a different line-up of 6-7 private homes and 1-2 historic buildings for public viewing. Guides are stationed at each stop to share information and highlight special features. It’s a fantastic opportunity to look inside some of Michigan’s oldest and finest homes.

Heritage Hill Garden Tour

Spend a sunny June Saturday strolling through lovely private and public gardens on the annual Heritage Hill Garden Tour.  Discover shade gardens, sun gardens, pollinator gardens, veggie gardens, water features and more, with the gardeners on site to share insights and answer questions.