Like 28th Street in southeast Grand Rapids, Alpine Avenue (aka M-37) in northwest GR is lined with a wide range of shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment options – both locally owned and nationally known. While it’s a busy throughway for much of its length, its surroundings become increasingly rural as you travel north of Grand Rapids, with the family orchards and farms of The Fruit Ridge just minutes away.
You can follow Alpine Avenue north out of downtown Grand Rapids through the city of Walker and the community of Comstock Park on its way to the rural village of Sparta – a distance of about 13 miles. The road originates just a few blocks from downtown’s Bridge Street Entertainment District, off Stocking Avenue between The Holiday Bar and Salvatore’s Restaurant & Pizza.
Follow Alpine north through a residential area about six-tenths of a mile and you’ll reach Leonard Street and the West Leonard Business District (also worth exploring). Continue north past Leonard and Alpine becomes increasingly commercialized. This stretch, which is also easily accessible from the I-96 expressway (exit 30), is where you’ll find the attractions listed below.
Alpine Avenue is vehicle-friendly with free parking everywhere. Prefer not to drive? Take a Rapid Bus – the #9 travels Alpine from downtown GR to Comstock Park and back again.
Art & Culture
Back to Top of ListSocial Dance Studio of Grand Rapids
Just three-tenths of a mile west of Alpine on 4 Mile Road, Social Dance Studio is a public studio offering ballroom, social, Latin, urban and freestyle dancing lessons. It also opens for community dance events, including Latin Night (the 2nd Friday of each month), Country Party Night (3rd Friday), Swingin’ to the Blues (4th Friday), Ballroom Social (4th Sunday) and more. Dinner and drinks are available, too. 925 4 Mile Rd NW.
Family Fun
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Slide down the two story water slide at Richmond Park.
Photo by Paul Jendrasiak for Experience GR.
Alpine Township Library
One of the oldest libraries in the Kent District Library System, Alpine Township Library hosts many community events in addition to stocking books, magazines, movies and music, and offering public computers and free printing. 5255 Alpine Ave NW.
Altitude Trampoline Park
Experience the thrill of weightlessness at Altitude Trampoline Park, featuring a main court with wall-to-wall trampolines plus a kid’s court, high-performance trampolines, basketball trampoline dunk, extreme dodgeball and more. 3495 Alpine Ave NW.
AMC Grand Rapids 18
With 18 screens, AMC Grand Rapids has room for all of today’s hottest new-release movies as well as intriguing indies and timeless classics. You’ll enjoy reclining seats, discount Tuesdays, closed captioning, sensory-friendly films, a carefully curated selection of eats and treats, and more. 3000 Alpine Ave NW.
Richmond Park
One of Grand Rapids’ original city parks, Richmond is situated about three-tenths of a mile west of Alpine on Richmond Street. Its 57 or so acres encompass picnic areas, a ball diamond, basketball court, tennis courts, a fishing pond and a large outdoor swimming pool with two-story water slide. It’s also home to one of the area’s favorite winter sledding hills. 963 Richmond St NW.
Westgate Bowl
More than a bowling alley, Westgate is an entertainment complex featuring 60 lanes of bumpers, automatic scoring, pool tables, a jukebox and large screen HDTV for sports watching. There’s an onsite snack bar, too. 4486 Alpine Ave NW.
Food & Drink
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Beer and Cider is produced on-site at Greyline Brewing Co.
Photo by Aly Zuiderveen for Experience GR
Amore Trattoria Italiana
Award-winning chef Jenna Arcidiacono serves up an immersive Italian experience, right here in Comstock Park. Amore Trattoria Italiana has been voted Grand Rapids’ Best Italian, Best Fine Dining, Best Service and Best Chef by locals. 5080 Alpine Ave NW.
Biggby Coffee
The Alpine Avenue location of East Lansing, Michigan-based Biggby Coffee features a variety of coffee and tea drinks, “bragel” sandwiches, muffins and to-go selections. 2200 Alpine Ave NW.
El Burrito Mexican Restaurant
El Burrito serves up a huge menu of Mexican dishes, beer and cocktails seven days a week. 4170 Alpine Ave NW Suite B.
First Wok
One of three area locations, First Wok on Alpine dishes out a jumbo menu of classic Chinese fare. Voted GR’s #1 Chinese restaurant in 2024 by readers of Grand Rapids Magazine. 3509 Alpine Ave NW.
Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant
Fricano’s makes a distinctive thin-crust pizza that has won numerous awards since it was first introduced to West Michigan in 1949. Don’t ask what kind of cheese they use because it’s a secret! A few other Italian dishes are available along with beer and cocktails. 4-9pm Mon-Sat. 5808 Alpine Ave NW.
Greyline Brewing Co.
A neighborhood brewery offering beer and cider that is produced onsite, Greyline Brewing also serves up great-tasting food, local music and great conversation. The outside beer garden is large enough to spread out but still feels like you’re gathering with friends in somebody’s backyard. Offers live music year-round. 1727 Alpine Ave NW.
Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet
Family-owned and family-friendly Hibachi Grill offers 200+ Asian and American dishes via an all-you-can-eat buffet. 785 Center Dr NW, in the Green Ridge Square retail development.
La Familia Jalisco
Enjoy authentic Mexican tacos, torta, burritos, tamales, quesadillas and much more at La Familia Jalisco. Daily specials include Taco Tuesday, Wet Burrito Wednesday and Enchilada Thursday. 11am-8pm Tue-Sat and 11am-6pm Sun. 4022 Alpine Ave NW.
Mr. Burger
Comstock Park location of a longtime local restaurant chain serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mr. Burger serves a proprietary blend of fresh, never-frozen steak burgers packed locally. The Olive Burger is a local classic. 6am-9pm Mon-Sat. 4750 Alpine Ave NW.
New Beginnings
The Alpine New Beginnings is one of 11 West Michigan locations serving up a large variety of breakfast and lunch selections at an affordable price. 1601 Alpine Ave NW.
Olga’s Fresh Grille
Iconic Michigan brand Olga’s Kitchen opened Olga’s Fresh Grille to deliver a Mediterranean-accented menu of flatbread sandwiches, salads, soups and more in a fast-casual dining environment. 4064 Alpine Ave NW.
Palermo Pizza
Informal, family-owned Palermo Pizza offers sizable pies – including a mammoth 24” version –plus salads, wings, subs & Italian entrees. is one of four local Palermo Pizza locations. 4669 Alpine Ave NW.
Rico’s Deli
Oven-baked subs, grilled panini sandwiches, wraps, salads and pizzas that won’t break your pocketbook are the draw at Rico’s Deli, a local favorite for more than 25 years. 2103 Alpine Ave NW.
Russ’ Restaurant
This family restaurant is one of 12 locally owned Russ’ – the first opened in Holland in 1934 and they’ve been serving up homemade goodness ever since. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a rotating selection of delectable desserts and rich-and-satisfying soups. 3531 Alpine Ave NW.
Tacos El Cunado
This quick-service restaurant offers some of the best Mexican food in town, according to numerous local surveys. Head to Tacos El Cunado for authentic breakfast, lunch and dinner selections, plus a kid’s menu and more. 2751 Alpine Ave NW.
Also on Alpine: Applebee’s, Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Chuck E. Cheese, Culver’s, Dunkin’, Empire Buffet, Fazoli’s, Firehouse Subs, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburger, IHOP, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Jimmy John’s, KFC, Little Caesars Pizza, Logan’s Roadhouse, McDonald’s, Mod Pizza, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Panda Express, Panera Bread, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut, Popeye’s, Qdoba, Starbucks, Sonic, Steak & Shake, Taco Bell, TGI Fridays, Tropical Smoothie Café and Wendy’s.
Music & More
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Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm has U-pick apples and pumpkins during harvest season!
Photo by Brian Craig for Experience GR
Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm
Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm is about three miles west of Alpine on 6 Mile Road. It’s well worth the detour – not only does it offer live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, it also hosts a variety of festivals and events, usually based on the harvest of the moment, plus u-pick apples and pumpkins, a gift shop, restaurant, bakery and taproom featuring their own handcrafted beer, wine, hard cider and seltzer. 3025 6 Mile Rd NW.
Fricano’s Pizza
Thursday is the day to enjoy live music at Fricano’s Pizza – on the outdoor deck during the summer and inside the rest of the year. Every Tuesday from Memorial Day through Labor Day is Cruise Night, when 180 or so hotrods, muscle cars, antique and classic cars fill the parking lot, and DJs play tunes. 5808 Alpine Ave NW.
Greyline Brewing
Greyline Brewing’s Free Music Series brings in local musicians on Monday and Thursday evenings throughout the year. 1727 Alpine Ave NW.
Outdoor Adventure
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The playground is one of Wahlfield park's many outdoor amenities.
Photo by Paul Jendrasiak for Experience GR.
Alpine Golf Club
An 18-hole public golf course established in 1967, Alpine Golf Club is committed to providing a fair-priced, enjoyable and innovative golfing experience for players of all abilities. From a streamlined check-in process to low emission golf carts with USB chargers, Alpine thinks of the little things that make for an excellent customer experience. Rental golf clubs, balls and tees are available! 6320 Alpine Ave NW.
Wahlfield Park
Wahlfield Park features a main recreational area that also serves as a trailhead for an extensive network of trails through a hilly mix of woods, creek valley and open fields. Most of the natural-surfaced trails are open to mountain bike use. Great for winter fat biking and cross-country skiing, too. There are two large play structures and a swing set for kids. 6811 Alpine Ave NW.
Hotels
Back to Top of ListFairfield Inn & Suites Grand Rapids North
Thoughtfully designed, technology-forward rooms and suites feature living and working areas to increase productivity. This Fairfield Inn & Suites features an onsite fitness center, indoor pool, laundry facilities, convenience store, and free continental and hot breakfast. 620 Center Dr NW, just off Alpine behind the Green Ridge Square retail development.
Hampton Inn Grand Rapids North
The Hampton Inn North offers connecting rooms, pet-friendly rooms, digital keys, free hot breakfast, a fitness center, indoor pool and many accessible features. 500 Center Dr NW, just off Alpine behind the Green Ridge Square retail development.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Rapids North
Amenities at this 100% smoke-free Holiday Inn Express include a free breakfast bar, fitness center, indoor pool, daily housekeeping and dry cleaning pickup or laundry valet. Every room has a coffeemaker, refrigerator and DIRECTV selection. 358 River Ridge Dr NW, just off Alpine behind the Green Ridge Square retail development.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Grand Rapids North
Free hot breakfast, non-smoking rooms, pet-friendly rooms, in-room kitchens, streaming entertainment, a fitness center, business center and indoor pool are among the amenities that await you at this Home2 Suites property. 330 River Ridge Dr. NW, just off Alpine behind the Green Ridge Square retail development.
SpringHill Suites Grand Rapids North
Each SpringHill Suite room offers separate living and sleeping areas with full kitchenettes, wet bars, desks and HDTVs with premium movie channels. Guests also enjoy a free daily hot breakfast, indoor heated pool, 24/7 fitness center and more. 450 Center Dr, just off Alpine behind the Green Ridge Square retail development.
Travelodge by Wyndham Grand Rapids North
Conveniently located just off the I-96 and US-131 expressway, this Travelodge offers a seasonal outdoor pool, free WiFi, guest laundry facilities and other amenities. You can bring your pet for an additional nightly fee. 777 3 Mile Rd, at the corner of Alpine.
Shopping
Back to Top of ListAttic Window Quilt Shop offers a wide selection of quilt fabrics, from 1880s reproductions to modern prints, plus patterns, specialty threads, notions and more. 5363 Alpine Ave NW.
Bauble Patch Jewelers is a full-service fine jewelry store offering Antwerp diamonds, custom designs, repair and more. 5228 Alpine Ave NW.
DreamScape Desserts is a family-owned bakery offering an in-store selection of cupcakes, cookies, brownies and personal cakes in addition to made-to-order wedding cakes and other treats. 3537 Alpine Ave NW.
Flowerland has been Grand Rapids’ destination greenhouse and garden center since 1949, filled with a broad array of products for designing beautiful spaces indoors and out. 3801 Alpine Ave NW.
The Gordon Food Service Store is a food service and grocery store operated by Grand Rapids-based Gordon Food Service, the largest family-operated broad-line food distribution company in North America. 4322 Alpine Ave NW.
Green Ridge Square is an outdoor shopping mall whose tenants include Bath & BodyWorks, Best Buy, Burlington Coat Factory, Claire’s, Five Below, GameStop, The Honey Baked Ham Company, Hobby Lobby, Kay Jewelers, Kirkland’s, Kohl’s, Lane Bryant, Maurices, Michaels, Office Depot, Sally Beauty Supply, Target and Shoe Carnival.
Meijer Thrifty Outlet offers savings up to 90% on after-clearance and overflow items – everything from non-perishable food to household goods – from local and regional Meijer superstores. 4677 Alpine Ave NW.
San José Supermercado stocks a wide range of authentic Mexican groceries, spices, baked goods and more, and hosts an on-site restaurant. 3778 Alpine Ave NW.
Pinky’s Place Antique & Artisan Market houses 130+ vendor booths filled with all manner of treasures, from made-in-Michigan artisan foods to handcrafted art and vintage furniture. 4790 Alpine Ave NW.
The Runnery is a family-owned running footwear and apparel store that boasts an excellent inventory and knowledgeable staff. 10am-6pm Mon-Fri and 10am-3pm Sat. 5361 Alpine Ave NW.
Also on Alpine: ABC Warehouse, Advance Auto Parts, Aldi, AutoZone, Batteries Plus, Cato Fashions, Home Depot, Home Goods, JoAnn Fabric & Crafts, Marshalls, Meijer, Menards, PetCo, Pet Supplies Plus, Sam’s Club, Tractor Supply Co., Ulta Beauty, Walgreens and Walmart.