Inside Downtown GR’s Convention Neighborhood

DeVos Place boasts more than 240,000 sq. ft. of convention, ballroom and meeting space overlooking the Grand River. With input from Steelcase – a Grand Rapids company recognized as the global leader in workplace environments – it incorporates many design and technology innovations that help people and businesses make more effective connections. It also features a 2,500-seat performance arena that can be booked for meetings and conventions.

Ranked as one of the world’s top-grossing arenas in its size category, the 12,000-seat Van Andel Arena hosts large-scale entertainment events from superstar concerts and kids’ shows to rodeos and pro hockey games. It can also be booked for meetings and conventions.

Thirteen downtown hotels – six brand-new within the past few years – offer a wide range of budget and amenity options. The Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton, JW Marriott Grand Rapids and Downtown Courtyard Marriott are linked to DeVos Place (and each other) in our skywalk system.

Additional national hotel brands include AC by Marriott, Canopy by Hilton, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hyatt Place and Residence Inn by Marriott. CityFlatsHotel and The Finnley Hotel deliver boutique hotel experiences.

More than 140 restaurants offering virtually every cuisine, ambience and budget imaginable are located within a 10-minute walk of our convention center. Seven downtown breweries give testament to our status as Beer City USA. The Grand Rapids Downtown Market houses multiple restaurants and gourmet food vendors under one greenhouse-covered roof.

Attendees will find plenty of close, convenient things to do after the convention day is done. Five museums are within easy walking distance. Nightlife options include concert venues, sports bars, brewpubs, a comedy club and a duckpin bowling alley. Depending on the season, downtown visitors can also join in on public festivals, outdoor swing dances, walking tours and even a steelhead or salmon run!

Prefer not to walk? Hop on a free DASH shuttle. Rent an electronic bike or scooter. Order up a taxi, Lyft or Uber. Need advice or assistance? Look for the Downtown Ambassadors roaming about to keep the area clean, beautiful and friendly – they’ll be wearing bright orange and blue uniforms.

Your attendees can travel the campus with confidence – Grand Rapids has been named the second most secure large city in America.

Grand Rapids is proud to have been named America’s #2 best city for people with disabilities – and we’re constantly striving to get even better. Experience Grand Rapids is currently in the midst of a three-prong initiative to ensure that people with different abilities feel comfortable visiting Grand Rapids. We are educating local tourism stakeholders in the best practices to improve accessibility, teaming with Disability Advocates of Kent County to evaluate accessibility features at our 350+ local partners, and working with online travel booking platform Wheel the World to showcase our accessible travel experiences and ease planning.

Let’s face it, every city says it’s walkable – but Grand Rapids has the receipts to prove it. We were named one of the 14 most walkable cities in the U.S. in 2020 on the strength of our downtown experience. And there’s so much to see on a leisurely stroll, from the outdoor sculptures and murals lining sidewalks to the historic bridges – perfect for receptions and gatherings – along the riverwalk. Virtually all of downtown is an Outdoor Refreshment Area, enabling visitors to enjoy a craft beverage while taking in the sights.

Dozens of downtown entertainment venues present a mix of live music, DJs and dancing, comedy shows, games, televised sports action and more. The Studio Park entertainment complex includes a nine-screen movie theatre, concert space and outdoor piazza for events. Live theatre, ballet, opera and symphony companies present a regular slate of performances.

Culture vultures rejoice: The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and the Grand Rapids Public Museum are all located within a few blocks of DeVos Place. These are ideal day diversions for families traveling with attendees, as they offer hours of fun and entertainment.

60+ downtown stores cater to those in need of some retail therapy after (or between) a busy convention schedule. Shop for art, clothing, gifts, specialty food and more.  Don’t miss the Downtown Market Grand Rapids, a local foods emporium that’s home to 20+ gourmet food vendors and restaurants. From boutiques to independent bookstores to vinyl records, Grand Rapids has it all.