Downtown Rockford is a quaint, walkable business district filled with unique shops, restaurants and the scenic beauty of the Rogue River. As you stroll the seven blocks of the city center, you’ll also encounter another kind of beauty, in the form of indoor and outdoor murals painted by West Michigan artists.

The murals showcased here take their inspiration from nature, which is a vital part of the appeal of visiting and living in Rockford. The Rogue River – designated “Country Scenic” by the state of Michigan – is a popular fishing, canoeing, kayaking and innertubing destination, and hiking and biking trails are abundant.

Rockford is about 20 minutes northeast of downtown Grand Rapids, so it’s an easy trip – and well worth it for the small-town experience … and inspirational art!

Rockford Corner Bar Mural

31 N Main  St.

Start your mural tour at The Corner Bar, a local icon set in a landmark 1873 building. Head up to the second floor to see a mural by Alyson Rodriguez, who painted a dreamy Michigan sunset on a brick wall and adorned an overhead steel beam with the logo of the Rockford Rams, the local high school team. 

Alyson’s work helped usher in a new era for the business following a 2017 fire. “The tragedy of the fire a year ago has proven that this community will always carry on,” wrote Alyson as she was putting the finishing touches on the mural in August 2018. “Being immersed in the bustling of the staff and owners working their hearts out to rebuild has been nothing short of amazing.”

While you’re here, you might as well sample one of The Corner’s signature hot dogs (or 12, if you’d like to add your name to the Hot Dog Hall of Fame).

Mural Art by Dania Grevengoed in Rockford

Dania Grevengoed’s work brings attention to local flora.

Photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR Artwork: Dania Grevengoed

Courtland Street Mural

32 N Main St.

Walk out the front door of The Corner Bar and cross N Main St,, passing the front door of the business on the corner. The Courtland St. side of that building is covered by an expansive mural by Dania Grevengoed, who specializes in botanical murals and art. “I focus mostly on native plants,” she says. “But even for murals that don’t include native plants I do a lot of research on plants that are special to my client or the space. Every plant painted is intentionally chosen.”

 See if you can identify the plants in this piece.

Rogue River Tavern Mural

4 N Main St.

Return to N Main St. and head south (left) one block to Rogue River Tavern, at the corner of N Main and E Bridge St. On the back wall of the tavern parking lot is a painting by Rebecca Haigler, featuring bees pollinating flowers along with exhortations to “bee positive,” “bee humble,” “bee kind” and “bee you.”

It’s a fitting message for this upbeat, family-friendly sports bar and restaurant that has been serving the community since 2000.

Mural art by Dania Grevengoed at the Era Boutique

Era features a striking outdoor mural set against a dramatic black background.

Photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR Artwork: Dania Grevengoed

Era Mural

10 N Squires St.

Head west (right) E Bridge to N Squires (the next cross street). Take a right and walk a few hundred feet. Just past the Rockford Welcome Center, which offers tourist information and public restrooms, is Era.

A gift shop offering new, vintage and repurposed merchandise, Era boasts a gorgeous outdoor mural by Dania Grevengoed. The dramatic black background of this piece sets it apart from her earlier Courtland St. mural, though the two share a botanical theme.

Grevengoed – who often signs her designs with the tag “Interpersonal Design” – is a prolific muralist whose work can also be seen around Grand Rapids. Check out North Quarter and Painted Ticket Booths tours.

Mural by Dania Grevengoed at Rockford Brewing

Climb the stairs at Rockford Brewing to find a mural celebrating hops, grains, and native flora.

Photo by Bryan Esler for Experience GR Artwork: Dania Grevengoed

Rockford Brewing Murals

12 E Bridge St.

Retrace your steps down N Squires St to E Bridge St. Cross the street and go right (west) 100 feet or so to Rockford Brewing Company. This is a great place to refresh yourself with a handcrafted beer, hard cider, root beer or other beverage. (The serve delicious food, too!)

While you’re waiting for your order to arrive, take the stairs to the second floor. The walls of the stairway feature another painting from Dana Grevengoed. This one depicts hops and grains essential to the brewing process as well as native Michigan trilliums, grains, weeds, vines and shrubs.

You’ll be greeted at the top of the stairs by a 3D painting titled “The Grateful Dead.” Grand Rapids-based concert and event photographer Anna Sink created this whimsical piece.

Note that all of the murals above are located within the Rockford Outdoor Refreshment Area. You can purchase adult beverages from Rogue River Tavern, Rockford Brewing Company and other participating businesses and walk around the designated area on Saturdays and Sundays from noon-10pm.

Third Nature Brewing Company

7733 Childsdale Ave NE

You’ll have to jump in your vehicle for this one – Third Nature Brewing Company is about two miles from Rockford Brewing. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the White Pine Trail, this craft brewery has a stunning outdoor garden, but you’ll have to venture inside to see the mural by Devin DuMond, a multidisciplinary artist and faculty member at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University in Grand Rapids.

DuMond juxtaposes geometric forms and scenes from nature to capture both the branding of the brewery and the scenic landscape around it. Look for “Hoppy” the groundhog and other local animals interspersed with flowing hops vines.

You can also see DuMond’s work in our Uptown Grand Rapids mural tour and Rad Women Electrical Box tour.