Exploring West Leonard Street in Grand Rapids

West Leonard Murals

One of the first things to catch your eye as you emerge from the highway underpass just west of the Grand River is “Our Diversity is our Strength,” a massive wall mural on the south side of the street, just beyond (and above) a corner gas station. Local artist George Eberhardt painted this piece to showcase the community’s diversity. It’s one of six Leonard St. murals you’ll see on the self-guided West Side Murals Tour.

Muse

Muse is an interactive, ever-changing creative space featuring a unique selection of art from artists near and far. The gallery also hosts a variety of special events. Noon-4pm Mon, Wed & Fri. 727 Leonard St NW.

The Art of Life Gallery and Studio

The Art of Life is stocked with unique locally made gifts and offers both public and private painting classes led by experienced arts. The storefront is open by appointment only. 1134 Leonard St NW.

Grand Rapids Public Library West Leonard Branch

Occupying a building that formerly housed a restaurant, GRPL’s West Leonard Branch boasts a vast collection of books and media, a welcoming children’s play area and large windows that suffuse the space with natural light. Also features weekly family storytimes, public computers and printing, free WiFi and free parking in the library lot. Noon-8pm Mon-Tue, 10am-6pm Wed-Thu and 10am-6pm Sat. 1017 Leonard St NW.

Wengers Bowling Center

Opened in 1932, Wengers Bowling Center has two floors with eight lanes each, a bar and food. Weekday rates are $3 per game + $3 for shoe rental, and you can check their website for weekend specials. 2-9pm Sun, 5-10pm Mon, 5-11pm Thu and 4pm-midnight Fri-Sat. 629 Leonard St NW.

Blandford Nature Center

You’ll have to travel about 1.5 miles west of the traditional West Leonard district boundary (Bristol Ave) to visit Blandford Nature Center, but it’s certainly worth the trip. Take a right at Hillburn Ave NW, a tree-lined residential street, and follow it to the Blandford Visitor Center and parking lot. With eight miles of scenic trails through woods and meadows, wildlife ambassadors, a historic village and a constant schedule of family-friendly events, Blandford is an oasis of nature in the city. 9am-5pm Mon-Sat; trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. 1715 Hillburn Ave NW.

Bagel Kitchen Westside

Opened in June 2024, Bagel Kitchen Westside is the second location for the East Grand Rapids-based Bagel Kitchen. The bagel shop serves fresh-made bagels, bagel sandwiches and coffee drinks made with locally roasted Schuil Coffee Co. beans. 6:30am-1pm Mon-Fri and 7:30am-1pm Sat-Sun. 450 Leonard St NW.

The Mitten Brewing Co.

Located in a renovated Victorian firehouse, The Mitten Brewing Co. is a vintage baseball-themed microbrewery that expertly pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas – including a justly famous pizza flight. 11:30am-9pm Sun-Mon and 11:30am-10pm Tue-Sat. 527 Leonard St NW.

Two Scotts Barbecue

BBQ joint in a converted root-beer stand serves smoked meats, country sides and old-fashioned sodas. Two Scotts owners Scott Hartmann and Scott Leucht have developed a “new” Michigan regional style of barbecue that incorporates the traditional approach of dry, spice-rubbed meats. 11am-3pm Tue-Thu & Sat, and 11am-7pm Fri. 536 Leonard St NW.

The People’s Cider Co.

The tasting room for this local hard cider producer is a small but comfortable and unpretentious space with a large bar and a few tables inside and out. The cider selection is listed on a chalkboard every day, emphasizing dry and barrel-aged ciders. The People’s Cider Co. is open from 4-10pm Tue-Fri and 2-10pm Sat. 539 Leonard St NW.

Chicago Style Gyro

Quick-serve gyros, sandwiches and burgers dominate the menu at Chicago Style Gyro. A Shish Kebab Platter offers your choice of chicken, kafta, beef or lamb. Wash it down with Turkish coffee, Kurdish tea or homemade lemonade. 1am-8pm, Mon-Sat. 539 Leonard St NW.

The Iron Well

Billing itself as “a little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll,” The Iron Well offers a limited menu of bar food (mostly fried) plus beer on tap and cocktails. TVs, pool tables, darts, DJs and karaoke add to the fun. Noon-2am daily. 741 Leonard St NW.

Long Road Distillers  

Industrial-style bar and eatery serves award-winning spirits, handcrafted cocktails and farm-fresh, New American food. Named for the owner’s “no-shortcuts” ethos, Long Road Distillers has won dozens of international awards for its creations and was named the nation’s Best Craft Specialty Spirits Distillery by USA Today. 4-11pm Tue-Fri and noon-11pm Sat. 537 Leonard St NW.

Arnie’s Bakery & Kafe

A family-run bakery since 1905, Arnie’s retails artisan breads, desserts and other baked goods at its Leonard St store, which also has fast casual/takeout café serving all-day breakfast sandwiches, salads, donuts and more. 6:45am-6pm Mon-Fri and 7am-4pm Sat. 815 Leonard St NW.

Play Station Pub

Neighborhood bar offers affordable drinks and bar food in a friendly and attentive space. The Play Station Pub hosts karaoke multiple times a week. Noon-1am Sun-Tue and noon-2am Wed-Sat. 1141 Leonard St NW.

River City Saloon

River City Saloon is neighborhood bar offering a variety of burgers, flatbreads, Mexican dishes and more. Great daily food specials and $1 off all drinks from opening to 7pm, 7 days a week. Kitchen hours:.11am-10pm Mon-Sat and noon-10pm Sun with a late-night menu available Fri and Sat from 10pm-midnight. 1152 Leonard St NW.

Vanden Brink Sweet Smoked Honey Ham

Get a variety of box lunches to go at Vanden Brink, which also retails its own smoked ham, meat sticks, jerky, chicken, sausage and more. 10am-4pm Mon-Tue & Thu-Fri, 10am-4:30pm Wed. 1330 Leonard St NW.

Los Mariscos de Pancho

Serving seafood and birria inspired by the owners’ Mexican and Californian roots, Los Mariscos de Pancho is a hidden Grand Rapids gem. Birria, a traditional Mexican dish from the Jalisco region, is served as quesabirria, ramen, pizza and more. Seafood selections include shrimp, crawfish, crab legs, langostinos, mussels and oysters. Noon-8pm Thu-Sat and noon-5pm Sun. 1358 Leonard St NW.

Bestside Bar & Grill

Named for area residents’ fervent belief that “The West Side is the Best Side,” the Bestside Bar & Grill serves up fresh-made burgers, handhelds, soups, salads, pizzas, entrées and more. The beverage menu includes beer, cider, seltzer, wine and cocktails, including the Bestside’s signature herbal gin & tonics. TVs, golf simulators and garage doors that open in nice weather add to the congenial atmosphere. 11am-9pm Mon, 11am-10pm Tue, 11am-11pm Wed-Sat and 10am-9pm Sun. 1645 Leonard St NW.

Sandy’s Donuts

Located a bit beyond the traditional West Leonard business boundary, Sandy’s Donuts has been fueling West Siders with coffee, donuts and other sweet treats for more than 50 years. A perennial “best donut shop” finalist in local polls. 5am-1pm Tue-Sat. 2040 Leonard St NW.

Also on West Leonard: Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, Little Caesar’s Pizza, McDonald’s, Subway and Taco Bell.

The Comedy Project

The Comedy Project is a comedy and cocktails theater presenting improv, sketch and comedy variety shows 3-4 nights a week. It’s also a Flights of Flavor location, offering a moonshine or whiskey flight for $20 – get the Flights of Flavor digital pass to earn points toward free merchandise when you order your flight. 540 Leonard St NW.

Leona Road

Originally built in 1916 and serving as an elementary school for nearly a century, Leona Road has been fully renovated with modern Scandinavian styling and large open spaces to host weddings and other events. Accommodates up to 300 guests. Free parking.1351 Leonard St NW

River City Saloon

River City Saloon is a friendly neighborhood watering hole that presents live music every Fri and Sat night, trivia on Mon, karaoke on Tue and Thu, and free pool on Sunday.11am-2am Mon-Sat and noon-2am Sun. 1152 Leonard St NW.

DeVries Jewelers has been retailing engagement rings, watches and more since 1901. 9am-5:30pm Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri and 9am-8pm Wed. 411 Leonard St NW.

The Shade Shop is the source for designer lampshades, lamps and hardware. 9am-3pm Mon-Fri. 422 Leonard St NW.

More or Less NA Bottles and Beer carries 450+ non-alcoholic alternatives to beer, wine, spirits and more. Noon-7pm Tue-Sat. 434 Leonard St NW.

Captain Bizarro’s Treasure World offers an ever-changing inventory of vintage pop retro collectibles, toys, records, clothing, art, home décor and gifts. Noon-5:30pm Mon-Fri and noon-5pm Sat. 442 Leonard St NW.

Furn on Leonard features brand-name furniture at savings of 25%-80% off retail prices. Noon-7pm Wed, 11am-5pm Thu-Sat and 11am-5pm Sun. 444 Leonard St NW.

Supermercado Michoacan is a grocery store offering a wide selection of Mexican products and takeout dishes. 9am -7pm daily. 602 Leonard St NW.

Northwestern Home Furnishings is a 75+-year-old family-owned store focused on quality, design and customer service. 9am-8pm Mon, Wed & Fri, 9am-6pm Tue & Thu, 9am-5pm Sat. 637 Leonard St NW.

Ralph’s Food Market is a neighborhood grocery store offering a variety of food products and household essentials. 7am-9pm Mon-Sat and 8am-9pm Sun. 655 Leonard St NW.

Mieras Family Shoes has been fitting West Michigan with quality, comfortable shoes since 1922. 8:30am-8pm Mon-Fri and 8:30am-6pm Sat. 84 Leonard St NW.

Rose Bowl Floral & Gifts offers fresh flower arrangements and gifts for every occasion. 9am-5pm Mon-Fri and 9am-noon Sat. 905 Leonard St NW.

Freewheeler Bike Shop has been a one-stop shop for bicyclists of all ages and abilities since 1978. 10am-6pm Mon-Fri and 9am-3pm Sat. 915 Leonard St NW.

Legacy Thrift sells gently used furniture, clothing and home goods to support Christian ministries across the globe. 11am-3pm Tue & Thu-Sat. 1054 Leonard St NW.

Flashback on Leonard/GRvintage Thrift is the place for fun retro clothing, costumes and collectibles. Noon-6pm Mon-Thu and noon-7pm Fri-Sat. 1136 Leonard St NW.

Vidiots buys and sells used video games, video game consoles and accessories. 11am-6pm Mon-Tue and Thu-Sat. 1304 Leonard St NW.