West Side Best Side

The west side (or "WestSide") first connected to downtown Grand Rapids in 1842 via the footbridge and has since had a common motto from residents: “WestSide, best side!”. It has a rich identity as a melting pot of culture and is considered the most diverse urban neighborhood in GR. 

There is a passionate love for the WestSide that resonates through the Urban neighborhood. It's location is bordered by Richmond Street on the north, Butterworth on the South, the natural border of the Grand River on the east, and a hill parallel to Valley on the West. 

The WestSide is a business districts with a walkable "small town" feel. It has many authentic restaurants, grocers, coffee shops, breweries, antique shops, and more. There are more than 250 acres of parks and green spaces, and it houses a skate park and John Ball Zoo. The WestSide's Fish Ladder Park also offers some of the best steelhead and salmon fishing in West MI. 

The pride in the WestSide remains stronger than ever. See what to do, where to eat, and where to shop below with local favorites highlighted for your convenience. 

WHAT TO DO ON THE WEST SIDE

• John Ball Zoo
  • See more than 2,000 animals at one of the country's oldest urban zoos! There are rides and many activities for the whole family. 
• David C. Hunting YMCA
  
  • An incredible facility just west of downtown, check out the YMCA for some cardio, free weights, strength training, or stop in for a group fitness class. 
• The DeltaPlex Arena
  
  • Constantly offering a wide variety of events from sports to concerts to food expos, the DeltaPlex has a little something for everyone. See a list of their upcoming events here so you can stay in the loop! 
• Grand Rapids Glassblowing Studio
  
  • Perfect during the spring, summer, and fall, glass blowing classes are offered under the experienced guidance of John Riepma. Learn about him here. 
• Harmony Hall
  
  • Best known for their sausages, but brimming with an excellent live music scene, Harmony Hall brings music to the west side complete with a side of frites where there otherwise might not be one. Coming up is a jazz trio and Dixieland jazz band. We dig it. 

WHERE TO EAT:

• Adobe Mexican Restaurant
• Anchor Bar
• Arnie’s Bakery and Restaurant*
• Bitter End Coffee House
• Black Heron Kitchen & Bar
• Blue Dog Tavern
• Brann’s Steakhouse*
• Broadway Bar
• Butcher’s Union
• Chicago Style Gyro
• El Granhero Mexican Grill
• El Sombrero
• Ferris Coffee & Nut Co.
• Fratelli’s Pizza
• Harmony Hall
• Long Road Distillers
• Maggie’s Kitchen
• The Mitten Brewing Company
• New Holland Knickerbocker
• O’Tooles Public House
• One Bourbon
• River City Saloon
• Roots Brew Shop
• Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza*
• Sandy’s Donuts*
• The Sovengard
• Spoonlickers Frozen Yogurt
• Tacos El Cunado
• The Rower’s Club
• The Westsider Café*
• Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille
• Two Scott’s Barbeque

WHERE TO SHOP

• The Conscious Collective Consignment
• Denym
• Dodds Record Store
• Ferris Coffee & Nut Co.
• Frank’s Market*
• Freewheeler Bike Shop
• Lewandoski’s Market*
• The Mitten State Store
• Nawara Brothers Home Store
• Pearl Street Express
• Rylee’s Ace Hardware

Indicates a local favorite*