What to Do on the West Side

Hit the links – the Mines Golf Club is an 18-hole course right around the corner from John Ball Zoo. Built atop old gypsum mines, the rolling terrain makes it a joy (and challenge) to play.

Hike, bike or blade Kent Trails, a 15-mile paved pathway that follows abandoned railroad lines through wetlands, forests, meadows and city neighborhoods. John Ball Zoo is a trailhead.

Explore Bridge Street – the up-and-coming entertainment district is home to Bucher’s Union Meat & Whisky restaurant, Harmony Hall brewery and restaurant, Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery, New Holland Brewing - The Knickerbocker and The Sovengard Scandinavian restaurant. And there’s more to come!

What to See on the West Side

See more than 1,300 animals at John Ball Zoo, one of the nation’s oldest surviving urban zoos and Michigan’s fourth most visited cultural attraction.

See four majestic Catholic churches erected by the area's early immigrants. The Germans built St. Mary's, the Irish built St. James, and the Polish built St. Adalbert and Sacred Heart, all within a few blocks of each other.

See (and buy) gourmet nut and coffee mixes featured on the Home Shopping Network at Ferris Coffee & Nut, a local company that dates back to 1924.

Local West Side Favorites

Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant and Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille are longtime West Side favorites serving up delicious food in a friendly atmosphere.

Frank’s Market and Lewandoski’s Market offer a selection of authentic and German and Polish foods, including fresh and smoked kielbasa, metwurst, German wieners and more.

The Bitter End Coffeehouse, popular with neighborhood residents and students from nearby Grand Valley State University, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

West Side Hidden Gems

Muse GR in an interactive art gallery offering events, classes and workshops.

Blue Dog Tavern, Corridor Coffee, The Holiday Bar, Monarchs Club Corner Bar and Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant & Pizza form a mini Restaurant Row on a two-block stretch of Stocking Avenue.