Downtown Parking Tips

Tips for Parking Downtown...

Tip one, don't ever park like this guy ----->



Downtown GR has plenty of parking, and most visitors end up just parking at the ramps when they don't need to (I know I used to). So I thought I'd share just a few tips for those not familiar with the downtown area and are afraid of getting a ticket.

#1 - Meters on weekends and weeknights are almost always free.
The meters around downtown all have different zone numbers, but you don't need to go memorizing them. Each meter clearly lists it's "operating hours" and days right up top. You will have to get out of the car to see these. As long as you're parking outside "operating hours", you don't have to worry about busting out the quarters. 

#2 - If the meter has a bright orange "No parking" bag over it, don't be deceived!
Seems pretty straight forward, but you'd be surprised. A lot of times for events and traffic flow, the police will block off certain metered parking to help with traffic. HOWEVER, look to see if the bag calls out specific hours/days for no parking. If you're looking to park there outside what's called out, you're good to go.

#3 - A little walk will save you cash
If you're going downtown to eat/drink/socialize, you're likely to end up in a few key areas. You're probably not going to walk further than a half mile, so don't try and park right in front of where you want to go... you'll end up saying "screw it, lets just pay $8 and park in the garage!!". Grand Rapids is a great downtown to walk, so find an open meter before you hit thick traffic and walk it. I usually get lucky finding spots on Ottawa and Ionia between Monroe Center and Michigan Ave.

#4 - Before resorting to a garage, check nearby gated lots with the gate open.
Businesses, restaurants, bars and condos often have shared parking that opens up at night to accommodate guests. Usually if the gate is open, you're safe to park there. I usually get lucky with the small gated lot behind San Chez off Commerce Ave.

#5 - Practice your parallel parking!
It's downtown people, ain't no angled parking here. I'm still training my wife on this one... :) 

Feel free to share other tips by commenting below!

Downtown Grand Rapids Restaurants

There are certainly a lot of downtown bars and restaurants to choose from in Grand Rapids. As someone who doesn't know the area (same for any unfamiliar area), it's easy to get sucked into the chains and familiar names... and heck, that's what those places want! But everyone loves to find the local eateries, and I know I've found a few here.

Below is a list of the local places I've been to so far, both good and bad. There are a lot of downtown neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, so be sure to map these and make sure they work for you location wise. Most of what you'll read can be found in the "heart" of downtown

Bars and restaurants are often one in the same in this city, with both great/unique food and drinks, so I will try and separate them by better eats (this post) and better bars (separate post). I will update both from time to time and add new places with my thoughts, so be sure to check back before your next visit!


The good eats - downtown: 

Stella’s Lounge - One of my personal FAVORITE local places to eat! Downtown just south of Fulton (evening entrance is in the alley). Best burger in town so far. Also known for carrying over 200 whiskey’s, all with decent prices. Nice beer selection too, and happy hour if you can make it with $8 pitchers of sangria :). If you want one of the top 3 burgers you've ever had, this is the absolute place. Don't be turned away from the crazy skull graffiti.

Peppino’s - Local chain of pizza/Italian joints in the GR area. Very Buffalo Wild Wings like... sports bar feel to it. Pretty good pizza, happy hour wings, decent prices, a lot of food menu options overall with specials every day. Decent beer/liquor selections and prices. Overall, nice place to grab pizza with some friends. I like it because it's not your typical chain, but has the same food/beverage/atmosphere as one. 

XO Cuisine (photo above) - If you're downtown and in the mood for Chinese, this is the place I'd recommend. Especially great if you want lunch, because they have some great Chinese lunch menu prices, especially for being downtown.

The Woods - Was renovated a few years ago. Huge outdoor seating area with a roof but no walls... great for summer! Inside seating as well. Very ‘rustic’ feeling to it, as you may guess from the name. Not the biggest selection of food, but what they do have is pretty unique and tasty, and a nice selection of alcohol (females try the famous "Woods-tinis"). Prices are pretty decent. Definitely worth checking out for dinner; it’s right on the river and just on the other side of Van Andel. They have a special late night food menu... but if you go on bar night, be prepared to be surrounded by a very young and loud crowd.

Hopcat (photo right) - Five words... CRACK FRIES, 48 DRAFT BEERS. When my wife and I come here for a dinner night, I will say we easily drop $60 between food and beer... but it's totally worth it. One side of the menu is food, and the other all beer (no Bud Light here). Great food all around, and yes their crack fries are as addicting as they sound. A GR staple.

Cottage Bar - Restaurant/Bar just off Fulton on La Grave. The place has a very rustic/local look and feel to it. We ate in a cool little alley between the bar and the building beside it, very nice setting. Known for it's homemade chili and unique burgers. Overall, pretty good food and definitely local. Average beer selection, but I know they rotate often. Decently priced. Wouldn't be my first pick, but if you've been to other local places and haven't been here, it's worth a try.

One Trick Pony - Right next door to the Cottage Bar is One Trick Pony. I checked this place out with a friend before seeing a show at Dog Story Theater right down the street. When you walk in, you still feel like you're outside, as it's decorated to look like you're eating in an alley (which it probably was an old one). Prices are slightly higher ($15-25 for an entree), but their food is good. They also feature some chef specialties and are always rotating them. I'd recommend this place for a special night out... date night, hosting family, etc. You won't let them down.

Dog pit - Right downtown across from Rosa Park Circle. Sounds like it is... your late night place to get cheap hot dogs. Similar to Yesterdog, Central dog (I'm from CMU :) with all the crazy options. Your typical steamed hot dogs in basically every way you’d want them served. Not recommended for any meal but the fourth meal, and after checking out all the bars in town.

J.D. Reardon’s - In the same building as Boardwalk Condos (my living space!), north tip of downtown on Monroe (mile north of the B.O.B.). Known for a GREAT variety of draft beers, pretty cheap prices ($4-6). Only reason this makes the eats section is MONDAY night half-off pizza. They have great homemade pizzas for less than $7 on Mondays. Otherwise, very cool place to ‘chill’ and have a few beers.

Leo’s - Restaurant downtown, around the corner from TGIF. Fancy and pretty expensive, but had great food. More of a seafood and steak type place. Nice place for a solid date night (yes guys), be semi dressed up, nothing too formal though. Standard beer/wine/cocktail selection. Falls in the same boat as Ruth Chris and Louis Benton.

O’Tooles - Just west of the river off Bridge street (Michigan st. if you're on the east side). Locally known by some as having the "best bar food". Sandwiches are great, along with their burgers. They open up the windows in the summer, and it's a great spot for lunch or dinner. Specials every night! Generally more "low key", and a good place to start before getting crazy at Monte's next door :)

Boardwalk Subs - Not exactly downtown... but if you're willing to drive to one of the two locations (I prefer Lake Michigan Drive), they have the best large Jersey-style subs in the area. Fresh cut meat and cheese when you order, and great prices. Great Sunday recovery lunch :)

Other than the downtown chains (TGIF, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc), that's all I've experienced so far. Stay tuned as I update for more options!

Have any input? Feel free to post comments and share with others!