This 2.5-Mile Grand Rapids Riverwalk Takes Your Family to the Hidden Gems in Downtown Grand Rapids, for Free

Start & End Here: Fish Ladder Park

Fish Ladder Park 560 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

This is an oldie, but a goodie!

The fish ladder is functional artwork that provides an opportunity to see fish jump up water steps.

Spring and late summer are your best chance to see fish jumping, but it’s beautiful year-round.

If the fish are biting, you’ll likely see anglers trying to land a catch both from shore and in the river.

With free parking and bathrooms, this is a great spot for your “home base” for the day!

While you’re at Fish Ladder Park, be sure to look to the south end of the property for the really long “A to Z” Walphabet Mural. Kids love running up and down the wall to find the letters in their names.

Walking Instructions: From Fish Ladder Park, head north on the riverside walkway to 6th St. Cross the 6th Street Bridge (photo op!) and head to the adjacent 6th Street Bridge Park.

Stop Two: Sixth Street Park

Sixth Street Bridge Park 647 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

To reach Sixth Street Park you’ll need to cross the historic Sixth Street bridge.

Perched along the river, this grassy park is a great place to stop for a quick snack, play frisbee, or read a book with your kids.

Walking Instructions: Head north on the Riveredge Trail. It’s about 2 blocks to Canal Park.

Stop Three: Canal Park

Canal Park 941 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Canal Park is an optional stop on this walking tour. We’ve included it because it’s not far from Sixth Street Bridge and it has a playground.

Also, as you walk along the Riveredge Trail, you’ll find several pieces of outdoor exercise equipment that kids love to test out.

Sidenote: This area is where City Built Brewing Company is located. They have expanded their outdoor seating into the park area. If you’re looking for a refreshment stop along the way, they might be the most convenient. Order online or call 616-805-5755

Walking Instructions: Head back the way you came on the Riveredge Trail (you’ll be going south). Continue past the Sixth Street Bridge along Monroe Avenue til you reach 555 Monroe NW.

Stop Four: Skate Park & Fun Finds

Downtown GR Skate Park & Site Activation 555 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids MI 49503

You never know quite what you’re going to find when you stop in at 555 Monroe Ave NW.

That’s because the city’s vision for the space is to bring activations to the area sandwiched between a highway, Monroe Ave and the Grand River.

In it’s time as a special event venue, 555 Monroe has played host to outdoor movies, an installation of glowing seesaws, dance performances, and more.

Currently, you’ll find a large swath of giant colored palm fronds to mingle with for selfies.

One corner of the address does have a set use, though: It’s a skate park and it’s aptly named 555 Monroe.

Local dad @brianduey suggests bringing helmets and pads — and to keep in mind that the park is open to all ages, so younger kids will likely share the space with bigger kids and adults, too.

More Details:

🛴 The Skate Park is FREE and open to the public.

🛹 It’s open year-round (weather permitting).

🚲 Daily hours: 8 AM – 10 PM.

🎥 @brianduey

Walking Instructions: Return to the Riveredge trail and walk south. The trail will take you under the highway, past the post office, and to Michigan Street where you’ll need to get to the sidewalk.

Once at the corner of Michigan & Monroe, proceed to Calder Plaza by walking east on Michigan to Ottawa. Make a right on Ottawa and you’ll see Calder Plaza after you round the corner.

Stop Five: Calder Plaza

Calder Plaza 300 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Calder Plaza is as iconic as it gets for Grand Rapids.

The beautiful orange sculpture La Grande Vitesse was crafted for the city by famed artist Alexander Calder, giving the Plaza its name.

Your kids definitely need to get close to the Calder for all of the photo ops. The large concrete plaza is closed off to traffic, making that one less thing to worry about for parents.

While you can’t miss La Grande Vitesse, it’s easy to miss Motu Viget by Mark di Suvero (aka the di Suvero Swing), making it one of our GR hidden gems.

This giant tire swing is tucked behind the Gerald R. Ford Federal Building and overlooks the DeVos Hall Convention Center.

If you can find it, you’re in for loads of giggles with your kiddos.

Walking Instructions: From the Calder, head south on Ottawa Ave to Lyon St. Take Lyon west til you meet the river. Look north and you’ll see the Gillett Bridge for pedestrians. Cross the river using the Gillett Bridge. You will end up in Ah-Nab-Awen Park.

Bonus Walk – Rather than turning off on Lyon, continue one more block to Pearl. Stop at Rosa Parks Circle  to see if there’s something fun happening – as there often is. This is also where you’ll find Biggby Coffee and Kilwin’s Ice Cream if you’re looking for refreshments.

Stop Six: Ah-Nab-Awen Park

Ah-Nab-Awen Park 220 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Ah-Nab-Awen Park is good place for a game of tag (before loading everyone back in the car–you’re almost done).

There are also bathrooms located here if anyone needs a bathroom break.

The park is situated between the Grand River and the reflecting pool of the Gerald R. Ford Museum. The reflecting pool is pretty neat and worth a look.

This brings us to our final hidden gem of the day – Lorrie’s Button.

Lorrie’s Button is a giant, red button that kids can climb on. The Big Red Button is 14 feet across with 4 holes that kids can pop in and out of. To find it, you’ll need to head to the north end of the Gerald R Ford Presidential Museum. It’s tucked alongside Ah-Nab-Awen Park, a parking lot, and the presidential Museum.

Walking Instructions: From here, it’s about a half-mile walk along the trail to get back to Fish Ladder Park where you started. Read the next section for help locating the river walk.

Cool Route Back: Take the Riverwalk

A scenic walking option instead of staying on busy city roads. This little trail will take you right along the river with some great views of the city all around you.

To find the Riveredge trail, head north along the pathway in Ah-Nab-Awen Park. You’ll see the Michigan Street Bridge. You need to get to the other side of the bridge, either by going under or crossing at street level.

After crossing Michigan St look for the pathway to continue near Bridgewater Place.

Note: the pathway here is seasonal and is closed in the winter or when conditions warrant. If that’s the case, you’ll need to use the sidewalk on Scribner Ave. to get back to Fish Ladder Park.