Visit Uptown
Plan Your Visit
Whatever the reason or the season, there’s always something up in Uptown. Visit alone, or with friends and family. Explore our curated blog posts for ideas on what to do in Uptown.
Directory
Our four vibrant business districts offer shopping, dining, cafes and entertainment. Click to plan your visit, and use the heart emoji to bookmark your “must-see” shops and restaurants.
Visiting Uptown
Getting to Uptown
If you’re in town for a convention, wedding or other event, it’s a quick 1.3 mile jaunt from downtown to any one of the four districts for one-of-a-kind shopping, eclectic eating or entertainment.
Getting Around
We welcome all people to Uptown and want to make sure it’s easy to get around the entire area. Our people-first approach prioritizes walking, biking and public transportation. A variety of parking options are available.
Walk
Uptown has abundant sidewalks with clearly-marked pedestrian crossings so you can enjoy both sides of the street.
Bike
Bike lanes are clearly marked throughout Uptown. Each business district has ample bike parking and a bike repair station.
Take the Bus
Hop on The Rapid (routes 4, 5, 6 or 14) to get here. Find your route to Uptown. If you’re new to public transportation, the Rapid can help.
Drive
If you’re coming in from the suburbs, it’s easy to get to Uptown from 1-96, US-131, Fulton Street or Lake Drive.
Explore our Interactive Map
Click the upper-left box to add or subtract layers like bike racks, public art spaces and more. Missing the layers? Click off the neighborhood (colored) outlines and try again!
Park
Uptown has metered parking for City lots and on-street spaces. The City of Grand Rapids checks meters from 8 a.m. until 5 or 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Take a look around you for the pay-by-plate (orange) signs.
Some on-street parking does not have white lines to mark individual vehicle spaces. That’s OK. It’s actually more space-efficient to have no lines. Head to the nearest meter to pay on the Motu app. You can pay by phone, too. Learn more about using Motu at the Grand Rapids Parking Guide.
Uptown Events
Uptown business districts hold social events, sales, community gatherings and more. Check out the Uptown Facebook for most current information and promotions!
Our signature event: The Uptown Shop Hop, held on first Thursday in December
THIS YEAR’S SHOP HOP is on Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 3-9 p.m.