Cross the the Grand River four times as you tour Downtown Grand Rapids. Best part? It starts and ends at Terra Bagel. You'll need those carbs.
Tour the Grand River along the riverwalk. Start and end at our Downtown Grand Rapids Store.
The perfect route for a full taste of Grand Rapids. Plan your dinner spot as you tour the West Side and Monroe Center.
A flat, paved 5k route along the Grand River. A staple of any GR runner's regular running routes.
Take a tour of Eastown in Grand Rapids. Start at Madcap and stroll through the Aquinas campus. End up back at Madcap and enjoy a cup of joe! Too late for coffee? (Not possible) Grab a bite at Schnitz Deli.
Get the highest view of Grand Rapids and run along the river. Watch out! This trek finishes with a long stair climb. Pro tip: this route comes alive at sunset.
A simple out and back through the Creston Neighborhood in Grand Rapids. Start and end at the amazing Creston Brewery. We recommend a post run beer if you're into that.
Run around the West Grand neighborhood in Grand Rapids. Start and finish at Richmond Park. Extend your run by checking out the Highlands or one of the 4 cemeteries on this route.
We like to say, “Fitness is more fun with friends!” Drop in for a run or walk with any of these groups and we bet you’ll agree!
Mondays @ 6pm, Creston Brewery (3.5 - 5 miles)
Tuesdays @ 6am, Rotating monthly locations (3 - 5 miles)
Wednesdays @ 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM
Wednesdays @ 6:01am, Corner of Lyon & Bostwick
Tuesdays @ 6PM, Cannonsburg Ski Area
Tuesdays @ 6pm, 412 Bridge St. NW | Apr-Oct: Weekly | Nov-Mar: Monthly
Saturdays Mornings, Rotating Locations
Sticking around or from the area? Become a member of one of these fun groups:
Could’ve sworn you put it in your suitcase? Hey, it happens. But not to worry – whether you’re here for a day or a week, we’ve got the gear to keep your trip on track (or add to what you packed even if you didn’t forget anything!).
You don’t have to lace up your running shoes to stay active in Downtown Grand Rapids – there are tons of fun things to do and ways to move! Here are just a handful of our favorite places to get steps in while exploring, along with a couple of great resources to make the most of your visit.
Grand Rapids Public Museum - Approx. 5 min. drive (0.9 mi); 10 min. walk (0.5 mi)
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum - Approx. 2 min. drive (0.2 mi); 5 min. walk (800 ft)
Grand Rapids Art Museum - Approx. 2 min. drive (0.3 mi); 5 min. walk (0.2 mi)
Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives - Approx. 3 min. drive (0.3 mi); 2 min. walk (400 ft)
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum - Approx. 5 min. drive (.08 mi); 15 min. walk (0.6 mi)
John Ball Zoo - Approx. 5 min. drive (1.8 mi); 40 min. walk (1.8 mi)
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Approx. 10 min. drive (5.5 mi); 1 hr and 45 min. walk (5.1 mi)
Gigantic green space with river and city views. Perfect for a casual walk or part of a larger running route. Frequent art installations and events mean you never know what you'll see while being active!
Part artwork, part nature watching spot. Make sure to check this spot out while you walk/run along the river. You'll see many people fishing the river and might even see a fish jump the ladder!
Large paved path along the Grand River with great views and multiple options for getting active. Enjoy disc golf, kayaking, biking, running, or walking. Want to go for a longer run/walk/bike? Catch the White Pine Trail heading North.
A short drive from downtown, but so worth the trip! Millennium Park has miles and miles of paved path around Lake Lamar and along the Grand River. Don't forget the beach, boardwalk, large playground, and boat rental. This place is paradise for anyone wanting to get active.
This calendar managed by Experience Grand Rapids is chock full of events and activities all over Grand Rapids. Looking for Food Trucks? You got it. Looking for a local concert series? You got it.
This is the place to find what to do with your little ones. Whether you're looking for camps, story time, or outdoor time, GR Kids has a recommendation.
Whether you’re from the area or out of town, we’re happy to see you and even happier to help! We’ll fit you with the perfect shoe, help you find the gear you need, answer any questions you have, and even share our favorite places to run and visit while you’re here.
Meet Rebecca. She’s our Downtown Grand Rapids Store Manager Extraordinnaire! Rebecca’s favorite part about working at Gazelle Sports is the people – the staff and the customers alike who all have a passion for movement in any and all ways.
Rebecca loves anything and everything Vuori (you have to visit us to get it – it’s only in-store!). She also loves walking, track & field, running, and lacing up her New Balance More v4's. When she’s not working, you can often spot Rebecca visiting other local shops and restaurants, like San Chez Bistro. You might even see her making her way around Reed’s Lake (in her Vuori joggers and New Balance More v 4’s of course!).
Stop in and say hi to Ethan (aka E), one of our awesome Sales Associates! Ethan loves his coworkers as well as sharing his knowledge about shoes and sports with customers – and he’s got a lot of it since he’s totally into the latest footwear and active apparel! Ethan thinks his New Balance Fuelcell Rebels are nothing less than perfect.
Besides running, Ethan enjoys playing guitar as well as video games and basketball. He’s captain of his soccer team, and likes to walk, hike, bike, swim, coach, camp, travel, go to concerts and eat white chocolate Flipz pretzels. When he gets thirsty – and as you can imagine, that’s often! – he chugs down any flavor of Arizona tea. Ethan also loves dogs and plans to go to college to become a teacher – told you he loves sharing his knowledge!
Say hello to Mary, who not only loves to wear fun Sprint hats, but wears two hats at Gazelle Sports as a Sales Floor Associate and part of our Fulfillment Team! As a retired dental hygienist, it’s no surprise Mary loves to see customers smile when she helps them find the right shoes. Which pair makes her happy? The Brooks Glycerin, worn with Smartwool socks, of course. Add a Nathan water bottle in her hand and a Garmin watch on her wrist and she’s good to go for a run, walk, or hike – she likes to stay active to keep up with her kids and grandkids! In fact, when Mary’s not in her running shoes making her way around Reed’s Lake, through East Grand Rapids or over the downtown bridges, she’s on a paddle board, yoga mat, or out sailing (she’s sailing certified!).
No matter the season, there are always community runs and races to be found downtown! Join us for our signature Grand Rapids events:
Our team is passionate about 2 things: Helping people move and Downtown Grand Rapids!
