West Grand - Grand Rapids, MI

Before European settlement, the Ottawa tribe lived on the western shores of the Grand River. When French traders arrived in the area in the 1600s, the two communities began a productive trading relationship, largely fueled by the demand for beaver pelts, which were made into men's hats until that trend cooled in the mid-1800s. In 1850, German settlers developed the neighborhood; many of the businesses they built still stand throughout the area, and a few are still run by the German or Polish families that started them.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, on the south end of the neighborhood, honors the U.S. President and Grand Rapids native in an impressive riverside museum that includes a recreation of the Oval Office during his time in the White House and a gallery of 1970s culture. History buffs should also visit the VanAndal Museum Center, a history museum founded in 1854.

The presence of college students in the West Grand area means you don't need to go far to find a great coffee shop — or brew pub. Coffeehouse The Bitter End, housed in a historic bank building, stays open 24-7, making it a mainstay for telecommuters, the after-bar crowd and students pulling all-nighters. The Story Cafe doubles as a community gathering place, with open-mic events throughout the week, including poetry jams and improv nights.

The Westsider Cafe preserves the neighborhood's Polish cooking traditions. This memorable little breakfast and lunch joint serves a mix of classic breakfast fare and Mexican food, but it's the Polish kapusta (braised cabbage with meat or veggies), dill pickle soup and galumpkis (stuffed cabbage rolls) that gets people talking — and coming back for more.

The area's most beloved Italian restaurant, Salvatore's, opened in 1976, and the same family still runs the place, using recipes brought over from Sicily. Classic pasta dishes, steak, pizza and subs, all made by scratch, make this a special restaurant for many Westsiders. The food is filling and wonderfully un-trendy, made just the way Salvatore made it years ago — except for the new-fangled gluten-free pizza crust. Save room for the cannoli.

There are many bars where you can grab a drink and a bite after work. A landmark brick firehouse now houses the Mitten Brewing Company, a vintage baseball-themed microbrewery and pizza shop. Build your own, or try a house combination pizza, like the Heater, which comes with sweet Andouille sausage, habanero sauce, jalapeño and banana peppers.

The Rapid bus service runs several lines through the West Grand area. A day pass costs $3, or pay $40 for unlimited rides for the month. Taxis, Uber and other ride-sharing services are available by reservation. This urban district has a complete sidewalk system, so pedestrians can access the hot spots on foot. Bicyclists get where they're going a little faster, with a well-developed system of dedicated bike lanes on the major routes and along the river. Off-street parking is widely available throughout the residential sections of the neighborhood, and business districts have metered parking.

Beautiful urban green spaces give residents access to outdoor recreation close to home. The Riverwalk, a long parkway that winds along the river into downtown, showcases multi-use trails and paths, quiet fishing spots and public art installations. It encompasses the John Ball Zoo, a major area attraction, which includes indoor and outdoor animal exhibits, an aquarium, picnic areas, nature play areas for kids, food concessions and a special exhibit featuring native Michigan wildlife.

Residents can cross the river to the northeast side to visit the Hillcrest Dog Park, off Fuller Avenue, a free wood-chipped play space with two fenced areas, one for big dogs and one for little dogs.

Housing on the West Side tends to be modest in style, but it spans many eras between simple 1900s farmhouses, solid mid-century ramblers and spacious new construction. Apartments average $537 a month for a one-bedroom. Gas prices run about 11 percent lower than the national average. A pint of beer costs between $3 and $5, but expect to pay a little more at one of the local craft brew houses.

Small businesses thrive in the West Grand area, giving shoppers a unique and personalized experience in shops that reflect the area's history.

Along Leonard Street NW, shoppers find hipster attractions, such as thrift and vintage shops, tattoo parlors and brew pubs. Rainbow Music sells used musical instruments and new Fender guitars, and musicians of all ages can take lessons at the shop. Mieras Family Shoes has been in business since 1922 and sells durable work boots, European walking shoes and outdoor adventure gear. Shakedown Street sells a wide variety of Grateful Dead-themed gift items, hemp goods and other items that appeal to local college students.

Stocking Street runs at an angle through the neighborhood, and this business district has several interesting shops. Since the 1940s, Lewandoski's Market has kept the old country alive in the form of fresh kielbasa, German wieners and traditional German and Polish foods. Dating back to the 1930s, The Walker Street Pharmacy and Gifts, one of the area's last independent drug stores, stocks a hand-picked selection of unique gifts. Creative and sometimes wacky theme displays show off the merchandise.

The main grocers in the area, ALDI, Meijer and Family Fare Supermarkets, sells a standard array of fresh and packaged goods. Two Super Mercado stores, on the north end of the neighborhood, serve the area's Hispanic population with traditional foods. The West Grand Farmers Market meets in the growing season at the Leonard Christian Reformed Church.