Why visit Walker
Townapedia lists 42 museums and landmarks, 37 parks and trails, 136 places to eat, 11 places to stay and 8 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Business Route M-21–Plaster Creek Bridge, Sixth Street Bridge, Lexington School and Abram W. Pike House.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 82°F; January lows average 17°F, and about 75 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Walker
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Walker
Walker is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A suburb of Grand Rapids, Walker borders the city to the north and west. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 25,132.
From the Wikipedia article Walker, Michigan (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do8
Business Route M-21–Plaster Creek Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 5.5 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Sixth Street Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 4.4 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Momma D's Kitchen
Farm and orchard · 4.1 mi
405 Seward Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids
Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 08:00-14:00
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts
Cinema and theater · 5.0 mi
Theater and former movie theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Grand Rapids Swing Bridge
Bridge · 4.7 mi
Bridge in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Museums and landmarks42
Lexington School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.2 mi
Historic building that was formerly a public school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Abram W. Pike House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.3 mi
House in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Aldrich Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.9 mi
United States historic place
Aldrich Godfrey and White Block
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.9 mi
Commercial building located at 89-99 Monroe Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Auburn Hills Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.9 mi
Historic district in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Berkey and Gay Furniture Company Factory
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.4 mi
Industrial building in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Eastern Avenue School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.6 mi
Public school building located at 758 Eastern Avenue NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Eliphalet H. Turner House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.3 mi
Historic house in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Exhibitors Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.6 mi
Commericlal building in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Goodspeed Brothers Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.7 mi
Commercial structure in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.0 mi
Office building located at 60 Monroe Center, NW, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Heartside Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 5.1 mi
Historic district in Grand Rapids, Michigan
30 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds37
Crescent Park
Park · 4.9 mi
Park in Michigan, United States of America
25 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes136
Dak Good
Restaurant · Asian, Korean · 4.3 mi
3850 Alpine Avenue Northwest, Comstock Park
Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
New Beginnings
Restaurant · Breakfast · 2.1 mi
4735 Lake Michigan Drive Northwest
Mo-Fr 06:00-14:00; Sa 06:00-15:00; Su 07:00-15:00
Tim Hortons
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 4.0 mi
900 Fulton Street West, Grand Rapids
Mo-Fr 06:00-14:00; Sa-Su 07:00-14:00
Westside Social
Diner · American · 2.0 mi
2802 Lake Michigan Drive Northwest
Tu-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 10:00-20:00; Mo 03:00-22:00
Condado Tacos
Restaurant · Mexican · 4.2 mi
449 Bridge Street Northwest, Grand Rapids
Fr-Sa 11:00-00:00; Su-Th 11:00-23:00
El Aztecas
Restaurant · 2.3 mi
3040 Walker Avenue Northwest
Mo-Th 09:30-16:00, 17:00-21:30; Fr 09:30-22:30; Sa 11:30-22:30; Su...
Fratelli's Kitchen & Bar
Restaurant · Italian · 4.2 mi
443 Bridge Street Northwest, Grand Rapids
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Nonla Burgers
Restaurant · Burger · 4.2 mi
449 Bridge Street Northwest, Grand Rapids
Tu-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-24:00; Sa 10:00-24:00; Su 10:00-19:00
124 more on the map.
History
The area was first organized as Walker Township on December 30, 1837, the second to be organized in Kent County. It initially comprised all of the land in the county north of the Grand River. Shortly thereafter in 1838, part of the township was split off to form Ada Township. The earliest settlers of the township were Canadian immigrants. In 1867, a township hall was built. However, the area where the township hall was annexed into Grand Rapids in 1959.
Walker was established as a city in 1962 to prevent further annexation of the area into Grand Rapids. At the time it was made a city, Walker had a population of 11,000.
The city gained national attention when Gwendolyn Graham and Cathy Wood committed their murders as workers at a nursing home in Walker in 1987.
In the late 1990s, a shopping mall was proposed by a developer based in Ada near the intersection of Four Mile Road and Walker, though this was opposed by residents who believed it would cause nearby students to skip school, increase crime with gang activity and that it may fail due to the upcoming opening of RiverTown Crossings.
From the History section of Walker, Michigan on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay11
Fairfield Inn & Suites Grand Rapids North
Motel and hotel · 4.0 mi
620 Center Drive Northwest, Walker
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Grand Rapids-North
Motel and hotel · 4.2 mi
358 River Ridge Drive Northwest, Walker
Spark By Hilton Walker Grand Rapids North
Motel and hotel · 2.4 mi
2151 Holton Court Northwest, Walker
SpringHill Suites Grand Rapids North
Motel and hotel · 4.2 mi
450 Center Drive Northwest, Grand Rapids
Lincoln Lawns Motel
Motel and hotel · 1.7 mi
3743 Lake Michigan Drive Northwest, Grand Rapids
The Blue Jay Hotel & Events
Motel and hotel · 4.1 mi
644 Bridge Street Northwest, Grand Rapids
Travelodge by Wyndham
Motel and hotel · 3.7 mi
777 3 Mile Road Northwest, Grand Rapids
Churches and places of worship35
First (Park) Congregational Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 5.1 mi
Basilica of St. Adalbert
Church · Roman Catholic · 3.9 mi
654 Davis Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids
Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church
Church · Orthodox · 0.9 mi
2828 Richmond Street Northwest, Grand Rapids
First Evangelical Covenant Church
Church · Evangelical · 2.5 mi
1933 Tremont Boulevard Northwest, Grand Rapids
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
Church · Catholic · 3.9 mi
156 Valley Avenue Southwest, Grand Rapids
St Peter & Paul Church
Church · Catholic · 3.9 mi
520 Myrtle Street Northwest, Grand Rapids
Shopping17
Gas and EV charging26
Westside Service
Gas station · 2.0 mi
2050 Leonard Street Northwest, Grand Rapids
Family Fare Quick Stop
Gas station · 2.0 mi
2755 Lake Michigan Drive Northwest, Grand Rapids
Schools, colleges and libraries68
West Catholic High School
School · Roman Catholic · 2.3 mi
1801 Bristol Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids
Healthcare6
Walgreens
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.5 mi
800 Leonard Street Northwest, Grand Rapids
Map of Walker
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30°F | 17°F | 2.7 in | 21.7 in |
| Feb | 34°F | 18°F | 2.1 in | 22.3 in |
| Mar | 44°F | 24°F | 2.6 in | 5.3 in |
| Apr | 57°F | 35°F | 4.1 in | 2.6 in |
| May | 69°F | 46°F | 4.4 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 78°F | 56°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 60°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 81°F | 58°F | 3.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 74°F | 51°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 61°F | 40°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 47°F | 30°F | 3.3 in | 6.0 in |
| Dec | 36°F | 23°F | 2.8 in | 17.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for E Grand Rapids (8 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Kent County has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for floods.
- 2024-02-08: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2013-06-18: Flooding (Flood)
- 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2004-06-30: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 14 miles away.
- Comstock Park 5 mi northeast, about 8 min by car
- Grand Rapids 6 mi southeast, about 9 min by car
- Grandville 7 mi south, about 11 min by car
- Jenison 7 mi southwest, about 12 min by car
- Northview 8 mi east, about 13 min by car
- East Grand Rapids 8 mi southeast, about 14 min by car
- Allendale 10 mi west, about 15 min by car
- Kentwood 11 mi southeast, about 18 min by car
- Cutlerville 12 mi south, about 19 min by car
- Forest Hills 14 mi east, about 22 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Lexington School (1), Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Sixth Street Bridge 1, MattsLens (Matthew Sutherland), CC BY 2.0
- Business Route M-21–Plaster Creek Bridge, Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Berkey and Gay Furniture Company Factory -1, SSTEFFEK, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Heritage Hill 2, Kent county at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- President Gerald R. Ford, Jr. Boyhood Home - 1, SSTEFFEK, CC BY-SA 3.0
- First(Park)CongregationalChurchGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Grand Rapids Christian High, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Rood Building, User:Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Villa Maria (1), Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norton Indian Mounds, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- StCeciliaSocietyBuildingGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- LedyardBlockGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- LadiesLiteraryClubGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- AldrichBuildingGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Keeler Building, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Turner House-Grand Rapids, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- GoodspeedBrothersBuildingGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- GrandRapidsSavingsBankBuildingGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Eastern School, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Willard Building, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USPostOfficeGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- MichiganTrustCompanyBuildingGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monroe Avenue Water Filtration Plant, Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Original Grand Rapids City Hall, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- HeartsideHistoricDistrictBGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Mount Mercy, rossograph, CC BY-SA 4.0
- FineArtsBuildingGrandRapidsMI, Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Md Roshiet, Shofialom2004, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Faith United Methodist Church - Grand Rapids, Michigan, Nbierma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bissell Headquarters, WMrapids, CC0
- Greetings from Grand Rapids, Michigan, "Furniture Center of the World" - Large Letter Postcard (8046729644), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Meijer Headquarters - Fred Meijer Corporate Office, WMrapids, CC0
- Meijer Headquarters, WMrapids, CC0
- ISS031-E-161933 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS065-E-291559 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- Greetings from Grand Rapids, Michigan - Large Letter Postcard (8150152681), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- ISS055-E-54204 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS065-E-291560 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS031-E-161934 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
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