Posted on July 17, 2023
Check out our top ten favorites in the West Michigan beach towns of Grand Haven, Pentwater, & Ludington...
A day at the beaches of the Grand Haven area is a must do! Named one of the Top 51 Great American Beaches by USA Today, Stearns Park represents the #1 beach in Michigan and is a short drive to Ludington State Park's 5,300 acres of scenic sand dunes, ponds, marshlands and forests. Bringing your furry friend? Kirk Park offers a place for the family dog to stretch their legs, too! Pick up a must read beach novel (paid link) before you go!
The lighthouses of western Michigan light the way, by land or by sea, to your next adventure. Grand Haven Lighthouse and state park are an easy walk or trolley ride from downtown shops, eateries and the world's largest musical fountain. Enjoy nightly performances through the summer months or a stroll down the pier.
Grapes and hops (and even apples) can be the secret ingredient to your weekend getaway! Designate a driver and plan a tour of the local breweries and brew pubs. From Allendale to Grand Haven to Ludington and beyond, you'll find something for everyone! Prefer your beverage a little fruitier? Wineries in Pentwater, tasting rooms in Grand Haven or Farmhaus Cider Co. in Hundsonville offer a refreshing respite from your travels.
Nothing says summer in western Muchigan quite like boats and bayous. Seasoned boaters can enjoy the water using public access marinas or by renting watercraft. For the more novice water enthusiast or if you're looking to kick back and relax, chartering a boat, enjoing a dinner cruise or getting some cardio on a kayak can be a great option! Check out some boating gear (paid link) before you go!
Pack a lunch and hit the trails while you're here! Snap the perfect photo atop a towering sand dune, enjoy the view along the lakeshore trails or get off the grid at the Manistee National Forest. With options for everyone and every ability, your outdoor adventure will provide an inside view of Western Michigan. Check out some hiking gear (paid link) before you go!
I scream, you scream... we all scream for ice cream! Cool off after your fun in the sun with a hand-scooped treat from veteran-owned House of Flavors or take a tour (with your ice cream!) at working dairy farm, Country Dairy. Choose from the many ice cream parlors in the Grand Haven area to find your favorite!
Cast your line in western Michigan! The bountiful waters of the Grand Haven area offer anglers big lake adventures or inland hot spots. Consider booking a fishing charter or renting a kayak for a more laid-back experience. If you'd prefer to be on land, cozy up on a pier and land your lure for that trophy catch! Check out some fishing gear (paid link) before you go!
Dining al fresco? Yes please! Experience the ambiance of waterfront dining, where you can enjoy the "catch of the day" and views of boats coming and going. Try out the fast eats from family-owned street strands like Cluck Bucket, voted "Best Outdoor Dining", or get hooked on Keeper's Fish Shack and pull up a table on the square. Your tastebuds will thank you for making the trip to western Michigan!
Sunsets and stargazing are at your fingertips! Whether you're enjoying an after dinner stroll on the pier, lounged out on the beach with friends or snuggled up around a campfire, the western Michigan sky twinkles for visitors in grand splendor. New in late 2022, the Hemlock Crossing public stargazing observatory's 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope offers free views of over 100,000 celestial bodies every Friday year-round, weather permitting. Check out some stargazing gear (paid link) before you go!
Summer isn't the only season you can find fun in western Michigan. Enjoy year round festivals and events that light up your tastebuds, like Brews & Beats over Labor Day, or that light up the night, like Pure Ludington Sunset Beach Bonfires. Pack your hat and mittens and head to Grand Haven the last weekend in January for family dog pulls, cardboard sled races and more at Winter Fest!
For more Michigan things to do and see (paid link) check out Michigan Bucket List Adventure Guide: Explore 100 Offbeat Destinations You Must Visit (paid link) by Sean Holmes (paid link).