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Top Things to Do in West Michigan Beach Towns

July 17, 2020 By Nedra McDaniel Leave a Comment

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If you are looking for a great beach destination in the Midwest, West Michigan is a wonderful option.

With so many charming communities along Lake Michigan, your hardest decision will be narrowing down your options for a family getaway. 

beach in South Haven Michigan

South Haven, Michigan

Great Beaches in South Haven

  • Deerlick Creek Beach (South Haven Township Park)

76750 13th Avenue – South Haven

  • Covert Park Beach & Campground

80559 32nd Avenue

  • Dyckman Beach

175 North Shore Drive – South Haven

tallship in South Haven Michigan

Unique Things to Do in South Haven

  • Visit the Michigan Maritime Museum

260 Dyckman Ave, South Haven, MI 

Learn more about Michigan’s maritime history and Lake Michigan at of Michigan Maritime Museum. The museum also offers several unique on-water tours that are fun for all ages. 

  • Take a Tallship Cruise

During a sail on “The Friends Good Will” replica 1810 tall ship, guests learn more about the history of commerce in the early 1800s and the role of the ship during the War of 1812.

  • Take a cruise on the Lindy Lou (replica of a Truscott fantail river launch.)
Sherman Dairy Bar Ice Cream in South Haven

Local Ice Cream in South Haven

  • Sherman Dairy Bar Ice Cream

1601 Phoenix St, South Haven, MI 

sunset in Saugatuck Michigan

Saugatuck, Michigan

Great Beaches in Saugatuck

  • Oval Beach
  • 690 Perryman St, Saugatuck, MI

Oval Beach has been voted “Top 25 Beaches in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler and “Top Freshwater Beach in the US” by National Geographic Traveler.

  • Saugatuck Dunes State Park is another great stop with 2.5 miles of shoreline and 1,000 acres of land to hike and explore.

6575 138th Ave., Saugatuck, MI 

  • West Side County Park

2152 Lakeshore Dr., Fennville, MI 

  • Douglas Beach

3099 Lakeshore Dr, Douglas, MI 

  • Pier Cove Beach

2290 Lakeshore Dr, Fennville, MI

Dune ride in Saugatuck Michigan

Unique Things to Do in Saugatuck

There are lots of great shops in the Saugatuck area ranging from artisan, eclectic, boutiques, and traditional touristy shops. 

  • Saugatuck Dune Rides

6495 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck, MI 

Fun for all ages, a dune ride is a one-of-a-kind experience with ups and downs like a roller coaster in the sand.

  • Sunset Cruise with Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises

Enjoy golden hour on a 90-minute cruise that takes you on both Lake Michigan and the Kalamazoo River. 

716 Water St, Saugatuck, MI 

  • Take a Ride on the Saugatuck Chain Ferry

528 Water St, Saugatuck, MI

“Diane,” The Saugatuck Chain Ferry is the only remaining hand-cranked chain ferry of its kind remaining in the United States.  The Saugatuck Chain Ferry is hand trained by train operators and guided across the Kalamazoo River by a chain that is connected to both sides.  

ice cream

Local Ice Cream in Saugatuck

  • ‘Round the Corner Ice Cream

132 Mason St, Saugatuck, MI 

This is a great Ice cream shop with super large portions!

  • Dairy Dayz

6471 Washington Ave., Saugatuck, MI

Holland State Park

Things to Do in Holland, Michigan

Great Beaches in Holland

  • Holland State Park

2215 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI

  • Tunnel Park

66 N, Lakeshore Ave, Holland, MI

  • Laketown Beach

6710 142nd Ave, Holland, MI 

Windmill Islands Garden

Unique Things to Do in Holland

Check out these Dutch themed Attractions in Holland

  • DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory 

12755 Quincy St, Holland, MI 

Watch wood shoe carving on machines, shop for authentic Dutch souvenirs, and watch artists hand paint authentic blue and white delftware.

  • Nelis’ Dutch Village

12350 James St, Holland, MI

Celebrate and learn about Dutch culture at this family-friendly destination with lots of outdoor attractions that younger kids will love. 

  • Windmill Island Gardens

Great Ice Cream Stops in Holland

  • The General Store (near Holland State Park)

2256 Ottawa Beach Rd., Holland, Michigan 

  • Captain Sundae (multiple locations)
Grand Haven State Park in Michigan

Things to Do in Grand Haven, Michigan

Great Beaches in Grand Haven

  • Grand Haven State Park- A very popular park where you can walk the pier

1001 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI

If you need an additional parking option try the YMCA parking lot nearby.

  • North Beach Park– Smaller beach

18775 North Shore Drive, Ferrysburg, MI 

  • Rosy Mound Natural Area – A beautiful hike through the woods to the beach with lots of stairs.

13925 Lakeshore Ave, Grand Haven, MI

paddleboarding

Unique Things to Do in Grand Haven

  • Watch the Grand Haven Musical Fountains (currently not open for the season)

The Grand Haven Musical Fountain is a 25-minute show with synchronized water and light show accompanied with popular music from a variety of styles. You can see the Grand Haven Musical Fountain at dusk from Memorial Day through Labor Day along with Fridays and Saturdays in May and September.

  • Try Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding is an extreme sport that combines wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics.

You can take lessons at MACkite Boardsports Center

  • Go Stand Up Paddleboarding

Enjoy a relaxing pace as you paddle on the lake or if the waves increase, you can try turning your paddleboard into a surfboard.

Sun Sports Rentals

301 N Harbor Dr #A-1, Grand Haven, MI

  • Take a Ride on the Harbor Trolley & Transit (Temporarily closed)

Great Ice Cream Shops in Grand Haven

  • Pier Peddler (On the boardwalk)

907 S Harbor Dr, Grand Haven, MI

  • Skoops Ice Cream and Drive-Thru

16830 Robbins Rd, Grand Haven, MI

submarine in Muskegon

Muskegon, Michigan

Great Beaches in Muskegon

40 minutes- 1 hr+

  • Duck Lake State Park

3560 Memorial Dr, Muskegon, MI

  • Pioneer County Park

1563 N Scenic Dr, Muskegon, MI

  •  Muskegon State Park

3560 Memorial Dr, North Muskegon, MI 

  • Kruse Park

3205 W Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI

  • P.J. Hoffmaster State Park 

6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores, MI

luge in the summer

Unique Things to Do in Muskegon

  • Muskegon Winter Sports Complex

462 N Scenic Dr, Muskegon, MI 

Zipline, experience the only summer wheel luge track of its kind in North America, archery, and trail quest.  

  • Michigan’s Adventure (currently temporarily closed)

4750 Whitehall Rd, Muskegon, MI 

Experience Michigan’s Largest Amusement Park and Water Park at Michigan’s Adventure for the price of 1. 

  • USS Silverside Submarine Museum

1346 Bluff St, Muskegon, MI

Learn about the history of SS-236 USS Silversides Submarine, one of the most highly-decorated Gato-class submarines of World War II at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum

  • Sleep in a submarine at USS Silversides Submarine Museum

An unforgettable overnight adventure!  Gain a new appreciation for servicemen and women after the overnight encampment sleeping in a submarine. 

  • Learn how to kiteboard at the MACshack Kiteboarding School

1801 Beach St, Muskegon, MI

Local Ice Cream in Muskegon 

  • Fricano’s Sweet Shoppe

1050 W Western Ave Suite 101-103, Muskegon, MI

  • Frosty Oasis

2181 W. Sherman Blvd. Muskegon, MI,

  • Coney Land

1960 Whitehall Rd, Muskegon, MI

  • Yummy Delights 

459 E Laketon Ave, Muskegon, MI

Ready for a West Michigan beach vacation?

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Top Things to Do in West Michigan Beach Towns

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Filed Under: Adventures with Water, Family Adventures, Featured, Travel Tagged With: beach, beaches, grand haven, Holland, ice cream, Lake Michigan, Muskegon, Saugatuck, South Haven, things to do, West Michigan

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