Fun Things To Do
Near Lake Michigan
NEW BUFFALO Area
Outdoor Activities
New Buffalo Railroad Museum
530 South Whittaker Street
New Buffalo, MI 49117
269-469-8010
Jan 1 - Apr 30: Closed
May 1 - Sep 29, 2014 – Thu - Mon: noon - 5pm
Oct 3 - Dec 28, 2014
Fri - Sun: Noon - 5pm
Closed: January - March 2015
Hesston Steam Museum
1201 E 1000 N
La Porte, IN
10 minutes by car from New Buffalo.
Open every Holiday and weekend (Saturday and Sunday) starting on Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Open every Sunday after the Labor Day weekend until the Ghost Train weekends in mid-October. Museum Grounds open at 11:30am CDT. Trains start running at 12:00pm (noon) until 5:00pm CDT.
The Hesston Steam Museum is on CENTRAL TIME.
Narrow gauge, 1/4-scale and 1/8-scale steam train rides. Saw Mill, Electric Power Plant and Stationary Engine.
Beaches - beaches near New Buffalo
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near New Buffalo
Indoor and Rainy Day Activities
I Love Toys & Trains Store
16 South Smith Street
New Buffalo, MI 49117
269-469-6811
Jam packed with toys and electric trains.
Vickers Theatre
6 N. Elm Street
Three Oaks, MI 49128
269-756-3522
Mon: Evening shows | Tue-Wed: closed | Thu-Fri: Evening shows | Sat-Sun: Matinee and evening shows
Art and classic films.
The Acorn Theater
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks, MI 49128
269-756-3879
Performing arts theater with a 1931 Barton theater pipe organ.
BRIDGMAN/STEVENSVILLE/SAWYER Area
Outdoor Activities
Captain Mike's Fun Park
10975 S. Red Arrow Highway
Bridgman, MI 49106
269-465-5747
Go-karts, mini golf, bumper cars and boats, batting cages, game room and snack bar.
Grand Mere State Park
6300 Thornton Drive
Stevensville, MI 49129
269-471-1737
Hiking, swimming, beach, picnic area, nature trail, cross-country skiing.
Warren Dunes State Park
12032 Red Arrow Highway
Sawyer, MI 49125
269-426-4013
Hiking, swimming, beach, picnic area, camping, nature trails, cross-country skiing. 1952 acres.
Beaches - beaches near Bridgman, Stevensville and Sawyer
ST. JOSEPH/BENTON HARBOR Area
Outdoor Activities
Sarett Nature Center
2300 N Benton Center Road
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269-927-4832
Hours: Closed on Monday.
Butterfly house. Eight miles of trails through the 1000 acre nature preserve.
Whirlpool Compass Fountain
Silver Beach Center
333 Broad Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-982-8500
St. Joseph Lighthouses & Pier
Beaches - beaches near St. Joseph and Benton Harbor
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near St. Joseph and Benton Harbor
Indoor and Rainy Day Activities
Silver Beach Carousel
With 48 unique carousel figures, two chariots, 1000 lights, 18 rounding boards and a 1911 Military Band Organ.
Curious Kids's Discovery Zone
Silver Beach Center
333 Broad Street
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-982-8500
Box Factory for the Arts
1101 Broad St
St Joseph, MI 49085
269-983-3688
Open Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm (Closed all major holidays)
Multi-use arts center including artist studios, galleries, a performance stage, classrooms, Art Shoppe and meeting space.
Free and open to the public.
Curious Kids’ Museum
415 Lake Boulevard
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-983-2543
Kelley's Bowl
2705 Cleveland Avenue
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-983-3034
Mon: 12pm-1am | Tue-Thu: 11am-11pm | Fri: 11am-1am | Sat: 11am-2am | Sun: 12pm-11pm
Bowling, Lounge, Cafe, Arcade and Pro Shop
SOUTH HAVEN
Outdoor Activities
Fideland Fun Park
68099 C.R. 388
South Haven, MI 49090
888-813-7724
Go-karts, bumper boats and miniature golf.
Friends Good Will and Lindy Lou Cruises
Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Avenue
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-8078 or (800) 747-3810
Friends Good Will is a reproduction of an early 19th-century sloop that sails from the Michigan Maritime Museum dock out onto Lake Michigan. The original Friends Good Will fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Lindy Lou is an electric powered river launch that takes passengers on one hour cruises up and down the Black River.
GingerMan Raceway
61414 County Rd 388
South Haven, MI 49090
269-253-4445
Private 2.14 mile road-racing course situated on a 350-acre site. The track twists left and right, and up and down on a naturally rolling landscape.
Kal-Haven Trail State Park
South Haven Trailhead - N. Bailey Avenue north of E. Wells Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269.637.5252 or 269-674-8011
33.5-mile former railroad bed with a limestone/slag surface linking the city of South Haven to the city of Kalamazoo. 11 mile parallel horse riding trail.
South Haven Lighthouse & Pier
South Beach
South Haven, MI 49090
Michigan Flywheelers Museum
06285 68th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-639-2010
Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Dedicated to the restoration and preservation of antique gas and steam engines and tractors.
Beaches - beaches near South Haven
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near South Haven
Indoor and Rainy Day Activities
Lakeside Entertainment Center
09921 Blue Star Hwy.
South Haven, MI 49090
Phone: 269-637-6500
Mon -Thu: 11am - 11pm | Fri and Sat: 11am - 1am | Sun: 12pm - 10pm
Sixteen bowling lanes, eighteen-hole outdoor miniature golf course, restaurant and cocktail lounge.
Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum
PO Box 626
903 Bailey Ave.
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-3251
Open most weekends during the summer 9am - 4pm.
The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum is the homestead and birth site of "America's Father of Modern Horticulture."
Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Avenue
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-8078 or (800) 747-3810
Michigan Theatre
210 Center Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1662
First run movie theatre.
GANGES/FENNVILLE Area
The Children's Museum of Fennville
202 East Main Street
Fennville, MI 49408
269-561-8494
Fenn Valley Vineyards and Wine Cellar Tours
6130 122nd Avenue
Fennville, MI 49408
269-561-2396
800-432-6265 for MI, Northern IL, and IN
Vivekananda Monastery and Retreat
6723 122nd Ave
Fennville, MI 49408
Daily activities: Morning prayer at 5:15 am and Evening vesper service at 6pm.
Temple hours: Open 9am -- 7pm
Sunday Service: 11:30 am
An extensive Book-Shop and a Museum are on the premises. Retreat facilities are available, by prior arrangement, to individuals, families, and groups.
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near Ganges and Fennville
SAUGATUCK - DOUGLAS Area
Outdoor Activities
Douglas Dutchers Vintage Base Ball
Beery Field
Douglas, MI 49406
1860's rules Base Ball - no gloves, leading off, stealing bases or spitting
Remember to check the schedule - they may be playing in a nearby town.
Felt Mansion and Estate
6597 138th Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
616-335-3050
Built in 1925-28 for the beloved wife of the inventor of the Comptometer, Dorr E. Felt, but she died six weeks after the family moved into the mansion. Later used as a seminary and a prison. Now restored to its 1929 glory.
Harbor Duck Tours
(269) 857-DUCK (or 3825).
info@harborducks.com.
Ticket office at: 121 Griffith Street in Saugatuck.
Mt. Baldhead
736 Park Street
Saugatuck, MI 49453
302 steps to the top with a view for miles and miles
Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises
716 Water Street
P.O. Box 654
Saugatuck, MI 49453
Phone: 269-857-4261
Email:emailus@saugatuckboatcruises.com
Saugatuck Dune Rides
6495 Washington Road
Saugatuck, MI 49453
(269) 857-2253
Beaches - beaches near Saugatuck and Douglas
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near Saugatuck and Douglas
Indoor and Rainy Day Activities
Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society Museum
735 Park St
Saugatuck, MI
269-857-7900
The Old School House Museum
130 Center St
Douglas, MI
269-857-5751
Express Yourself Art Barn
6459 - 130th Ave.
Fennville, MI 49408
269-857-5566
Glass fusing, mosaics, ceramics, potters wheel, jewelry and more in a 1880's barn.
The Red Barn Theater
3657 63rd Street
Saugatuck, MI 49453
269-857-5300
Live theatre and film studies.
Saugatuck Center for the Arts
400 Culver Street
Saugatuck, MI 49453
269-857-2399
Ox-Bow Art School
3435 Rupprecht Way
P.O. Box 216
Saugatuck, MI 49453
269-857-5811
HOLLAND - ZEELAND Area
Outdoor Activities
Windmill Island Gardens
7th Street and Lincoln Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
616-355-1030
Veldheer Tulip Gardens
12755 Quincy Street
Holland, MI 49424
616-399-1900
Nelis' Dutch Village
12350 James Street
Holland, MI 49424
616-396-1475
Outdoor Discovery Center
4204 56th Street
Holland, MI 49423
616-393-9453
DeGraaf Nature Center
600 Graafschap Road
Holland, MI 49423
616-355-1057
T-F: 9am - 5pm | Sat: 10am - 5pm | Sunday & Monday: Closed
Craig's Cruisers
651 Chicago Dr
Holland, MI 49423
616-392-7300
Miniature golf and go-carts
Critter Barn
9275 Adams St
Zeeland, MI 49464
616-748-1110
Frisbee Golf at Winstrom Park
160th St and Perry
Holland, MI 49424
Teusink's Pony Farm
1468 W 32nd St
Holland, MI 49423
616-335-6226
Holland Princess Dinner Cruises
290 Howard Avenue
Holland, MI 49424
616-393-7799
Beaches - beaches near Holland, Michigan
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near Holland
Holland "Big Red" Lighthouse & Pier
Indoor and Rainy Day Activities
Holland Aquatic Center
550 Maple Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
616-393-7595
Holland Aquatic Center was rated the best indoor public/non-profit facility in the country by Aquatics International Magazine.
DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory
12755 Quincy Avenue
Holland, MI 49424
616-399-1900
Paint a Pot
385 East 8th St
Holland, MI 49423
616-355-6442
The Holland Museum
31 W 10th Street
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-9084
Cappon House Museum
228 West 9th Street
Holland, MI 49423
616-392-9084
Herrick District Library
300 South River Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
616-355-3100
Hours: M-Tu: 9am-9pm | W-Sa: 9am-6pm | Su: Closed
AMC Star Holland 8 Theatre
12270 James Street
Holland, MI 49424
616-394-5774
Holland 7 Movie Theater
500 Waverly Road
Holland, MI 49423
616-546-7469
GRAND HAVEN
Outdoor Activities
Berlin Raceway
2060 Berlin Fair Drive
Marne MI, 49435
616.677.5000
Premier 7/16th-mile paved oval short track raceway established in 1950. Saturday night races.
Grand Haven Lighthouse & Pier
Grand Haven Musical Fountain
Free 22-30 minute performances. Viewing area along the Grand River between Howard and Elliott Avenues. Nightly performances Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day then Friday and Saturday evenings only from Labor Day through September. Start time depends on sunset time and varies through the season.
Grand Haven Trolley Tours
Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl
1 Y Drive
PO Box 969
Grand Haven, MI 49417
616-842-0634
Type: downhill, cross-country. Snowboarding. Terrain: 6 ski trails, night skiing, 8 snowboarding trails. Designed for children with beginning to intermediate skiing skills.
Rosy Mound Natural Area
13925 Lakeshore Drive
Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 738-4810
March 1 - October 15 - 7am - 10pm
October 16 - February 28 - 7am - 8pm
Beach, hiking trail, restrooms, picnic area with grills. Parking fee.
Beaches - beaches near Grand Haven
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near Grand Haven
Indoor and Rainy Day Activities
Goodrich Grand Haven 9 Movie Theater
17220 Hayes Street
Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 844-7469
First run movies.
Starlite Lanes - Bowling
1305 S. Beacon Blvd.
Grand Haven, MI 49417
(616) 846-2820
Offers 30 lanes, fully stocked snack bar as well as an on-sight restaurant called the Driftwood Inn.
Tri-Cities Historical Museums
Akeley Building
200 Washington Avenue
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Depot Museum of Transportation
1 North Harbor Drive
Grand Haven, MI 49417
616-842-0700
Pere Marquette 1223 Steam Locomotive & Coaling Tower
Corner of North Harbor Drive & North 1st Street
Grand Haven, MI
MUSKEGON
Outdoor Activities
Michigan's Adventure Amusement and Water Park
1198 W Riley-Thompson Rd
Muskegon MI 49445
Largest amusement park in Michigan.
Muskegon Winter Sports Complex
462 Scenic Drive
North Muskegon, MI 49445
877-879-5843
Open Daily Everyday 10am-10pm Weather Permitting
850-foot winter luge track (one of only 4 in the US), 2 acre outdoor skating rink, XC-skiing, three snowshoe trails separate from ski trails, summer wheeled luge track.
Putters Creek
40 N. Causeway
Muskegon, MI 49445
231-744-1418
Mini-Golf, Go-Kart & Kayak Rental
Beaches - beaches near Muskegon
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near Muskegon
Muskegon Lighthouses & Pier
Indoor and Rainy Day Activities
Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts
425 W. Western Avenue
Muskegon, MI 49440
(231) 722-2890
Live stage productions and music performances. Home of the West Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Alley Door jazz and blues club.
Lakeshore Museum Center - Muskegon, MI 49440 - (231) 722-7578
Hackley and Hume Historic Site - 484 West Webster Avenue - Victorian mansions of the lumber baron Charles H. Hackley, and his business partner, Thomas Hume.
C. H. Hackley Hose Company No. 2 Fire Barn Museum - 510 W. Clay Ave. - reproduction 1875 firehouse
The Scolnik House - 504 W. Clay Ave. - Great Depression era house
Muskegon Museum of Art
296 W. Webster Avenue
Muskegon, Michigan 49440
(231) 720-2570
SUN noon-4:30pm, MON closed, TUES closed (June thru Labor Day 10am-6pm), WED 10am-4:30pm, THURS 10am-8pm (June thru Labor Day 10am-6pm), FRI 10am-4:30pm, SAT 10am-4:30pm
One of the finest art collections in the Midwest.
S. S. Milwaukee Clipper Museum
2098 Lakeshore Drive
Muskegon, Michigan 49440
1904 steam ship ferry that carried cars and passengers around the Great Lakes from 1905 till 1970.
USS LST 393 Veterans Museum
560 Mart Street
Muskegon, MI 49440
(231) 730-1477
Tour a WWII Landing Ship Tank. Built in 1942 the LST 393 participated in the Sicilian occupation (July 1943); the Salerno landings (September 1943); and the Invasion of Normandy (June 1944).
USS SILVERSIDES Submarine Museum
1346 Bluff Street
Muskegon, MI 49441
(231) 755-1230
April & May: Daily 10am-4pm
June, July, Aug: Daily 10am–5:30pm
Sept & Oct: Daily 10am–4pm
Nov - March: Mon - Thurs 10am – 4pm | Fri - Sun 10am–5:30pm
Tour the WWII submarine USS Silversides and the 1927 US Coast Guard Cutter McLane.
WHITEHALL - MONTAGUE
Outdoor Activities
Beaches - beaches near Whitehall and Montague
Boat Rental - paddleboard, jet ski and boat rentals near Whitehall and Montague
White River Light Station Museum
6199 Murray Road
Whitehall, MI 49461
231-894-8265
Unless otherwise indicated, all Lake Effect Living photographs are the work and property of Sharon Pisacreta.