Musekgon Michigan Travel Guide 2024: Under the Radar Vacation Spot (2024)

Muskegon Michigan is one of Michigan’s hidden gems, a true four-season vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts, beach lovers and winter adventurers.

Why Visit Muskegon Michigan

Set on the shores of Lake Michigan just north of Grand Rapids, Muskegon MI is one of my favorite getaways. I love it because it’s still a bit “under the radar,” with many visitors to West Michigan heading to more well-known vacation destinations like Grand Haven, Holland and Ludington.

While those spots are definitely worth a visit, Muskegon is home to beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, lush parks,and family-friendly attractions, which means there are a lot of things to do in Muskegon all year long. From sun-drenched beaches to adrenaline-pumping amusem*nt parks, Muskegon is a true gem waiting to be discovered.

We put together this travel guide Muskegon to help you discover all the fun things to do in this and start planing your next travel adventure!

Where Is Muskegon Michigan?

Only 20 minutes away from Grand Haven and 40 minutes away from Grand Rapids, this Michigan shoreline city is a gem to visit and is conveniently close, making an easy and fun getaway trip for those looking for something different in the Midwest.

See Also

Muskegon – Travel guide at Wikivoyage

Best Things to Do in Muskegon Michigan: Beaches

Visit a Muskegon Beach

One of the most irresistable things about Muskegon are the Lake Michigan beaches. Home to 26 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, Muskegon’s beaches are simply beautiful.

There are both state parks and city parks that offer beach access with a variety of amenities. These Muskegon parks make a great spots for an afternoon picnic or walk for your perfect day out, and Muskegon has a wide variety of parks to choose from, ranging from woody shady trails to beaches and shorelines of Lake Michigan beaches.

Here are some of my favorites, and you can find more information on them in our Guide to the Best Muskegon Beaches.

• Muskegon State Park
  Address: 3560 Memorial Dr, North Muskegon, MI 49445
  The Muskegon State Park is a classic when visiting Muskegon and has some great space for beach areas if looking for more of a beach trip.
• Kruse Park
  Address: 3205 W Sherman Blvd, Muskegon, MI 49441
  Kruse Park Lake Michigan Beach is another great park located in Muskegon, with scenic viewing points and pavilions. Bring your dogs out to the offered dog beach to have fun in the sun and water with your beloved furry companions.
• Pere Marquette Park
  Address: 3510 Channel Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441
  With sandy shorelines and great views, what’s not to love about this popular Muskegon Park?
• Duck Lake State Park
  Address: 4733 N Scenic Dr, Whitehall, MI 49461
  This Muskegon State Park holds a fun, large dune and has amazing beach paths. Duck Lake State Park is a great park to visit for a fun day away from home.
• Hoffmaster State Park
  Address: 6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441
  Hoffmaster State Park is one of the top parks in Muskegon, located five miles away from Grand Haven while still being in the range of Muskegon County.

Visit Muskegon’s Amazing Amusem*nt and Water Parks

Not only does Muskegon hold great traditional parks to visit the beaches and have some scenic outdoor trails, but also holds some fun amusem*nt and water parks for a great memorable experience of rides and water-filled fun.

Michigan’s Adventure
750 Whitehall Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445

Michigan’s Adventure is a popular amusem*nt park located in Muskegon County and is the largest amusem*nt park in Michigan, offering a total of 52 different rides. Michigan’s Adventure also has a water park within the amusem*nt park, making it a great two-in-one destination hit.

Don’t forget to bring your swimsuits for the fun water park located within the park called Wildwater Adventure, and take a spin on the Funnel of Fear tube water ride. Visiting Michigan’s Adventure Amusem*nt Center in Muskegon will be an eventful day of fun, laughs, and a great chance to make some great Muskegon memories.

Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
462 Scenic Drive
N. Muskegon, MI 49445

This Park isn’t technically an amusem*nt or water park, but it’s filled with unique entertainment, making it stand out from all the other parks in Muskegon Michigan. Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park offers hiking, zipline, archery, one-of-a-kind luge track, trail quests, and more.

Check it out in the winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating for winter-specific fun. This sports park is great to visit in the summer to have a memorable adventure, giving you a chance to expand the horizons of your experience and skill set. Try new things and connect over entertaining outdoor activities offered only through Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park.

Explore Top Museums in Muskegon

Is the weather not looking the best? Perhaps a rainy day ahead, or maybe craving the air conditioning and a break from the sun? Muskegon Museums are a great indoor option for a good time indoors and hold valuable items and historic pieces that are sure to be a sight to see.

Muskegon Museum of Art
296 W Webster Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440

The Muskegon Museum of Art is a wonderful museum to visit to get a chance to appreciate and admire the amazing history and variety of artwork displayed within the museum. Holding different exhibits and events, the Muskegon Museum of Art is involved with the art community and takes responsibility and appreciation for supporting artists.

Visit the Monet Garden
Corner of Clay and Fifth Streets in Downtown Muskegon

This pocket garden in the Heritage area of downtown Muskegon replicates a portion of Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny, France complete with the iconic blue bridge and water lilies.

Fire Barn Museum
510 W Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440

The Fire Barn Museum is a dedicated memorial to the firefighters that have served in Muskegon County. This specialty museum takes you back in time to old living quarters on the upper level of the firehouse and gives out lots of information on how fires used to be fought back in the older periods.

If you’re a firefighter fan and want to check out some cool, vintage firefighter equipment, this unique little museum is the one for you.

USS LST 393 Veterans Museum
560 Mart Street Muskegon, MI 49440

Visit theUSS LST 393 Veterans Museum, one of only two LST’s (Landing Ship Tank) remaining from 1,051 built during WWII. This historic shops is open for tours both guided and self-guided tour, and you’ll marvel at the technology and living conditions our World War II sailors endured! The museum is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

White River Light Station Museum
6199 Murray Rd, Whitehall, MI 49461

Built in 1975, this historic lighthouse is a public museum open for visiting and climbing its spiral staircase to view Lake Michigan as if you were its Light Housekeeper.

With cool historic photographs and artifacts to browse within the museum, this stop makes for a Muskegon specialty edition of getting to learn more about Michigan history and the stories and legends that go on behind the lighthouses and waters of the Great Lakes.

Muskegon Heritage Museum
561 W Western Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440

This unique Muskegon Museum specializes in showcasing Muskegon’s industries, businesses, and products that have been made in Muskegon. Their working bowling alley and Corliss valve steam engine draw guests in, and those interested in mechanics and all things manufacturing will find themselves busy in this specially made Muskegon Museum.

Hackley and Hume Historic Site
484 W Webster Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440

The Hackley and Hume Historic Site provides a unique structured house open to the public for admiration and observation of the lumber barons that were built in the 1800s and early 1900s. Take a tour and see how cool and unique the craftsmanship is in these types of homes, with amazing detail work in every corner and square inch of the two available houses for touring. This museum makes for a fun, special Muskegon offered experience you won’t forget.

USS Silversides Submarine Museum
1346 Bluff St, Muskegon, MI 49441

This two-story building takes you through time with their offered vessels that served through World War II, and the famous USS Silversides Submarine, a special experience to honor World War heroes and to look at history from a real-life perspective. Learn about military history and check out their offered exhibits to pick a day that sparks your war history interests.

Muskegon Lakeshore Museum
430 W Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440

This family-friendly local history and science museum features hands-on exhibits and educational programs. Kids can explore animal food webs, participate in hands-on activities in the STEM Center, Science Center and Body Works, and discover artifacts, photographs, historic dioramas, and videos that share the history and unique stories of the Muskegon area.

More Things to Do in Muskegon: Outdoor Adventures and Activities

No matter what age you are, mini golf is a great final activity to end the night. Play in the evening for a cooler, more comfortable temperature if playing during the warmer months.

Putter’s Creek
40 Whitehall Rd, North Muskegon, MI 49445

Putter’s Creek is open until 9 pm at night, giving space for more evening games if needed. This mini golf course is clean and fun to play, with unique and fun-designed targets to aim the ball into. This Muskegon mini golf course will have you laughing and enjoying the course with your friends and family as you mini-golf the night away.

Take in a Festival at Heritage Landing

Muskegon’s Heritage Landing is set on the shoreline of Muskegon Lake. Owned by Muskegon County Parks, you’ll find fishing opportunities, a play area, an entertainment stage and plenty of space for walking and cycling. It’s also home to many popular Michigan festivals including the Unity Christian Musical Festival, Michigan Irish Music Festival and Shoreline Jazz Fest.

Shop the Muskegon Farmer’s Market

Feeling refreshed after your coffee? Inspired and ready to go? The Muskegon Farmer’s Market is a great pit stop in the morning time and is a lovely experience to add to your list of to-dos. Openevery Saturday from May to October. This market is a great place to buy fresh produce, baked goods, and other local products.

The Muskegon Farmer’s Market provides just that and more with a great variety of vendors and available food trucks for your picking. Grab some fresh vegetables and fruit to add to the cooler for a later planned beach trip, or a great freshly baked snack for on the go as you continue your trip in Muskegon.

Tour the SS. Milwaukee Clipper – Oldest Passenger Ship on the Great Lakes

You can tour on one of Michigan’s most historic ships, the SS Milwaukee. The oldest remaining passenger ship on the Great Lakes, this ship that predates the Titanic is now docked in downtown Muskegon and is open for tours. See the state rooms, movie theater, dance floor and ice cream parlor as the ship undergoes the restoration process.

Best Restaurants in Muskegon: Where to Eat and Drink

After a day spent in the sun on the Lake Michigan beaches, hiking through some trails, in an amusem*nt park, or indoors at the Muskegon Museums, a meal is needed to refuel and reminisce on the day’s activities. What better way to do that than to go out and dine while you’re still in the area? Below are a couple of Muskegon’s top-rated restaurants.

The Deck
1601 Beach St, Muskegon, MI 49441

Located closely to Pere Marquette Park, The Deck is a restaurant everyone in Muskegon needs to visit. This bar and grill restaurant lives up to its name, placed right by Lake Michigan with a large deck of a beachfront patio and live music. With a great menu, appetizing food, and great location and views, this upbeat atmosphere is welcoming, fun, and memorable. This restaurant is a must-do when in Muskegon, Michigan.

Dockers Restaurant
3505 Marina View Point, Muskegon, MI 49441

This Muskegon restaurant serves great seafood and a lively tiki bar with offered live music. With available outdoor seating to watch the boats coming into the docks, this will be a great entertaining dinner with great-tasting food. Overlooking Muskegon Lake, this restaurant is a great spot to get a meal at.

Hanks Tavern
2536 Henry St, Muskegon, MI 49441

With a great variety of drinks and a great atmosphere, Hanks Tavern in Muskegon, Michigan is another great stop to make for a place to eat. Serving a mix of American and Mexican food, the menu is flexible and caters to most tastebuds. Hanks Tavern is also a great sports bar for those looking to keep up with the game.

Aldea Coffee
794 Pine St, Muskegon, MI 49442

First things first: coffee. Personally, a perfect day trip doesn’t start right unless I visit a great local coffee shop. Aldea Coffee in Muskegon is sure to hit the spot, with a cute and cozy atmosphere and some quality tasting coffee. This coffee shop is a good spot to stop by after your drive to regroup and grab that quick extra pick me up as you get ready for the rest of your day spent in Muskegon. With lots of space for seating and the smell of brewing coffee, you’ll be ready to go in good spirits thanks to Aldea’s charm and promised relaxation.

Pigeon Hill Brewing Company
895 4th Street, Muskegon, MI 49440

Named for a once-towering Lake Michigan sand dune (Pigeon Hill) that stood 300-feet tall, this hip and happening West Michigan brewery is a must if you’re in the area. In addition to tasty Michigan-themed brews like “Beach, Please,” and the “Shifting Sands” IPA, you’ll also find a delicious menu at this taproom. The Porkarito tacos with a lime slaw will have you coming back for more.

Best Ice Cream Shops in Muskegon

A delicious ice cream treat is the end to a perfect day in Muskegon, Michigan. The cherry on top really is a nice cold treat.

Norm’s Ice Cream Shop North Muskegon
80 Whitehall Rd, North Muskegon, MI 49445

So many choices, you can’t go wrong. Norm’s Ice Cream Shop in North Muskegon is a favorite and never disappoints.

The Frosty Cove
2565 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441

Frosty and tasty, the Frosty Cove has a great option, and gluten-free options are available.

Ruth Ann’s Ice Cream
605 N Scenic Dr, Muskegon, MI 49445

Unique and fun flavors, this is a hidden ice cream gem. Cute and colorful just like your ice cream has the option to be, Ruth Ann’s Ice Cream is a classic.

More Muskegon Attractions

Visit Silver Lake State Park

Silver Lake State Park is home to one of the prettiest inland Michigan lakes, Silver Lake. The lake is surrounded by sand dunes that stretch all the way to the shores of Lake Michigan. You can take dune rides to explore this amazing and fun area. Check out Mac Woods Dune Rides and choose from a variety of ORVs and tours to explore the dunes.

From the tranquil shores of Pere Marquette Beach to the captivating exhibits of maritime museums, Muskegon offers a delightful blend of natural splendor and immersive experiences. What are some of your favorite things to do in Muskegon? Please use the comment section below to tell us!

More Fun Things to Do in West Michigan

• 9 Wonderful West Michigan Beaches on Lake Michigan

• Visit Silver Lake Sand Dunes: ATV Rides, Beaches and Things to Do

• Lake Michigan Lighthouses Guide

• 20 Amazing Lake Michigan Beaches to Visit