News

Celebrating Fathers Around West Michigan

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18th! Celebrate the father figures in your life with good food, special events, outdoor adventures, fishing trips, golf outings, and more throughout West Michigan. 

South West Michigan

Come to Paw Paw and try St. Julian Winery’s new flavored whiskeys. With flavors of peach, cinnamon, or caramel apple, these are sure to be the best gift dad gets this Father’s Day! 

Bring the kiddos and dad to Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek for an experience of feeding the giraffes or explore new heights on their ropes course, and more. Plus, dad’s get 50% off when accompanied by their child(ren). Purchase your tickets here

As part of the 2023 Berrien Springs Pickle Festival, the 2nd annual “In a Pickle 5K” will take place during the Pickle Preview weekend on Father’s Day, June 18th. The race will begin and end at the Andreasen Center for Wellness and wind through the beautiful campus of Andrews University. All participants will receive a t-shirt and custom medal. Come join them…it’s going to be a big dill! 

Plan a trip with Dad to Saugatuck/Douglas for Father’s Day and enjoy a host of outdoor activities. Spend the weekend trying out every club in your bag on the pristine fairways of The Ravines Golf Club, charter a sportfishing expedition on Lake Michigan and see what you can catch, or spend the day hiking together at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Also on June 18th, from 1 pm – 5 pm, there will be a free Car Show with live music, games, and plenty of vintage cars to ogle at Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery. Cap your adventures off with a craft beverage tour Guardian Brewing Company, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Waypost Brewing Company, and The Mitten Brewing Company, where you’ll discover a host of flavorful brews to quench your thirst. 

While the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo is for everyone, it is PERFECT for Dads! Take him to see air and spacecraft throughout history and take flight in their flight simulators! Finish your perfect day with a thoughtful gift from their Fly Buy Museum Gift Store. See here for their current exhibits. 

Fathers will love a gift of a growler refill or cans of River Saint Joe’s organic beer! Dads love lunch or dinner at River Saint Joe in Buchanan and love to relax outside while the family enjoys all of the outdoor activities or fun around an evening bonfire. You can also purchase a ticket for the next brewery tour on June 17th by going to their website

South Haven’s Harbor Fest is launching into Father’s Day weekend from June 16th-17th! Taking place along the riverfront of the South Municipal Marina, this event will buoy your spirit along the riverfront with fantastic live music, craft & food vendors, kids’ activities and the ever-popular South Beach Splash Pad, beer tent, and dragon boat races! More details here, mark your calendars!

Head to south-central Michigan to take dad on a fun-filled trip through the countryside on the historic Little River Railroad steam locomotives. The round-trip train ride aboard a 110-year-old train, lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, departs from Coldwater and travels to Quincy where there is an opportunity to get off the train and see the locomotive switch around to the other end of the train for the return trip. Reservations are highly recommended as these trains will sell out.

On Fathers Day bring your father to play at Allegan Event! When you purchase a Premier Combo or SkyTrail ticket make sure to use code FREEFATHER23 and you’ll receive a second SkyTrail ticket FREE.

Central West Michigan

A Father’s Day tradition in Ludington, the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament returns to Stearn Park Beach on June 17th & 18th! Whether you are a player or spectator, the fun atmosphere of this charity event is second to none. Also, hit the links for Father’s Day in Pure Ludington! The area has two public golf courses and one semi-private course, all with formidable holes among beautiful, natural landscapes. 

Experience a fun-filled tour of a pioneer village at Historic White Pine Village or discover more on maritime history at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum on Saturday, June 17th. Both locations will be offering free admission in honor of Father’s Day. Learn more here.

The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is offering FREE admission to the museum for fathers, grandfathers, and fatherlike figures on June 18th to celebrate Father’s Day! Explore what exhibits they will be featuring here

Make memories that you and your dad can remember forever in Greater Lansing. When you take a visit to Lansing you’ll discover Michigan’s Capital City doesn’t disappoint. Stop by the Potter Park Zoo on June 18th where dads will receive free admission to adventure through a variety of animal exhibits. Check out other spots to spend your father’s day here

Northern West Michigan & Upper Peninsula

Treat the man in your life to a 18-Hole Golf Package for Father’s Day weekend at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville! Play 18 holes on one of their two northern Michigan championship golf courses and stay in the Midwest’s finest accommodations, ranging from cozy to extravagant. Make your reservation here.

Give dad the gift of a stay at the Harbour View Inn this Father’s Day! Experience the rich history of Mackinac Island while enjoying exceptional comfort and service in their unique buildings. Book your stay here.

Celebrate Dad on the patio at Shady Lane Cellars in Suttons Bay! Grab a glass of wine or cider with a brat and enjoy the day. They will be offering a brat and Gruner Veltliner pairing for $18. Listen to live music with Luke Woltanski from 2-5 pm. Click here for more details. 

Keep an eye on Petoskey Area’s events! Two big events that dad might like in Bay Harbor are Randy Houser live in concert at Great Lakes Center for the Arts and the 21st Annual Bay Harbor In-Water Boat Show will be happening this weekend too. For more information check out their events page

Get ready to celebrate the 63rd Anniversary of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, in Houghton. Bridgefest is always held Father’s Day weekend and is a celebration of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and the communities that it connects. This four-day festival is jam-packed with fun for the whole family! Some highlights include helicopter tours over Houghton-Hancock, the Portage Lake Lift Bridge Dedication at Bridgeview Park, Bridgefest parade and boat parade, Thatcher Markham Memorial Run, lots of live music, Bridgefest Classic Car Show, Father’s Day Ice-Cream Special, and much more!

Make this Father’s Day the best one yet with a weekend adventure to Mackinac Island! Activities such as a round of golf on a historic battlefield, a sunset kayaking trip, or charter fishing on the Great Lakes might be of interest. Or maybe a busy day of handmade knife forging and exploring followed by exciting live music and nightlife. Father’s Day also falls on the last day of the 75th annual Lilac Festival. You won’t want to miss the Grand Parade, a horse-drawn parade and the big finale to this 10-day, lilac-themed event! 

Give the gift of a golf getaway in Cadillac this Father’s Day. Each special package will  include food, lodging, memberships, charter fishing & more! Select your package here

Grab the clubs and head to the heart of Northern Michigan, to Shanty Creek Resort. Shanty Creek’s four villages are home to five championship golf courses. Tight fairways, formidable doglegs and elevation changes will challenge any golfer. Following an afternoon on the course, head to downtown Bellaire to continue celebrating dad with a 19th hole stop. Stop at Short’s for a brew and a bite or Mammoth Distilling to round out the beverage offerings in downtown Bellaire.

Throw a line with dad this Father’s Day. Between Lake Superior and the many secluded wilderness lakes of Marquette County, there are numerous opportunities for fishing. With nature abloom and pleasant summer temperatures, Marquette County is the perfect place to treat dad to18 holes this Father’s Day. Marquette County invites visitors to come experience the area’s premier golfing, picturesque location and charming small-town setting. 

From guiding you on your first steps to seeing you grow, fathers offer a special kind of love deserving of celebration. Treat the extraordinary dads in your life to an unforgettable experience at Hotel Walloon. Relax at the private Hearth Room Bar offering unique bourbon flights. Learn more about Father’s Day Weekend at Hotel Walloon. 

Also bring the family to participate in Barrel Back Restaurant’s 2nd Annual Father’s Day Cornhole Tournament hosted by Michigan Dogman Baggers. Walloon Lake Inn is also celebrating Father’s Day with a lakeside Sunday brunch on June 18th. Be sure to make your reservation ahead of time to secure your spot! 

Are you looking for a way to show Dad how much you appreciate him this Father’s Day? Give him the gift of quality time and memories made together. What better way than to share the adventure and pure fun of paddling the awe-inspiring Pine River. Whether your preference is canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or rafts, the Pine River Paddlesports Center has you covered with one of the Midwest’s largest selections of watercraft. Bring your dad out for a trip that he’s bound to never forget, and start a new Father’s Day tradition!