You'll find endless ways to have fun during summer in West Michigan! Scroll down for summer inspiration from some of our favorite West Michigan destinations.
Kalamazoo State Theatre
Welcome to your home with the stars at the Kalamazoo State Theatre! This June, enjoy incredible live shows from Antonio Sanchez and Ben Folds. As summer unfolds, dive into a season packed with amazing music, free outdoor concerts, and laugh-out-loud comedy in the fall. Don't miss out on our exclusive tours where you can explore our rich history and stand on the legendary stage graced by countless stars. Come be a part of our vibrant community and our ongoing story!
Country Dairy Inc.
NEW Bike Rentals at Country Dairy! The farm is at the halfway marker on the Hart-Montague Rail Trail. People can now rent bikes at the farm to use on the trail. Country Dairy has daily horse-drawn wagon tours Monday through Saturday during the summer. Tours include draft horses, a wagon ride, Robotic Milking, calves, and cows. There is an on-site restaurant, ice cream shop, gifts, bakery, and fresh meat shop. See the website for a full line-up of tours and bike rentals.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Summer at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a season of vibrant beauty and bustling activity. Visitors can explore the internationally acclaimed sculpture collection and wander through a variety of lush, blooming gardens. The season is also filled with a variety of events, from outdoor concerts in the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater to family-friendly activities that embrace art, nature, and culture. Experience the joy and tranquility of summer in a place where every visit offers something new to discover.
Black Star Farms
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a memorable stay at Black Star Farm's Inn! Book anytime between June 30th and July 6th and enjoy our special Independence Week Retreat Package, designed to enhance your fireworks viewing experience! The package can be added during booking and includes a personal-sized Charcuterie Box, Insulated Tote, Picnic Blanket, Bottle of Bedazzled Sparkling Wine, Two Insulated Travel Mugs, Fourth of July Goodies, and a Personalized Guide to Local Fireworks and Festivities. Enjoy a Northern Michigan wine country getaway with a bang and take advantage of this fun, festive package!
Choose Lansing
Keep the whole family entertained when you plan a memorable and budget-friendly Michigan Staycation in Greater Lansing. Get your adrenaline pumping with high-speed go-kart racing at High Caliber Karting or enjoy a summer evening complete with fireworks following a Lansing Lugnuts baseball game. Avoid sand traps and water hazards at Little Hawk’s 18-hole putting course suitable for ALL ages. For double the fun, book a hotel with a pool! Choose Lansing and plan on something Greater!
Mt. Pleasant CVB
Meet in Mt. Pleasant this summer to discover adventure by choice or by chance. Kayak, canoe, or float down the Chippewa River, or explore over 1,000 acres of parkland and 19 nature preserves. Take a swing at one of 13 area golf courses including championship layouts and “up-north” relaxed styles, right in central Michigan! Or, see an impressive lineup of big-name entertainment at the Soaring Eagle Casino. Discover all this and more when you meet Mt. Pleasant!
Krasl Art Center
Experience the 2024 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services, July 13 – 14. Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Michigan, discover works from 170+ artists from across the nation. Perfect fun for the entire family with activities for children, food trucks, and sweet treats! Your onsite donations help provide year-round access to the arts. Don’t miss this extraordinary event.
South Haven CVB
Discover the ultimate family getaway in South Haven! Explore the towering sand dunes at Van Buren State Park, riverfront concerts and summer festivals, enjoy excursions on Lake Michigan, and relax on a different beach each day. With unique accommodations, adventure rentals, and dining options to please even the pickiest littles, South Haven combines fun with affordability. Maybe that's why so many folks return year after year! Discover our family-friendly bucket list and begin your next favorite family tradition!
Riverside Canoe Trips
This summer, explore Michigan’s Platte River with Riverside Canoe Trips in Honor Michigan! Located about 30 minutes from Traverse City, Riverside rents canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and more, right on the Platte River, in the beautiful Sleeping Bear Dunes. Whether you want to embark on a family trip, or an adventure with friends, Riverside is ready to accommodate groups of all sizes. You’ll find clear water, sandy beaches, and a new adventure at each bend of your trip!
Mackinac State Historic Parks
Explore Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse this summer! Standing proudly at the tip of the lower peninsula, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse has been a guiding beacon since 1889, and now awaits your summer exploration! Authentically restored quarters and exhibits, including the original lens, a chance to explore the second floor of the house, tours of the lighthouse tower, a movie, Shipwrecks of the Straits, and the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum make this “Castle of the Straits” a true gem of the Great Lakes.
The Highlands at Harbor Springs
Whether you like to take summer slow or fill it with adventure, start your trip in the heart of northern Michigan. Enjoy hiking trails, zipline adventures, four championship golf courses, a lift-served bike park, and family fun at The Highlands. Make us your summer home base, close to Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Mackinaw City. After a day of exploring, unwind in our cozy Main Lodge with newly renovated rooms and family-centered amenities.
U.P. Travel
This summer, break your routine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! Discover the thrill of doing something different each day. Turn off your phone and explore thousands of miles of wildly beautiful trails or find happiness on three Great Lakes and 4,300 inland lakes. Feel the spray of 300+ waterfalls. Visit historic forts and lighthouses or go deep into mines. See the splendid Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, and Michigan’s darkest star-studded skies.
Tri-Cities Historical Museum
Follow the signal flags! Tri-Cities Historical Museum’s newest exhibit, ‘Ship Shape Sisters: The Women of the Coast Guard SPARS’, highlights the US Coast Guard Women's Reserve, known as the SPARS. How can you find your way into the past and our SPARS and Coast Guard Festival exhibits? We say, "Follow the signal flags!" to immerse yourself in the fascinating local history of the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival and its celebration of service and sacrifice. Free admission for all!
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
Celebrate America’s Independence Day with a VIP view of the Mackinaw City or St. Ignace fireworks display aboard Shepler’s Ferry! Departing at 9:15 pm and returning around 11:00 pm, we've got the best seats on the water. Get your tickets online at: sheplersferry.com (Note: All 4th of July Fireworks Cruise tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE with no exceptions.) Bonus! Mention “limited edition” to your ferry Captain for an Independence Day surprise!
We look forward to enjoying a memorable 4th of July together!
Choose Marshall
Uncork Summer Fun and More in Marshall, Michigan! Escape the ordinary and discover the charm of Marshall. Unwind and browse one-of-a-kind finds, from permanent jewelry and local art to trail apparel and a dog deli (woof!). Imagine strolling through historic streets lined with unique shops, savoring a crisp craft beer, or indulging in a flavorful wine slushie. Throughout the summer, Marshall comes alive with a vibrant festival scene. Immerse yourself in the energy, explore scenic trails and recreational activities, and savor seasonal farm-to-table delights. For an extraordinary summer experience, Choose Marshall!
Mackinac Island Tourism
Welcome Summer with Memories that Last! Enjoy your time away at a slower pace this summer, by visiting Mackinac Island for the first (or fifth!) time. Find your favorite fudge flavor as you taste with your family. And crisscross the island with hikes, kayaks, or historical sites with the ones you love. Lasting memories await!
High Caliber Karting & Entertainment
Visit High Caliber this summer and beat the heat (and prices) with their new 4 for $44 deal! Get a single HIGH-SPEED go-kart race, gelly ball battle, $10 Arcade card, and your choice of axe throwing (13+) or throw bowling (5+)! High Caliber is the best place to ignite your inner child, check them out in Okemos MI, near East Lansing.
Fenn Valley Vineyards
Fenn Valley believes wine should be approachable. The tours have been designed to help take the mystery out of making world-class wine. They aim to strike a balance between education and entertainment. Hosted by an experienced member of the staff, the content is designed for people looking to dive pretty deep into how grapes are grown and wine is made.
Visit Keweenaw
Experience the ultimate Cool-cation by adventuring north to the Keweenaw Peninsula! Reinvigorate through Lake Superior’s crystal-clear waters or sample the Canal Life by exploring the charming communities of Houghton and Hancock. Ancient pines spread their boughs creating shade-covered walking trails with access to remote waterfalls. Grab a paddle and coast across gentle inland lakes or explore the shafts of historic copper mines deep underground. Your Keweenaw adventure awaits!
Air Zoo
Stay cool this summer at the Air Zoo. This Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science center has air and spacecraft, hands-on exhibits, indoor rides, full-motion flight simulators, and a theater. Don’t miss out on their out-of-this-world summer events like Summer STEAM Days, Fly ins, and Syp-posium! You’ll also want to visit their nationally-recognized restoration center where they’re restoring a Douglas SBD-1 Dauntless. It’s fun for the whole family. Imagine, explore, and discover at the Air Zoo!
