Summer has arrived in West Michigan!
Summer in West Michigan bursts to life with vibrant festivals and sunny beach days along Lake Michigan's shores. Please scroll down for summer inspiration from some of our favorite West Michigan destinations, or click through to explore them all.
Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center - Portage
This summer, the Air Zoo is your launchpad for adventure! Explore Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits from July 5 through October 31. Join us for free Summer STEAM Days on June 21, July 26, and August 16. Enroll in summer camps, experience thrilling fly-ins from Michigan Flight Museum Air Adventures, and enjoy Discovery Series favorites like Adult Space Camp and Top Gun Movie Night. The Air Zoo is your destination for unforgettable summer fun and discovery.
Binder Park Zoo - Battle Creek
Join us for Wild Wednesdays at Binder Park Zoo—every Wednesday in July, we’re open late until 8 PM! Enjoy the zoo with extended hours and a fantastic lineup of live music and entertainment each week. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening with family or friends, surrounded by animals, adventure, and fun. Whether you're dancing to live tunes or just soaking in the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss it—Wild Wednesdays are calling!
Choose Lansing
Keep the whole family entertained when you plan a memorable and budget-friendly Michigan Summer Staycation in Greater Lansing. With the FREE Lansing Experience Pass, find over $100 worth of potential savings at 20 of the area’s top attractions. The kids won’t want to miss Dinosaur Explorer at Impression 5 Science Center, named the #1 Children’s Museum in the US. For double the fun, book a hotel with a pool! Choose Lansing and plan on something Greater!
Cornwell's Turkeyville USA - Marshall
This summer, the temperature's not the only thing going back to the 80s! Cornwell's Dinner Theatre at Turkeyville USA is serving up heaps of nostalgia from the era of parachute pants, leg warmers, and blue eye shadow with HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT, an '80s rock revue running through August 9, filled with all your favorite hits from Billy Joel to Billy Idol. So strap on your bangles, tease that hair, and remember just how cool the eighties can be.
Fenn Valley Vineyards - Fennville
Head to Fennville on June 28th for Fenn Valley’s annual Wine Festival. This celebration of Michigan wine features live music, tastings in the vineyards, local food trucks, cellar demonstrations, and a wine sale! As one of the oldest and most decorated wineries in our state, Fenn Valley is a must-visit this summer. If you can’t make it in June, be sure to book a vineyard picnic or a reserved wine tasting anytime!
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Grand Rapids
Experience the sounds of summer at the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens! Featuring the finest national and international musicians and touring artists, hear a variety of musical genres for all generations while surrounded by spectacular views of gardens and sculpture. Tickets are still available for several must-see shows at West Michigan’s premier outdoor concert venue.
Grand Haven Main Street
Eat. Shop. Play. all summer long in Main Street Grand Haven! Enjoy outdoor dining at your favorite spots, explore unique boutiques, and experience the best of summer in our historic downtown. Don’t miss First Block events like Kids Night, Author Night, Morning Yoga, and Dog Training — there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Grand Haven’s downtown is the perfect place to gather, relax, and celebrate the season. Always in Season. Always Grand Haven.
Harbor Lights Resort - Frankfort
Welcome to summer on Lake Michigan! Harbor Lights Resort is located in charming Frankfort, right on the beach! Our family-owned business has been serving visitors for over 50 years, and we can’t wait to share some small-town hospitality and big fun with guests this season. We’ve got your lodging options covered with one-, two-, and three-bedroom condominiums and hotel rooms and suites. Book now to secure your slice of summertime bliss! Visit www.harborlightsresort.net or call 231.352.9614.
Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau
Come experience authentic fun in Roscommon County! The Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau is excited to announce three new contests for 2025! The “BIG CATCH” contest runs from June July, and August. Each lake (Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, and Lake St Helen) has a designated BIG CATCH fish (by length) for each month. There will be a total of 9 winners (3 per lake throughout the contest period). Winners will be awarded a special plaque and T-shirt!
Krasl Art Center - St. Joseph
Experience the 2025 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services, July 12 – 13. 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.
Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Escape to Ludington this Summer and experience the vibrant energy of this picturesque lakeside community at its peak. Bask in sunny beach days, explore miles of scenic trails, and set sail on the historic SS Badger across Lake Michigan. From outdoor adventures to charming downtown shops and events, Ludington offers the perfect summer getaway. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a peaceful retreat, Ludington has something for everyone. Discover the magic of summer in Ludington—plan your trip today!
Mackinac Island Tourism
Cool is more than a vibe, it's a destination! Lake breezes cool Michigan's freshwater island all summer long, making Mackinac Island the perfect spot to escape the heat. Averaging temperatures 10-15 degrees cooler than inland destinations, Mackinac Island really is Michigan's coolest destination for summer travel. Start planning today!
Mackinac State Historic Parks - Mackinaw City
On March 3, 1875, President Ulysses S. Grant signed Mackinac National Park into law, creating the second national park in the United States, three years after Yellowstone. This act set aside more than 50% of Mackinac Island for the enjoyment of the public, where they could enjoy the island’s natural beauty and historical significance. It was the creation of the national park that set the stage for the Mackinac Island we know and love today. Join Mackinac State Historic Parks all summer for special events, daily events at the fort, and more as we celebrate this milestone anniversary.
Meet Mt. Pleasant
Meet in Mt. Pleasant this summer to discover adventure around every corner. Beat the heat and take a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or tube down the Chippewa River. Take a swing at one of 13 area golf courses, including championship layouts and “up-north” relaxed styles! Or lose your voice at an outdoor summer concert at the Soaring Eagle Casino. Discover all this and more when you meet Mt. Pleasant!
Michigan Maritime Museum - South Haven
Summer at the Michigan Maritime Museum! Discover hands-on adventures at our newly expanded indoor and outdoor waterfront campus, where year-round attractions have captivated visitors for over 50 years. Sailing excursions are underway! Set sail on the tall ship Friends Good Will, cruise the river aboard Lindy Lou, take in the Lake from the historic 36’ USCG Motor Lifeboat, or ride in chauffeured luxury on the 1929 Chris-Craft Merry Time. Secure your tickets today!
Moo-Ville Creamery - Nashville
Looking for family fun in Nashville? Visit MOO-ville! Watch robots milk cows, pet baby calves, and snap a photo with Jodie the giant cow. Enjoy over 40 flavors of homemade hand-dipped ice cream or soft-serve, all made on-site from our dairy farm. Kids will love the free petting farm, playground, and giant sandbox. Open Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m., with food served 11 a.m.–8 p.m. From cow to cone, it’s a sweet day at MOO-ville!
RedWater - West Michigan
Parties, patios, and perfect fairways! Whether you’re gathering with coworkers, clients, or friends, RedWater’s versatile event venues provide the ideal setting and make every celebration effortless. When it’s time to dine, our nine restaurants, featuring some of West Michigan’s best patios, serve incredible food, beverages, and hospitality. Play a round at one of our two public courses or explore flexible golf and pool memberships at our premier country clubs. Make RedWater your ultimate summer destination for events, dining, and golf!
Riverside Canoe Trips - Honor
Explore Michigan's Platte River this summer 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.
Tri-Cities Historical Museum - Grand Haven
Hot days? Hoping for somewhere to go that all ages can enjoy? Visit the Tri-Cities Historical Museum! Kids can climb the lighthouse and explore the history of our shoreline in our new Maritime Exploration Space. Admission is free, so come to play…then stay and walk through our Wigwam, Trading Post, Victorian House, and Coast Guard exhibits. Wander the elegance of our ‘Weddings in the Tri-Cities’ exhibit and pop into our Museum Store for locally-sourced gifts, old-fashioned treats, and toys from yesteryear. Tri-Cities Historical Museum: it’s more than you imagine!
Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association (UPTRA)
Craving freedom from your everyday life? Escape to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Wade barefoot in crystal-clear, salt-free waters. Hunt for pudding stones and agates along the three Great Lakes. Chase 300+ waterfalls, hurtle down wild mountain bike trails, and discover gritty stories in forts and deep mines. Be awestruck at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, and under starry skies. Whether you seek adventure or peace, dare to define this summer as anything but routine.
Visit South Haven
Are you the quiet type who lets the waves do the talking? Or the thrill-seeker chasing sunlit spray—jet skis, paddleboards, sunset cruises, and every splash in between? However you flow, South Haven’s waters are ready. From calm, barefoot strolls along the shoreline to all-out aquatic adventures for the whole family, there’s never been a better time to dive in. Explore the premier charters, rentals, and unforgettable on-the-water experiences that make South Haven a safe harbor for Pure Michigan adventures.
