January is the perfect time to get out and explore West Michigan, with a variety of can’t-miss events happening across the region. The Muskegon Museum of Art invites the community to a free MLK Day Community Day on January 19, featuring guided gallery tours with Muskegon High School student docents, hands-on art activities for kids, a special film screening, and a final chance to experience the acclaimed Art Nouveau: Age of Elegance exhibition. In Fennville, Modales Winery hosts its popular Sip & Swap on January 18, where guests can exchange gently used books while enjoying locally crafted wines on the cozy indoor patio, plus live music later in January and throughout February. Over in Grand Rapids, Gravity Taphouse brings the fun with Monday Night Trivia on January 19, complete with prizes, all-day happy hour specials, and a lively atmosphere perfect for beating the winter blues. Rounding out the weekend, Michigan’s largest RV event — the Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV Show — rolls into DeVos Place, offering hundreds of RVs to explore along with expert travel tips and inspiration to help plan your next great getaway.
Muskegon Art Museum; January 19, 11:00 - 5:00 p.m. and other dates and times for general exhibition viewing
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Muskegon Museum of Art is inviting the community to a free MLK Day Community Day on Monday, January 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s a meaningful and family-friendly way to spend the day, with opportunities to explore the galleries alongside Muskegon High School junior docents, take part in a hands-on MLK Day art project, enjoy a screening of the film Coldwater Kitchen, and join an interactive museum tour highlighting African American artists represented in the MMA permanent collection. From noon until 2 p.m., students from Muskegon High School’s AP Art class will serve as gallery docents, sharing the stories behind works they researched and selected from the museum’s permanent collection. Young visitors can also pick up a creative coloring activity inspired by the featured artwork, making it a fun and engaging experience for kids, too. And while you’re there, don’t miss your final chance to see Art Nouveau: Age of Elegance, on view through January 18. This special exhibition explores the influential art and design movement of the early 1900s, celebrating beauty, craftsmanship, and artistic expression woven into everyday life.
Sip & Swap at Modales, January 18; 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Live Music January 22 and February dates
Modales Winery in Fennville is once again hosting their popular Sip & Swap this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., and it’s a fun and relaxed way to refresh your bookshelf while enjoying a great glass of wine. Bring along up to four gently used books you’re ready to part with, then browse for new reads, chat with fellow book lovers, and uncover a few hidden literary treasures along the way. All of this takes place on Modales’ warm and sunny indoor patio, where you can sip on their lovely wines while you mosey, mingle, and swap stories. Be sure to come back for the awesome live music on January 22 and several February dates too, and while you’re there, consider signing up for the Modales Wine Club, so you never miss out on future releases and special winery events.
Monday Night Trivia, Gravity Taphouse, January 19
If you’re looking for a little extra fun on a cold, wintry Monday night, put your trivia skills to the test at Gravity Taphouse in Grand Rapids. Their fast-paced Trivia Night features two rounds at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., with brewery-inspired prizes up for grabs for the sharpest teams in the house. And don’t forget that every Monday at Gravity is an all-day happy hour, featuring $3 appetizers, specialty cocktails, and wine by the glass, plus $2.00 off drafts, seltzers, and Tito’s. Grab your friends, order a few bites, sip your favorite drinks, and see if your team has what it takes to claim bragging rights as the next Trivia Night champions.
And a Reminder: Michigan’s largest RV show — the Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV Show — is rolling into DeVos Place this weekend and runs through Sunday, with tickets available at the door. It’s the perfect stop for RV enthusiasts and travel dreamers alike, with hundreds of campers and RVs to explore, plus plenty of travel ideas, tips, and inspiration to help you plan your next adventure.
