Barbara's Guidebook
Shopping
Stores, restaurants, broad riverfront boardwalk out to Lake Michigan.
Grand Haven
Very hospitable cheese tasting, wine shopping and vinegar and oil trying.
Highly recommend!
16 locals raden deze aan
The Cheese Lady
808 Terrace StVery hospitable cheese tasting, wine shopping and vinegar and oil trying.
Highly recommend!
Our go to stop and go for adult beverages and forgotten ingredients. Its 1.4 miles west down Lakeshore Drive.
14 locals raden deze aan
Ghezzi's Market
2017 Lakeshore DrOur go to stop and go for adult beverages and forgotten ingredients. Its 1.4 miles west down Lakeshore Drive.
Right along the lakefront bike path, they welcome browsers ( and buyers!). You can also take motorcycle training lessons here.
Hot Rod Harley-Davidson
149 Shoreline DrRight along the lakefront bike path, they welcome browsers ( and buyers!). You can also take motorcycle training lessons here.
If you’re seeking a special gift, take a 10 minute walk to Wassermans along Lakeshore Drive. Good fresh flower designs. If you’re celebrating a special event while in Muskegon, call ahead and have something fresh delivered after your arrival!
Wasserman's Flowers and Gifts
1595 Lakeshore DrIf you’re seeking a special gift, take a 10 minute walk to Wassermans along Lakeshore Drive. Good fresh flower designs. If you’re celebrating a special event while in Muskegon, call ahead and have something fresh delivered after your arrival!
It’s nice to chat with the vendors and have fresh fruit, vegetables, smoked meats, cheese,and wine straight from the farms. Lively on Saturday mornings, you might get a deal as they pack up at 2pm. Also on Tuesday and Thursday until 2, fewer vendors and people. May Through October.
33 locals raden deze aan
Muskegon Farmer’s Market
242 W Western AveIt’s nice to chat with the vendors and have fresh fruit, vegetables, smoked meats, cheese,and wine straight from the farms. Lively on Saturday mornings, you might get a deal as they pack up at 2pm. Also on Tuesday and Thursday until 2, fewer vendors and people. May Through October.
Lakeside Emporium
1930 Lakeshore DrFood scene
You can take the Muskegon Lakeshore Bike trail west toward Lake Michigan and pedal along the beach, easily reaching this local favorite in 25 minutes. Add a backpack with towels and a swimsuit and you’re set for a complete day at the beach.
72 locals raden deze aan
The Deck
1601 Beach StYou can take the Muskegon Lakeshore Bike trail west toward Lake Michigan and pedal along the beach, easily reaching this local favorite in 25 minutes. Add a backpack with towels and a swimsuit and you’re set for a complete day at the beach.
This local treasure is a 5 block walk or ride from our house. Highly recommend the sandwiches, soups and salads. Call ahead if you’d like a picnic packed to go for your day or make it a destination for lunch. Not open Sundays.
21 locals raden deze aan
Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack
971 Washington AveThis local treasure is a 5 block walk or ride from our house. Highly recommend the sandwiches, soups and salads. Call ahead if you’d like a picnic packed to go for your day or make it a destination for lunch. Not open Sundays.
The Coffee Factory
1402 Hudson StGreat coffee, only 7 blocks away.
Bicycle there (or drive) early on a Sunday afternoon to get a good seat for the Sunday afternoon live music deck and dance party. Go anytime for good food and a view of the Harbour Towne Marina activities.
58 locals raden deze aan
Dockers Restaurant
3505 Marina View PointBicycle there (or drive) early on a Sunday afternoon to get a good seat for the Sunday afternoon live music deck and dance party. Go anytime for good food and a view of the Harbour Towne Marina activities.
Good seafood restaurant with marina views and nice outdoor seating available. A downtown venue easily accessible by bike on the bike path. Maybe 2 miles. Check website for occasional live music. $$$
28 locals raden deze aan
The Lake House
730 Terrace Point DriveGood seafood restaurant with marina views and nice outdoor seating available. A downtown venue easily accessible by bike on the bike path. Maybe 2 miles. Check website for occasional live music. $$$
Our Numero Uno Mexican restaurant in the area. Excellent service, outdoor seating available, open 7 days, half price margaritas on Wednesdays, and always great food. Located about 15 minutes away by car in the mall shopping area.
El Burrito Loco
4499 Ivanrest Avenue SouthwestOur Numero Uno Mexican restaurant in the area. Excellent service, outdoor seating available, open 7 days, half price margaritas on Wednesdays, and always great food. Located about 15 minutes away by car in the mall shopping area.
Traditional (think 1960’s) downtown cafe serving great breakfasts and nice lunches near the farmers market site. Counter service available too.
8 locals raden deze aan
Carmen's Cafe
878 Jefferson StTraditional (think 1960’s) downtown cafe serving great breakfasts and nice lunches near the farmers market site. Counter service available too.
Best burgers in Michigan! (Our discerning rating) great wings, burritos, sandwiches, salads, drinks and service. Go for late lunch, early dinner or take out as you’ll wait for a table between 5:00 and 7:30. Closed Sundays.
19 locals raden deze aan
The Station Grill
910 W Broadway AveBest burgers in Michigan! (Our discerning rating) great wings, burritos, sandwiches, salads, drinks and service. Go for late lunch, early dinner or take out as you’ll wait for a table between 5:00 and 7:30. Closed Sundays.
Our favorite pizza in town. Easily biked to or even walked if you are able to walk the return! 1.4 miles of delightful neighborhood.
Wide menu, and take out is popular. We recommend the fondue!
11 locals raden deze aan
The Glenside Pub
1508 W Sherman BlvdOur favorite pizza in town. Easily biked to or even walked if you are able to walk the return! 1.4 miles of delightful neighborhood.
Wide menu, and take out is popular. We recommend the fondue!
Local favorite watering hole with outdoor decks.
Very casual. Quick bike ride or walk just 1.1 mile west down Lakeshore Drive or take the shore side bike path!
20 locals raden deze aan
Marine Tap Room
1983 Lakeshore DrLocal favorite watering hole with outdoor decks.
Very casual. Quick bike ride or walk just 1.1 mile west down Lakeshore Drive or take the shore side bike path!
Consistently great food and service. Outdoor seating available and sometimes live music. Medium bike ride but worth every pedal!
20 locals raden deze aan
Hobo's Tavern
1411 Whitehall RdConsistently great food and service. Outdoor seating available and sometimes live music. Medium bike ride but worth every pedal!
Abundant outdoor seating right along the water channel from Muskegon Lake to Bear Lake. 7.2 mostly flat bike miles.
Best grouper sandwich north of Florida. Great restaurant with good drinks. Good stop on your way home from a Muskegon State Park hike up the dunes.
8 locals raden deze aan
Thrasher's Bear Lake Tavern
360 Ruddiman DrAbundant outdoor seating right along the water channel from Muskegon Lake to Bear Lake. 7.2 mostly flat bike miles.
Best grouper sandwich north of Florida. Great restaurant with good drinks. Good stop on your way home from a Muskegon State Park hike up the dunes.
Local candy store, right on the bike path and Lakeshore Drive, featuring traditional old favorites and fresh homemade confections. You’ll LOVE it.
17 locals raden deze aan
Lakeside Emporium
1930 Lakeshore DrLocal candy store, right on the bike path and Lakeshore Drive, featuring traditional old favorites and fresh homemade confections. You’ll LOVE it.
About a 2 mile walk or bike west you’ll be able to chose your favorite ice cream summertime treat!
12 locals raden deze aan
Frosty Cove
2565 Lakeshore DrAbout a 2 mile walk or bike west you’ll be able to chose your favorite ice cream summertime treat!
Just off the bike path in downtown Muskegon it’s a fine brewery to visit, both indoor and outdoor seating. Check out the nearby venues also! Only 1.5 miles away.
34 locals raden deze aan
Pigeon Hill Brewing Company
895 4th StJust off the bike path in downtown Muskegon it’s a fine brewery to visit, both indoor and outdoor seating. Check out the nearby venues also! Only 1.5 miles away.
Sightseeing
You can see the dunes of this park from our west windows. Driving all the way around Muskegom Lake to the north west shore (30 min.) you find a complete package state park. Great hiking trails, beautiful beach with 2 miles of empty shoreline on Lake Michigan, restrooms, camping, fishing, a boat launch, a blockhouse to explore, and picnic shelters. In the winter, return for the Winter Park featuring ice skating, XC skiing, and a public luge on which to practice for the next olympic contest!
41 locals raden deze aan
Muskegon State Park
3560 Memorial DrYou can see the dunes of this park from our west windows. Driving all the way around Muskegom Lake to the north west shore (30 min.) you find a complete package state park. Great hiking trails, beautiful beach with 2 miles of empty shoreline on Lake Michigan, restrooms, camping, fishing, a boat launch, a blockhouse to explore, and picnic shelters. In the winter, return for the Winter Park featuring ice skating, XC skiing, and a public luge on which to practice for the next olympic contest!
The on shore museum and the submarine are both well worth a visit. They are located on the channel connecting Lake Michigan with Muskegon Lake on the north end of Pere Marquette Park. Easily reachable by bicycle, it is about 3 miles from our house.
58 locals raden deze aan
USS SILVERSIDES Onderzeebootmuseum
1346 Bluff StThe on shore museum and the submarine are both well worth a visit. They are located on the channel connecting Lake Michigan with Muskegon Lake on the north end of Pere Marquette Park. Easily reachable by bicycle, it is about 3 miles from our house.
Beautiful sugar sand beach, changing facilities, paid parking, great for watching (or flying your own) kite surfers on a windy day. If the waves are large youll also spot a few surfers. Very safe beach for young swimmers. If you’d like the water a bit warmer, locate yourself between the “arms” of the channel. Or choose a Muskegon Lake beach.
74 locals raden deze aan
Pere Marquette Park
3510 Channel DrBeautiful sugar sand beach, changing facilities, paid parking, great for watching (or flying your own) kite surfers on a windy day. If the waves are large youll also spot a few surfers. Very safe beach for young swimmers. If you’d like the water a bit warmer, locate yourself between the “arms” of the channel. Or choose a Muskegon Lake beach.
Watch their website for tour days and times. Well worth your time to learn about Muskegon’s early history through these founding fathers in the lumbering era. Walk from our house in 20 minutes.
33 locals raden deze aan
Hackley & Hume Historic Site
484 W Webster AveWatch their website for tour days and times. Well worth your time to learn about Muskegon’s early history through these founding fathers in the lumbering era. Walk from our house in 20 minutes.
These people are great! And busy on weekends. Call ahead to book canoes, kayaks, tubes, and 6 person rafts. We take a 3 hour trip, stop along the way for snacks, pass perhaps 10-15 cottages but the rest is completely natural with turtles, deer, herons and eagles if you’re vigilant. A quick 30-40 minute drive north.
12 locals raden deze aan
Happy Mohawk Canoe Livery
401 E Fruitvale RdThese people are great! And busy on weekends. Call ahead to book canoes, kayaks, tubes, and 6 person rafts. We take a 3 hour trip, stop along the way for snacks, pass perhaps 10-15 cottages but the rest is completely natural with turtles, deer, herons and eagles if you’re vigilant. A quick 30-40 minute drive north.
2021 is our 100 year anniversary! Check website for special events. If you go, don’t miss the gift shop.
Designated one of the best small city art museums in the nation. All the cruise ship visitors make it a point to go. Good combined with a trip to the Hackley and Hume Homes tour. Watch their website for more information. Easy bike ride.
37 locals raden deze aan
Muskegon Museum of Art
296 W Webster Ave2021 is our 100 year anniversary! Check website for special events. If you go, don’t miss the gift shop.
Designated one of the best small city art museums in the nation. All the cruise ship visitors make it a point to go. Good combined with a trip to the Hackley and Hume Homes tour. Watch their website for more information. Easy bike ride.
Their downtown shopping and food scene district is top of the line and Hope College is located right alongside the downtown as well. Great for a day trip. About a 45 minute drive south of Muskegon.
80 locals raden deze aan
Holland
Their downtown shopping and food scene district is top of the line and Hope College is located right alongside the downtown as well. Great for a day trip. About a 45 minute drive south of Muskegon.
A trip to Holland, MI is not complete without a visit here.
13 locals raden deze aan
Windmill Island Gardens
1 Lincoln AveA trip to Holland, MI is not complete without a visit here.
Shipboard museum that’s well worth a visit. One mile east on the bike path. Watch the website as they often offer summertime movies and also yoga on deck!
20 locals raden deze aan
USS LST 393
560 Mart StShipboard museum that’s well worth a visit. One mile east on the bike path. Watch the website as they often offer summertime movies and also yoga on deck!
A downtown museum as entertaining to children as it is to adults. Need a break from the sun? Only 1.8 miles from the chateau. They conduct walking tours of Muskegon’s downtown from here. Sign up online.
22 locals raden deze aan
Lakeshore Museum Center
430 W Clay AveA downtown museum as entertaining to children as it is to adults. Need a break from the sun? Only 1.8 miles from the chateau. They conduct walking tours of Muskegon’s downtown from here. Sign up online.
Need a shallow, warmer water spot for the kiddies? Or a nice calm spot to launch the SUP board and kayaks? Duck Lake State Park is an ideal Lake Michigan connection for small personal craft and even noodles. Pack a picnic!
30 locals raden deze aan
Duck Lake State Park
4733 N Scenic DrNeed a shallow, warmer water spot for the kiddies? Or a nice calm spot to launch the SUP board and kayaks? Duck Lake State Park is an ideal Lake Michigan connection for small personal craft and even noodles. Pack a picnic!
Lake Harbor Park
4635 Lake Harbor RdMuskegon County Museum
Country Dairy Farm
They give tours and free ice cream at the end!
Amusement and Water Park
Michigan's Avontuur
4750 Whitehall RdA 30 minute drive north
Batting cages and miniature golf spot 1.4 miles from our house. Nice people, clean and well run.
6 locals raden deze aan
Bat'n Club
2544 Barclay StBatting cages and miniature golf spot 1.4 miles from our house. Nice people, clean and well run.
Putters Creek has rental kayaks, SUP boards, mini golf and is a nice 4.2 mile ride down the bike path.
11 locals raden deze aan
Putters Creek Mini Golf & Go karts
40 N CausewayPutters Creek has rental kayaks, SUP boards, mini golf and is a nice 4.2 mile ride down the bike path.
Muskegon Winter Sports Complex
462 N Scenic DrLewis Farms & Petting Zoo
4180 M-20Noteworthy Churches
Historic area churches
Designed by Marcel Breuer, it is a beautiful church to visit. Check their website for open times. Only 2.5 miles away.
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church
2929 Mc Cracken StDesigned by Marcel Breuer, it is a beautiful church to visit. Check their website for open times. Only 2.5 miles away.
St Paul's Episcopal Church
1006 3rd StAnother beautiful church in downtown Muskegon.
Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
1716 6th StBeautiful downtown church to visit.
Dispensaries
Legal cannabis is sold in Muskegon.
Grassy Knoll Recreational Dispensary
The REEF Muskegon
Park Place Provisionary
1922 Park StJARS Cannabis - Muskegon
Stadsadvies
Manieren om te besparen
Parking notes
Be sure to use the driveway in the winter. No overnight street parking in winter. Use our beach parking pass to save $ on beach parking.