Muskegonites call the area's distinctive appeal the "lake effect." Adventures arise naturally from Muskegon's 26 miles of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake and 60 miles of wilderness trails. With four seasons for recreation and top-notch venues to explore, the area provides an open invitation for West Michigan weekend getaways.
Settle In
- Whether you enjoy creature comforts or more rustic accommodations, Muskegon offers plenty of options for setting up a home away from home. With 244 modern campsites, Muskegon State Park, along Lake Michigan, provides a base camp for tent and RV visitors. Its 3 miles of beaches make it a top choice for sun and surf getaways. Nestled into the scenic Muskegon Lake bluffs, the historic Port City Victorian Inn is one of several bed-and-breakfasts making visitors feel at home and is close to the ferry docks. Rent bikes at the inn for exploring the area. Shoreline Inn hugs Muskegon Lake. While the city is home to a host of hotels, Shoreline Inn is Muskegon's only waterfront hotel. Full-wall atrium windows provide views of the serene waters and marina for relaxing between adventures.
Summertime Recreation Experiences
- Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan are water wonderlands. Ten marinas along Muskegon Lake provide 3,000 boat slips. It's a natural harbor providing all types of watercraft access to Great Lakes adventures. Charter fishing companies operating along the shore, like Addiction Charters, offer anglers expert guidance in hooking brown trout, steelhead and salmon. Dinner lake cruises on the Port City Princess add a touch of romance to getaways. Hikers and bikers discover their bliss along the 10-mile Lakeshore Trail, with its water views, connections to Pere Marquette Park and links to downtown. The 26-mile paved Musketawa Trail offers distance adventures that weave through pastoral scenes, wetlands and friendly villages. The state's largest amusement and water park sits just north of Muskegon. Michigan's Adventure is the place to go for thrill rides and splash play, with more than 20 water slides available.
Winter Weekend Play
- Fill a weekend with winter sports at Muskegon Winter Sports Complex. The complex offers facilities to enjoy several of Michigan's favorite winter activities in one location. Tackle the Midwest's longest lighted cross-country ski trail system, spanning more than 9 miles, or strap on the skates for ice adventures along a quarter-mile ice trail, at hockey rinks or the family rink. Blaze a trail along the 3-mile snowshoe path that accommodates beginners through experts. For high action, try the luge track, one of only four in the United States. The park's family sledding hill is designed especially for youngsters, while extreme sledders head to the Sugar Bowl Dune at Muskegon State Park for downhill thrills.
Entertainment and Education Adventures
- Muskegon's cultural activities and entertainment are always in season. A tour of the submarine Silversides, a museum, is a highlight of any Muskegon cultural adventure. Explore the World War II sub to learn how its crew lived and worked. Art lovers can fill weekend hours exploring the Muskegon Museum of Art for inspiration from its traditional and contemporary collections. History buffs enjoy an array of inspiration at the Lakeshore Museum Center's sites. The Hackley and Hume lumber baron homes showcase the glory of a past age of luxury, while the Scolnik House puts the Depression era on display. The Fire Barn Museum preserves and honors the firefighters of the 1870s. and Muskegon County history is showcased at the Museum Center. For stage arts and entertainment, historic Frauenthal Theater and the intimate Beardsley Theater add the applause factor to a Muskegon getaway.
