DISCOVER THE HIDDEN PLACES IN WEST MICHIGAN
Come with me to visit the small towns and big cities in the central lower penisula that is West Michigan. From rural towns, apple orchards, farm markets, cities by the lake, to the urban world that is Grand Rapids. It is an area full of opportunities for fun and learning and entertainment for everyone.
New Table of Contents
- FANTASTIC FAIRS AND FESTIVALS IN WEST MICHIGAN
- COUNTY FAIR
- FANTASTIC FESTIVALS IN JULY
- ONGOING ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT
- FAVORITE LINKS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WEST MICHIGAN
- DO YOU WANNA CANOE? HOW ABOUT TUBING AND KAYAKING TOO?
- Tall Ships, Muscle Cars, Tulipmania--All Michigan
- MAKE MUSKEGON COUNTY YOUR UP NORTH DESTINATION THIS SUMMER
- LEARN MORE ABOUT MUSKEGON THROUGH THESE BOOKS
- THINK ABOUT SUMMER CAMPING NOW!
- QUAD CRASH AT SILVER LAKE SAND DUNES
- CAMPING IN WEST MICHIGAN
- CAMPING INFORMATION
- MICHIGAN CAMPING AND GARDENS
- VISIT FREDERICK MEIJER GARDENS AND SCULPTURE PARK IN GRAND RAPIDS
- Reader Feedback
FANTASTIC FAIRS AND FESTIVALS IN WEST MICHIGAN
August is the month when things heat up in Michigan especially for fair and festival goers.
- NEWAYGO COUNTY FAIR
- Aug 2-9, Fairgrounds in Fremont, Horse pullin', Figure 8 races, entertainment, and lots more fun at the grandstand. Check out the animals and especially the Dairy Farmers booth with the best breakfast and cheese sandwiches ever!
- KALAMZOO RIBFEST
- August 7-9, Kalamazoo Ribfest not only has great food all weekend, (ribs anyone?), but lots of entertainment, famiy day, and Young Chefs Academy.
- COOPERSVILLE SUMMERFEST
- Aug 5-9, 10 am-6 pm Lots of activities for kids, special exhibits, and food.
- UNITY CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
- August 7, 8 & 9, 2008, Heritage Landing-Muskegon
Three days of great Christian music, family fun, food and fellowship. - NATIONAL BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
- Aug 7-10, South Haven, Arts and crafts, blueberry pie bake-off, kids carnival, entertainment and more! Yummy!!
- ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR
- Aug 16, Norton Shores, Arts and Crafts annual summer event
- GREENVILLE DANISH FESTIVA
- Aug 14-17, Greenville, Hot air balloon flights, quilt shows, stage performances, light up Baldwin Lake......weekend packed for family friendly entertainment and fun
- OCEANA COUNTY FAIR
- Aug 20-23, Hart, Tractor pulls, grandstand events, carnival, animals
- BIG RAPIDS RIVERDAYS FESTIVAL
- Aug 28-Sept 1, Big Rapids, Sock Hop & Classic Car Cruise, live entertainment, Lumberjack breakfast.....
- SHORELINE SPECTACULAR
- Aug 29-Sept 2, Muskegon, Arts and Crafts Fair -- Labor Day Parade -- Rides on Laura the Elephant
Carnival Games -- Free Kids Art Workshops
America's Best Frisbee Dogs -- Live Bands Every Night - NEWAYGO LOGGING FESTIVAL
- Aug 29-Sept 1, Newaygo, Chainsaw Sculpture Competition and Auction, Lumberjack's Competition and Fireman's Water Battle. The Arts & Crafts Show in Brooks Park, Sidewalk Sales,
COUNTY FAIR
Tradin Up at the County Fair
A collage of images and good times at the local county fair.
Runtime: 3:15
1183 views
6 Comments:
FANTASTIC FESTIVALS IN JULY
- GRAND HAVEN COAST GUARD FESTIVAL
- Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival,July 25-August 2
Grand Haven, 616-846-5940 Honoring those who serve in the Coast Guard with parades, ship tours, food, and fun
ONGOING ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT
Need some inexpensive entertainment for a summer day or evening? Enjoy these ongoing summer events. You may need to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating at the summer concerts.
TUESDAYS FREE SUMMER CONCERTS,, June 10 - August 12
Bandshell on White Lake, 231-893-2524
TUESDAYS PICK'N IN THE PARK, Pentwater, Michigan, at the Band Shell on the Village Green, Pentwater, 7-9 pm.
TUESDAY SCOTTVILE CLOWN BAND SHELL, U.S. 10, Scottville, Michigan Entertainment every Tuesday at 7:30 pm
TUESDAYS AT THE PARK, Central Park, downtown Grand Haven 7-8:30 pm thru Aug 26.
TUESDAY White Lake Arts council Summer Series, Montague Band Shell 7:30 pm. 231-893-2787
WEDNESDAY BIG BAND DANCES, Waterfront Stadium, downtown Grand Haven, 7-9 pm. $2. admission includes a 15 minute dance lesson.
THURSDAY AND SATURDAY FARMERS' MARKET, Fremont Marketplace Pavilion, Downtown Fremont, Michigan--3:30-6:30 pm Aug and Sept Thursdays and 7:30 am-12:30 pm Saturdays July 5-Oct.11 Locally grown vegetables and fruits, Amish bakery, plants
THURSDAYS AT THE POINT Mill Point Park, Spring Lake Village 7-8:30 pm
THURSDAY Concerts in the Park, Walker Park between the Walker Community Hall and City hall, North Muksegon 7-9 pm
THURSDAY Summer Concert in the Park Series, Veterans Memorial Park, downtown Fremont, 7 pm 231-924-0770
FRIDAY PARTY IN THE PARK, downtown Muskegon, 5-9:30 pm. Entertainment and refreshments 231-737-5665
FRIDAY FARMERS' MARKET, downtown Newaygo, Michigan, 2-7 pm Locally grown vegetables and fruits and more
FRIDAY Parties in the Park, Hackley Park, Muskegon 5-9:30 pm
ONGOING BLUE LAKE FINE ARTS CAMP, Twin Lake, Michigan, reknowned for its top-drawer musical performances and theatrical presentations. Call for information 231-894-1966
SATURDAY Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference, 4759 Lake Harbor, Norton Shores, 7 pm 2231-798-2161
FAVORITE LINKS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT WEST MICHIGAN
- MUSKEGON
- Find out what is happenin' at the new Up North destination, Muskegon.
- SOUTH HAVEN
- Beaches, sunsets, wineries, shopping and dining in South Haven
- PETOSKEY-HARBOR SPRINGS-BOYNE CITY
- Resort communities offering lakeside beauty, unique shopping and world class golf.
- GREATER LANSING
- Lansing is the Capitol of Michigan, but also offers great activities for summer fun.
- HOLLAND, MICHIGAN
- Preserving the Dutch heritage--windmills, wooden shoes, quaint downtown, and summer concerts.
- LUDINGTON
- Great state park for camping, tubing, world class sport fishing, golfing and lighthouses--dee-licious ice cream too.
- CAMPING AND RV TRAVEL GUIDE
- This site is packed with information for campers on Michigan campgrounds, places to visit, RV shows and articles on camping.
- MICHIGAN CANOEING
- Planning a canoe trip? Check out the info on this site.
- NEWAYGO
- Great fishing, camping, antiques, small town atmosphere, festivals
- FREMONT
- National Baby Food Festival in July, summer concert series, harvest festival, lakeside resorts, and camping.
- NEWAYGO COUNTY
- Escape to beautiful Newaygo County for fishing in blue ribbon streams, kayaking/canoeing rivers and streams, camping along the river or lakes, shopping, and festivals.
- LOWELL, MICHIGAN
- Quaint city famous for the Showboat Concert Productions on a docked showboat.
DO YOU WANNA CANOE? HOW ABOUT TUBING AND KAYAKING TOO?
Great places to float in West Michigan.
Vote for your favorite or add the places you like.
http://www.newaygo-online.com/rivers.shtml
Source for Muskegon River access points <br /&g more...0 points
The Home for Chinook Campground and Mystery Creek Campground in Newaygo, Michigan
Chinook and Mystery Creek Campground <br />& more...0 points
http://www.wisnercanoes.com/
Wisner Canoes, Newaygo, MI <br /><br /> more...0 points
http://www.sawmillmi.com/
Sawmill Tube and Canoe, Big Rapids, MI <br /> more...0 points
Baldwin Canoe Rental Michigan Pere Marquette
Baldwin Canoe Rental, Baldwin, MI <br />< more...0 points
CROTON DAM FLOAT TRIPS, INC.
Croton Dam Float Trips, Croton, MI <br />< more...0 points
Tall Ships, Muscle Cars, Tulipmania--All Michigan
MAKE MUSKEGON COUNTY YOUR UP NORTH DESTINATION THIS SUMMER
- Pere Marquette Beach
- A great beach for kids and grown ups. Want to just sun worship or let the kids play in the waves and on the play equipment. Nice bath house for changing and concession area.
- Port City Princess Cruises
- Cruise Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake in this comfortable ship. Day or evening cruises.
- Lake Express Ferry
- Board the ferry in Muskegon and 2.5 hours later you will be stepping off in Milwaukee, WI.
- Bike Trails
- Enjoy biking these three bike trails in Muskegon County--The City of Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, The Musketawa Trail on the east side of the county and the Hart-Montague Trail State Park in the northern section of Muskegon County.
- Camping in Muskegon County
- Click for a list of camping opportunities. Whether you prefer the water or the woods, there will be a place for you to set up your campsite in Muskegon County.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MUSKEGON THROUGH THESE BOOKS
The Muskegon: The Majesty And Tragedy of Michigan's Rarest River
Amazon Price: $18.21 (as of 07/26/2008)
Michigan's Lumbertowns: Lumbermen and Laborers in Saginaw, Bay City, and Muskegon, 1870-1905 (Great Lakes Books)
Amazon Price: $27.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
Muskegon's Hockey History and Heroes
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
THINK ABOUT SUMMER CAMPING NOW!
- MICHIGAN CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
- The 2008 Michigan Campground Directory, published by ARVC - Michigan, is now available. You can plan now for a great summer camping trip. The West Michigan area provides abundant streams, rivers, inland lakes, and the Great Lake Michigan with wide, sandy beaches for all your favorite water activities and fishing trips. The forests with a diverse growth of trees is a mecca for hikers. Oh yes, and lots of shopping opportunitie
- MICHIGAN STATE PARKS
- Michigan State Parks at this site include great camping and trail facilities. Make your reservations early!
QUAD CRASH AT SILVER LAKE SAND DUNES
Quad crash at Silver Lake Sand Dunes Michigan
We just happened to catch this footage of a guy nose-diving his quad on test hill. He was fine :-) TIP: DON"T LET OFF THE THROTTLE AT THE TOP OF THE DUNE!!!
Runtime: 0:45
26396 views
10 Comments:
CAMPING IN WEST MICHIGAN
Some of my favorite little known West Michigan campgrounds are:
FREMONT LAKE PARK, Fremont, Michigan 231-924-5227
Located on an all sports inland lake, small town atmosphere
HENNING COUNTY PARK, Newaygo, Michigan 231-652-1202 Located on the mighty Muskegon River for great fishing, boating and tubing
BACK FORTY RANCH AT DOUBLE JJ RESORT, Rothbury, MI www.doublejj.com
This cowboy themed resort is full of activities including rodeo, horseback riding, water park, great dining with lots of entertainment for young and old
If you are looking for gorgeous sunsets and the best sand beaches, then camp at these Michigan State Parks. For more information on each park, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr
LUDINGTON STATE PARK, Ludington, Michigan Lazily tube down the little river that connects Hamlin Lake to Lake Michigan. Visit the lighthouse nearby.
CHARLES MEARS STATE PARK, Pentwater, Michigan Not only does this park have a great beach, but the small village of Pentwater is a great get-away from all the big box stores and franchises. It's a fun shopping area along the waterfront.
SILVER LAKE STATE PARK, Mears, Michigan Rev up those dune buggies for the most spectacular sites from atop the jaw dropping sand dunes. This is a great vacation spot.
MUSKEGON STATE PARK, North Muskegon, Michigan Spend your days and nights on this gorgeous beach which has been ranked among the most beautiful in the world.
HOFFMASTER STATE PARK, Muskegon, Michigan Climb the boardwalk over the sand dunes for amazing views of the spectacular Lake Michigan. Visit the Gillette Nature Center well know for its exhibits and nature programs.
You will have a great time staying at these campgrounds.
For tips and information on camping, visit Camping Links
CAMPING INFORMATION
- Michigan State Parks
- Find a list of all the great State Parks in Michigan
MICHIGAN CAMPING AND GARDENS
So many activities in Michigan as well as beaches and abundant fruits and vegetables
The Midwest Fruit and Vegetable Book: Michigan
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
Michigan's West Coast: Explore the Shore Guide: A Journey to 500 Public Parks and Points of Access Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/26/2008)
Country Roads of Michigan: Drives, Day Trips, and Weekend Excursions
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
Short Bike Rides in Michigan, 2nd (Short Bike Rides Series)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
VISIT FREDERICK MEIJER GARDENS AND SCULPTURE PARK IN GRAND RAPIDS
The Lena Meijer Children's Garden is a fantastic place to escape with your kids, big and little. The centerpiece of the garden is the Great Lakes display filled with water where children can float boats and splash. The five lakes are built to scale so you can understand the relationship of the lakes to each other and to the states surrounding them. The tree house and story telling area and fossil gardens are all fun for kids. Your little ones will learn about gardening, wildlife and nature in the Great Lakes area and not even realize they are learning by playing in this beautiful area.
Don't leave without seeing the Michigan Farm Garden. This 1930's family farm includes a replica of an 1880's farmhouse, 100 year old barn, animal pens with bronze sculptures of the animals such as a pig, goat, sheep and horse, and an heirloom plant vegetable garden. Sitting in a rocker on the front porch of the house is one of the most peaceful experiences you will remember. And don't forget to sniff all the roses in the rose garden.
Plan to spend at least 4 hours touring the gardens and more depending on your interests.
Concerts are held in the Amphitheater Garden during the summer. Check the website for the schedule.
Reader Feedback
| Auduhomes
This is a great lens! One of the best I've seen about Michigan. I just started on Squidoo this week. You've done a great job of promoting our communities. If you're out & about, I'd appreciate your thoughts on: http://www.squidoo.com/grandrapidsrealestate. Thanks Posted March 01, 2008 |
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Vanderstelt
Nice lens, Janet, I just started a new travel Michigan website and ran across your lens, want to come and work for me. You could help drive trafic with your knowledge. Posted February 06, 2008 |
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jtpratt
very nice lens - I give it 5 stars! please visit my lens and let me know what you think as well: Designer Handbag Whores Posted November 30, 2007 |
| jeffwend
Great lens, I live in West Michigan too. I grew up in metro Detroit, moved to the West side for School and I haven't turned back. I really prefer the pace of life here in West Mi. Posted November 20, 2007 |
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LisaLogan
Great lens, Janet! Thanks for posting the link on the Muse Online Writer's Conference! Posted October 14, 2007 |
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