Location: Muskegon
Top Things to do in Muskegon
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10 Things to do Good for Kids in Muskegon That You Shouldn't Miss
Muskegon, Michigan, built on the fur and lumber trade, is now a calm vacation spot on Lake Michigan, calling itself "The Riviera of the Midwest." Sunbathe on several beautiful beaches along Lake Michigan, including Pere Marquette Beach, a certified Great Lakes "clean beach." Muskegon State Park provides hiking and camping opportunities in the summer, and ice skating, cross-country skiing and even a luge track in the winter. The city is also home to Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park.
Restaurants in Muskegon
1. S.S. Milwaukee Clipper
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By OldBob22 - Milwaukee, United States
There are many floating museums on the Great Lakes, but they are all retired cargo ships, other than the Milwaukee Clipper. The Clipper was built in 1903, and carried immigrants from the Eastern Great Lakes to Lake Michigan cities. When the railroads started carrying passengers, the Clipper was converted to weekend passenger excursions, and cross-Lake passengers, plus it carried new automobiles from Michigan to Wisconsin. It was the most luxurious lake steamer of that era, and the interior has been restored to its original beauty. Great displays, good souvenir shop, and a great experience of what the Great Lakes Maritime life was like, over 100 years ago.
2. Muskegon State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
This State Park offers a variety of winter recreation including ice skating, cross-country skiing and luge.
Reviewed By eklamb93 - Saranac, United States
We were amazed by the Muskegon State Park's winter sport's complex and can't wait to come back this winter! We were there in the fall to check out the luge and ice skating trails because we had never seen either one before. We walked the lighted cross country ski trails and snow shoe trails as well. We can't wait to bring our girls here this winter to try it out--luge park is for all levels of experience, so someone like us who has never tried it before can do it as well. We have been to the beach here at North Muskegon State Park and it is not crowded at all and has nice facilities. Definitely worth the extra time it takes for us to come to this beach.
3. Heritage Landing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By pamh210
This park is host to several large festivals during warmer weather. It also features a large canopied stage, kids play area and the dock for the Great Lake cruise ships.
4. Lake Express
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Lake Michigan car-passenger ferry that runs between Muskegon and Milwaukee. America's first high speed auto passenger ferry, continuing a tradition of Lake Michigan carferry service between Wisconsin and Michigan ports.
5. Hoffmaster State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 355 reviews
Reviewed By juleswatt77
Family friendly beautiful state park. Beautiful beach and walking trails. Lovely creek winds through campsite with lots of trees. Great family atmosphere since no alcohol is allowed and the quiet time curfew is enforced.
6. Pere Marquette Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 467 reviews
Reviewed By melissadU8051XM
This is our favorite beach. Lots of parking, clean with decent bathrooms. The beach area is huge, so even when there are tons of people, you dont feel super crowded. They also have a concession stand with ice cream, hot dogs etc. Along with rentals for water gear.
7. USS LST 393
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
USS LST 393 Veterans Museum is on board a historic World War II warship. It contains thousands of artifacts and can be toured May-September.
Reviewed By gpduf - Tebay, United Kingdom
I served on an LST during the Vietnam war as a Marine, LST1144, the USS Washtenaw County. Getting to go through one again, realizing how small and cheap they are was an eye opener. As 'something to do,' the museum onboard is excellent, crawling around the boat is great and there is a submarine to visit nearby as well. They show films on the deck in summer though I am not sure about during COVID. This is a great visit for families of veterans and an interest in the military or in military history.
8. Lakeshore Bike Trail
9. Kruse Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By J2636SNcynthiaw - Freeland, United States
Clean area, felt very safe. There is limited parking at the Beach side park (50 cars) (Not suitable for larger RVs and large trucks). If you are using the beach area, it is sandy and water shoes work the best or old tennis shoes. The boardwalk is handicap accessible and stairs to the beach. Great for getting your stroller and little one to the beach, , , but stroller not usable on sandy beach. When on the beach it states no Dogs to the Left and Dogs on leash to the Right. We went to the right and felt just fine taking our dog off leash as everyone else had their dogs off of leash, although there is more than one sign that states" dog on leash only" . All the dogs enjoyed the waves, running after balls, frizbees and just being free. . There was about a 12 foot sandy beach area to walk with the lake on one side and Dunes that went up high on the other side. We could see a big board walk up on the dunes. . The dog run beach is about 1 mile long and meets up to a another park with signs stating "No Dogs", so we turned around and went back. Another parking area in the park to the S. of the dog beach takes you to a rent-able pavilion, flush restrooms, great playscape for young children, with lots of parking. (no access to beach here). The parking area between the two different sections of this park is maybe a 1/4 mile. We had a great time at the playscape and used both the beach area and the play-cape area more than once when we were camping at the State Park.
10. Lakeshore Museum Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
The Lakeshore Museum offers exhibits which explore the natural and cultural history of the area. Exhibits include a look at 400 years of Michigan in the making and a life sized mastodon. Several galleries offer hands-on opportunities.
Reviewed By croker10 - Saint Louis, United States
First things first, this is free for Muskegon residents and residents of the county. All others, there is a $4 entrance charge. This was not clear from the reviews and even from the signage. That said, we really enjoyed it and were happy to have stopped by. The museum is a bit of everything science center, art museum (a special exhibit from a local artist's work during WWII, excellently done), history center and children's museum. We spent more time than we thought we would, learned more than we ever expected and had a great time. Definitely worth the money!
