Grand Haven Area Summer Bucket List

The Grand Haven Area is the ultimate beach town vacation destination and summer is the prime time to visit! A typical day in the summertime includes beach-goers filling the sandy shores along Lake Michigan and Spring Lake, people relaxing and taking pleasure in the beautiful vistas and exploring the great outdoor activities that the area offers. To help you see and do it all on your next visit to the Grand Haven Area, we've put together the ultimate summer bucket list! How many on this list can you accomplish this summer?

1. Watch the Musical Fountain
   The Grand Haven Musical Fountain is an enchanting spectacle of water & lights creatively synchronized to a wide variety of well-known music! The musical fountain plays nightly at dark and can be viewed from anywhere along the downtown waterfront.
2. Indulge in an Ice Cream Treat
   The Grand Haven Area is home to 14+ ice cream shops that serve up the most delicious treats! You can find your traditional ice cream including soft serve, hand-dipped, shakes, malts, and sundaes, but you can also find a variety of specialty goodies including flurries, floats, and frozen yogurt! You'll be sure to find something that satisfies your sweet tooth!
3. Attend a Festival or Event
   The best part about summer in the Grand Haven Area is that there are events happening almost every single day of the week! From live music and Social Saturdays  to farmers markets and craft fairs, there is so much to keep you entertained. With epic 4th of July celebrations and the annual Coast Guard Festival, there ae so many reasons to visit the Grand Haven Area this summer!
4. Catch the Sunset over Lake Michigan
   Watching the sunset over Lake Michigan is one of the best things to do in the Grand Haven Area! PRO TIP: enjoy your favorite ice cream treat while while watching the sun sink down. It'll be the perfect ending to a perfect day!
5. Visit the Lighthouses + Piers
   Did you know: the Grand Haven Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the Midwest! It's also a great spot for fishing or watching the sunset. Established in 1839, two lights on the south pier, both painted red, are connected by a lighted catwalk. The inner light is cylindrical and the square, outer light stands on a huge concrete foundation. For a unique view of the lighthouse, head to the North Pier in Ferrysburg, which is accessible via North Shore Drive.
6. Enjoy Live Music
   You can find live music from an assortment of artists and genres happening all summer long throughout the Grand Haven Area! From concerts at the Waterfront Stadium to live music at breweries to concerts in the park, you're sure to find something that suits your taste.
7. Shop the Farmers Markets
   A summer in the Grand Haven Area is not complete until you browse around the local farmers markets! Shop for local produce, baked treats, hand-made goods, and beyond.
   - Grand Haven Farmer's Market: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8am-1pm at Chinook Pier
   - Spring Lake Farm & Garden Market: Thursdays, 9am-2pm at Tanglefoot Park
   - Coopersville Farmers Market: Wednesdays, 4-6:30pm at the Coopersville Farm Museum
   - Grand Valley State University Farmers Market: Wednesdays, 10am-1:30pm at GVSU Parking Lot G
   
8. Spend a Day at the Beach
   Enjoy gorgeous beach sand as far as the eye can see, splash in the waves, or take a book and relax in the sun. Whether you're enjoying you beach day at Grand Haven State Park or North Beach Park, take a stroll along the shoreline, build a sand castle, or just sit back and enjoy the view!
9. Grab a Drink at the Social Districts
   Beat the heat with a refreshing beverage, while strolling the sidewalks of downtown Grand Haven or Spring Lake! Both communities offer outdoor social districts that make for the perfect ending to a perfect day.
   - Grand Haven Social District
   - Spring Lake Social District
10. Explore Downtown Grand Haven
    Downtown Grand Haven is an area with rich history and a charming shopping & dining district. As you wander around, look up and notice the building adorned with beautiful arches and eye-catching details that give you a glimpse into older days. Washington Street is the main street running though downtown which is lined with clothing boutiques, specialty shops, and a variety of restaurants to enjoy.
11. Ride the Lakeshore Trolleys
    A ride on the trolley is a great summer activity for the entire family to enjoy! Choose from the Buccaneer Loop which makes its way around downtown Grand Haven or the Laker Loop which travels to Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, and Fruitport.
12. Visit Grand Haven State Park
    Enjoy a day of fun in the sun with scenic views of Lake Michigan and the lighthouse & pier. Sunbathing, swimming, fishing, volleyball, and walking the shoreline are just some of the ways you can savor the day.
13. Visit a U-Pick Farm
    U-Pick farms are not only a great summertime activity, but they are also a great way to support local businesses. The Grand Haven Area offers a variety of U-Pick farms that produce fruits including strawberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches, and beyond.
14. Take a Charter Fishing Trip
    Board a charter boat at Chinook Pier and spend a day fishing with the experts! They’ll know exactly where to take you, how deep to fish, and which bait is producing. It’s a great way to spend time on the water with family & friends.
15. Walk the Grand Haven Boardwalk
    The boardwalk is a 1.5-mile one-way stroll which runs along the harbor and is lined with shops, restaurants, marina, and charter fishing boats. A great place to start your trip down the boardwalk is at Chinook Pier near downtown GH. From there you can travel out towards Lake Michigan, where you can walk the pier and take photos of the lighthouse!☀️
16. Spend a Day on the Water
    The Grand Haven Area is a mecca for every imaginable water-based sport including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, kite-boarding, and beyond! Find the activity you love and jump right in and get wet!
17. Enjoy a Craft Beer
    Michigan is often known as 'The Great Beer State' and the Grand Haven Area is home to 6 microbreweries that serve up a variety of tasty beers. It's hard to beat an ice cold patio beer!
18. Explore the History of the Grand Haven Area
    Downtown Grand Haven is an area with rich history. Check out the self-guided historic walking tour of Grand Haven or take a step back in time by visiting the Tri-Cities Historical Museum. To extend your journey, be sure to check out the historical sites in Allendale and Coopersville as well.
19. Take a Hike at Area Parks
    With more than 60 public parks to explore in the Grand Haven Area, one-on-one time with nature is never more than a few minutes away. Stroll along the Lake Michigan shoreline, climb towering dunes, or walk among the trees at in-land parks. 
    
20. Go for a Bike Ride
    Take a ride on one of the more than 100-miles of bike paths & trails to take in the sights & sounds of the Grand Haven Area. Stop at restaurants, parks, and beaches along the way to rest you legs and refuel with a snack!