Explore Coopersville

Michigan

The Grand Haven Area is made up of six townships: Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, Coopersville, West Olive, and Allendale. Each area has its own attractions and businesses worth exploring. This blog series will offer each area their own spotlight and include all the need-to-know information for you to make the most of your visit.

Things to Do:

Coopersville Farm Museum & Event Center: This museum features rotating exhibits on the history of farming in the area, and doubles as a center for frequent family-fun events. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 am – 2 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, $3 for kids 4-16, and free for children 3 & under.

Coopersville Historical Museum: This museum is located inside an old train station and features full exhibits on early settlement in the area and the historical impact of the railroad. They are open on Tuesdays from 2pm – 5:30pm, Wednesdays from 10am – 2pm, Fridays from 1pm – 4pm, and Saturdays from 10am – 4pm. Admission is free.

Geocaching: Modern day treasure hunt! Hidden across Grand Haven and the surrounding areas, including  Coopersville, are over 1,000 caches (containers with small prizes) that you use your phone to help you locate. Multiple challenge levels for any group. Visit geocaching.com to get started.

Winkel Chestnut Farm: A U-Pick farm for chestnuts. Chestnuts are available in September and October, so be sure to call ahead and learn their opening times. At their farm they also sell pre-picked chestnuts, honey, and potted trees.

Gavin Orchards: A U-Pick orchard for cherries. Cherries are available from Mid-June to July, so be sure to call ahead and learn their opening times. At their farm market (open year-round) they offer pre-picked cherries, peaches, and apples, as well as apple cider in the fall.

Coopersville & Marne Railway: A 7 mile train ride from Coopersville, MI to Marne, MI and back, on a vintage locomotive. During the 90-minute  journey, the conductor will offer information on local railroad history and answer questions. They even offer themed train rides on occasion.. The trips generally take place on Saturday afternoons, and prices vary by customer and type of journey. 

Food & Drink:

Lt. Firehouse Cafe: They serve specialty and classic breakfast dishes, and serve burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads from lunch and dinner. Closed Monday & Tuesday, Open on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, & Sunday from 7am – 2pm, and on Fridays  from 7am – 7pm.

Southside Bar & Grill: This restaurant has a large variety of dishes: burgers, sandwiches, wraps, fish baskets, steaks, salads, burritos, tacos, and quesadillas, along with an extensive appetizer menu. Open Monday to Thursday from 11am – 12am, Friday & Saturday from 11am – 2am, and on Sunday from 12pm – 9pm.

327 Pizza & Pub: A  tasty pizza joint that offers several different pizzas along with a build-your-own option. They also serve salads, subs, burgers, wings, tacos, and burritos. Open Monday to Thursday from 11am – 9pm, Friday & Saturday from 11am – 10pm, and is closed on Sundays.

New Beginnings Restaurant: A local chain restaurant that serves a wide variety of traditional breakfasts, as well as burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Open Monday to Thursday from 6am – 2:30pm, Friday & Saturday from 5:30pm – 2:30pm, and on Sunday from 6:30pm – 2:30pm.

Champs Bar & Grill: This restaurant serves burgers, sandwiches, wraps, fish baskets, traditional Mexican dishes, hot dogs, salads, and a huge list of appetizers. Open Monday from 11am – 10pm, Tuesday to Thursday from 11am – 11pm, and on Friday & Saturday from 11am – 12am, and is closed on Sundays. 

Parks: 

Deer Creek Park: Two acres for shady land beside Deer Creek is a great spot for fishing or a picnic. There’s a boat launch for small boats and canoes that allows access to the Grand River, a few picnic tables, and rustic restrooms. Dogs are allowed on leash though are not permitted in park buildings or off-trail. Open 7am – 10pm from March 1 to October 15, and 7am – 8pm from October 16 to February 28. No entry fee.

Eastmanville Farm County Park: This park has 3.5 miles of equestrian and hiking trails, as well as a picnic area, wide open fields, and runs along over 1300 feet of Grand River shoreline. Rustic restrooms are available.  Dogs are allowed on leash though are not permitted in park buildings or off-trail. Open 7am – 10pm from March 1 to October 15, and 7am – 8pm from October 16 to February 28. No entry fee.

Bur Oak Landing: With 261 acres of Open Land Space (split into east and west by 90th Ave.) There is over a mile of Grand River frontage, wetlands, upland and floodplain forest.  It’s a great spot for fishing,  off-trail hiking, and cross-country skiing in the winter.  There are no designated trails or restrooms. Dogs are allowed on or off the leash. East Bur Oak is open to hunting per DNR Laws (More information), and West Bur Oak is open to archery deer hunting. Open 5am – 10pm; No entry fee.

Ripps Bayou: This patch of Open Space Land is only accessible by boat from the Grand River. It includes 172 acres made up of a large bayou surrounded by woods where you can fish,  hike off-trail, and cross-country ski in the winter.  There are no designated trails or restrooms. Dogs are allowed on or off the leash. This location is open to archery deer hunting per DNR Laws (More information). Open 5am – 10pm; No entry fee.

Coopersville Sports Complex/Veterans Park: The park is equipped with 15 picnic tables,  baseball and softball fields, a soccer field, basketball hoops for pick-up games, horseshoe pits, an archery range and a newly built multi-purpose skating rink. The south baseball field and the soccer field both have lights for evening play. There are restrooms available and no entry fee.

Places to stay:

Rodeway Inn: This location offers rooms with a mini-fridge and microwave, and offers continental breakfast. They have an indoor pool and hot tub, and are 16 miles from Lake Michigan beach. Pets are allowed for $15 per day. Daily rates are under $150.