parks Archives - Michigan Beachtowns

If you are looking to plan a romantic getaway look no farther than the quaint and friendly towns along the Lake Michigan Beachtowns! We offer traditional wine & dine experiences along with some adventure, quiet time for just the two of you, and the most stunning sunsets you will ever see in your lifetime.

Go for a Hike

The parks and trails along the Lake Michigan Beachtowns provide a romantic backdrop for a hike for two all year long. Muskegon State Park and PJ Hoffmaster State Park have miles of wooded trails and sand dunes over looking Lake Michigan and are dog friendly. Hoffmaster’s trail system connects to the North Ottawa Dunes trails, the new Ottawa Sands Park, and the Kitchel-Lindquist Hartger Dune Preserve north of Grand Haven if you are looking for a longer hike. To experience something otherworldly, head to the Silver Lake State Park Pedestrian Dune Access area to see mountains of sand dunes and watch hundreds of ORVs fly through the trails. Climb to the top of Mount Pisgah in Holland for a stunning view of both Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. For those who are not afraid of heights, the steep, wooden stairs of Mount Baldhead bring hikers to the top of a 794 foot overlook of Saugatuck. Black River Preserve in South Haven has easy-to-difficult hiking trails with a one mile frontage of the Black River and other area streams. Weko Beach & John DeeDee Howard Trail is the Saint Joseph area are great spots for a hike.

Spend a Day at the Beach

Pack a blanket, your favorite snacks & beverages, towels, chairs, some books & magazines, your headphones, sunglasses, and sunscreen and prepare yourself for a relaxing day for two. If you are looking for a day at the beach close to all of the action Silver Lake Beach, South Beach, Oval Beach, Holland State Park, Grand Haven State Park, Pere Marquette Beach, and Little Sable Lighthouse Beach are perfect for people watching and catching some rays. Looking for something a little more quiet? Muskegon State Park, Newcome Beach, Rosy Mound Natural Area, Tunnel Park, Grand Mere State Park, & Douglas Beach are for you! If you want to add in a little adventure, consider renting ORVs at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes and finding a spot along Lake Michigan for the two of you. Learn more about all of the Michigan Beachtowns beaches here!

Visit a Vineyard or a Tasting Room

Cheers to spending time together at one of the many vineyards or wine & cider tasting rooms located along the Michigan Beachtowns. The Fox Barn Winery is the Silver Lake Sand Dunes-Hart area is a unique setting within a restored barn where you can taste their wines along with a ‘Barn Bites’ food board. 12 Corners Vineyards & Winery is located in Benton Harbor but they also have tasting rooms located in Grand Haven and South Haven. Oceana Winery & Vineyard is located in New Era between Silver Lake Sand Dunes & Muskegon but you can also try their wines at their tasting room downtown Muskegon. Fenn Valley Winery has been around since 1973. Their vineyard hosts tours throughout the year and they have a tasting room in Saugatuck. Virtue Cider is located on a working farm complete with tours, sheep, pigs, and chickens. Learn more about the Michigan Beachtowns Beverage Trail here!

Peddle & Paddle

Each of the Lake Michigan Beachtowns offer a variety of ways venture around the area by bike, by kayak, or by SUP. Bring your own or rent from many local rental companies by the hour, by the day, or by the week. The Michigan Beachtowns have hundreds of miles of biking paths and trails for the serious biker and those looking for a casual, scenic ride. While the big lake can be friendly to paddlers, the inland lakes and rivers offer up a relaxing day on the water without worrying about large waves. For the more adventurous paddlers, surf board rentals and lessons are available through Third Coast Surf Shop in Southwest Michigan or you can try Kiteboarding with the help of MacKite.

Listen to Live Music at a Brewery

Grab a tasting flight and cozy up together at one the Lake Michigan breweries. Our Brewing Company in downtown Holland is a nano-brewery and was founded by two couples and their motto is “Smaller on Purpose.” Saugatuck Brewing Company is the only brewery in Michigan to feature a Brew on Premise Program where you can work with their master brewers to create your own special beer. Oddside Ales in Grand Haven recently expanded its downtown taproom complete with garage doors that open up for alfresco drinking and dining. Unruly Brewing Company in downtown Muskegon is the first brewery to brew been in Muskegon since 1957 and offers an outdoor beer garden in the warmer months. Big Hart Brewing Company in Hart hosts live music, karaoke nights, and Trivia nights. Three Blondes Brewing was founded by 3 sisters who were born and raised in South Haven. During the winter months you can snuggle together in one of their igloos nicknamed the Blondomes. In the Saint Joseph area, pick up a free Makers Trail passport and start collecting stamps from more than 40 participating craft breweries, wineries, and distillers.

Discover Iconic Lighthouses

The most romantic times of the day to view and visit one of the Lake Michigan Beachtowns lighthouses is first thing in the morning or leading up to sunset. Walk the pier, beach, or nearby boardwalk hand-in-hand. Saint Joseph’s lighthouses are accessible from Tiscornia Park. South Haven’s lighthouse is a short walk from downtown via the boardwalk. Holland’s Big Red is best viewed from Holland State Park. Grand Haven’s lighthouses can be found where the boardwalk ends at Grand Haven State Park. Muskegon’s lighthouses keep guard over the Muskegon Lake channel. Little Sable Lighthouse is located at Silver Lake Sand Dunes State Park and is open for tours during the warmer months. Before your trip, join the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s Passport Program and collect stamps and stickers at each of the Beachtown lighthouses!

Share a Romantic Meal

Houndstooth Restaurant in Benton Harbor is a New American restaurant that was founded by two siblings and features a fine dining experience without the pretense. The menu ebbs with the season and with the culinary duo’s mood. Menu items include Blue Crab Dumplings, Roasted Chicken, and Creamsicle Poke Cake. Taste in downtown South Haven is a small plates restaurant and martini bar with items to share including sushi, sweet & spicy shrimp, a Michigan cheese plate, and signature martinis. Salt of the Earth in Fennville offers scratch cooking from fresh local ingredients. Their menu changes seasonally including their selection of entrees, shared plates, and wood fired pizza. Seventy-Six is located downtown Holland and serves up modern, American comfort food. They offer lunch & dinner along with changing list of modern cocktails like the Tequila ‘Mockingbird’ and a Winter Margarita with elderberry and pear puree. Noto’s at the Bil-Mar in Grand Haven has one of the most spectacular views of Lake Michigan you can find along the shoreline. Noto’s offers spins on Italian classics, wood fired pizzas, apps, and small plates. The Lake House on Muskegon Lake has a marina view and a menu fitting for a fine dining or casual dining experience. What’s not to love about Big Hart Brewing? They serve up their craft brews along with a large menu of small plates, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees.

Watch the Sunset Over Lake Michigan

There is no better way to end a romantic day than with a breathtaking sunset over Lake Michigan. All of the Michigan Beachtown beaches offer stunning sunsets all year long. The ‘golden hour’ leading up to sunset provides the best lighting for romantic selfies.

Stay at a Charming Inn, Bed & Breakfast, Hotel, or Vacation Rental

There is quaint and romantic place for the two of you to stay no matter what season along the Lake Michigan Beachtowns. Check out the latest lodging and getaway specials here!

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While we are the Michigan Beachtowns and we are most famous for our summers, there is still plenty to do and discover in the winter months along Lake Michigan!

Silver Lake Sand Dunes + Hart

This area is best known for their towering sand dunes that keep watch over Silver Lake and Lake Michigan. The Silver Lake Sand Dunes ORV area is open April 1st through October 31st but there are still many winter activities to enjoy! Pentwater Patherways and The Hart-Montague Bike Trail are each excellent areas to cross-country ski or snowshoe. When the snow is at least 4 inches or more, snowmobiles are permitted on the Hart-Montague Trail which is 22-miles long! The Little Sable Point Lighthouse Beach is accessible in the winter months even though it is not open for tours. Take a quiet walk along the frozen lakeshore and don’t forget a selfie with Little Sable. Learn more about the Silver Lake Area here!

Muskegon

The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex luge track is one of only four luge tracks in existence here in the United States. And you can give it a try! Public participants receive equipment and training before shooting down the luge upwards of 30mph. If this is a little too adventurous for your taste, the Winter Sports Complex also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding. Pere Marquette Beach is home to two lighthouses and gorgeous views of Lake Michigan. Warm up after a day full of winter fun by visiting one of the many breweries and coffee shops downtown Muskegon. Catch a Muskegon Lumberjacks hockey game while eating gourmet tacos from Rad Dads Taco & Tequila Bar. Learn more about the Muskegon area here!

Grand Haven

Good news! You don’t have to drive 2 hours further up north to be able to go skiing! Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl is just minutes from downtown shops & restaurants and offers downhill skiing and snowboarding on lighted paths, including tow ropes, eight downhill runs, and snowmaking. Warm up on cold days at Mulligan’s Lodge inside next to the fireplace or sit outside in the Adirondack chairs that circle the outdoor firepit. Grand Haven State Park is home the the Grand Haven Lighthouses and Pier whose catwalk looks otherworldly when covered in snow and ice. Pigeon Creek Park has lighted cross-country ski and snowshoe trails as well as a lighted sledding hill. The Nature Education Center at Hemlock Crossing Park offers snowshoe rentals and cross-country ski trails. Downtown Grand Haven has heated sidewalks for slush free shopping and many breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants to warm up. Learn more about the Grand Haven area here!

Holland

Starting in late November, the Holland area embraces the season by celebrating with their Dutch Winterfest and with their open-air European Kerstmarkt with unique gifts for all. Downtown Holland has heated sidewalks and outside fireplaces so that shoppers can make their way to over 100 locally owned shops and restaurants. Even though Holland is home to many wonderful breweries, New Holland Brewing Company was born here in 1997 and has grown to be one of the leading innovators in craft brewing and distilling. Riley Trails is a multi-use trail that has a 4-5 mile mountain bike loop is a favorite of fat tire bike riders in the snowy months. Don’t forget to stop at Holland State Park to watch a winter sunset or get a photo with Big Red! Learn more about the Holland area here!

Saugatuck-Douglas

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing can be a lot of work but with views of Lake Michigan, the 13 miles of trails at Saugatuck Dunes State Park are worth the effort. If you more of a quiet winter hike kind of person, the Tallmadge Woods Loop has views of the Kalamazoo River, Lake Michigan, and Ox-Bow Lagoon. The charming downtowns of Douglas and Saugatuck have unique gift shops, cozy coffee cafes, and farm-to-table cuisine. The area is home to many vineyards, tasting rooms, breweries, and cider mills including Virtue Cider. Located on a working farm, you can sip a variety of hard ciders while visiting the local pigs, sheep, and chickens. Learn more about the Saugatuck-Douglas area here!

South Haven

A great way to start a winter’s day in the South Haven area is with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate from a local cafe and then to head down to South Beach to see the frozen lighthouse and lakeshore. The 34-mile Kal-Haven Trail is open to cross-country skiers, snowshoeing, and snowmobiles when the conditions are right. For downhill skiing, Timber Ridge Ski Area and Bittersweet Ski Area are located nearby. Bitter-Sweet Acres has horse drawn wagon, sleigh, trolley, or carriage rides. The South Haven Ice Rink is an outdoor, covered ice rink located in downtown near many restaurants and cafes. Not only do they offer skate rentals, but they also host curling lessons and leagues! Learn more about the South Haven area here!

Saint Joseph

Being one of the most southern towns along Lake Michigan, the St. Joe area can experience some of the largest waves on Lake Michigan. Watch the waves crash against the mighty St. Joseph Lighthouse creating an unforgettable formation of ice along the pier. Lake Bluff Park overlooks Lake Michigan, Silver Beach, and the Silver Lake Carousel. From the first Friday of December through Valentine’s Day Lake Bluff is covered in over 1 million lights. The Saint Joseph area is filled with locally owned shops, restaurants, breweries, and more. Follow the Makers Trail and visit local brewers, wine makers, and distillers. Grab a Makers Trail Flight Crew Passport for your trip to collect stamps and free gear. Learn more about the Saint Joseph area here!