Welcome to
Grand Haven, Michigan
Experience award-winning beaches and the quaint, small-town charm of the Grand Haven, Michigan Area.
Grand Haven
Beaches
You are never more than a few minutes away from miles of accessible soft-sand shoreline and rolling dunes in the Grand Haven Area. The seven beautiful beaches in and around Grand Haven, MI bring you quaint boardwalks and waterside lunch spots, sunny swimming and sunbathing havens and shady trails through green forests. Whether you’re looking for a remote escape on the edge of the forest, a scenic spot for a family vacation, or an accessible location for an afternoon lunch on the beach, Grand Haven, Michigan
North Beach gives visitors 745 feet of lake Michigan shoreline, making it easy to find just the right spot to park your towel, umbrella, and watch the waves roll in. If you want to stretch your legs, take a walk along the beach and head up the wooden stairway to the top of the dunes for a panoramic view of Lake Michigan. North Beach combines two of the most fun things to do in Grand Haven; enjoy a sunny day at the beach and a leisurely stroll through Michigan’s natural splendor.
If you’d like to combine your beach day with a walk through forested trails, visit any of the beaches near natural areas and wildlife parks. The Rosy Mound Natural Area makes it easy to explore the natural landscape of the sand dunes and witness the many animals that call this habitat home. This is a great place to go exploring with your family and friends, while still enjoying a relaxing day at the beach. To combine an exploratory journey through the woods with a fun-filled day at the beach, visit Kirk Park. You’ll find wooded nature trails leading to scenic overlooks, as well as a playground, picnic area and swimming beach. To complete your tour of picturesque beaches and woodlands, visit Olive Shores. This beach is so idyllic, it actually made it to the big screen in the Tom Hanks film “Road to Perdition.”
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Grand Haven, Michigan
Stay
You’ll find all the standard accommodation options in the Grand Haven Area, but each offers a little something extra when it comes to making you feel comfortable and eager to extend your stay. You’ll find quaint and historic accommodations like the Khardomah Lodge, a rustic retreat only 200 yards from Lake Michigan, with over 100 years of Michigan history. If you’re looking for a more modern style of accommodations, luxurious spa hotels will bring you to the edge of the Grand River and the shores of Lake Michigan. You can also find comfortable and cozy hotels and resorts closer to town, where you can wake up with fresh coffee and a relaxing brunch before heading to the beach. If you’re looking for a more rustic getaway, surrounding state parks and wildlife reserves will give you the shelter and tranquility of Michigan’s natural landscape.
Shop
An assortment of shops, galleries and markets make up the walkable downtown districts of the Grand Haven Area. Grand Haven is known as the Coast Guard City, and this nautical heritage is present across the many shops, art galleries, stores and markets. You can find cute maritime souvenirs for friends and family, beautiful jewelry and original clothing, as well as majestic paintings and authentic artwork from local artists. The walkable downtown Grand Haven area presents a rainbow of art pieces and collectables, souvenirs, gifts, crafts and more. As you make your plans for things to do in Grand Haven, MI, be sure to leave a day to stroll the downtown and find a special item to take home to your home or office.
Dine
The Grand Haven Area has all the dining and drinking staples one would expect to find in a waterfront vacation destination. With many different types of cuisine, as well as a long list of original wines, craft brews, and local spirits, it’s easy to find the perfect pairing of exceptional food and drinks. You can also easily find just the atmosphere that you’re looking for; a romantic evening between the Grand River and Lake Michigan, a relaxing brunch a short walk from your hotel or B&B, or a delicious lunch after a fun-filled day of hiking and sunbathing. From local seafood to pizza, tacos to Thai, Italian to Indian, casual family dining, upscale gourmet, and everything in between, you can find the perfect dining spot to please everyone in your party.
Things to Do
The Grand Haven Area is a year-round vacation destination never lacking in things to do. Fill your Grand Haven vacation itinerary with a long list of adventures, or leave your schedule open to enjoy an afternoon sunbathing and relaxing. In the day time, visit any or all of the seven beaches to settle down with a book for sun, sand, and relaxation. In the afternoon, take a stroll through the woods to reconnect with nature, or take a walk along the boardwalk for fantastic pictures. Take a trolley tour of the downtown, visit the historic train museum, and do some shopping to find one-of-a-kind original artwork, designer clothing, and crafts. If you’re looking for things to do in the evening when the sun goes down, visit the world’s largest Musical fountain and watch an captivating show of lights and sounds.
Grand Haven, Michigan
West Michigan Pike
Grand Haven, Michigan lays near the top of the West Michigan Pike historic byway. If you’re planning a trip southward, Grand Haven is the perfect place to start your journey. If you’re concluding your journey northward, you won’t want to miss the Coast Guard City. With so many things to do in Grand Haven, MI, you can start or conclude your family vacation, remote camping trip, a relaxing beach retreat, a picture-perfect photography tour, or an impromptu adventure.
Latest Grand Haven
Blog Posts
September 13, 2022
Fall in West Michigan is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The West Michigan Lakeshore offers a wide range of fall activities, including extraordinary fall color tours through the natural landscape, apple picking, cider tours, hayrides and more. The robust red, orange, and yellow canopy over the fall trails and the historic […]
August 26, 2022
Fall is a beautiful time of year to visit the Grand Haven area. The cooler temperatures, stunning colors, and festive activities make us a fall destination worth visiting. Read on to see all the things to see and do in Grand Haven and the surrounding areas of Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, West Olive, Coopersville, and Allendale. […]
June 18, 2020
You don’t need to head to the ocean to enjoy a relaxing beachfront summer getaway. The best Lake Michigan vacation spots bring you the beauty and serenity of the beach with no need to board a plane. There’s dozens of gorgeous beaches to choose from along Lake Michigan, and we’ve selected a few of the […]
March 16, 2020
As you travel through the Lake Michigan Beachtowns, don’t miss stopping at the many spots along our Craft Beverage Trail! We have breweries, vineyards, tasting rooms, distilleries, and cider mills. Discover some new favorites and bring them home as souvenirs and gifts! Holland New Holland Brewing was founded in 1997 and today is recognized as […]
February 5, 2020
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 […]
January 15, 2020
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 […]
November 6, 2019
Plan your winter vacation in Western Michigan along Lake Michigan’s coast to enjoy beautiful scenery and exhilarating activities. Lake Michigan Beachtowns are full of wonder in winter. Marvel at natural ice sculptures as they form before your eyes along the shoreline, or cozy up inside a charming winery, restaurant, or boutique. Tour colorful Christmas lights […]
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Grand Haven, Michigan
Get to know the Grand Haven Area, and you’ll discover one of the most genuine, relaxed four-season vacation destinations on Earth.
