Plan your trip along the
West Michigan Pike

There are no wrong answers when it comes to planning your Lake Michigan trip. There are all kinds of beautiful features and fun-filled attractions along the West Michigan Pike byway to help you complete trips of all types. For some, the best vacation spots on Lake Michigan are places to reconnect with nature, escape from busy everyday stresses, and enjoy the natural beauty of The Great Lakes State. For others, the best places to visit along Lake Michigan are those with the most beautiful beaches. Some families and friends find themselves torn between the two! But that’s okayβ€”you can plan your trip along Lake Michigan to include nature, beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, exciting activities and much more.

Download the Motorized Leisure Guide to the West Michigan Pike

Best Places to Vacation on
Lake Michigan

Whether you have a week, a weekend or the whole summer, there’s an endless number of attractions and vacation destinations to thrill your family and friends along Lake Michigan. If you’re planning a longer trip, explore multiple locations along the West Michigan Pike, including sugar sand beaches, iconic lighthouses, towering sand dunes, luxurious spa hotels, rustic campgrounds and much more. You can plan your trip to include many of the best places to vacation on Lake Michigan. Head south and visit Saugatuck and Holland to start out your trip with gorgeous beaches, beautiful flowers, rich history and beautiful scenery. Head north along the West Michigan Pike towards Grand Haven and Muskegon next. Take a picture with the iconic Grand Haven lighthouse and pier in the background, take a trolley tour through the city, take a charter fishing trip to truly experience Lake Michigan, and visit Michigan’s Adventure for thrills and excitement. Your Lake Michigan trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famous Silver Lake Sand Dunes, so head up to Silver Lake and Hart Michigan to see these beautiful natural landscapes. If you’re starting from the south, make the full circuit from St. Joseph up to Silver Lake/Hart to stop in all of the best places to vacation on Lake Michigan. If the timing is right, plan your trip to coincide with famous festivals, like the Holland Tulip Time Festival, the Kite Festival in Grand Haven, and dozens of others throughout the year.

Best Places to Visit Along
Lake Michigan

If you’re wondering about the best places to visit along Lake Michigan for a weekend or even just an afternoon, there are many directions to plan your trip. The West Michigan lakeshore is full of fascinating historic locations, picturesque beaches and lighthouses, towering sand dunes, acres of natural landscapes, hiking and biking trails, one-of-a-kind festivals, and exciting outdoor activities. How you want to plan your trip all depends on what you love to do!

a walk on the beach

A Day At The Beach

Visit any location along the Lake Michigan shoreline and you’ll find beautiful beaches perfect for a relaxing day in the sun. Though all West Michigan beaches have their own charms and appeals, Oval Beach in Saugatuck is particularly beautiful. Muskegon hosts perhaps the widest variety of beaches, with a dozen diverse locations for swimming, boating, dune-climbing, camping, hiking, fishing and, of course, sunbathing.Β 

A Weekend Camping Trip

When the weather is just right, the sun is out and the woods are alive in the summertime, it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy Pure Michigan. It’s easy to plan your trip along the West Michigan Pike to get the most out of the natural landscape. Near Muskegon you’ll find a wealth of beautiful camping spots across Meinert County Park, Muskegon State Park, PJ Hoffmaster State Park, and Pioneer County Park. Near Grand Haven visit Grand Haven State Park, Holland, visit Holland State Park, or Van Buren State Park near South Haven. Further south around St. Joseph, visit Silver Beach or Warren Dunes State Park.

West Michigan Specials & Deals

Weekend Getaway

If you’re craving a weekend of adventure, you’re planning a special event, or you just have to get out of the house, there are many places to visit along Lake Michigan for a well-planned or impromptu getaway. To head out with friends for a night on the town, visit any of the 16 breweries, wineries and distilleries in Holland. For a quieter evening or afternoon, visit a tasting room, wine bar, or take a vineyard tour in South Haven. If you’re seeking adventure with friends, take a charter fishing trip in Grand Haven, hike, bike or ride across the 34-mile Kal-Haven trail in South Haven, or visit Michigan’s Adventure roller coaster and water park in Muskegon.

View Attractions along the West Michigan Pike

MI Beachtowns Motorized Leisure Map

Start Planning Your Lake Michigan Beach Vacation

Our guide to Michigan Beachtowns makes it easy to plan your trip and find exactly what you’re looking for along the West Michigan shoreline.