10 Best Things To Do In Muskegon, Michigan

1. Tour the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

USS LST 393 was a tank carrying ship for the American Marines during WWII. A little over 1,000 ships of its kind were created, but today it is one of the only two of the original models. The ship commanded by Lt. John H. Halifax, was part of the war machine dedicated to the European Theater that served in important missions like the Sicilian occupation (July 1943); the Salerno landings (September 1943); and the Invasion of Normandy (June 1944). She deservedly won three battles stars. It is documented that this giant war machine made 75 voyages into foreign docks ferrying supplies and soldiers and returning home with wounded soldiers and captured prisoners of war. This and even more history of the ship waits for you in Muskegon, Michigan.

USS LST 393 Veterans Museum

Address: 560 Mart St, Muskegon, MI 49440, United States

Website: USS LST 393 Veterans Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)

2. Have fun at Michigan's Adventure

Michigan’s Adventure is a wonderful amusement park located in Muskegon County. If all you need is a perfect amusement park to enjoy your day, then hit this biggest park in the state. With 52 fun rides, a unique outdoor water park called the WildWater Adventure, and seven roller coasters, like the Shivering Timbers, a wooden coaster, and a suspended looping coaster-Thunderhawk, you’re sure to have a great time here. This park won the 2007 tourist attraction of the year award in the state of Michigan. Bring your family and let everyone revel in the fun.

Michigan's Adventure

Address: 4750 Whitehall Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445, United States

Website: Michigan’s Adventure

3. Read a good book at Hackley Public Library

Readers are leaders, so it is important to find the time and relax with a good book in a good environment. The library promotes the free exchange of ideas and conservation of important heritage. With a mission to inform, inspire and delight through offering access to information, technology, and literature, the library makes for a quiet reading environment full of reading materials of any kind. Knowledge is said to be power so whether traveling or at home, you should seek to increase your capacity every now and then.

Hackley Public Library

Address: 316 W Webster Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440, United States

Website: Hackley Public Library

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 10am - 2pm (closed on Thu - Sun)

4. Step back in time at Hackley & Hume Historic Site

Hackley & Hume Historic Site is nestled at the Lakeshore Museum Center. Charles H. Hackley contracted David S. Hopkins to build houses for him and his friend Thomas Hume in the late 1800s. The house is known for its stunning Victorian style of architecture and even boasts decorative arts throughout the property. It has large living areas and nine bedrooms with simple decorations. The house was undoubtedly meant for comfort and a big family. It also features a library, a dining room, and a sleeping porch with a terne metal floor. The exterior of the house shows the original 14-tone restored color scheme.

Hackley & Hume Historic Site

Address: 484 W Webster Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440, United States

Website: Hackley & Hume Historic Site

Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 10am - 4pm (closed on Tue & Wed)

5. Find real entertainment at Frauenthal Center

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts is an iconic landmark in Muskegon County and features the best theaters in Michigan. Concerts, movies, film festivals, theater shows, and other events including weddings and beauty pageants are hosted here. It also has a gallery, rehearsal halls and meeting rooms. There is always something for everyone at the center, so find your way here and get entertained for the day.

Frauenthal Center

Address: 425 W Western Ave #200, Muskegon, MI 49440, United States

Website: Frauenthal Center

6. Explore the Pere Marquette Park

Pere Marquette Park is a city park tucked away in Lake Michigan and features a long beach, playground, volleyball courts, a restaurant, and the Muskegon Channel. The “USS Silversides,” a World War II Submarine also calls this place home. Find your way to the park and you will enjoy the experience strolling along the beach or just discovering the many attractions the park has to offer. End your tour with a well-deserving meal at the full-service restaurant and bar nearby. No entrance fee is charged to access the park.

Pere Marquette Park

Address: 3510 Channel Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441, United States

Website: Pere Marquette Park

Opening hours: 5am - 11pm (daily)

7. Go hiking at Hoffmaster State Park

Do you enjoy beach walks or perhaps hiking or even skiing? The Hoffmaster State Park offers these and many more enough to fill your day with unrivaled fun. The park boasts of more than three miles (5 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline, a state-of-the-art campground, tall Lake Michigan dunes, and the Gillette Visitor Center. The lengthy hiking and skiing trails provide picturesque views of Lake Michigan and more than wonderful scenery at every turn. Dune Climb Stairway is considered to be one of the star attractions of the park. Spend some time climbing up to the top of the tallest sand dune and enjoy panoramic views of the area and Lake Michigan from the observation deck.

Hoffmaster State Park

Address: 6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49441, United States

Website: Hoffmaster State Park

8. Enjoy a fine-dining experience at Hearthstone Bistro

Everyone loves fine things in life, including fine dining. The Hearthstone Bistro makes for a perfect dining scene with a family, group of friends or perhaps with your soulmate. Established in 1975, the Hearthstone is a dining place popular for delectable European bistro classics, unrivaled hospitality, and exceptional service. Their professional culinary approach to French, Italian and American cuisines shouts creativity, evidenced only the moment you taste the meals. They offer an extensive menu of soups, sandwiches, locally sourced seafood, steaks and chops in a tranquil and comfortable atmosphere, perfect for an unforgettable dining experience.

Hearthstone Bistro

Address: 3350 Glade St, Muskegon, MI 49444, United States

Website: Hearthstone Bistro

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm (closed on Sun)

9. Visit the Muskegon Museum of Art

Art is part of life and you do not have to be an artist to experience fine fun achieved from arts. Muskegon Museum of Art is much beyond just fine art. They boast of stunning permanent collection envied by many in the art world and enjoyable to everyone. Their exhibition schedule offers opportunities to the community to enjoy art and experience artists from other parts of the world. They also feature school outreach and tour program for students, which is a better way to mentor future artists from an early age.

Muskegon Museum of Art

Address: 296 W Webster Ave, Muskegon, MI 49440, United States

Website: Muskegon Museum of Art

Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 10am - 5pm; Thu: 10am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

10. Ride your bike along the Lakeshore Bike Trail

Biking is a good way to enjoy your day and keep fit. The Muskegon Lakeshore Trail is a 12 miles (19.3 km) trail that runs along the Muskegon Lake. As you ride along the trail, you will no doubt enjoy the picture-perfect views of the lake, the channel, the South Pier Light House, sand dunes and Muskegon parks. Also, there is access to historic and maritime attractions and fine dining spots. You will find plenty of parking spots either at Pere Marquette Park, Heritage Landing, or the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve, but you can as well park along the Lakeshore Drive.

Lakeshore Bike Trail

Address: Muskegon, MI 49441, United States

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Fun time in Muskegon

Muskegon has a plethora of attractions, ranging from museums to parks, hiking trails, adventure and fine-dining spots. If you’re planning a trip to Michigan anytime soon, we’d recommend to check this list of the best things to do in Muskegon, to have a fun-filled vacation.