17 Fantastic Spring Things to Do in West Michigan for the Whole Family
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As any Michigander knows, spring in Michigan is a time for fun. And, there are plenty of spring things to do in West Michigan that are fun for all ages.
Whether you want to enjoy the beauty of nature, visit a museum, or attend a Michigan spring festival, you don’t have to go far to find something fun to do in West Michigan.
Spring Things to Do in Grand Rapids
When you’re looking for spring things to do in West Michigan, look no further than Grand Rapids. Even if you spend a few days here, you probably won’t see or be able to do everything. This city offers a wealth of opportunities for fun.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
If you love art, you can see some of the most famous sculptures in the world at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Across 158 acres, you can see themed indoor gardens, a waterfall, a rock garden, and tropical and rare plants that will make your eyes light up in wonder.
There’s also an internationally acclaimed collection of nearly 300 works by some of the best sculptors in the world.
John Ball Zoo
The John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is a great place to visit, especially if you’re looking for a kid-friendly activity. The zoo is just 2 miles from downtown Grand Rapids and features more than 1,000 animals from across the world. It has plenty for everyone, including tram rides, zip lines, and camel rides.
Grand Rapids Museums
You might know that there are dozens of great museums in Michigan, and Grand Rapids has several — Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Rapids Art Museum, and Grand Rapids Public Museum.
But the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is a sight to behold. The permanent exhibits here celebrate President Ford and his wife and feature a holographic presentation and interactive video, giving you the chance to “participate” in history as you learn.
Breweries & Brewpubs
In some circles, Grand Rapids has been described as Beer City USA. If you’re looking to enjoy a beverage after a day of exploring, Grand Rapids is the place you want to be.
There are a lot of places you can go to, but one of the best is Brewery Vivant. Here, you can indulge in European-style beer culture and try some delicious, award-winning beers paired with some great food.
Graydon’s Crossing is another great spot to visit. It offers local and Old World-style beers on tap.
You can visit even more breweries in Holland Michigan.
West Michigan Ice Cream Shops Open in Spring
There’s nothing better to end a perfect spring day than getting ice cream. Fortunately, there are plenty of great West Michigan ice cream shops to visit for your favorite sweet treat.
Pump House
Start in Grand Rapids, and visit the Pump House. You’ll feel and see all the nostalgia of an old-fashioned soda shop, complete with porch swings. There are dozens of flavors and more than a hundred toppings for tasty creations, including custard, gelato, and yogurt.
House of Flavors
If you’re a little farther north, drive through Ludington this spring and stop at House of Flavors. This place is literally, well, bursting with flavor, and it’s not hard to see why.
The ice cream menu includes 36 different flavors, from classic chocolate and vanilla to Pirate’s Treasure — a caramel ice cream packed with M&M’s and Oreo cookie pieces. On nicer days, get there early because it’s not uncommon for the line to go out the door during warm weather.
Ice Cream Garage
In Standale, stop to grab an ice cream cone at Ice Cream Garage. It serves locally made Hudsonville ice cream, including the Superman ice cream flavor, which is a favorite among Michiganders young and old.
Sweet Yo’s
If you’re craving something sweet but don’t want ice cream, visit Sweet Yo’s, which has locations in Forest Hills, Grand Rapids, and Grandville. It has a frozen yogurt buffet, which is sure to delight your taste buds no matter your favorite flavor.
Rocky’s Dairy Depot
If you’re outside of Grand Rapids, stop at Rocky’s Dairy Depot in Rockford, which serves both Hudsonville and United Dairy Farmers ice creams. It even has some unique offerings, such as Cherry Limeade Sherbet.
Offseason Beaches to Explore in West Michigan
Spring may be a little early for swimming, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at a Michigan beach in the offseason. When Michiganders think of the Mitten, pristine and beautiful West Michigan beaches almost always come to mind.
Ludington State Park
Even if you’re used to great beaches, the Ludington waterfront can make your mouth hang open in amazement. Lakeshore Drive along M-116 goes through an 8-mile stretch of dunes and lots of beach space to get away from the crowds.
Ludington State Park offers even more access to parking, campgrounds, and beachfront space.
Hoffmaster State Park
If you’re looking for the perfect quiet beach getaway, Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon is that place. With beautiful dunes, panoramic views, and plenty of shoreline, there’s no limit on the amount of fun that you can have.
If you have time, explore some of the many miles of park trails, and keep an eye out for the park’s famous wildflowers.
South Beach Park
South Beach Park in South Haven is well known for its golden sand and red lighthouse, and it draws scores of annual visitors.
Once you’ve had enough of soaking up the sun and sand, you can take your kids to the park playground, go for a walk on flower-lined trails, or watch skateboarders catch some air at the skateboard park.
Grand Haven State Park
If you’re all about beach living and beach life, Grand Haven State Park is the place to go. It’s an easy walk from downtown Grand Haven and has golden sand, beach campsites, and courts for beach volleyball.
At the end of the beach, you can climb the dunes for some of the most breathtaking panoramic views you’ve ever seen.
West Michigan Lighthouses to Visit in Spring
One of the great things about visiting sites and cities along the Lake Michigan shore is that there are several historical and very cool lighthouses to check out.
To some people, lighthouses have a romantic nature about them, but they’re also fascinating because they can tell you a lot about Michigan’s maritime history. While there are more than 100 lighthouses in Michigan, several in West Michigan are worth checking out.
Ludington North Breakwater Light
To some folks, the Ludington North Breakwater Light is the top lighthouse in Michigan to visit. You can walk 1 mile along the breakwater to the light and watch the sunset. When it’s open, visitors can climb to the top.
Big & Little Sable Point Lighthouses
Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park is also a focal point of the community and offers visitors a chance to climb to the top (130 steps) from May to October.
Thirty miles to the south, you’ll find its counterpart — Little Sable Point Lighthouse. Constructed in 1874, it’s located at Silver Lake State Park and has a lot of history.
Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
North of Ludington, you’ll find the Manistee North Pier Lighthouse, which is one of the most iconic symbols of the city. This lighthouse has an iron catwalk, which is a rarity these days because many catwalks have been removed as part of lighthouse renovations.
Grand Haven Lighthouse
Farther south, you won’t want to miss the Grand Haven south pier and lighthouses, which stick out among the bustling activity near the waterfront.
You’ll see Michigan’s longest river (the Grand River) empty into Lake Michigan along the pier, as well as plenty of pleasure boats, fishing boats, and Coast Guard vessels entering and leaving the port.
Explore All the Spring Things to Do in West Michigan
As you look around for spring things to do in West Michigan, the only question you have to ask yourself is, “What do I want to do today?”
Whether you want to visit a beach or lighthouse, spend a day or two bopping around Grand Rapids, take a scenic drive, or stop and snack on something sweet, there’s nothing to stop you from having a great time in West Michigan when spring comes around.