If you continue traveling east a few miles, youll find some houses that look like theyre straight out of a fairy tale. I am sure I will go many more times! Also this water park is huge! 2 hours later we were in Milwaukee! As an island with such incredible landscapes and views, it should be no surprise that this is a vacation destination coveted by many. My mom eves had storied when she was a kid sailing on the "Clipper.". Muskegon County has 26 miles of beaches, with most of that span accessible to the public, Lukens said. Michigan Top 20 Attractions For Your Bucket List The name Muskego is derived from the Potawatomi Indian name for the area, "Mus-kee-Guaac", meaning sunfish. Hiking, ski trails and a picnic area stretch from the northern shore of Duck Lake to Lake Michigan. There are lots of points of interest on the island, giving visitors a chance to enjoy nature and recreational activities. Address: 3510 Channel Drive, Muskegon, Michigan. Some of the biggest names in business including GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, and Howmet have major operations in Muskegon County, along with more than 250 other manufacturers and defense contractors. Where should 13 ON YOUR SIDE visit next as part of our 13 ON YOUR SIDE OF TOWN? Like many of its neighboring streams, the Muskegon was one of the favored logging rivers during the boom years of the 1880s-1890s. The city's name is derived from the Ottawa description of the area, and means marshy river or swamp. Situated around a harbor of Lake Michigan, Muskegon is known for fishing, sailing regattas, and pleasure boating, and as a commercial- and cruise-ship port. Out of state costs: $11 per day (or $39 annual pass) gets you into all state parks. There are more than 200 species of animals at the Detroit Zoo, housing more than two thousand animals. Its included as part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, only open seasonally. 2. Accommodation: Where to stay in Paradise, Address: 18335 N Whitefish Point Rd, Paradise, MI 49768. Here is a very important piece of history for the Muskegon area. As an Amazon Associate, Attractions of America earns from qualifying purchases. In Muskegon, you can see these impressive dunes from Kruse Park. Massive freight boats currently use the locks and can also be seen utilizing the system along the tour. Muskegon Heights is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The park opened in 1995, featuring several sections of themed botanical gardens and a dedicated sculpture park. There are approximately 31 bridge crossings over the Muskegon River waterway. MUSKEGON We asked 13 ON YOUR SIDE viewers, "what is the best of Muskegon," and you weighed in big time. Have a news tip? The watershed flows through the cities of Muskegon, Newaygo, Big Rapids, Evart, and Houghton Lake. Muskegon is a very interesting place to be with a bunch of places and people to see. All Rights Reserved. Address: 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208. Take our 13 ON YOUR SIDE of Town survey: Where should we go next? - MSN What is Muskegon known for? 13 ON YOUR SIDE of Town, all month long! Accommodation: Where to stay in Ann Arbor, Address: 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, Also Read: As of 2020, the population was 175,824. Author Meagan Drillinger visited Muskegon in the fall of 2022. The tour exits through the Canadian Locks. Muskegon is known for fishing, sailing regattas, pleasure boating, and as a commercial and cruise ship port. Hoffmaster State Park. The river passes through Clare County, Osceola County, Mecosta County, Newaygo County, and Muskegon County, and generally flows southwesterly to its mouth at Muskegon, Michigan, where it empties into Muskegon Lake. The car ferry crosses Lake Michigan twice a dayto and from Manitowoc, Wisconsinbut special two-hour cruises are themed around pirates, fireworks and the rockin' 50sthe year the Badger first set sail. The park offers visitors plenty to do, from boating, fishing and swimming to hiking and camping. The park does takes your picture for re-entry so you will have no problem coming back in. It is the only name I . Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.19 square miles (8.26 km 2 ), all land. Motown was established in Detroit, MI, and operated by Berry Gordy, who purchased the building in 1959 to set up the studio operations. Just to the east, a unique piece of naval history is on display USS Silversides. The observation platform at the top offers sweeping views out over the lake, and is a wonderful spot to get the lay of the land out over Muskegon. The top attractions to visit in Muskegon are: The best outdoor activities in Muskegon according to Tripadvisor travelers are: The most popular things to do in Muskegon with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Things to Do in Muskegon, MI - Muskegon Attractions. But even if you're not into action-style rides, the park has many family-friendly ones designed for laughs over screams. Accommodation: Where to stay in Grand Rapids. What to do in muskegon mi. #4 Bettye LaVette. Take a Cruise Ludington is the home port of this last coal-fire steamship operating in North America, the S.S. Badger. Muskegon is an incredibly diverse destination, with parks, 26 miles of beaches, an amusement park, historic architecture, museums, and local green spaces. The word "Muskegon" is derived the Ottawa Native American term "Masquigon," meaning "marshy river or swamp." The "Masquigon" river was identifed on French maps dating back to the late 17th century, suggesting that . Advice Travel 20 Top Things to Do in Michigan From museums to vineyards and beaches, the Wolverine State has plenty to explore. The app will tell you live wait times for rides, it'll include a map of the park, also it includes which food places are open for service as well. This is the place for you to explore and discover America's most innovative and greatest inventions. What To Do In Muskegon? - Tourismguide.info Set on 1,233 acres, Muskegon State Park is popular for swimming, picnicking, paddling, fishing, and hiking along its 12 miles of trails. With more than 600,000 visitors every year, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is one of the top cultural sites in Michigan, located in Grand Rapids. Address: 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. . Located in Downtown Lansing, the center provides visitors with everything they need to know about Michigan and how it developed from the past. Above the shoreline on the higher portion of the park are a variety of picnic shelters. Visitors can come by to sit on one of the many benches and enjoy the colorful blooms. A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. The seats are so tightly packed together that the airlines are jealous. Like many Lake Michigan towns, Muskegon's heart and soul is on the water. It has many great water attractions for kids of all ages- my youngest enjoyed the kiddie splash zone and my two older kids loved the water tube rides. Kitch-iti-Kipi is a massive emerald green pool that measures at 300-feet by 175-feet, with a depth of 40-ft. The Motown Historical Museum, or Hitsville, is a photo studio-turned-recording studio where many timeless hits were created. But with so many options, how do you choose where to indulge? It is the most populous city along the western shore of Michigan. The river source is located at Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. All rights reserved, Unity Christian Music Festival in Muskegon, Michigan, Outdoor Accessibility in Muskegon, Michigan, Seaway Run: Half Marathon in Muskegon, Michigan. You might expect water temperature to be mid to high 60s in Lake Michigan at Muskegon State Park in the middle of summer. If you want to learn all about the industrial heritage and historic significance of Muskegon, then the Muskegon Heritage Museum is a must. It is over 250 years old and sits in the center of one of the most prominent tulip patches in the area. We asked 13 ON YOUR SIDE viewers, "what is the best of Muskegon," and you weighed in big time. Later in the 1900s, it earned its reputation as a foundry town by . Note for dog owners: we were told that state park beaches allow dogs 100 feet from the swimming area which is marked by buoys. During the warmer months, it's common to find kiteboarders, kayakers, beach volleyball players, and sunbathers. The population was 9,985 at the 2020 census . The bridge is a frequent transportation route along a major highway, but also a popular tourist destination for sightseeing and recreation. Enjoy 26 miles of sugar-sand beaches along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. It is bounded to the north by the Muskegon Lake. After discovering a major natural spring in the Upper Peninsula, Native Americans appropriately named it Kitch-iti-Kipi, also referred to as The Big Spring it is the largest natural freshwater spring in Michigan. There are three man-made reservoirs on the Muskegon River, the Rogers Dam Pond, Hardy Dam Pond, and the Croton Dam Pond. We want to know what makes your community shine from the food, friends and future plans! The building was seen as an architectural achievement when it was opened on January 1, 1879. The Lakeshore Trail bike path passes through Heritage Landing, as well, so if you're planning a bike route through Muskegon, you'll want to plan a stop here. Each community has its own identity. Muskegon County Community Development Director Bob Lukens, however, disagreed that Muskegon isnt a beach town. Dearborn, MI 48124. The Pere Marquette Beach is a popular destination for residents and tourists. It is full of beautiful flowers and also includes a replica of the famous bridge and pond in Giverny, France. For further details on the specifics of fees and passes, check out the officialPictured Rocks National Lakeshore website. Address: 3510 Channel Drive, Muskegon, Michigan. Youll also find over 130 breweries throughout the state that craft every type of beer you can think of. Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau