Summer is flying by, and with so many destinations and activities in West Michigan, it can be hard to pick and choose where and how you want to spend your precious free time! As someone spending their first summer in West Michigan myself, I asked the Hello West Michigan team to share their favorite way to spend a sunny summer day. They shared what their ideal day looks like and their best recommendations on where to go, what to do, and where to eat!
Rachel, Executive Director:
Rachel loves to walk (or scooter) to the Fulton Street Farmers Market in the morning, then head to yoga at AM Yoga on the West Side of Grand Rapids. After yoga, she fuels up with a bagel at Roots Brew Shop or Bagel Beanery before heading to the beach! Her beach of choice depends on her mood for the day. Early in the summer, she chooses Yankee Springs Recreation Area at Gun Lake for swimming. If she’s looking for a quieter, more secluded beach experience, she’ll choose Kirk Park in West Olive. If it’s later in the summer (when Lake Michigan has warmed up a bit), she’ll head to Holland State Park or Grand Haven City Beach. However, she recommends leaving in the morning for those because the line to the beach can get long!
If you’re up for a more adventurous beach day, Rachel recommends Ludington State Park, where you can take a 2-mile hike out to the lighthouse. Take the lighthouse tour, climb to the top, enjoy the view, then hike back down and enjoy the beach! After a long beach day, she recommends dinner at Luciano’s.
For all these summer activities, Rachel recommends keeping a few essentials in your car: 2 bag chairs for the beach, 2 pool noodles, sunscreen, water, and cash for the farmer’s market!
Jessica, Program Manager:
Jessica always has a long summer bucket list! One must-do on her list is spending a day in Saugatuck. Her day starts with a tasty brunch at The Southerner– they have great southern cuisine, and the restaurant sits right on the water. Getting a table on the back patio where you can watch the boats go by is a relaxing way to start the day. From there, she likes to take a walk through the beautiful neighborhoods (to walk off the great food) and then head out to Oval Beach! After a long, relaxing day at the beach, she recommends heading back into town to shop -a must in Saugatuck- and grab dinner at the Mermaid (also located on the water). “Saugatuck is a very artsy town with an eclectic feel that just can’t be beat!”
If the beach isn’t your style, Jessica recommends renting one of the retro boats available at The Old Boathouse and taking a cruise down the Kalamazoo River!
Bader, Member & Candidate Experience Intern:
Bader starts his ideal summer day with breakfast from Breakfast at Tiffiny’s in Kalamazoo. Then, he drives to Grand Haven and spends the morning and early afternoon swimming and soaking up the sun at Grand Haven State Park. For a mid-day pick-me-up, he recommends the Stable Inn, and Dairy Treat if you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth! Finally, if it’s a day the Grand Haven Musical Fountain has a show, he’ll spend the evening enjoying the fountain show and the sunset!
Josie, Marketing & Web Intern:
As for myself? Many of my weekend summer days involve the beach. But if they don’t, I often like to spend my morning in Eastown Grand Rapids, enjoying a coffee in the patio area at Outside Coffee Co. From there, I like to browse the shops in the area- a few of my favorites are Fox Naturals, Commune, and Spirit Dreams! Something unique and fun to do any time of year is making your own custom candle at Wax Poetic Candle Bar.
From there, head to Millennium Park, where you can enjoy the beach, rent boats, and explore their many trails (my favorite way to enjoy the trails is to rollerblade)! Next, I’ll head back to Grand Rapids for dinner – usually tacos – at Luna or Donkey Taqueria! For me, no summer day is complete without ice cream; I usually grab a cone from Love’s Ice Cream or Furniture City Creamery. If you’re a sunset lover, I recommend going to Lookout Park to enjoy the sunset over the Grand Rapids skyline!
If you happen to take one of our recommendations, be sure to tag us on social media, we’d love to see how you’re spending your #WMSummer!
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