Free Things to Do in Grand Haven
Grand Haven is nestled along the shoreline of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River—hence the name! This city is small enough to feel like a hometown but busy enough to keep your interest. Nearby, the sister cities of Ferrysburg and Spring Lake add to the Grand River harbor ambiance. It’s a water-loving area with memorable attractions. Here, you’re sure to find your favorite free adventure!
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Outdoor Fun
The Grand Haven area boasts some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces one can find. The multitude of open spaces abound- visit their links to find some that interest you- we’ve listed one outstanding park from each city.
Grand Haven Parks
Mulligan’s Hollow: Mulligan’s Hollow is a popular recreational area that includes the Tri-Cities YMCA. Winter facilities include the Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl with lodge, fire pit, two rope tows, and an outdoor ice-skating rink. Non-winter activities include an adult softball diamond, a soccer field, a large Imagination Station play area, two basketball courts, a picnic area, two tennis courts, six pickleball courts, a lighted in-ground skate park, and parking.
Ferrysburg Parks
Coast Guard Park: Coast Guard Park is located one mile west of 174th Street off of North Shore Road at 18161 North Shore Road. The park offers baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, a picnic shelter, a play area, restrooms, grills, and picnic tables. This park also serves as a trailhead for the North Ottawa Dunes‐parking, located at the Coast Guard Park entrance. The park is also half a mile from the shores of Lake Michigan.
Spring Lake Parks
Tanglefoot Park: The Tanglefoot Park pavilion can be rented for private events and community events. It can accommodate events such as weddings and family reunions for up to 299 people. When the pavilion is not in use for private events, visitors are welcome to seek shade under the pavilion. There’s also a new splash pad that’s already very popular with local families who enjoy setting up picnic spots in the surrounding grassy areas. The park includes other outdoor amenities, including an outdoor fireplace, transient boat docks, a universally accessible kayak launch, public art, a fishing pier, and a new self-service kayak rental kiosk!
Outdoor Entertainment
There are tons of fun things to do in the Grand Haven area for outdoor entertainment! Check out some of our favorite ideas below:
Musical Fountain
Grand Haven’s claim to fame is the Musical Fountain at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium. Every night at dark from Memorial Day through Labor Day and Fridays and Saturdays in May and September, these 25-minute enchanting spectacles of water and lights are creatively synchronized to a wide variety of well-known musical selections. Plan to spend a little extra time downtown as a lot of local shops stay open late!
William Ferry Park
Bring your own chairs for a free, family-friendly concert every 3rd Wednesday in June, July and August. Enjoy some delicious food from local food trucks while you listen to the entertaining bands.
Art Time
Explore Grand Haven’s artistic side with visits to local galleries like Studio J, enjoy live performances at the Tri-Cities Historical Museum, and attend the Grand Haven ArtWalk for a vibrant display of creativity.
- Art on the Riverfront: Art on the Riverfront is an outdoor juried art show held along the Grand Haven waterfront at the city marina. This popular one-day exhibit showcases the works of accomplished regional artists in a wide variety of mediums.
- Gallery Uptown: 201 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven. The oldest artist-operated gallery in the state features award-winning artists from the area showing their work in the gallery. Each month, a themed show features new work by gallery members and invited guests.
- Fire Barn Gallery: The gallery underwent substantial renovations in 2011 and is now under the direction of artist and curator, Chris Protas. Unapologetically showing art of the twenty-first century, with a focus on work not typically represented in the community—both by local artists and by artists from outside the area.
A Little Nature
Discover Grand Haven’s natural beauty by hiking the Rosy Mound Natural Area trails, exploring the scenic Grand River by boat, and relaxing on the sandy shores of Grand Haven State Park. Nature enthusiasts can also visit the nearby P.J. Hoffmaster State Park for more outdoor adventures.
- Kitchel Lindquist Hartger Dunes Preserve: Find nature at its finest with 115 acres of protected dunes, forest, and wetlands north of the mouth of the Grand River. Offering four trails for exploring, this beautiful location encompasses the unique freshwater dune ecology that exists only on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. This preserve is owned and operated by the city of Ferrysburg and remains a hidden gem of West Michigan that promotes education, research, and conservation.
- Hofma Park and Preserve: This Grand Haven Charter Park consists of 324.77 acres of land with approximately four and a half miles of trails, an 885-foot floating bridge, a parking area, a picnic area, a shelter, a playground, restrooms, grills, hiking, trails, biking paths, mountain bike trails, and cross-country skiing trails. This park is bound to satisfy all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts, and dogs are even allowed on leash.
- Minnie Skwarek Nature Preserve: Trails are narrower and may feature areas with steeper grades or staircases. Most trails can be hiked in 30 minutes or less. There are no restrooms at this preserve. A well-marked trail system on the preserve’s gentle hills leads hikers through towering hardwood forests and over a babbling stream. The preserve is particularly impressive in early spring, when bright carpets of skunk cabbage and marsh marigold cover the streamside wetlands.
- Ottawa Sands: Walk the trails at Ottawa Sands and you’ll likely spot a family of bald eagles perched overlooking the crystal blue, man-made lake. Sandy dunes tower on one side of the property, and a scenic stretch of the Grand River known as “the sag” flows on the other. Visit in late winter and spring to spot migratory birds and waterfowl. Catch and release fishing is allowed from the shoreline with lures only. The property contains 219 acres of critical dune habitat and an 80-acre lake, providing much-needed habitat for migratory birds and monarch butterflies, nesting bald eagles, and the rare Pitcher’s thistle plant.
- Rosy Mound Natural Area: Nestled along Lake Michigan’s shoreline near Grand Haven, Michigan, it offers a captivating outdoor experience. This 164-acre nature preserve boasts a diverse landscape featuring wooded dunes, meandering trails, and a pristine sandy beach. Visitors can embark on a scenic hike through wooded slopes, leading to elevated viewpoints with breathtaking lake vistas. The trail descends to the shore, unveiling picturesque dune formations and ending at the expansive beach. With its rich flora, including unique plant species, and panoramic views of Lake Michigan, Rosy Mound Natural Area provides a serene escape for nature lovers and hikers seeking tranquility in a coastal setting.
Look Local!
Each of the sister cities—Grand Haven, Ferrysburg, and Spring Lake—has their own community-serving organizations.
Libraries in the area have calendars of events full of free fun! Check it out…
- Loutit District Library: A family escape room is a unique event offered by the library, along with movies throughout the year.
- Spring Lake District Library: Meditation Group sessions, Crafts for all ages, and outdoor off-site events are a few of the fun and free activities available.
- The Tri-Cities Historical Museum: Established in 1959, this museum provides visitors an opportunity to look through the windows of time into the history of Northwest Ottawa County—including the communities of Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg. This Museum is located on the main street of Grand Haven and within walking distance from many famous attractions such as the boardwalk, musical fountain, marina, and the channel.
- PM Berkshire #1223 Train Museum: The main attractions here are the #1223 locomotive, a fish cleaning station, a Boy Scout statue, a playground, and picnic tables. The Grand Haven Farmers Market also occurs in the parking lot here from May through October.
Feeling Festive?
The list of festivals held in the sister city region would fill volumes, so here are a few:
- Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival: Downtown Grand Haven. This 10-day festival has honored men and women who have served in the U.S. Coast Guard for nearly a century—from an original small picnic to the current jam-packed festival to rival all others. There are plenty of free events and programs that are available to visitors of all ages.
- Great Lakes Kite Festival: This world-renowned kite festival features kite-flying experts as they maneuver kites, as big as a bus, into intensely-exciting feats of skill. Bring your own kite to fly in the amateur area. (If you park within the State Park, a day pass is required.)
- Grand Haven Art Festival: The Grand Haven Art Festival invites nearly 80 artists from across the country to transform Washington Avenue into a chic, outdoor art gallery. The festival is a three-day event, with lots of free activities for the family, including music and kids’ games.
- Grand Haven Sand Sculpture Contest: Imagine being surrounded by sun, surf, and sandcastles! The Sand Sculpture Contest is a fun way for you to put your sand sculpting skills to the test! This family-friendly event gives participants two hours to create their masterpieces before celebrity judges observe the finished work and crown the newest royalty of the sandcastle creators.
An afternoon in the tri-cities area would be ok, but with so much to see and do, this region beckons you to plan on a few days to explore what it has to offer.
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Carmelitta Tiffany
“Carmelitta Tiffany is a semi-retired journalist living a quiet life in rural West Michigan. She’s an avid gardener, voracious reader, and enjoys spending lots of time with her dog, MissDottie, and her grandson Henry. She serves those needing “wordy” advice through her business, West MI Editorial Services.
