Spring Activities in West Michigan

Spring is in bloom in West Michigan and along with that comes a beauty like no other. Enjoy the great outdoors and see all the trees and flowers in blossom. Test your hunting skills during Morel Mushroom season and peruse local farmers’ markets for fresh local produce and more. Check out our list of fun activities to add to your Spring bucket list.

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Nature Centers

Blandford Nature Center

Education and nature meet at Blandford Nature Center. Enjoy all the beauty that nature has to offer while learning all about the environment around you. With over 264 acres to explore you are sure to have a day packed with fun. Begin your visit to the Blandford Visitor Center and enjoy some wildlife encounters right from the start. You can then head out to Heritage Village with buildings as old as 1853. Explore their numerous trails and see all the wildlife the area has to offer.

Grand Rapids, Hours: M-Sa. 9am-5pm; $3/person (non-members) FREE (members)

Learn the maple sugaring process through Sugarbush demonstrations & techniques including a taste test in their beautiful Sugarhouse. Some activities include wildlife encounters, petting zoo animals, maple cotton candy, games/crafts, and more.

Critter Barn

Get ready for a fun-filled visit to the Critter Barn. With over 200 farm animals calling the Critter Barn home, you can spend the day meeting the whole adorable family. A huge variety of critters will greet you at the farm including goats, pigs, steers, bunnies, and more. Don’t forget to check out the classes they offer for your little ones. 

Zeeland, Hours: Tu-Sa 10 am-5 pm; $25 family ticket (5 or more- same household) Individual Tickets $5 (3&up)

Critter Barn: Spring Fling

Admission: $6 per person (ages 3 and up) But tickets here.

Get ready for a fun-filled visit to the Critter Barn. With over 200 farm animals calling the Critter Barn home, you can spend the day meeting the whole adorable family. A huge variety of critters will greet you at the farm including goats, pigs, steers, bunnies, and more. Don’t forget to check out the classes they offer for your little ones.

• Monday, April 1-6, 2024
• Meet the Spring babies: Ducklings, Chicks, Bunnies, Lambs, Kids, and Calves!
• Open daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

Located on 80 acres of land, the Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park provides a unique, hands-on way to experience wildlife. Housing many rare and endangered animals, in more of a natural-looking environment, this park provides an experience unlike any other around. Make sure to take a ride on the safari van to view the safari and don’t forget to feed some of the animals during your visit.

Alto, Hours: Open Mid May- Mid October

Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo

With over 46 attractions and more than 100 animals, your whole family is sure to have fun at Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo. Slide down the giant slide, play farm skee-ball, see who wins the rubber duck races and so much more. Say hi to the many animals that call the zoo home, including, armadillos, emus, goats, kangaroos, sloths, and many more.

New Era, Hours: Open Mid May-October

Museums

Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) offers a fun and educational time for the whole family. With permanent exhibits as well as, rotating exhibits you are always sure to see something new at GRPM. Make sure to take a ride on the carousel and enjoy a show in the planetarium while visiting.

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum makes learning fun and easy for even your smallest family member. Make sure to enjoy their permanent exhibits like bubbles and their fun playhouse, along with their rotating exhibits. No matter how many times you go, you are sure to have a blast at the museum.

Air Zoo

Spend a day at the air zoo and experience a day of fun and learning. This world-class, Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace museum provides a fun and interactive glimpse into the world of flight. Learn from their fun exhibits including Women in Air & Space, The Aviation Hall of Fame, Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight, and much more. You can also enjoy full-motion flight simulations and fun rides. You can check their calendar of events here.

Muskegon Museum of Art

Enjoy a permanent collection of American and European paintings, sculptures, prints, and more at the Muskegon Museum of Art. The museum also features many rotating exhibitions throughout the year ranging from national traveling exhibits to local Michigan art shows. Have a relaxing day at the Muskegon Museum of Art.

Farmers Markets

Farmers Markets begin to reopen in the Spring and there are many must-see markets around West Michigan. Many not only offer fresh, locally grown produce but also handmade goods and delicious take-home food items. Below are just a few of the larger Farmer’s Markets, but make sure to check your local city page to see if and when theirs is available.

Fulton Street

Established in 1922, this Market has been serving the West Michigan community for 100 years. With roughly 118 outdoor booths and some additional inside booths, there is plenty to see and buy at this market. Main Market Season begins around the first week of May and goes through October. Market hours are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 am-2 pm. Parking is limited at the market, but additional parking can be found within walking distance of the Market.

Rockford

Located on South Main St. in Rockford Michigan, this farmer’s market opens for the season at the beginning of May and runs through October. Only open on Saturdays from 8 am-1 pm, make sure to stop down and get your fresh vegetables, fruits, baked goods, and more.

Holland

Located on 8th street in downtown Holland, this market opens for the season in the middle of May after Tulip Time. The market is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 am-2 pm. This Farmer’s Market offers fresh produce, baked goods, plants & flowers, and a food court.

View the full list of area Farmers’ Markets- here!

Morel Mushroom Hunting

There are over 2,000 kinds of wild mushrooms in the mitten state, morels are among the safest. May is prime hunting month. Typical locations and signs include wooded areas, especially around dying or dead trees, sometimes in fields, landscaping mulch, and old orchards. They grow best in daytime temps of at least 50 degrees and nighttime temps of at least 40 degrees. Dampness is best for them to grow so with all these factors, springtime is perfect for them to thrive.

Mesick Mushroom Festival

This festival takes place annually in early May. This year is the festival’s 65th round and it runs May 10-12. Enjoy a variety of events at this festival including; hunting for mushrooms, Blessing of the Jeeps, food of all kinds, concerts, kids’ events, a grand parade, and much more.

National Morel Mushroom Festival

Annually held in early to mid-May. This year’s festival is May 16-19 in Boyne City Michigan. This event boasts, Arts and Crafts, The Taste of Morels, Lion’s club carnival, Wine and Dine Friday, Farmer’s Market, seminars, and of course mushroom hunting. Find the full schedule here.

Tulip Time

Tulip Time is an annual festival in Holland Michigan that lasts just over a week and offers a variety of fun, family-friendly activities. Aside from enjoying the beauty of thousands of Tulips all around Holland, there are concerts, food trucks, parades, and more to enjoy throughout the week. For more information, see our Tulip Time Article here!

Trails:

West Michigan offers a large variety of trails to enjoy all year round. Arguably one of the best times to enjoy them is in the spring. When everything is coming back to life and blooming again, you are sure to get a glimpse of West Michigan’s beauty on any one of the trails listed below.

North Country National Scenic Trail– Lowell

Van Buren Trail– South Haven

Hemlock Crossing– West Olive

Rosy Mountain Natural Area– Grand Haven

Grand Ravine– Grand Haven

Ottawa Sands County Park– Ferrysburg

Lakeshore Bike Trail– Muskegon

Kal-Haven Trail– Between South Haven and Kalamazoo

Check out some other great hiking and parks in the Grand Rapids area!

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Check out other fun things to do in West Michigan!