Spring Break in West Michigan
Do you love the outdoors? Do you love great food, festivals, art, and more? Then, you’ll definitely need to consider West Michigan for your Spring Break trip this year! Though, yes, we are home to “Beer City, U.S.A.” (also known as Grand Rapids), we have so much more to offer than just that! You can feel like you’ve traveled to the Netherlands, experience the annual Burning Man Festival, or road-trip to one of our historic lighthouses! There are so many options to keep your vacation time exciting, restful, or just simply beautiful—so make this 2024 Spring Break whatever you’d like it to be!
Grab your buddies, your fur friends, and whoever else is ready for the grand adventure awaiting you this Spring Break in Western Michigan.
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Escape to Holland (MI)
You won’t need to take a 15 hour flight to get to this destination! Not only do they have their internationally known Tulip Time Festival but they’re also known for their great food, historic lighthouses, and other outdoor adventures.
Tulip Time Annual Festival
Dates: May 4 to May 12 (2024)
Free tickets and details may be found **here.**
Image from: https://t24hs.com/7-fantastic-experiences-at-holland-michigans-famous-tulip-time-festival/
The annual Tulip Time Festival is a gorgeous and unforgettable trip back in time. Since 1939, the unmistakable dutch architecture, vivid colors, flowers, and foliage have been taking our breath away—residents and tourists alike—as this town grew into what it is today. This celebration is recognized all over the world and has won recognition in many ways such as the, World Destination Worth Traveling For award in 2019. It’s not hard to see why this festival and beautifully historic town would win international and local hearts, together! If you’re looking for something that could be peaceful, family friendly or maybe even a romantic getaway for spring? This should be a top destination on your West Michigan itinerary!
Keep a look out for Wander West’s Tulip Time Festival Guide which will give you all the details you need to know about this well-known springtime festival.
Windmill Island Gardens
Dates: April 13 to October 6 (2024)
Admission: $6 (Kids) to $12 (Adults)
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Image from: https://www.michigan.org/property/windmill-island-gardens
Perfect for a romantic and dreamy destination, this windmill and tulip garden will leave you speechless. It’s perfectly cared for gardens and greenery are the peak environment for romance, enjoying nature, or an ethereal photo-op. I don’t think you need much of an excuse to visit, other than feeling like you’ve escaped to another world! With its combined beauty and affordable admission, this is a necessary addition to your 2023 Spring Break bucket list in Western Michigan.
Tranquil Beaches
There are several beaches you can choose from in Holland, all with the most gorgeous views and bluest water you’ve ever seen! Many first-time Western Michigan tourists are surprised by the crystal clear water of Michigan. Here are a couple beaches we suggest:
Holland State Park
Image from: https://hipgrandmalife.com/beaches-in-holland-mi/
Here you’ll find ice cream, concessions, and a historical and beautiful lighthouse to explore—not to mention its naturally beautiful scenery and lakefront views! Referred to by the locals as “Big Red,” this historical lighthouse is certainly one of their most popular and well traveled attractions. You can click here for more info about Big Red and how to explore.
Tunnel Park
Image from: https://hopeofadventure.com/holland-state-park-tunnel-park-lake-michigan-holland-mi/
This is a popular location for family fun and a unique beach getaway. Find lovely greenery and a fun play area to explore before you make your way to and through the tunnel! The tunnel entrance to the beach is built beneath a sand dune—giving you a one-of-a-kind perspective and view of the water as well as the beach.
For a full list of Holland beaches feel free to click here.
More Upcoming Festivals:
Laugh Fest
Dates: March 6 to 8 (2024)
If you haven’t heard of Laugh Fest you’re missing out! This event is the first of it kind, featuring famous comedic talent like Whoopi Goldberg, Seth Meyers, Ali Wong, Kevin Hart, and more! This fest is sponsored by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, who are dedicated to supporting all humans in their grief, especially those affected by cancer. Gilda’s Club is a free mental health service, so this festivity not only raises funds but also everyone’s spirits! If the cold season has you down and you’d like something that gives joy and gives back, this is a great stop on your spring break journey.
Grand Rapids Whiskey Festival
Dates: March 23, 2024
Need we say more? Grand Rapids might be known as Beer City but that doesn’t mean she can’t hold her whiskey, too! Be sure to check out the Whiskey Festival if you want to enjoy time with current friends, make connections with new ones, and maybe even build relationships with top whisky brands (if that’s something you’re into). Great for enthusiasts and beginners alike! Enjoy live music, food, and other entertainment while trying all of the best whiskey there is to offer.
Ticket Details:
General Admission Tickets
- Includes 7 p.m. entry
- 10 cocktail/beverage sampling tickets
- Commemorative glass, keepsake photo, and live entertainment
VIP Admission Ticket
- Early 6 p.m. entry
- Exclusive cocktail tasting
- 15 cocktail/beverage sampling tickets
- Commemorative glass, keepsake photo, live entertainment
Get your Whiskey Festival tickets here.
Grand Haven Kite Festival
Image from: Visit Grand Haven
Enjoy a beach breeze and a million brilliant colors as kites of all different shapes and sizes fill up the sky for this annually free festival event! You can bring your own, test one of the many new ones manufactured this year, and even watch professional kite flying performances done to special music! This will be a truly beautiful and unique experience, perfect for anyone—a group of friends, family fun or even a low key date or beach day.
Music, Movies, and More!
Concerts Under the Stars:
Dates: March 21 and 22
Admission: $16 to $20 (GRPM Members Discount)
Image From: Grand Rapids Public Museum
Do you love to star gaze? Are you a fan of live music, too? This is the perfect combination for a date night or night out with friends! Concerts Under the Stars is a chance for science, music, and visual art enthusiasts alike to enjoy together. While there isn’t meal service, there are delicious drinks and refreshments available!
More Live Concerts
There are tons of live performances to choose from this spring, so we’ve decided to highlight a few for you. If none of these amazing musical guests interest you, feel free to click here for a full list of concerts. You can also search for more performances in different areas if you still don’t like what you see!
The Capri Drive-In Theater
Have you ever experienced the fun of an outdoor, drive-in movie before? The Capri Drive-In has snacks and plenty of parking, so grab your boo, snacks, and drinks and pick a movie to enjoy together! This drive-in is a perfect way to ring in spring and the coming of warmer weather.
Zip Lines, Ropes, and Archery Tag!
Image Credit: SkyTykes.jpg Sky Tykes® + Sky Rail™
There are a couple different places to find unique activities for you, your friends, and family this spring! Allegan Event offers indoor rope courses, zip lines, and rock climbing as well delicious food to refuel after all the fun games. Another place to have an absolute blast would be Battle GR, which we’ve written about before and for good reason! They’re offering archery tag games that are unlike anything you’ve played before. Pick teams and use perfectly safe and soft arrows to win against each other, using different obstacles and tents on the field to help you hide.
Lighthouses
Did you know Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state? Stretched throughout this gorgeous state you’ll find many, so make sure to make them a part of your beach day if you plan on being near some water during your 2024 Spring Break visit! See below for a map of all the lighthouses surrounding Lake Michigan! Click here for more information about the full circle tour and request a free paper map of the lighthouses.
One of the most well known lighthouses is in Holland, Michigan and is known as “Big Red” by the locals. This is one of the most photographed spots in the whole state, and one look at any photo featuring Big Red will tell you why. Enjoy amazing views, beach breezes, and local fare while adventuring lake side.
Image from: https://bigredlighthouse.com/gallery/
Museums and Coffee
If you’re the quieter type, no matter if it’s spring break or not, consider some of these relaxing and creative destinations. Go on a coffee tour of the local favorites or simply sip on a delicious latte while perusing the best art museums the city has to offer.
Keep scrolling for our recommendations!
Kuizenga Art Museum
Image From: https://www.progressiveae.com/portfolio/hope-college-kruizenga-art-museum/
This art museum focuses on cultural diversity and highlights the viewers right to self determination about their interpretations of the exhibited art.
There are 47 museums to choose from in West Michigan, so check out our full list of museums by clicking here.
Grand Rapids Kids Museum
Image from: https://www.wmta.org/reciprocal-membership-benefits-grand-rapids-public-museum-members-grand-rapids-childrens-museum/
While you can always check out the Grand Rapids Public Museum, as well, the kids museum is perfect for a family vacation! They always have free and low cost events happening, so make sure to check out their website for admission information. They also have activities and new exhibits coming up, like their new Alaskan Adventure, Molly Denali, which is based on the popular PBS kids show. Learn about Alaska and so much more at this wonderful family friendly destination!
Higher Grounds Coffee
If you’re looking for coffee that cares about not only its customers but who they get their coffee from, look no further than Higher Grounds! Pictured here is one of their founding members and partnering farmers sipping on a delicious coffee made with the beans he farmed himself! They’ve also won sustainability awards in the area. Enjoy the best coffee atmosphere and drinks, knowing you’re getting high quality and high care coffee products!
If this isn’t near your stop, here’s a list of a few other coffee spots to check out:
- **The Living Room Community Cafe – South Haven
- **Uncommon Coffee Roasters – Saugatuck
- **Lemonjello’s – Holland
- **The Good Earth – Holland
- **The Side Bar – Grand Haven
- **Aldea Coffee – Grand Haven and Muskegon
- **Drip Drop Drink – Muskegon
As you can tell, there’s absolutely no limit to the fun you can have during your spring break here in Western Michigan. We barely even scraped the tip of the iceberg for things to do around here, so make sure to check back with us regularly for updates and the latest events!
Thanks for letting Wander West Michigan be your best choice for tourism in West Michigan.
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Logan Imber
Logan Imber is a self taught Freelance Digital Marketer & Copywriter currently located in Ohio, but works remotely for clients all over the world. She also dabbles in Graphic Design, Web Design and Music. She doesn't like to pin herself down, as there is always something to learn, a culture to take in or new food to eat. In her free time, Logan likes reading, yoga, and spending time with her beloved cat. She also loves playing and sharing music with others. Essentially, most of her time is either spent writing, contemplating, or creating something - and she wouldn't have it any other way.
