West Michigan
Things To Do
Find by County:
Let's see--we have boating, fishing, swimming, golfing--and what else? There's such a variety of things to keep you entertained while you're in the West Michigan area! Tour a historic village or enjoy a thrilling dune ride at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, or visit the popular Ludington State Park. Take the family out for a game of mini-golf, bowling, or catch a concert. You can't leave the area without visiting one of the spectacular lighthouses of the region, and just catching the sunset over Lake Michigan is worth the trip. View the S.S. Badger carferry as it sails into or out of Ludington, or hop on board yourself for the four-hour trip across the big lake. Boredom is never a problem here in West Michigan!
Where do you go for one-stop-fun? Hey, it's AJ's! Featuring go-karts, miniature golf, slick track, bumper boats, bowlingo, laser tag and over 50 arcade and redemption games. AJ's is the perfect location for your group's outing, or a family fun day. AJ's specializes in indoor and outdoor fun, all year long.
Baldwin Canoe Rental
P.O. Box 269, South M-37, Baldwin, MI 49304, (231) 745-4669, Toll Free (800) 272-3642
Largest, most complete canoe, raft, and kayak service in the north central United States serving the Pere Marquette River. If you enjoy good, clean outdoor recreation-canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and rafting-you're looking for Baldwin Canoe Rental. Bus service, all equipment included. River hours 9am-6pm, last launch 2pm.
Cedar Camp Store
in the Cedar Campground within the Ludington State Park, Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 845-8582
Enjoy the beauty and fun of Hamlin Lake by boat. We offer rentals of canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, and kayaks. Or purchase a tube and spend a hot, summer day drifting down the lazy Sable River. We also offer camping supplies, food and beverages for picnics, souvenirs. Open 8am-10pm summers, reduced hours spring/fall.
Craig's Cruisers Family Fun Center
8343 W. Hazel Rd., Mears (Silver Lake), MI 49436, (231) 873-2511
Located at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes 20 miles south of Ludington. Play the "Island" miniature golf, a beautiful course surrounded by water. Also featuring new sprint cars, go karts, kiddie karts, bumper boats, a giant game room. Located next to Dune Town shopping mall, and Jellystone Campground. Open 10am-11pm.
Disc Golf
c/o Mason County Disc Golf Organization, Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-7628
Disc Golf is a fast-growing sport in Ludington, with five different local courses to choose from. Mason County Park by the Ludington Pumped Storage Project is the site for three 24-hole courses: Beauty, Beast, and Goliath. Just off Jebavy Drive is Leviathan, which includes two courses. Disc golf is great fun for the whole family, only $1 per person, per round.
Duffy Park
Monroe St., c/o City of Manistee, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-4051
Here you'll find a play area, basketball court, and Mucha Field, a full size little league baseball field.
Hamlin Lake Boat Rentals
at Sauble Resort, 3461 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-8497
Explore Hamlin Lake's beauty from the water by renting a pontoon, runabout, or fishing boat. Pull the kids tubing behind a luxury pontoon for hours of entertainment. Visit the sand dunes where the only access is by boat. Available by the hour, day, or week. Sunset cruises available. Reservations suggested.
Hemlock Golf Club
5105 W. Decker Rd., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 845-1300, Toll Free (888) 490-FORE
Designed in 2001 by nationally acclaimed architect Raymond Hearn, Hemlock Golf Club is a formidable 18-hole, 7,030 yard course sculpted from natural landscape. "Top Ten Best New Affordable Courses in America"-Golf Digest 2003. Full service clubhouse, pro shop, driving range, and practice putting green. Tee times available online.
Historic Lake Michigan Carferry
P.O. Box 708, Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 845-5555, Toll Free (800) 841-4243
The 410' S.S. Badger offers an affordable cruise experience and the lowest cross-lake fares. Passengers enjoy movies, food, shopping, and children's activities. Cars, RV's, motorcycles travel with you. Big ship, more fun, best value!
Historic White Pine Village
1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-4808
Relive the past by taking a self-guided tour of more than 25 buildings in a beautiful setting. Exhibit themes depicting Mason County's past include farm life, education, businesses, sports, music, household, health, transportation and more from the late 1800s to mid 1900s. Enjoy the Gift Shop and Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. Take exit 166 off US-31 expressway. Follow the signs.
Laurie Bowden Massage Therapy
(231) 845-1539
If you seek relief from muscle stress, tension, or pain-or you want the ultimate way to relax on your vacation-Laurie has specialized in Swedish and medical massage, myofascial release, deep tissue work, sports and relaxation massage since 1987. Reiki Master level III. One hour $50, half-hour $30. By appointment 8am-7pm. N.C.T.M.B., member A.M.T.A.
Little River Casino & Resort
2700 Orchard Hwy., Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 398-3822, Toll Free 866-572-2946
Ludington Area Fishing
The Ludington area offers some of the best fishing in Western Michigan. Our site includes all the information you need about charter boat captains, boat/motor rentals, marine weather, bait/tackle shops, and more. Current local fishing reports for Lake Michigan, Hamlin Lake, Pere Marquette Lake, and Pere Marquette River.
Ludington Area Jaycees Mini Golf
900 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-4663
Miniature golf, an all time family favorite, over looking beautiful Lake Michigan. What could be better? The Ludington Area Jaycees have operated the mini golf for years, using the proceeds for community development projects. Good fun for a good cause. Open noon-9pm every day. Discounts for groups and children's parties.
Manistee Business Directory
Visit Manistee, just a short drive north of Ludington. Enjoy the victorian charm of the downtown district while you stroll along the Manistee Riverwalk. For more information about Manistee, Michigan businesses, check out ManisteeYellowPages.com today!
Parrot's Landing
8110 W. Hazel Rd., Mears (Silver Lake), MI 49436, (231) 873-8400
The fun of Silver Lake and the sand dunes starts at Parrot's Landing. Our recreational rentals provide thrills on sand or water with no guide needed. Jeep Wranglers, quads, ski boats with tow tubes, mopeds and jet skis are available by the hour or half day. Located near the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
Pere Marquette Expeditions, LLC
1649 S. PM Highway, Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 845-7285
Located right on the PM River, minutes from Mason County Park Disc Golf Courses. Travel the Marquette Loop in one of our kayaks or canoes. We offer sandwiches, snacks, groceries, pop, wine, and over 100 different beer brands. Also, fishing supplies and bait, sports licenses--even golf discs. Open daily 6am-11pm.
Come experience the magic and pleasure of performing arts. Our current series of music, theater and specialty acts offer a delightful diversion from the everyday. Relax and unwind with quality performances, proudly presented by local and well-known talent. For ticket information, contact the box office at (231) 845-3344.
Red Szymarek Park
5th Ave/Monroe St., c/o City of Manistee, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-4051
A wooded park with plenty of shade trees, it features a children's playground and a volleyball court.
Reitz Park
Forest Ave., c/o City of Manistee, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-4051
Home to the Manistee Saints, a local semi-professional baseball team. Located in this park are a children's playground, wooded picnic area, and a basketball court.
Sandcastles Children's Museum
227 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 233-9326
Create...discover...explore. Join us for fun and learning. Our new hands-on exhibits include Down on Grandpa's Farm, Pere Marquette Water Table, Interactive Bank, and The Badger Ferry. Munchkin Mondays, Thrilling Thursdays at 10am. Open daily (except Sunday) May-September 9:30am-5pm, weekend hours October-December. Admission $3.50.
Summit View Farms Corn Maze
3217 Schoedel Rd., Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-6885
Enjoy a casual, 30 minute corn maze throughout 10 acres high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan at the Schoedel Family Farm. View farm animals including cows, goats and ducks. Pumpkins and bundles of corn stalks are available for sale. Open Saturdays 3-8, Sundays 1-4. Call 231-499-6841 or 231-690-7477. The Corn Maze is on Schoedel Road just off scenic M-22 across from the new Douglas Valley Vineyards, just two miles north of Little River Casino in Manistee. Open weekends in September & October. $5 per person, $15 per family. Larger groups are accepted other times by appointment. Hayrides, bonfires, and pig roast parties may also be arranged by appointment.
The Pumpkin Patch
at Major Produce, 9476 N. 120th Ave., Hart, MI 49420, (231) 873-5281
Great family fun the 2nd and 3rd weekend each October! Enjoy a hay ride along the river, pick your favorite pumpkin, romp in the hay fort, wander through the corn maze or haunted hall. Family games, food, refreshments. Many activities are inside the greenhouses, so come rain or shine!
Visit Manistee Michigan
Enjoy a short trip to nearby Manistee, Michigan where you can shop the historic downtown business district and stroll along the popular Manistee River Walk.
Waterside Resort & Boat Rentals
3298 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-8481
On Lower Hamlin Lake. Everything you need for boating or fishing. Rentals of 14' boats w/8 h.p. & 15 h.p. motors, 16' boats w/25 h.p. motors, and pontoon boats for pleasure or fishing. Our store has live bait, tackle, outboard gas, fishing licenses, picnic supplies, ice, ice cream--whatever you need for a day on the lake. Cottages available.
Wave Club Watersports Rentals
1220 N. Shore Dr., Silver Lake, MI 49436, (231) 873-3700
Located in Mears, Michigan on beautiful Silver Lake in Oceana County, Wave Club rents a variety of water sports equipment like wave runners, canoes, motorboats, pontoon boats, sandboards and rowboats. You can enjoy a day skimming across the surface of Silver Lake or visit the world-famous Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
West Shore Community College
3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI 49454, (231) 845-6211, Toll Free (800) 848-9722
Offering quality instructional programs leading to immediate employment or transfer to four-year institutions. Check the Performing Arts schedule (phone extension 5507) for upcoming plays and concerts. The Ice Arena and Recreation Center (phone extension 5584) are open to the public - indoor heated pool, whirlpool, indoor tennis, racquetball, basketball, weight room and more.
West Shore Community Ice Arena
3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI 49454, (231) 843-9712
Located across from the Rec Center at West Shore Community College. Home to the West Shore Wolves Youth Hockey Association and the Manistee Chippewa hockey team. Skating is a great activity for all ages, and the Ice Arena offers public skating throughout the year; call the above number for times.
West Shore Recreation Center
at West Shore Community College, 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI 49454, (231) 845-6522
The Recreation Center is a premier recreational facility available to the community for leisure/fitness activities. Indoor facilities include a wellness center with aerobic circuit weight training and cardiovascular equipment. Also, racquetball court, basketball, and 25 meter swimming pool with Red Cross certified lifeguards.
Western Michigan Fair Association
5302 W. US-10, Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-8563
The popular Western Michigan Fair is held end of July each year at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington. The fairground also hosts Open Horse Shows throughout the summer sponsored by the Mason County Saddle Club. You'll find details at this link to the Western Michigan Fair.
