activities

Muskegon has many different opportunities to enjoy the finer things in life--from museums to sports we have a little bit of everything. Click on any icon to find out more details or click here to see Muskegon's website.

The Lakeshore Museum Center (formerly known as the Muskegon County Museum) has added to their list of historic homes that you can tour. The Hackley/Hume Houses are great examples of life as a lumber baron. Come and see the house decorated as it would have been 100 years ago. They also have a new house, the Scolnik House, featuring Depression Era decoration - "a stark contrast to the opulence" of the Hackley/Hume Houses. Also be sure to visit the Fire Barn Museum to get a better understanding of the trucks and people who have served our great city for so many years.

The Muskegon Museum of Art is home to a great collection of works by artists both global and local. There are free guided tours on Thursday afternoons.

The Muskegon Concert Series has a great new lineup, beginning with The Grand Rapids Ballet performing Balanchine's "Prodigal Son" on October 10. The concert series has concerts throughout the school year (including two pianists in November), so be sure to check the schedule for planning future cultural events.

The Van Andel Museum is featuring Leonardo da Vinci's Machines in Motion through January 3. This exhibit is a great opportunity to see the genius of Leonardo. This is a hands-on exhibit, so it's also a great opportunity to encourage the budding engineer in your children or grandchildren.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum has been made new! It is the first newly built Green (environmentally friendly) art museum in the world! Another first for West Michigan. Come see this magnificent museum and the wonderful art contained in it.

If you are looking for entertainment for your children, check out the Grand Rapids Children's Museum which FamilyFun Magazine's Vacation Guide called "A MUST-SEE West Michigan destination."

The Grand Rapids Symphony has so many great shows coming up that we can't list them all here. Highlights include Beethoven's Fifth, Brahms' Violin Concerto, and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The symphony and chorus will perform the musical score live while attenders watch the movie. Check out their website to see the full array of wonderful music - then go hear it!

Through the end of October, the Frederik Meijer Gardens are having their annual celebration of autumn. ColorFall tours are a visual delight. Harvest at the Farm Garden includes heirloom vegetables, herbs, and so much more. There are a variety of seasonal demonstrations to round out this botanic gala of color. Also, if you have children or grandchildren, the Children's Gardens are a great opportunity for them to explore and work off some energy. The Children's Garden includes a replica log cabin, a large tree house, and a farm with a gorgeous vegetable garden. There is also a boardwalk where you can marvel in the variety of plant and animal life as you walk above a woodland marsh.

If concerts are more your thing, the Van Andel Arena has just the thing. The upcoming concert line-up includes Metallica, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, in addition to playing host for numerous sporting events. If you'd like to make an evening of it, the Arena is conveniently located by The B.O.B., and many other downtown restaurants.

The Frauenthal Theatre is the home for the arts in Muskegon. The theater is home to the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, the Muskegon Civic Theatre, the Miss Michigan pageant, and the Muskegon Community Concerts. Check out their website for the full schedule of events for this year.

The Grand Rapids Griffins are a farm team for the Detroit Red Wings. Griffins players are frequently called up to the Wings, and injured Wings often return to playing with a stop in Grand Rapids. This is a great opportunity to catch great hockey and some rising stars.

The West Shore Symphony Orchestra has a new name - The West Michigan Symphony. They kicked off the year with Beethoven's Ninth (Ode to Joy). Their next show will be Halloween weekend for the Halloween Pops - "Wizards and Wands". Come join the Orchestra for music from Harry Potter in addition to spooky music from Grieg, Dukas, and Mussorgsky. The musicians will be in costume; if you come in costume, you can take part in a costume contest! A great night of music and fright and cultural might!

Clay Avenue Cellars is located in historic downtown Muskegon. The building was constructed in 1928 and plays host to the cellar winery, which offers free wine tasting events throughout the year. The schedule can be found here; the next event is on October 10. In addition to wine, the cellar also displays work from many area artists. This is a great way to support our local community as all of the wine and art are from Michigan.