Whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation with the family or a fun time with friends, there’s something for everyone in Grand Haven. Many people come to Grand Haven for recreational boating, the large, sandy beaches and Coast Guard Festival in the summer.

Some breakfast stops with local flavor include Morning Star Café with melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls, Jeanne’s Café with too many omelets to choose from and Dee-Lite for the Farmer’s breakfast (a plate of the best hash browns, eggs, cheese, meat and veggies) all located right downtown.

Take a walk down Washington Avenue, lined with an eclectic variety of boutiques and shops with antiques, specialty items, apparel for all ages and art galleries. The Harbourfront Place is on old piano factory that has been converted into more shops and restaurants.

From the City marina, you can take a walk down the boardwalk, lined with shops, restaurants and marinas. Perfect for an easy stroll while sightseeing and people watching. The boardwalk ends at the Lighthouse and then you can walk to the State Park. At night the pier is illuminated with lights, known as the catwalk.

Good Morning America named the Grand Haven State Park as one of the top five family beaches in the U.S. because of its cleanliness, amenities and location. If you decide to drive to the beach, there’s sufficient parking although you may consider going North to P.J. Hoffmaster Park for a quieter day at the beach and dunes to climb or south to the dog-friendly Grand Haven City Beach.

On your way back grab a world famous Pronto Pup from the small yellow harbor front stand at the top of the hill (a hot dog on a stick blanketed with batter), then sit down on the hill while you watch the people and boats go by.

Take the Harbor Trolley around town, it runs daily and has many pick-up and drop-off locations so very convenient for getting around.  Climb on the Harbor Steamer for a relaxing historical narrative on a stern wheel paddle wheel riverboat.

Snug Harbor makes a memorable lunch spot and you can have a burger while you sit on the back patio overlooking the lake. If you’re feeling more like pizza, Fricano’s Pizza has one size, one style pizza that is the most popular and most loved in Michigan.

Let the kids climb around on Imagination Station, a large wooden playland located at Mulligan’s Hollow.

If you’re in the mood for a trip down the river, try Lakeshore Kayak Rental; they offer daily river runs on the Grand River. Or stop in Rock ‘n’ Road Cycle, they’ll be happy to rent you a Giant Sedona ST comfort bike for the day.

Back downtown, take a tour of the Tri-Cities Historical Museum, with two floors of early pioneer, logging, lumbering and maritime exhibits and artifacts from Northwest Ottawa County. There’s no charge here.

For dinner, try upscale Kirby Bar and choose your dining experience, K2 upstairs for beer and pizza, a pork porterhouse from The Grill Room or a steak while listening to the dueling pianos on the main level at the Kirby House, the choice is yours. Another exquisite meal can be had at The Grand Seafood & Oyster Bar where you can have a glass of fine wine and listen to live jazz with your meal or Porto Bello overlooking Lake Michigan.

For dessert, walk down to Dairy Treat and pick up their popular “Rock Pile Sundae”.

At night make your way down to see the World’s Largest Musical Fountain, a must-see show with synchronized music and lights, it can be seen almost anywhere on Grand Haven’s waterfront, but you can sit at the Waterfront Stadium on Harbor Drive. It runs nightly from Memorial Day weekend to Labor day and then only on Friday and Saturday through September.