We found a community that blends Great Lakes grit with a love of summer and a rich mix of arts, music, and activities.

A quick introduction to our family: I’m Anthony, the father and writer of this piece, and my wife Jodie and I have two kids, Connor (12) and Aster (9) St. Clair. We are the Learners and Makers, a family passionate about travel and inspiring people with mobility disabilities to travel.

Our goal is to help families explore the world in ways that work for them. Jodie is an above-knee amputee and uses a prosthetic leg. Traveling together is important to us, and we love sharing new experiences as a family. This was our first visit to Muskegon County, Michigan!

We want to thank Visit Muskegon for sponsoring our visit. However, this article reflects our own personal opinions and experiences.

 Looking for an accessible, family-friendly festival in Michigan? The Michigan Irish Music Festival offers live Irish music and delicious food. We loved our experience, and in this guide, we’re sharing what made this one of our favorite festivals in Michigan.

Live Celtic Music & Family Fun at the Michigan Irish Music Festival

Performer playing bagpipes on stage at an event, wearing a tartan skirt and moving energetically under purple stage lighting.Photo credit: Patrick Czerew

Multiple stages of live Irish music. Beef and potato stew in sourdough bread bowls. My son and I laughing over a game of cornhole. And Jodie, picking up a fiddle and jamming for the first time in years - all under a September sky at the annual Michigan Irish Music Festival, one of the country’s premier Celtic culture events.

Irish music has always been a big part of our lives. Some of my fondest memories from early adulthood are of enjoying a pint and live session music in Galway pubs. At home, a Celtic music playlist often keeps us company on Sunday mornings over coffee.

So when we had the chance to attend one of the country’s largest Irish music festivals, right on the shores of Muskegon Lake at Heritage Landing, we jumped at it. Before you could say “Sláinte,” we were there.

What to Expect at the Michigan Irish Music Festival: Music, Activities & More

A musician seated on a chair under a tent, playing a violin. They are wearing a green dress and sunglasses, and have a festival wristband on.

For years in Oregon, Jodie hosted a free Celtic music session. At the Michigan Irish Music Festival, she borrowed a fiddle and joined a circle of musicians in the Session Tent, playing tunes and swapping stories about music and travel.

While Jodie fiddled, the kids and I explored the vendor aisles, checking out Celtic-themed jewelry, bags, and apparel. Aster played at the playground, while Connor and I tossed bean bags at the cornhole - all to the backdrop of live music. Later, we carried our Irish stews in bread bowls to the Session Tent to meet back up with Jodie. People constantly stopped to ask where we got them (Morat’s Bakery, for those planning their own visit).

From a hot cuppa and flavorful scones (one butterscotch, one bacon, cheese, and chive) at the Tea House to strolling past six covered stages filled with traditional Irish fiddle and drum tunes mixed with modern performers like Ally The Piper and Gaelic Storm, the Michigan Irish Music Festival was a highlight of our summer.

Mobility Tip

Free shuttles transport guests to and from nearby parking lots. When we let the parking volunteers know that Jodie had a disability and would like to limit her walking, they guided us to a great space just a few yards from a shuttle stop.

The Heritage Landing festival grounds are mostly grass, with wide, paved paths. The terrain is generally flat, with only a few gentle inclines.

Linger at the Muskegon Museum of Art

Exterior view of the Muskegon Museum of Art under a partly cloudy sky. The building features a modern design with elongated vertical panels and large glass windows.

A joy of traveling with our kids now that they’re a little older? We can enjoy more art museums. Typically we try to include at least one art or culture-focused museum at a destination. When we happen to be able to time a free admission day, all the better.

Every Thursday and second Saturday, admission is free at the Muskegon Museum of Art (kids under 16 are always free). Our visit coincided with the temporary exhibition Quilts: The Artistry of Home. A kind docent walked us through quilts made by Depression-era quilters, including a baseball-themed quilt crafted over 430 hours - by a Detroit policeman.

We appreciated the just-right size of this museum. The current and permanent exhibitions were extensive enough to take in a range of works, yet there was time to linger over the ones that caught our attention.

Aster sat and stared at a canvas with childlike figures, as if in a play-act proposal. She said she didn’t know what to make of it. We talked about breathing, focusing, and simply taking in the work - seeing what thoughts and feelings arose, which led to intriguing conversations later over dinner.

Mobility tip

In addition to an elevator, the museum has free wheelchairs and folding stools available to borrow.

Other Activities for Your Downtown Muskegon Itinerary

No matter how much we enjoy a destination and feel satisfied with our visit, we find that the best places are the ones we leave with a “next time” list. Here are a few Muskegon activities and attractions on ours that you might get to on yours:

 

Dining in the Muskegon Area

Little girl sits in chair in ice cream Shoppe, eating ice cream and smiling at camera

Photo Credit: Stacey Lewis

Our first dining stop in downtown Muskegon? Ice cream at Hometown Creamery, with its jukebox and throwback vibe, not to mention some standout ice cream flavors. While these often change depending on season, availability, and creativity, here’s what you would’ve found in our house waffle cones:

  • Me: Michigan Pot Hole (chocolate, with “fudge asphalt”) and Traverse City Cherry
  • Jodie: Salted Jack (caramel and peanuts) and Apple Crisp with Brown Betty
  • Connor: Java Chunk and Vanilla
  • Aster: Mackinac Island Fudge and Brownie S'mores

For dinner we strolled down to 794 Kitchen, whose menu brought not only excellent burgers, gumbo, and fried shrimp, but elements of Cuban, Mexican, and Cajun cuisines.

Here are a few other spots on our next time list as well:

Coming Up Next: Accessible Outdoor Adventure in Muskegon

From festival spaces to outdoor recreation, Muskegon has made a strong commitment to accessibility. We found a community that embraces its lakes, outdoor spaces, and distinct culture—one that blends Great Lakes grit with a love of summer and a rich mix of arts, music, and activities.

After experiencing the Michigan Irish Music Festival, we set out for even more adventure—this time at the Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park. From adaptive ziplining to accessible hiking trails, we discovered how this unique destination makes outdoor recreation possible for all mobility types.

Stay tuned as we share how our family tackled accessible adventure sports in Muskegon, Michigan—and why this park is leading the way in inclusive outdoor fun!