Looking for family-friendly fun while the kids are out of school?

Muskegon County offers both outdoor and indoor recreation that will keep the whole household happy and entertained.

Here are Ten Spring Break Ideas for Families when you visit our Lake Michigan beach-town.

 

Socibowl
Photo Courtesy of Socibowl

Bowling! Right up Your Alley!

There are no less than 5 bowling centers located around Muskegon County. Perhaps this is because Muskegon is steeped in bowling history. Did you know Brunswick began operations in Muskegon in 1906 and manufactured bowling equipment here for 100 years!

 

That Was Made in Muskegon?

After your bowling adventure, see how the pinsetters actually work at the Muskegon Heritage Museum of Business & Industry: This 3-story museum is filled with hands-on history. Watch a full-size, working Corliss Steam Engine and use the spring winding machine on the first floor. On the second floor, find toys like Raggedy Ann and the first snowboard (Snurfer) originally made in Muskegon. Be sure you get to the top floor and visit the Old-Fashioned Store.

 

Climb a Mastodon

Bring the kids to meet Moxie the Mastodon and have your camera ready! Moxie is a life-sized bronze representation of the Mastodons that roamed Michigan 10,000 years ago. Fun fact! The Mastodon is Michigan's official state fossil.

After your photo ops, stop into the Muskegon Museum of History and Science to pick up a “Mastodons on the Loose” guide. The guide provides clues to find 20 “Mini” Moxie’s hidden throughout downtown Muskegon.

Be sure to let the kids explore the STEM room, view the full-sized Mastodon and diorama, see how lumberjacks lived and more!

 

Photo by Dr. Tim Reilly

Go to the Movies

Spring days bring rainy days, perfect for a family outing to a movie. Offerings include:

  • Multi-Screen Theaters: Cinema Carousel a 12-screen theater in Norton Shores…and there really is full sized carousel in the lobby! In White Lake, NorthStar Cinema offers three screens of entertainment.
  • Drive in: The Getty Drive In offers good ol’ fashioned double features on four large outdoor screens. This is one of Michigan’s few remaining drive-in movie theaters
  • A Historic Movie House: How would you like to eat popcorn in a former movie palace? The setting at Frauenthal Center is as exciting as any story on the screen. A historical and architectural monument, it is considered one of the best theaters in Michigan - and offers a monthly Free Family Movie from September - May.

Got a Hockey Fan in the Family?

Go cheer for USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks at their home hockey games at Trinity Health Arena. You can even get a view of the action over tacos from Rad Dads Tacos.

 

Love Our Libraries:

Muskegon County libraries are not only filled with books - but with kid-friendly programming, take and make craft and STEM play areas.

 

  • Kids will think they are in a castle the Hackley Public Library; with a turret tower, winding iron stairway, stained glass windows, seven stone fireplaces and a Shakespeare Garden. Their calendar is filled with events, playtimes and crafts.
  • Storyville Stations allow kids to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Let their minds grow and imaginations fly at these library locations: Montague, Muskegon Heights, Norton Shores and Ravenna Branches the Muskegon Area District Library)
  • For outdoor library adventures, follow the Story Time Trail at the White Lake Library and visit their Butterfly garden.  

 

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Play Trail Quest

If your family enjoys the adventure of an escape room or geocaching, then Trail Quest at Muskegon Luge Adventure Park is an outdoor activity for you. Get active on the trails while solving riddles- it's exercise for you body and brain!

 

Photo by Lillian Dotzlaff

Take a Spring Walk

Spring is popping up on our trails and in our parks. The options are endless to explore!

  • Walk the channels and pier to visit our three light towers and houses: Muskegon South Breakwater Light, Muskegon South Pierhead Light and the White Lake River Station.
  • Listen to the spring-song of the birds at the newly opened Dune Harbor County Park.
  • See what’s blooming at one of our three state parks, four nature preserves, six county parks, and more than 50 city and public parks.
  • Pedal Muskegon’s paved trails. Rent bicycles from Lake Effect Sport and Waterdog Sport.

 

See a Submarine

The USS Silversides Museum is open year-round. Plan about 2 hours for your family to take in the two-story museum center; filled with historic naval and interactive exhibits. And, to tour the U.S. Coast Guard cutter and submarine. During her service the USS Silversides received 12 battle stars and was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for cumulative action over four patrols. She is credited with sinking 23 ships and has the most prolific combat record of any still extant American Submarine.

 

What Lifts You?

Stop by the Kelsey Montague mural for family photos. Spread your wings like a Spring Butterfly as you reminisce over your newly made spring-break family memories.

Find more events, including Spring-Break Camps, on the Visit Muskegon Calendar of Events. Use the dropdown function to set the dates for your visit.

 

Book your family getaway at one of Muskegon's welcoming hotels!

Shoreline Inn offers the convenience of a downtown location, views of Muskegon Lake and a salt water pool and hot tubs.

Delta Hotels Muskegon Convention Center is located in the heart of downtown Muskegon, walking distance to museums, dining, outdoor art and activities.

Kids also love to play in the pools at Fairfield Inn & Suites, Choice Quality Inn & Suites and Comfort Inn