Overview
Muskegon is a city of 38,000 people (2018) in West Michigan. It offers miles of clean beaches on Lake Michigan, theater, a plethora of museums, bike trails and festivals.
10 sights · 5 things to do · 14 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Muskegon
The Muskegon Museum of Art
The museum is touted as one of the finest art museums in the Midwest. Among the highlights of its permanent collection is "Tornado Over Kansas," by John Steuart Curry (one of three leading painters, along with Grant Wood…
USS Silversides Museum
Formerly known as the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum, the USS Silversides Museum features the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine and the USCGC McLane, a Prohibition-era United States Coast Guard cutter.
USS LST 393 Veterans Museum
Featuring the USS LST 393, a World War II amphibious landing ship, one of only two Landing Ship Tanks that remain from the war.
Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame
Detailing the area's rich athletic past, are on display at the L.C. Walker Arena.
S.S. Milwaukee Clipper
Muskegon also berths the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper a former car ferry that traveled the same route as Lake Express does today. The boat is in the middle of a long process of being restored to its original form, but in the m…
Lakeshore Museum Center
Muskegon County Museum and Hackley & Hume Historic Site: Mansions built by Muskegon’s lumber barons themselves are restored to their old glory and open to the public. The mansions are operated with the Muskegon Count…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Apr and May. (climate data from nearby Grand Rapids)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MKG Muskegon County Airport, Muskegon — 4 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 44 mi away (major hub). Directions
Muskegon is at the western terminus of the interstate highway, I-96. It is roughly 30 miles NW of Grand Rapids, via I-96. Also, US-31 runs north/south through Muskegon.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning USS Silversides Museum, Pere Marquette Beach, Muskegon State Park
- Lunch The Station Grill
- Afternoon S.S. Milwaukee Clipper, Muskegon Heritage Museum
- Dinner Hobo's Tavern
Day 2
- Morning The Muskegon Museum of Art, USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, Michigan's Adventure
- Lunch G&L Chili Dogs
- Afternoon Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame, Scolnik House
- Dinner El Tapatio
Day 3
- Morning Craigs Cruisers Family Fun Centers - Muskegon, PJ Hoffmaster State Park
- Lunch Mr. Scrib's Pizza
- Afternoon Lakeshore Museum Center, Fire Barn Museum
- Dinner The Lake House
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Muskegon is at the western terminus of the interstate highway, I-96. It is roughly 30 miles NW of Grand Rapids, via I-96. Also, US-31 runs north/south through Muskegon.
By ferry
By plane
By bus
The Greyhound Bus System also has a stop in downtown Muskegon.
Get around
While in Muskegon, most visitors prefer to get from point A to point B by car - while locals may sometimes opt to use the Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS). Because of its proximity to award-winning beaches, visitors are highly encouraged to bring bicycles along for there are plenty of bike trails which run in the city and plenty throughout the county. A notable trail is the Musketawa bike trail which runs from just southeast of the city through the countryside to the city of Marne in Ottawa county.
See
The Pere Marquette Beach on the shores of Lake Michigan and adjoining the Muskegon Lake Channel is the only nationally certified "Clean Beach" on the Great Lakes. Miles of beach, gorgeous sunsets, outdoor dining possibilities, and a bike trail make this beach a must-see.
Museums and theater
Broadway at the Frauenthal (Fall through Spring), brings big-time Broadway musicals to Muskegon. Muskegon is also home to Muskegon Museum of Art and West Shore Symphony Orchestra. The Muskegon Community Concert Association provides concerts from September through May.
Camerata Singers, a professional chamber choir, performs at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in downtown Muskegon and other locations in west Michigan.
See The Muskegon Museum of Art
The museum is touted as one of the finest art museums in the Midwest. Among the highlights of its permanent collection is "Tornado Over Kansas," by John Steuart Curry (one of three leading painters, along with Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton, identified as Regionalists and known for their canvases celebrating the rural Midwest.)
See S.S. Milwaukee Clipper
Muskegon also berths the S.S. Milwaukee Clipper a former car ferry that traveled the same route as Lake Express does today. The boat is in the middle of a long process of being restored to its original form, but in the mean time is open for tours and hosts a museum aboard the vessel with information on both the Milwaukee Clipper, as well as the history of Maritime in Muskegon. Muskegon’s entire history surrounds around being a port for commerce or travel, and this is an image the city has embraced.
See Lakeshore Museum Center
Muskegon County Museum and Hackley & Hume Historic Site: Mansions built by Muskegon’s lumber barons themselves are restored to their old glory and open to the public. The mansions are operated with the Muskegon County Museum, which details the grand, rich history of Muskegon County, from the Pottawatomi and Ottawa Native American tribes and lakeside fur traders to the Lumber Queen of the World to today. Also includes science and nature exhibits.
See Scolnik House
See Fire Barn Museum
See Hackley & Hume Historic Site
Do
- in Norton Shores
Festivals
The Muskegon Film Festival is held in February.
Muskegon County Latino Festival, September. Live music performances, children's activities, ethnic foods, and more. Free.
Each August, the Unity Christian Music Festival takes place at Heritage Landing. In May, Rock the Coast takes place at Michigan's Adventure. Both are organized by Alive on the Lakeshore.
In September, the Michigan Irish Music Festival brings renowned Celtic musicians to Heritage Landing on the shore of Muskegon Lake. In addition to music, Irish food, beverages, merchandise and cultural exhibits contribute to the appeal of this event. The Michigan Feis (Irish Dance competition) is affiliated and is held at the LC Walker Arena nearby.
In early October, the International Buster Keaton Society visit Muskegon to host their annual convention. The event features public showings of Keaton films at the Frauenthal Theater.
Outdoor recreation
- Lakeshore Bike Trail-Bike along the shores of Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan.
- The Chronicle Seaway Run is run every year in late June. It features a 15k race, 5k race, 5k walk for fun, 15k wheelchair race.
Do Muskegon State Park
Muskegon State Park and Winter Sports Complex is a campground and State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. Known for its miles of sandy beaches, lighted ski trails, and one of only three outdoor luge tracks in the United States
Do PJ Hoffmaster State Park
Do Pere Marquette Beach
Buy
In and around the Muskegon area there are numerous shopping areas
- The Lakes Mall area near Harvey and Sternberg Roads
- Sherman Blvd west of US 31
- Henry Street corridor
- Downtown Muskegon
- Apple Avenue near US 31
Eat
Eat Courses
Inside Culinary Institute of Michigan
Sleep
- Bluffton Harbor Cottages - Redbird & Eagles Nest, 3312 Wilcox Avenue, +1 231-769-0022, Discover relaxation, comfort, and charm in your restored, fully furnished cottage home in Muskegon, Michigan. $600 - 1,150 per week.
Stay safe
In general terms, Muskegon tends to be a safe city, though however, it is best to avoid central Muskegon (Wood Street, etc.) at night, a normal degree of caution to be taken when in these areas. The adjacent city to the south, Muskegon Heights, is best to be avoided at all times, due to an extremely high risk of crime.
Unless you are a big fan of motorcycles, motorcycle clubs, or being catcalled by bikers of all shapes and sizes, stay clear of Muskegon during Bike Time (mid-July).
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My experience
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