Wikivoyage

city in and county seat of Muskegon County, Michigan, United States
North America > United States of America > Midwest > Michigan > West Michigan > Lake Michigan Beachtowns > Muskegon

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.

Understand

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Get in

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Map
Map of Muskegon

By car

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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

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  • Lake Express. Connects Muskegon with Milwaukee, WI across the lake by a high-speed car ferry which makes three round trips a day during the summer season. Lake Express (Q6475813) on Wikidata Lake Express on Wikipedia 

By plane

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By bus

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The Greyhound Bus System also has a stop in downtown Muskegon.

Get around

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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.

  • Muskegon Area Transit System. During summer months, MATS provides trolley services around both the Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake areas. Muskegon Area Transit System (Q6942749) on Wikidata Muskegon Area Transit System on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2019)

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

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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.

  • 1 The Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Ave, ☏ +1 231 720-2570. 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.) Muskegon Museum of Art (Q18342548) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2019)
  • 2 USS Silversides Museum (Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum), ☏ +1 231 755-1230. 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 Silversides Museum (Q80131112) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2019)
  • 3 USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, 560 Mart St, ☏ +1 231 730-1477, . Featuring the USS LST 393, a World War II amphibious landing ship, one of only two Landing Ship Tanks that remain from the war. USS LST 393 Veterans Museum (Q80131177) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2019)
  • Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame, 955 4th St. Detailing the area's rich athletic past, are on display at the L.C. Walker Arena. Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame (Q80132583) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2019)
  • 4 S.S. Milwaukee Clipper, 2098 Lakeshore Dr. 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. Milwaukee Clipper (Q6861707) on Wikidata SS Milwaukee Clipper on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2019)
  • 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. Lakeshore Museum Center (Q30289600) on Wikidata (updated Dec 2019)

Festivals

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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

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  • 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.
  • 3 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 Muskegon State Park (Q6942770) on Wikidata Muskegon State Park on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2019)
  • 4 PJ Hoffmaster State Park. Hoffmaster State Park (Q5876735) on Wikidata Hoffmaster State Park on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2019)
  • 5 Pere Marquette Beach. Pere Marquette Beach (Q7167743) on Wikidata Pere Marquette Beach on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2019)

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

Drink

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Sleep

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Stay safe

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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).

Go next

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Routes through Muskegon
END ←  W  E  → Grand Rapids
Traverse City ← Pentwater ←  N  S  → Grand Haven → South Bend
END ←  W  E  → Howard City → Alma


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