A Guide To The Perfect Weekend in Michigan
When vacation planning, many of us crave the bliss of a 2-week tropical escape; however, sometimes a weekend trip is a more practical remedy for the stress or monotony of everyday life. Whether visiting from out of state or seeking a local road trip, Michigan is an enchanting choice of destination for a weekend getaway.
Boasting Great Lake beaches, accommodations with a range of price points, and some truly unique cities and towns, this Midwest beauty will charm your socks off. If you find yourself bored, in a rut, or in need of a recharge in 2025, pack your car, stock up on road trip snacks, and follow this guide for the perfect weekend in Michigan.
Friday: Grand Rapids
A cultural hub of West Michigan, Grand Rapids is the perfect place to kick off the weekend, whether your boss lets you off early or you want some after-work fun. Located east of Lake Michigan with the Grand River flowing through it, this vibrant city is a center of activity, day or night. Whether getting into the city early enough to explore or with just enough time to experience nightlife and hit the hay, your time here will be memorable.
CNN Travel listed Grand Rapids as one of America’s Best Towns to Visit in 2024, scoring it high for its outdoor activities, beer culture, and art scene. The ranking also celebrated Grand Rapids’ eclectic blend of nightlife and family-friendly attractions, making it the perfect introduction to your weekend in Michigan, no matter your age or preference.
What To Do In Grand Rapids
Outdoor Fun At Millennium Park
If you reach Grand Rapids with the sun still in the sky, Millennium Park is an absolute must. Bordering the southwest edge of the city, the urban park is the largest of its kind in West Michigan and one of the largest in the nation. The park spans 1,400 acres of woodlands and rolling hills, including 6 scenic miles along the Grand River. On hot summer days, the six-acre sand beach and adjacent splashpad are popular, along with kayak and paddleboard rentals from the DeVos Family Boathouse.
Beyond the waterfront, there is also plenty of fun to be had on land. Families traveling with kids will appreciate Kids’ City, an expansive playground with three separate structures. It is close to several picnic shelters, perfect for enjoying a packed lunch, dinner, or snack. People of all ages can also enjoy nature by exploring the park’s scenic trail system. Around 18 miles in total, trails pass everything from lakes and wetlands to open fields and forests.
Discover Downtown Grand Rapids
Downtown Grand Rapids is where you get to see more of the city’s personality, with over 200 restaurants, shops, museums, and bars to explore. During the day, lace up your comfiest runners to stroll through the compact and walkable district. Cute cafes like Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge are perfect for a pick-me-up, and when hunger hits, chic restaurants like The Old Goat double as a restaurant and bar. Later, when day turns to night, the city stays alive with unique bars like the SpeakEZ Lounge and House Rules Board Game Lounge.
While you may find it tempting to sample all the cafes and restaurants in sight, make sure to leave time for downtown attractions. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is an incredible history and science museum worth checking out, also featuring the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium. Nearby, a short walk across the Grand River will then bring you to the esteemed Grand Rapids Art Museum. As a bonus, be sure to check your travel dates to see if they coincide with any downtown events, such as the fall ArtPrize festival and World of Winter.
Where To Stay In Grand Rapids
Staying right in downtown Grand Rapids may cost a bit more than the outskirts, but if your budget allows, it’s a great way to see more of the city. There are countless hotels to choose from, ranging from more affordable options like the Holiday Inn to luxury stays like the Amway Grand Plaza. Each offers its own perks, like free self-parking at the Holiday Inn or soaring views from the 29-story Amway Grand Plaza. But no matter where you stay, each is just a short drive or walk away from all Downtown Grand Rapids has to offer.
Saturday: Holland
Around 30 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, the small city of Holland awaits with its storybook charms. The drive to Holland will take around 35 minutes, excluding any pit stops along the way, like grabbing breakfast at The Farmhouse dinner in Zeeland. At your destination, you will see why Holland is renowned for its European feel, reminiscent of an old-fashioned Dutch village. Founded in 1847 by Dutch settlers, the community upholds its heritage with festivals, museums, and attractions inspired by the Netherlands.
While spring remains the most popular time to visit due to Holland’s famous tulip blooms, each season offers its own fun. Summer is when the city comes to life with beachgoers and nature lovers due to its setting on Lake Macatawa, an inlet of Lake Michigan. Fall and winter also shine for their thinned crowds, allowing visitors to experience Holland’s year-round attractions and Dutch charms at a slower pace.
What To Do In Holland
Experience Holland’s Dutch Heritage
Although Holland is a four-season paradise, most visit the spirited city in spring. This is when their famous Tulip Time Festival takes place, paying homage to their Dutch roots. With a history dating back to 1929, the festival has since blossomed and grown, featuring millions of tulips to admire and countless attractions to enjoy along the way. The event saw a record-breaking turnout in 2025, drawing in nearly 1 million attendees.
Top tulip-viewing spots include the Veldheer Tulip Gardens and Windmill Island Gardens, both known for their fairytale garden beds. The latter is also home to an authentic Dutch windmill, De Zwaan, which is over 260 years old. While the tulips generally peak in Holland from late April to mid-May, the Windmill Island Gardens can still be enjoyed from mid-April through early October.
Nelis' Dutch Village is also open from April through October, transporting guests to the Netherlands as it was 150 years ago, without ever leaving Michigan soil. Housed in European-style structures, traditional Dutch food can be sampled seasonally at the Hungry Dutchman Cafe. Dutch treats and souvenirs can also be purchased year-round at the Dutch Village Downtown.
Lake Life At Holland State Park
Bordering sections of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, Holland State Park is one of the city’s top outdoor attractions. The park is famous for its expansive white beaches, with plenty of sand and some of the prettiest sunsets around. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, beachgoers can take in views of the iconic Big Red Lighthouse, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the state.
Accessibility is also one of Holland State Park’s greatest priorities, ensuring all can enjoy lake life in Holland. Celebrated for having one of the “Most Wheelchair-Friendly USA Lakes” by WheelchairTraveling.com, the park features a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, accessible playground, beach wheelchairs, and mobility-friendly beach mats leading to the water.
Where To Stay In Holland
Similar to Grand Rapids, your choice of overnight stay in Holland can range in price and vibe. Spots like the Quality Inn & Suites offer a more classic and affordable hotel stay, leaving you with more spending money. On the other hand, a higher spend can lead to charming bed and breakfasts like the Victorian-era Centennial Inn, which is closer to Holland’s waterfront.
For visitors seeking a front row seat to Holland’s beaches, Holland State Park offers two large campsites and two camper cabin sites. The cabins, while costing more, offer views of the Big Red Lighthouse and winter camping. Alternatively, the Lake Macatawa Campground features 12 ADA-accessible campsites and a small swimming beach, while the Lake Michigan Campground is preferred for its spectacular sunsets over the water.
Sunday: Grand Haven
Whether departing from a Holland hotel or Holland State Park, the drive to Grand Haven should take around 30 to 40 minutes. Perched on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, this waterfront town is a charming follow-up to Holland and the perfect finale to your weekend away. A community anchored by its boardwalk and lakefront, Grand Haven is the epitome of a summer getaway spot.
Voted one of the “Best Small Towns in the Midwest” by USA Today readers in 2025, the lake town is celebrated for its beaches and coastal landmarks. Blending Midwest hospitality and a resort town feel, your time here can be as laid-back or active as you want, with plenty of ways to relax or seek out adventure.
What To Do In Grand Haven
Beach Bliss And Waterfront Fun
Grand Haven is one of the best towns in Michigan for fun on the water, offering countless public shores to choose from. At North Beach, beachgoers can savor 7 acres of sand on Lake Michigan, along with a wooden stairway leading to panoramic views atop a dune. Alternatively, Grand Haven City Beach is preferred by dog lovers and families due to its pet-friendly atmosphere and gentle waves.
Nearby, Grand Haven State Park is another show-stealing shore, boasting access to both Lake Michigan and the Grand River. The 48-acre park offers tons to see and do, including its swim beach, fishing piers, and two picturesque lighthouses. Also nearby, the Grand River Boardwalk is another must. Stretching 1.5 miles along the Grand River harbor, strollers can enjoy stunning views with marinas, shops, and restaurants like Snug Harbor along the way.
Eat, Sip, And Shop Downtown Grand Haven
Intersecting the Grand River Boardwalk, Downtown Grand Haven offers a charming break from the sunshine and sand. Lined with late-19th and early-20th century structures, strolls through downtown evoke nostalgia for young and old. Travelers can recharge at cozy cafes like Aldea Coffee, grab a bite at restaurants like Righteous Cuisine, and browse for treasures at stores like Antiques on Seventh. Afterward, downtown attractions like the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium spotlight the town’s iconic Grand Haven Musical Fountain, a synchronized spectacle of water, lights, and music.
Where To Stay In Grand Haven
If you plan on driving home Monday morning, Grand Haven has plenty of overnight options to choose from. Much like Holland State Park, Grand Haven State Park is an affordable option to rest your head if you don’t mind setting up camp. Located within walking distance of downtown, campsites range from a modern campground to an overnight lodge. Alternatively, the tourist town also has an eclectic range of hotels and bed and breakfasts, including the Looking Glass Beachfront Inn and The Boyden House, a Victorian home-turned-B&B right around the corner from downtown Grand Haven.
Experience A Weekend Of Adventures In Michigan
While many of us associate a travel adventure with flights, jungle ziplines, and Caribbean-blue waters, a tropical vacation is not always in the cards. Whether you have limited vacation days or a smaller budget, a weekend escape may be more within reach. Luckily, Michigan offers its own adventures and fun. The Great Lakes State may not have a turquoise oceanfront, but its beaches are breathtaking in their own right. Paired with Grand Rapids’s big-city attractions, Holland’s European atmosphere, and Grand Haven’s cozy downtown, your road trip will feel like several trips all in one.
