Best things to do in Muskegon

Try out more than 50 different rides, including seven roller coasters and four water rides, at Michigan's Adventure, the largest amusement park in the state. This is a family-friendly park with rides and attractions for all ages. Here you can hop on one of the longest wooden coasters in the world--over 1,600 m (5,350 ft) long--and experience a 37 m (122 ft) drop. Or get plunged from a 56 m (183 ft) tall swing-like structure. Raft down simulated rapids, take a bumper car or a bumper boat for a spin, or try out the miniature golf course with water hazards and sand pits.

Museum is only open May through September.

One of the most popular state parks in Michigan, Ludington State Park beckons visitors for fishing, hiking, camping, and swimming in Lake Michigan. The park's 2,100 hectares (5,300 acres) encompass many ecosystems including forests, sand dunes, beaches, a dam, a river, and the lake. Visit the nature center for information on the park and recent wildlife sightings. Take a short walk along the beach to visit Big Sable Point Lighthouse, which dates to 1876 and stands 34 m (112 ft) tall. You can get out on the water by renting a boat on Hamlin Lake, or enjoy swimming in this man-made lake created by the Hamlin Lake Dam.

Nestled among rivers and sand dunes along Lake Michigan, Oval Beach ranks as one of the top beaches in the United States, according to National Geographic Traveler magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and MTV. Mentioned by Conde Nast Traveler among the world's best 25 beaches, the area is also one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet. You can reserve a guided tour of the site at certain times, and the entire area is open for visitors throughout the year. Swim, hike, and play in the waves, or have a picnic with a barbecue. Showers, restrooms, a playground, and a concession stand make spending the day here easy.

Stop and smell the Gouda cheese at Nelis' Dutch Village, which brings to life the olden days of the Netherlands. Built according to typical Dutch architecture with a network of canals, the village provides insight into what life was like in an earlier time in the lowlands country. Try some clogs on for size (you can watch them being made at the wooden shoe factory) or take part in a traditional Dutch klompen dancing lesson. You'll have the opportunity to watch a demonstration on the making of Delft blue pottery, and learn about cheesemaking with the chance to sample some delicious Dutch cheeses. You can dress up in Dutch costumes in the Kolean museum and enjoy a ride on the windmill-themed Ferris wheel.

Between dunes and development, it's surprisingly difficult to find long stretches of beach along Lake Michigan--which is why a visit to Holland State Park Beach is in order. Situated on both Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, this beach is great for relaxing, swimming, and beach volleyball. The park includes two large campgrounds, one on each lake. Picnic tables, fire pits, and grills are provided, so bring all the fixings for your al fresco picnics. Stroll the beach to enjoy the view of Big Red, the lighthouse across the inlet. The pier is a nice spot for fishing.