Those lazy, hazy days of summer kick off Memorial Day weekend with a variety of events and activities for all ages. The long weekend is perfect for a Pure Michigan getaway to enjoy biking, boating, camping, fishing, golfing, hiking, or paddling. Book a charming B & B for a snug retreat, or a weekend package at one of many destinations coast to coast. Be sure to check out some special deals for attractions and lodging to stretch your vacation budget.
Muskegon’s Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park opens its summer season with the new “Beach Party” attraction – a giant interactive water playground in the park’s WildWater Adventure Waterpark. A 90 foot blast from a huge geyser will set the playful mood along with 150 water play features including several waterfalls. Guests can drench each other with fire hoses and water guns for a good soaking. Check out more Michigan outdoor and indoor waterpark action for buckets of family fun.
During the summer months there are more than 150 events to attend for food, entertainment and activities. Memorial Day weekend includes a wee bit of Scotland at the Alma Highland Festival, meet President and Mrs. Lincoln at Coldwater’s Civil War Days, or tune into Detroit’s Movement Electronic Music Festival in the birthplace of the techno sound. Register early and take a run across the Mackinac Bridge as part of the 8th Annual Mackinaw Memorial Day Bridge Race. All levels of anglers are welcome to attend the Annual Memorial Weekend Amateur Salmon & Trout Fishing Derby in Pentwater, or cast a line in any of Michigan’s 11,000 inland lakes. Look for more weekend festival ideas on our calendar of events pages. Just pick a city or region that you want to explore.
Wine around the weekend by choosing one of the five Michigan wine trails: Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail, Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula, Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association and the Sunrise Side Wine & Hops Trail. Michigan has 81 wineries and vineyards with tasting rooms, culinary events and some with cozy lodging options.
Be your own captain and kayak on the Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trail that extends over 100 miles along the Lake Huron shoreline with 34 launch/landing markers.
Tee off the summer at any of the 850 public and resort golf courses. Seek out award-winning courses like the Marquette Golf Club’s Greywalls or Forest Dunes in Roscommon. There are many golf weekend deals at some of the top resorts like Boyne, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and Crystal Mountain.
With 98 state parks to choose from, there are plenty of options for a holiday weekend for camping, hiking, nature trails, horseback riding, fishing and other outdoor pursuits. Most of the parks offer special activities for kids and adults. Throughout Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula, state forest campgrounds provide over 3,000 campsites in the nearly 4-million acres of state forest. Families wishing to plan a camping vacation are encouraged to reserve space early. There are 80 state park and recreation areas that offer campgrounds and rentals of cabins, teepees and yurts. Log on at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources State Park Campground and Harbor Reservation page for both camping and harbor reservations.
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