Muskegon or Holland

Question

Heading to Charlevoix next week. Planning to stay overnight in either Holland or Muskegon. Any little shops downtown Muskegon? Recommendations for restaurants. Thanks

Answer

Good question — yes, if you stay in either Muskegon or Holland this can work well as a stopping-off point en route to Charlevoix. Muskegon, in particular, has a surprisingly lively downtown with shops, restaurants, and a nice waterfront — so if you pick it, you’ll find enough to fill an evening or a half-day without a car. Below I highlight what downtown Muskegon offers: little shops, restaurants, and a few things to do. I also mention what Holland offers, so you can compare before picking where to stay based on your preferences (waterfront + lake-town vibe vs. smaller-town charm + bicycling/shops near Holland).

Why Muskegon works as a stopover

Downtown Muskegon has undergone a revitalization; the area near Western Avenue, Hackley Park and the lakeshore offers walkable streets, historic buildings, art & culture, and local shops — a good mix if you want to stretch your legs, grab a meal, or browse for souvenirs.

Additionally, it’s on the lake — so if weather permits and you enjoy views, you could stroll along part of the waterfront.

Shopping & little-shop vibe in downtown Muskegon

There are many small/local boutiques, vintage shops, gift shops and independent stores clustered around Western Avenue, Pine Street, and the “Century Club” building — offering antiques, vinyl, home-goods, gifts, art and unique local items.
If you like art or local heritage, you can visit areas around the historic district: old mansions, historic buildings, plus some museums in walking distance downtown.
Depending on the day, the local Farmers Market or “pop-up” shopping chalets / Western Market offer handcrafted goods, local food, and small-town craft/market goods (though more active in warmer seasons).

Good restaurants, pubs & dining options in Muskegon

Here are several places in or near downtown Muskegon that tend to be well-liked and accessible on foot or with a short rideshare — a mix from casual to more upscale, depending on your mood:

794 Kitchen & Bar — A central gastropub/bar-style restaurant offering burgers, wraps, comfort food, ideal for a casual evening meal.
Nipote’s Italian Kitchen — Modern-style Italian with pasta, seafood, and a contemporary vibe; nice option for a sit-down dinner.
Walker’s – An American Brasserie — Inside a downtown hotel, with a pleasant patio (weather-permitting) — convenient if you stay nearby.
The Lake House Waterfront Grille — If you like a lake view and dinner by the water, this place offers waterfront-style dining and a relaxing atmosphere.
Pigeon Hill Brewing (or other local breweries / gastropubs) — Great for craft-beer lovers or a more relaxed, local vibe night.

Other nice Muskegon-area things if you stay overnight

Stroll through the historic district around Hackley Park — old architecture, quiet streets, small parks, and historic homes.
Walk toward the lakeshore / lake-front or pier areas if time and weather permit — lake views plus a bit of quiet water-town charm.
If your timing matches, maybe catch a live event, small-town music, or local theater/arts at downtown venues (though this depends on schedules — best to check ahead).

What about Holland instead of Muskegon?

Holland offers a different vibe: very walkable, charming downtown with cobblestone-style streets, many independent shops and boutiques, galleries, and a small-town historic feel.

It’s a feature-rich small city and could be a good alternative depending on whether you’d rather stroll cozy streets and browse local crafts/galleries rather than a bigger lakeside town atmosphere.

Which one to choose depending on your preferences

Choose Muskegon if you want a livelier beachfront/lake-town atmosphere, variety of restaurants, a bigger selection of dining & local eateries, and some waterfront or historical-architecture walking.
Choose Holland if you prefer a quieter, more pedestrian-friendly small town, with charming shops, galleries, and a relaxed downtown stroll — ideal if you like boutique-style shopping and cozy cafés.

My recommendation

If you only plan to stay one night and want to maximize ease + variety without a car, Muskegon might give you more flexibility — dinner + downtown shops + a bit of waterfront all in one place. If instead you favor slow-paced charm, sidewalk-browsing, and small-town boutique shopping, Holland could be a lovely, relaxed alternative.

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