Answer: It’s great that you’re heading to Muskegon for some summer fun! There are plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy with young kids, beyond just the beach. Here are some ideas for restaurants, coffee shops, fishing, and other family-oriented activities:

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).