Our curated guide to eating, exploring, & making the most of autumn along the lakeshore.
A downtown Holland favorite serving elevated modern American cuisine with locally inspired ingredients, creative cocktails, and a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.
An 8th Street staple with a seasonally driven menu, an exceptional wine selection, and beautifully prepared dishes that make it a standout for dinner.
A longtime local favorite known for creative American fare, great cocktails, and a lively yet polished atmosphere.
Exceptional steaks, generous sides, and a dining experience worthy of a special evening.
A modern American restaurant with globally inspired dishes, from creative small plates to beautifully prepared entrées, with a menu that changes with the seasons.
Rosy Mound Natural Area-Grand Haven
A scenic hike through wooded dunes and rolling terrain, with a long staircase leading to sweeping views of Lake Michigan and a quiet stretch of beach.
Climb the 200+ steps to a boardwalk overlooking Lake Michigan, Lake Macatawa, and the iconic Holland State Park channel.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park-Saugatuck
Miles of wooded trails wind through towering dunes before opening to a beautiful, undeveloped stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline.
More woods than dunes, with trails along the Pigeon River. Gorgeous area for fall color.
P.J. Hoffmaster State Park-Muskegon
Forested dunes, Lake Michigan overlooks, and roughly 10 miles of trails. The dune stair climb is especially good.
A winding 1.7-mile hike through wooded dunes, climbing to beautiful overlooks of the Oxbow Lagoon, Kalamazoo River, and Lake Michigan.
Zeeland Fall Peddlers’ Market Sept. 12
An open-air market with vintage finds, antiques, architectural salvage, handmade goods, farm-to-table treats and live music.
Lakeshore Harvest Ride — Saugatuck/Fennville area Sept. 19
A countryside bike ride connecting orchards, farms, wineries, cider stops and art studios, with routes from 15–62 miles.
Downtown Holland Fall Fest Oct. 2–3
Professional pumpkin carving, artisan market, hayrides, street performers, pumpkin painting and fall activities downtown.
Held at Beery Field in Douglas with German music, Bavarian food, dancing, keg-toss competitions and fall festivities.
Saugatuck Art Coast Fall Gallery Stroll Oct. 10–11
Galleries and studios, artist demonstrations, live music, refreshments and downtown Saugatuck/Douglas in peak fall.
Downtown and Centertown celebration with seasonal activities, shopping and trick-or-treating through participating businesses.
Art Coast Food & Wine Festival Saugatuck/Douglas Nov. 5–7
Three days of chef dinners, tastings, local vintners, seasonal food, entertainment and waterfront events throughout the Art Coast.
Crane Orchards U-Pick and Corn Maze-Fennville
U-pick apples, peaches and sweet cherries, plus pumpkins later in September, a 20-acre corn maze, weekend hayrides and gorgeous orchard scenery.
A classic West Michigan pumpkin patch with thousands of pumpkins to pick right from the vine, plus hayrides, a corn maze and plenty of old-fashioned fall fun.
A fall farm day worth the drive, with a U-pick pumpkin patch, a corn maze with a new theme each year, petting zoo, market barn and homemade donuts. Wander the farm, grab a pumpkin and stock up on locally grown produce along the way.
From blueberry farm to bottle, Tanglewood turns locally grown Michigan fruit into handcrafted wines, ciders and seasonal pours. Stop by the tasting room for a glass, live music and food trucks surrounded by the farm that started it all.
Sip estate-grown Michigan wines overlooking the vines at this modern Fennville winery. Grab a seat on the patio and settle in for an afternoon of wine, vineyard views and crisp fall air.
Fenn Valley Vineyards-Fennville
Spend a crisp fall afternoon among the vines with Michigan-made wine, sweeping vineyard views and plenty of room to enjoy the outdoors.
Saugatuck/Douglas
Muskegon
Spring Lake/Grand Haven
Holland
If there's one beach you can't miss while you're here, it's Oval Beach. Tucked between the dunes and Lake Michigan, it's one of the area's most iconic spots for a reason. Spend the afternoon swimming, watching the boats on the horizon, hunting for beach glass, or simply stretching out in the sand with a good book. Stay for sunset—it's one of the best you'll find on the lakeshore.
Just a few minutes from downtown Saugatuck, it's easy to make a day of it with lunch, shopping, or ice cream before or after your beach time.
Amenities: Seasonal concession stand, restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, volleyball courts, accessible beach mat, and paid parking.
A trip to Holland isn't complete without a stop at Holland State Park. Home to the iconic Big Red Lighthouse, this is one of the best places to spend a summer day on the lakeshore. Swim in Lake Michigan, build sandcastles, watch boats make their way through the channel, or grab a spot on the beach and stay for sunset.
Amenities: Large sandy beach, playground, picnic areas, concession stand, restrooms, outdoor showers, accessible walkways, volleyball courts, boat launch, fishing access, and paid parking. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry.
Tunnel Park is a local favorite, especially when you want more than just a beach day. Walk through the tunnel carved into the dune to reach Lake Michigan, or climb the stairs to the overlook for one of the best views of the shoreline. There’s plenty of room for a picnic, a great playground for the kids, and a wide stretch of sand for swimming, relaxing, and staying through sunset.
Amenities: Lake Michigan beach access, dune overlook, playground, picnic tables and grills, reservable picnic shelters, volleyball courts, restrooms, vending machines, accessible pathways, and paid seasonal parking.
If you're looking for a quieter beach experience, Kirk Park is one of the area's hidden gems. Tucked between the trees and dunes, it feels a little more peaceful than some of the larger beaches. Wander the wooded trails, climb the dune for a beautiful view of Lake Michigan, or spend the afternoon swimming, reading, and searching for beach glass along the shoreline. It's the kind of place that's easy to lose track of time.
Amenities: Lake Michigan beach access, wooded hiking trails, picnic tables, restrooms, outdoor rinse station, scenic dune overlook, dog beach (north of the main beach), and paid seasonal parking.
