Your Monthly Guide to What’s Great in the Great Outdoors
When warm weather starts rolling in, the first thing I think about is how soon I can get on the water. This year, I already have one kayaking trip under my belt (it was in May in the Detroit canals and it was really cool!) and I plan on going many more times before the leaves start to turn. Sometimes it’s nice to be a passenger, though, and there are a several spots around West Michigan where you can simply take a relaxing boat ride, versus being the captain and chief rower of your own craft.
My absolute favorite is Grand Lady Riverboat, which launches from Steamboat Park in Jenison. They have sunset tours with live music, as well as sightseeing tours and private charters. It may seem kind of old fashioned, but it’s actually a really nice way to spend an evening—and it’s especially good for date nights and group outings.
They have a bar with beer, wine, and a selection of soft drinks, plus some light snacks. But, what most people don’t realize is you can pack a picnic (just not your own water/beverages) and dine on the lower deck. Or the upper deck. We just prefer the lower because we always do the sunset/live music tours and it’s a little quieter for socializing. We invariably have people look on in envy at our feast and make a mental note that this is an option for next time!
Tall Ship Schooner Serenity in Saugatuck is another favorite. They have daytime and sunset sailing cruises on the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan that run about two hours. Guests are encouraged to help manage the sails, but if you’re more of a spectator, that’s okay, too. They’re quite liberal with their libation policy, so you can BYO water, pop, beer, or wine, plus something simple to dine on. There’s limited space for seating, so don’t bring a full-course meal! Then, just sit back and let the summer breeze make you feel fine.
Full disclosure, I have never done Retro Boat Rentals in Saugatuck, but it’s been on my list for several years. This might be the one! In addition to their super-cute vintage speedboats, which seat up to four, they also rent pontoon, donut, and Duffy boats, which can accommodate more people. Some allow for swimming, and some even let you bring your dog, but best to check their site first to see which is best for what you want out of your adventure. They have a strict policy on no outdoor coolers, but they’ll provide you one with ice and you can purchase a variety of items to fill it at The Old Boat House.
Back when Aquastar in Muskegon was still Port City Princess, the Mister and I took a sunset cruise on this double-decker boat for our anniversary. The weather was lousy (that’s what you get when you get married in October!), but it was still a memorable time. It’s hard to forget sprinkles of rain pelting our faces and huddling together for warmth—ah, romance. Aside from that, we enjoyed hot cider and cloudy, yet scenic views of Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan.
If you go in the summer, you’re more likely to experience more favorable conditions, and that’s what we’ll do when we go again. Aquastar has a full bar, a dance floor, restrooms, and food and entertainment on select afternoon and evening cruises. There are also themed cruises, including yacht rock, full moon, Polynesian adventure, history, Mariachi, Halloween, and more.
Grand Haven Cycleboat is another one I haven’t done—yet! If you’ve ever seen one of those pub cruisers tooling around the streets of downtown, this is like that; just on the Grand River. They leave from the Grand Isle Marina, and while you and the group you’ve assembled of up to 16 do the peddling, you’ll have a USGC Licensed Captain and First Mate on board doing the steering. The boat has Bluetooth speakers, so you can be the DJ and supply your own tunes, plus they let you bring ice, snacks, and drinks to load into the coolers they provide.
These are all great ways to explore our abundance of lakes and rivers in the region—and take full advantage of this fleeting season!
