Summer means it’s time to get up, head out and go wild.
When you spend half the year in weather ranging from chilly to frozen, we need to take advantage of every warm and sunny day available. Of course, that can mean chilling on your porch with a cold one, but it should also mean going off on adventures. It’s called enrichment—look it up!
Across West Michigan, we have more than a few places for people of all ages to get out and explore, from trails to rivers, zoos, museums, go-karts, mini golf and much more.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
John Ball Zoo
1300 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids / jbzoo.org
Lions, tigers, and… red pandas? John Ball Zoo is a classic, but there’s always something fresh, whether it’s new lions, warthogs and lemurs joining the family, or updates to the habitats, or Twilight Tours and Behind the Scenes experiences. Make sure to look into special zoo adventures like riding camels, taking the zipline, doing the ropes course, feeding pygmy hippos and getting close with a sloth.
Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
8313 Pratt Lake Ave. SE, Alto / boulderridgewap.com
Giraffes, camels, and kangaroos—the nearly 100-acre Boulder Ridge lets you get close to animals you won’t see just anywhere. Book a VIP Animal Encounter for a behind-the-scenes look at penguins, rhinos, or hippos.
Saugatuck Dune Rides
6495 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck / saugatuckduneride.com
Race through the sandy slopes of Saugatuck’s dunes in an open-top vehicle with a local guide. It’s an exhilarating blend of nature and adrenaline, perfect for anyone looking for a wild ride.
Cannonsburg Ski Area
6800 Cannonsburg Rd. NE, Belmont / cannonsburg.com
Just about every skier and snowboarder in West Michigan got their start at Cannonsburg, and people still congregate there every winter for downhill fun. In the summer, everything changes: The Sweet Spot opens up, offering ice cream, Dole Whips, microbrews, and Taco Tuesdays all summer. It’s perfect for refueling after a lovely trek on Cannonsburg’s many hilly trails. Bike, walk, run—whatever you like!
Blandford Nature Center
2715 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids / blandfordnaturecenter.org
Blandford (and by extension, The Highlands) is a 264-acre oasis where nature and history intertwine, offering eight miles of trails through lush forests, wetlands, and meadows. You can meet rescued wildlife ambassadors like owls and turtles, explore historic buildings, and visit the working Blandford Farm with its gardens and animals. From seasonal festivals like the Sugarbush and Harvest Festivals to educational programs, Blandford is a place where learning and adventure go hand in hand.
MUSEUMS & DISCOVERY
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids / grpm.org
More than just a museum, it’s an adventure. Take a spin on the iconic carousel, explore the new Sharks exhibit, and dive into planetarium shows that dazzle. Perfect for curious minds of all ages. If you’re just passing through town, this is a must for your itinerary—and if you’ve lived here your whole life, you’ll be amazed by every year’s new additions.
Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum
6151 Portage Road, Portage / airzoo.org
Dreaming of the skies? The Air Zoo delivers with historic aircraft, simulators, and even overnight adventures beneath an SR-71B Blackbird. It’s an adventure for aspiring pilots and space explorers alike. Voted the “Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners,” the Air Zoo has over 100 air and space artifacts, interactive exhibits, full-motion flight simulators, indoor amusement park rides, and hands-on learning.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
1000 E. Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids / meijergardens.org
Art and nature intertwine at Meijer Gardens, where stunning sculptures and the serene Japanese Garden offer a calming counterpoint to the fun of the Children’s Garden. This lovely 158-acre campus provides hours of nature and art to appreciate both indoors and out, including a massive tropical conservatory and dozens of sculptures outdoors. It’s one of the greatest sculpture parks in the country and there’s nothing like it anywhere nearby.
FAMILY FUN CENTERS
Craig’s Cruisers
5730 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming / craigscruisers.com
Rain or shine, Craig’s Cruisers delivers. Soar across the 130-foot-tall zipline outside or conquer the ninja warrior course indoors. Ride the spinning rollercoaster, zip around the electric go-kart track, and battle it out in bumper boats. Whether you’re scaling the climbing wall or challenging the arcade, there’s no shortage of action.
Putters Creek
40 Whitehall Rd, North Muskegon / putterscreek.com
Mini golf beneath the stars? Glow Golf nights at Putters Creek make it happen, with LED-lit balls and glowing accessories. Speed through go-kart tracks, take a paddleboard ride on the Muskegon River, or opt for a gellyball showdown — a low-impact, paint-free alternative to paintball that’s fun for everyone.
GameTime Family Fun Park
4400 Ball Park Dr., Comstock Park / gametimefunpark.com
What was once AJ’s is now GameTime Fun Park, a beacon of excitement right off the West River offramp, offering waterfalls, mini golf, go-karts, and batting cages. The arcade offers a chance to escape the summer sun, while the bumper boats and water features keep the fun flowing.
Airway Fun Center
5626 Portage Rd., Portage / airwayfuncenter.com
For those who like a challenge, Airway has climbing walls, a ropes course, and laser tag. Want something more relaxed? Try VR, arcade games, or the world’s first four-person gyroscope. Or release some energy at the Balladium,
where foam balls fly fast.
Nelis’ Dutch Village
12350 James St., Holland / dutchvillage.com
Step into a world of Dutch charm, with a windmill Ferris wheel, a petting zoo, and a giant wooden shoe slide. Kids can make their own stroopwafel cookies, and everyone can shop for wooden shoes or feed farm animals. Don’t miss the classic golden angel street organ.
The Lost City
12330 James St., Holland / the-lostcity.com
Laser tag lovers, rejoice. The Lost City offers a stellar, 5,000 square foot, multi-level laser tag arena, a massive arcade, duckpin bowling, and a Gobi Desert-themed indoor mini golf course. Weekends bring all-you-can-play laser tag sessions for true enthusiasts.
Allegan Event
439 River St., Allegan / alleganevent.com
For families who love to climb, slide and play, this indoor adventure created by zipline experts has it all: a Sky Trail ropes course with zip rails, the brand new Sky Tour Zip Line, a QUICKjump free-fall simulation, a vertical drop slide, clip and climb walls, and a large arcade.
STAFF PICKS
- ERIC MITTS -
Kalamazoo Game Show Experience
3717 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo / kzoogameshow.com
Ever dream of winning it big on a game show? Live out the next best thing at the Kalamazoo Game Show Experience, a one-of-a-kind new venue that opened earlier this year. Perfect for a unique date night, team building event, or new way to compete with friends, the Kalamazoo Game Show Experience has every detail – from the flashing lights and spinning wheel, to top-tier trivia, and all the bells, whistles, and other sound effects that make game shows so fun. Don’t worry, no TV experience is required, just a sense of humor, and excitement for a little friendly competition, but don’t be surprised if you leave feeling like a celebrity.
Shift Climbing Gym
12345 James St., Holland / shiftclimbing.com
Learn the ropes of bouldering, without the actual ropes, of course, at this brand-new 12,000-plus square foot climbing gym in Holland. With over 5,000 square feet of climbing, 80 different climbs, and the first-ever tilt-able boulder, there’s endless possibilities for growth and exploration at Shift. Follow the color-coded paths for different difficulty levels from beginner to expert, for a full body work out unlike any other, and rise to the top, with a community of climbers eager to share their passion for this rising sport.
Abandoned Acres Escape Rooms
450 S. State St., Sparta / abandonedacresescaperooms.com
A little bit off the beaten path, but so worth the trip for those with a real sense of adventure. Abandoned Acres started out scaring visitors with its haunted attraction every Halloween, but has expanded into one of the best escape room locations in West Michigan with its fully immersive, next generation experiences. Featuring five completely different rooms to choose from—including the new Jurassic Island—don’t lose yourself too much in the movie-like excitement. The clock’s ticking, so put your puzzle-solving skills to the test now.
- ZACHARY AVERY -
West Michigan Whitecaps
4500 W. River Dr. NE, Comstock Park / lmcuballpark.com
Enjoy a gorgeous evening outdoors in comfy springtime weather at LMCU Ballpark to see the West Michigan Whitecaps! With a range of ticket prices and available seating, including blanket spots on the adjoining hill, the Whitecaps continue to provide some of the most approachable, entertaining, and affordable attractions in the area. The themed nights are diverse, too, celebrating events for all-ages like princess night, Star Wars night, and even a Bluey night. Pick the theme most close to your heart, and go enjoy some good ol’ fashioned baseball!
- JOSH VEAL -
Wisner Rents
25 E. Water St., Newaygo / wisnercanoes.com
Up in the highly scenic small town of Newaygo, you’ll find the lovely Muskegon River, which practically seems crafted by hand for humans to enjoy in the summer. Neither dangerously deep nor annoyingly shallow, not frighteningly fast or painfully slow, wide enough for big groups of tubes to float along, and with plenty of sun exposure, it’s my favorite place to go tubing with friends each year. The fine folks at Wisner make it so easy, I’d be a fool not to! And so would you. You don’t want to be a fool, do you?
