What are your favorite areas along the West Michigan Shoreline?

[Jerry&Anne]

We operated a beautiful yellow biplane out of Muskegon County Airport for three years, 1998-2001. Anyone remember Skydance Air Tours? Our standard half-hour tour went like this:

Departing straight west out of Muskegon, we climb steeply to get over the wooded sand dunes in front of us. Just as we top the dune, you'll get the most spectacular view north and south along the lakeshore that you'll ever see - miles and miles of sand and forest and water.

Just for thrills, the pilot makes a sloowwww, sharp left turn over the water's edge, and we dive south along the shoreline, passing Hoffmaster State Park and waving at the folks on the beach. Up in the dunes, you can see the high lookout platform in the park, slightly higher than us.

We've recovered from the steep turn and we're relaxing more as we trundle slowly along the beach, admiring the view. Out over the water, we dip lower and lower as we approach Grand Haven.

As we get close to Grand Haven's North Beach, we're maybe 100 feet off the deck. We're not allowed to fly over populated land that low, so we have to make a grand sweeping turn around the lighthouse. If it's a sunny weekend day, especially in the late afternoon, there will be scores of people out there around the lighthouse, craning their necks to see us. After you've snapped your pictures, put that camera down and wave to the nice folks! I've got the plane rolled steeply on its side, so you'll get the best view of this beautiful landmark.

After rounding the lighthouse, we need to do some climbing before we can go up over the beach. It's a right turn now, and a steep spiral climb out over the water. You're admiring the boats, the beach scene, and the view up the channel as we roll out at 1,500 feet and head along the channel up over the city of Grand Haven.

After a topside view of the boardwalk, the Dancing Fountains, Snug Harbor, the Bascule Bridge, and the beautiful panorama of the Grand River winding thru the green farmlands, we make a circle to the right over the city and line up with Spring Lake. Down we go, making a low pass over the length of the lake, waggling our wings. Unbeknownst to the passengers, the pilot's wife is most likely grinning and waving from the patio of their condo along the lake.

Down the lake, past Hanky Panky Bay, past the mansions and log cabins, we climb back up over the trees. With a slight left turn, we are headed into Muskegon's airspace once again, and getting vectored back to the airport. Just before our final turn, we cross over the Muskegon Racetrack. With any luck, the ponies are trotting below us as we turn to our final bearing. The plane glides quietly down final and settles with a bump on Muskegon's long and wide runway.

If you read all this, you're as sentimental as I am about the West Michigan coastline. I sure miss that job. Every job was as much a thrill to the pilot as to the passengers!

[Angelstar490]

I live about 20 minutes from Saugatuck and I love that little town. Great antique stores and a nice ice cream shop.

[dltinner]

I am interested in hiring a local person @harbor springs to act as a fishing/mushroom hunting guide in late May. Any input on finding someone would be appreciated.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by dltinner

I am interested in hiring a local person @harbor springs to act as a fishing/mushroom hunting guide in late May. Any input on finding someone would be appreciated.

Google is your friend:
harbor springs fishing guide - Google Search
harbor springs morel mushroom guide - Google Search

[bryan61]

Im biased with a spectacular view of Little Bay De Noc from my back yard. In the winter its loaded up with ice shacks and in the summer sailboats. Sac bay at the end of the Garden peninsula is remote and rustic but does have a nice park thats kept up by the county parks commision.

[MainStreet]

1. Elberta (Secret beach)
2. Frankfort
3. Ludington
4. Grand Haven
5. Suttons Bay, Northport, TC
6. Arcadia (primarily for a perch dinner at the dive better known as The Big Apple.)
7. Glen Arbor
8. I once drove, clinging to all the shore drives between Grand Haven and New Buffalo and couldn't not believe how beautiful all those communities were. Bridgman, Lakeside, Union Pier were like stepping back into time...old money hide outs. Lovely.

Ludington is a gem because you can camp at the capacity state park and stroll to the beach at sunset and still see very few people. The beach goes on and on forever.

Elberta is my "home beach." It has not changed in over 40 years. Once there, if your 4x4 can get you as far south as it can get, walk over the dune and you get the feeling of being secluded as if on your own island. Bring plenty of provisions for an entire day...you aren't going to want to leave; that is if seclusion and solitude are your thing.

[michiganmom2008]

Bon Fires on the Beach!! My family and I would go down on the federal lakeshore of Lake michigan close to dark, watch the sunset and have a bonfire right there on the beach. We lived on Little Traverse Lake for a year, in Maple city michigan and also a year at sugarloaf in Cedar. It is very beautiful in that area and always something to do and see for free for a family....we hold lots of memories in that area and we will never forget them. We live in southern michigan now with nothing to see or do....someday we hope to be back up north.

[tjay]

god i miss michigan

i really don't think there is a bad spot on the lakes.....not one
camped out on old mission point last summer, the views are amazing, the wineries and sunsets......ahhhhh! also spent a day at the bear dunes....its something everyone should experience at least once in life.

[DestinationSeattle]

I'm partial to the area around New Buffalo ... mostly since I grew up not too far from there.