Muskegon County, bordering the shores of Lake Michigan offers many attractions to its visitors. Boating, camping, beach strolling, biking, riding the Lake Express Ferry, attending Summer Celebration and Michigan's Adventure Amusement and Water Park are among favorites for summer visitors. During the winter months, The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex offers cross-country skiing trails, an ice skating rink, snow shoeing and a luge run. All year long Muskegon is a destination to visit, with such amenities as the Frauenthal Theater, The Muskegon Museum of Art, and The Hackley and Hume Historic Site, just to mention a few.
The City of Muskegon has always been linked to the fresh waters that inspired its growth and have maintained its quality of life. Fur pelts, pine logs and piston rings have traveled these waters to market. A river meets the lake at a place that's been know as the Lumber Queen of the world, the Port City and the Riviera of the Midwest; our own Muskegon.
It is quite possible that "Lumbertown" as Muskegon is affectionately nicknamed has more parks than any other city in Michigan, and possibly the nation, with a staggering 30+ parks! Many of the feature walking trails, and playgrounds, making Muskegon a family friendly city.
Muskegon offers 26 miles of some of the cleanest sandy beaches in the Great Lakes basin, as well as numerous parks for outdoor recreation, this scenic Lake Michigan town aims to put the "relax" in "relaxation". Here, culture meets fun, and if you are looking for that great find to add to your home decor, shop the many antique malls Muskegon Michigan is known for Its historic charm is accentuated with beautifully restored Victorian mansions, and family fun reaches its peak at the top of the state's oldest wooden roller coaster found at Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park. It's the largest amusement park in Michigan, complete with over 40 rides, slides and attractions. General admission, at $24, includes entry to WildWater Adventure, a great remedy for those hot, summer afternoons. Its historic points of interest include scenic lighthouses, a World War II submarine and Landing Ship Tank, a restored 1895 train depot, and the restored Depression era Scolnik House. Board the Lake Express for a 2/12 hour trip across Lake Michigan to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Roundtrips daily get you out on the open seas.
In Muskegon Michigan families and nature lovers alike should head to the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center. Its location at the top of a dune in P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, allows for a unique way to explore the back-dune wooded area with its wildflowers and chirping birds. Learn all about the history of Michigan's sand dunes through state-of-the-art exhibits. Trails through the dunes give sweeping views of Lake Michigan. Hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, in-line skating, snowmobiling, and horseback riding can all be enjoyed at the City of Muskegon Lakeshore Trail, the Musketawa Trail, and the Hart-Montague Trail State Park.
As you take a break from shopping at some of the popular antique malls Muskegon Michigan offers, enjoy a leisurely stroll downtown at The Monet Gardens. Inspired by the original "Monet Garden" in Giverny, France, this once vacant city lot is now a picturesque spot where sitting on a park bench is a great way to idle some time away.
Camping Michigan Muskegon is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Open grassy layouts along two picturesque private lakes are ideal for pitching your tent, or holing up at one of the rental cottages. If your idea of camping Michigan Muskegon involves the beach, there are sites to be found along the shores of Lake Michigan. RV's will appreciate the shaded spots reserved for them, and anglers and swimmers can both take advantage of the waters here. Boaters camping Michigan Muskegon can find their ideal spot at Fisherman's Landing, complete with 5 boat ramps, a shower facility, a large parking lot, picnic options, a fish cleaning station, 2 restroom sites, and a vehicle stored waste disposal site. There's also a playground apparatus for the kids to work out some of their youthful energy. If camping isn't your thing, worry not, as there is a nice selection of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, resorts and lodges to be found in Muskegon.
Summer events are just a part of the scene here. Frauenthal Theatre offers Broadway scale plays and plenty of other shows and festivals keep the entertainment going all season long. Board the Port Princess for a number of different dinners and affairs while cruising along Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. The Muskegon County Museum is open year-round featuring different exhibits, with primary focus on the history of Muskegon County, and features a 10,000 year journey through time with its Coming to the Lakes exhibit. So take advantage of the antique malls Muskegon Michigan boasts, and take home something special to remember your overall experience at this wonderful Lake Michigan "Beachtown".
Housing Cost
Muskegon's location on the shores of Lake Michigan helps to make Muskegon a great place to live at any price, but Muskegon also has an affordable cost of living. Muskegon offers such a variety of opportunities for housing, entertainment, and education that the hard part is choosing from all of these choices where to live and what to do on the weekends!
Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $78,100.
Demographics
Estimated population in July 2006: 39,608. Muskegon covers 14.4 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 628 feet above sea level.
Area code: 231
Weather
Muskegon, MI climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60's and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 20's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 80.00 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 17.10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 13 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Muskegon is 32.88 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is August with an average rainfall of 3.77 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
visitors. During the winter months, The Muskegon Winter Sports Complex offers cross-country skiing trails, an ice skating rink, snow shoeing and a luge run. All year long Muskegon is a destination to visit, with such amenities as the Frauenthal Theater, The Muskegon Museum of Art, and The Hackley and Hume Historic Site, just to mention a few.