Family Friendly Events
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
Photo by Manistee National Forest Festival
The Manistee National Forest Festival began as a way to celebrate and honor the Manistee National Forest, which encompasses over 480,000 acres. This is truly a “don’t-miss” event for the entire family, and a great venue for making some wonderful summer memories.
The annual Manistee National Forest Festival promises fun for the entire family. It’s one of the largest 4th of July celebrations in the state, presented by the Manistee Chamber of Commerce since 1936.
Events take place at Douglas Park/First Street Beach- 100 S. Lakeshore Dr., Manistee, unless otherwise noted.
There’s so much to see and do in Manistee! Read the stories below or go to the Manistee destination page.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan's lower peninsula.
The Victorian port city of Manistee, MI features a River Walk, historic Ramsdell Theatre and the S.S. City of Milwaukee.
Manistee has the unique combination of beauty, history and nature, which attracts visitors from all over and inspires many to call it home.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
Known as the "Two Lake Town", Onekema is just 20 minutes from Manistee and provides a cozy escape from the everyday.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
The township of Arcadia in Manistee County, home of Arcadia Daze every July, is less than 15 minutes north of Onekama.
Take a tour on the Historic S.S. City of Milwaukee car ferry and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Acacia docked in Manistee, Michigan.
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you'll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
Manistee offers a variety of fishing opportunities! Cast your own line into one of the many lakes or streams — or hop aboard a charter boat!
Manistee County fishing reports for the Manistee River and Manistee Lake are provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
There are great events and festivals throughout the year in Manistee, Michigan's Victorian Port City. Find fun for the whole family!
Onekama, in Manistee County, is the first community along the M-22 Scenic Heritage Route and is commonly known as the "Two Lake Town."
The North Pierhead Lighthouse, located in the Victorian Port City of Manistee, stands watch over Lake Michigan.
The Manistee River spans for miles and provides the perfect watershed for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and exploring.
Manistee Chamber of Commerce
11 Cypress St., Manistee, MI 49660
231-723-2575
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
The Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington is a busy place from May-October, with many horse shows.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
During the summer is the Petunia Parade in Ludington featuring 30,000 petunias lining Ludington Avenue and the marina.
Motorcycles of all varieties and sizes make their way to Baldwin every May for the annual Blessing of the Bikes.
Grab snacks, chairs, and blankets to enjoy a family friendly movie at Manistee’s beautiful First Street Beach near the Rotary Gazebo.
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
West Michigan is the location for many Car Shows during the summer. Various awards and plaques are presented at these car shows.
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
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Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
The West Michigan area, with many small lakes and rivers to explore, is a popular location for paddle sports.
Enjoy the happiest of holidays in West Michigan! From Manistee to Ludington and every city in-between, there is holiday cheer all around!
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
Much of West Michigan is bicycle-friendly, and you’ll find many nice paths on which to ride. It’s great exercise with great scenery to enjoy.
Visit the new Value of Sports Museum located at Historic White Pine Village just a short drive from Ludington.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
The Hart-Montague Bike Trail consists of 22.5 miles of paved paths for biking, snowmobiling, skating and more!
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.