10 Things to Do Before West Michigan Summer Slips Away
Jul 14, 2026
Steve & Margaux share their easy, fun, memory-making summer bucket list for Grand Rapids, Lake Michigan, and beyond
West Michigan summer does not ask permission before flying by.
One minute you’re saying, “We should do that this summer,” and the next thing you know, you’re buying school supplies, wondering why you didn’t make it to the beach more than once.
So, in this episode of Coffee with Steve & Margaux, Steve and Margaux make the case for getting out there now.
Simple plans. Low stress. Big memories.
Here’s the West Michigan Summer Bucket List:
- Go to Lake Michigan for a beach day
Pack the cooler, grab the towels, and make the drive. Lake Michigan is one of the most beautiful free treasures we have. - Visit a local farmers' market
Fresh produce, local coffee, flowers, baked goods, and the happy little feeling that you are officially living your best summer life. - Explore downtown Grand Rapids
Walk, bike, or rent a scooter and go see the development happening in real time. The city is changing fast, and it’s worth experiencing up close. - Go to an outdoor concert
From Frederik Meijer Gardens to the new amphitheater energy downtown, outdoor music is a West Michigan summer must. - Get on the water
Rent a kayak at Reeds Lake, paddle a local lake, or canoe down the Rogue River. You do not have to own a boat to have a Michigan water day. - Watch a full Lake Michigan sunset
Not from the car. Not while rushing. Sit down, stay until the sun disappears, and let the whole sky do its thing. - Have pizza in the park
Pick one of Kent County’s parks, grab a pizza, bring a blanket, and call it dinner. Easy. Affordable. Perfect. - Go to a Whitecaps game
Hot dogs, baseball, summer air, and family fun before the season wraps up. - Have a Michigan campfire
Roast marshmallows, tell stories, smell like smoke, and debate whether it is called a campfire or a bonfire. - Visit a local ice cream stand
Stand in the long line. Order the cone. Let it drip down your hand. That’s part of the experience.
Bonus: Take the family photo
Take the picture at the beach, the ballgame, the farmers market, the ice cream stand, or the park. It does not have to be perfect. It just has to exist.
That’s the beauty of West Michigan summer.
It doesn’t have to be fancy to be unforgettable.
Pick one thing from the list. Go do it. Take the picture.
Because summer is short, but the memories can last forever.
🎥 Watch the full Coffee with Steve & Margaux episode and start checking things off your West Michigan summer bucket list.
Keywords:
West Michigan summer bucket list, things to do in West Michigan, Grand Rapids summer activities, Lake Michigan beach day, West Michigan farmers markets, downtown Grand Rapids development, outdoor concerts Grand Rapids, Reeds Lake kayaking, Lake Michigan sunset, Whitecaps baseball, Kent County parks, Michigan summer family activities