Afternoon in Downtown Muskegon

Pheeewwwwww. We’re so close to summer and I am way behind on spring! A month ago (how was it already a month ago?) I was down in West Michigan housesitting for my dad… which was perfect timing because I got the peak of spring and tulips down there! And it was just fun to have a full week in Muskegon, which is where I grew up. So yeah… on one of my free Saturdays, I decided to head out and have an afternoon in downtown Muskegon, which is my favorite part of this town (except for Pere Marquette/Lake Michigan, of course). There’s just so much history and fun places to drink/eat. Read on for my afternoon in downtown Muskegon!

ALDEA COFFEE

Aldea Coffee is one of my favorite coffee stops in Muskegon. It’s located right downtown on Pine Street, so perfect location for grabbing a cup and strolling the neighborhood! They are a fully integrated coffee company… and they work with individual farmers to develop, grow and process specialty coffee. They also have a location in Grand Haven now too! I always love their dirty chai with oat milk (one of my go-to’s) but they have a good selection of items to choose from… along with some small plates like hummus toast and yogurt bowls. Definitely check it out!

HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Literally one of my favorite things about downtown Muskegon is the history. Two of my favorite places to check out… are the Scolnik House Of The Depression Era and the Fire Barn Museum (both of which you can tour!) The Scolnik House is a great example of how families in Muskegon lived during the Great Depression. It’s undergone major renovation, and includes period appropriate decor from the 1930s. And right next door, you can check out the historic fire barn. Like a lot of cities in the 19th century, fire was a constant fear and problem in Muskegon. After devasting fires in 1871 and 1874, the city constructed a firehouse here which you can tour now as a museum!

THE MONET GARDEN

Especially in spring, one of my favorite little parks in Muskegon is right downtown… and called The Monet Garden. The famous Monet Garden in Giverny, France, provided the inspiration to transform a vacant city lot into a picturesque pocket park. The garden is open to the public and has benches to relax on. It is even illuminated after dark for all to enjoy. I was so excited that I caught this pink tree perfectly in bloom when I was in Muskegon, but this is a great place to take photos year-round. I love the little bridge!

HACKLEY & HUME HISTORIC SITE

A very prominent figure in Muskegon, Charles H. Hackley had his house built with his partner Thomas Hume with construction taking place between 1887 and 1889. It’s structurally restored to it’s 1890s appearance, and it’s a unique example of Victorian architecture and late nineteenth century interior design. You can tour both the Hackley & Hume Homes seasonally, tickets are sold in the City Barn located right between the houses. The Hume House is much different… designed for comfort and a large family. It has spacious living rooms and nine bedrooms, including a beautiful library and a large dining room. And lastly, the City Barn is literally a barn that sits in the city. It was shared by the two houses to house horses and two coachmen who lived on the second floor. Definitely worth a tour through!

“The Noodle” (what I called it as a kid!)

UNRULY BREWING

Downtown Muskegon has a few great breweries… but I always tend to gravitate toward Unruly Brewing! (Well of course, they have wine available, haha!) But this place is just dope anyway. I used to come here often for shows (it’s born from a punk-life attitude) so it’s familiar, but it’s also just a great place to hang, good craft beer and they have a really cool outdoor beer area which is where I sat. It was super nice on this day, so yeah, just a great setting for a drink inside or outside, live music, etc. Check it out!

PERE MARQUETTE BEACH

I’ve been coming to Pere Marquette all my life, with drives “around the lake” with my grandpa and the lighthouses in my line of sight since I was a kid. So I have a total soft spot for this beach… and would recommend visiting, especially if you love lighthouses like I do. But it’s at the northern most end of the city-owned Lake Michigan frontage. Clean & sandy, lots of accessible walkways, views of the two lighthouses, parks, I believe there’s a concession stand, along with a very cool beach bar called The Deck. But yeah, if you’re looking for a great beach to visit when in Muskegon… I’d say this one is the most populated, and if you’re looking for something a bit more secluded, try Hoffmaster State Park! Hope you enjoyed this little West Michigan guide. Let me know what you’d add in the comments!