West Michigan (WMTA/ Farándula magazine) – Spring break gives you and your family time to take a little vacation (or staycation!) before the Spring and Summer travel seasons get into full-swing. If you’re looking to not break the bank, a vacation or day trip within West Michigan is sure to fit any budget without sacrificing the fun, relaxation, and time away from home. Everybody in the family will love their Spring Break in West Michigan.
Spring Break in Northern West Michigan
While many are thinking about where to go for a spring break getaway, northern Michigan’s Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire is the place to be. Spring skiing is simply the best. The snowpack is deep, temperatures are warmer, and there is plenty of sunshine! The slopes are 100% open. For skiers and boarders, spring is nothing short of amazing. Grab your skis, shades, and maybe a bit of sunscreen when you head for the slopes of Shanty Creek Resorts.
Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville has more than enough fun to fill your spring break. Step back in time during Retro Weekend on March 25th. Dust off the neon, ringer tees, gigantic jeans, and vintage sweaters and be a part of the Mountain Run. Take the challenge to run, walk, climb, or crawl to the top of Buck, slush or shine.
With spring in the air, the blossoms of the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula are going to be in full bloom. It’s a beautiful time to visit any or all of the nine distinct wineries along the wine trail. A visit in the spring, before the peak season, often means a more personal and comfortable visit, and possibly an opportunity to meet and talk to winery owners or winemakers themselves in the tasting rooms.
Traverse City‘s Spring Break tourists are a distinctly different crowd than the ones you’re likely to see at Daytona or Cancun. Until recently, early spring has been a fairly sleepy time of year in Traverse City. The community’s museums, performance venues, shopping districts, and other attractions provide some added diversion, particularly if the weather turns chancy. But only a few of Traverse City’s Spring Break vacationers seem drawn to adults-only pastimes like casino gambling or excursions to our award-winning wineries. Instead, they appear to be focused on each other. Traverse City is the perfect place to get a little change of environment and a chance to get out of the house and take a little family vacation without breaking the bank. Budget-balancing is no small consideration these days. Since spring is the off-season in Northern Michigan, vacationers not only can save themselves the expense of a long drive or a fistful of airline tickets, they can also take advantage of the seasonal rates offered by northern hotel and resort properties.
Spring Break is right around the corner, and Charlevoix is a great place to take the family to unwind for a relaxing week. Enjoy great savings at area hotels and downtown stores. Rent cross country skis or snowshoes and explore the Mt. McSauba Recreation Area. For families that like to ski or snowboard, visit area ski resorts for a fun day on the slopes. After a day out and about, Charlevoix’s downtown restaurants treat guests to Michigan craft beer and beer-battered whitefish to cap off the day.
Looking for a spring break getaway that won’t break the bank? Head to the Petoskey Area of northern Michigan where the deals on skiing mean more family fun and less stress on mom and dad. Not into skiing and boarding? Not to worry! Low lodging rates mean you can escape to a hotel, condo, or vacation home, and take advantage of Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain, great dining options, free chocolate tours at Kilwin’s Chocolate Kitchen, and more in an area where fun is always in season.
Make spring break a learning vacation with a trip to Marquette to attend SmartPrize Jr., a celebration of young entrepreneurs on April 2nd. This event teaches kids ages 6 to 12 about business, being creative, and having ideas. Show an idea, tell how it works, and why everyone needs it. Registration is $25 per entry, with more than $1000 in prizes.
Spring Break in Central West Michigan
Pigeon Creek Golf Course in West Olive invites you to tee off this spring! The course gives all levels of golfers an enjoyable experience, offering 4 different tees to choose from. The course also offers a few risk and reward holes that are sure to get you excited every time you step to the tee. The beautifully maintained course has a 12 tee driving range and 2 practice greens to hone your golf game before heading out for your relaxing round. Set your tee times and plan a spring break outing on the course!
The Muskegon Museum of Art in Muskegon has a balloon themed exhibit through April 23rd that is perfect for your family’s spring break schedule. Blow Up: Inflatable Contemporary Art explores the imaginative ways that artists use air as a tool for creating large-scale sculpture and includes imagery that is figurative, conceptual, and abstract.
Grand Rapids Treetop Adventure Park is Michigan’s newest adventure park that’s become popular among many different groups who love challenge, adrenaline, and the independence of an aerial adventure. With training when you arrive, as well as their top-of-the-line climbing gear, you are able to independently traverse the trees. Families able to climb together on this fun experience, and also work together to complete these courses. That’s the beauty of this park is that your experience is what you make of it. If you want to challenge yourself you can, but if you want to have a relaxing climb or zip through the trees, you can do that as well. Visit this spring and make sure to bring the kids back for their upcoming lineup of summer camps!
The JW Marriott in Grand Rapids has two packages to help you plan your spring break! The new “Gourmet Getaway” package at the JW Marriott helps you explore the booming culinary scene in Grand Rapids! This package includes a gourmet charcuterie tray upon arrival, along with a gift card and exclusive discounts at the nearby Downtown Market. If you’re in need of some retail therapy, the “Shop ’Til you Drop” package includes a gift card to Tanger Outlets along with a posh guest room and breakfast to help you recover from a long day out shopping. No matter how you stay, the JW Marriott is sure to make your spring break one to remember!
The Downtown Market in Grand Rapids is hosting two spring break classes for kids! Bring your kids in between April 4th and 6th for Break Globetrotters where they’re taken around the globe as they make foods including jamaican jerk chicken skewers, asian egg rolls, norwegian elk sliders, and madagascan marshmallows on the braai. Also on those dates is their Spring Break Roadtrippers as kids cook up tasty Memphis barbeque, Chicago-style hot dogs, and southwest veggie quesadillas. Not to be forgotten, the florida orange sorbet will have your kids asking, “are we there yet?”
The “Gardens to the Grand” overnight package includes accommodations at the iconic and historic Amway Grand Plaza, where you are in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, along with passes to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, where you can take in the latest exhibit, like the “Butterflies are Blooming” experience, available through April 30th. Tropical butterflies that fly freely around you in the Tropical Conservatory bring warmth and renewal regardless of the local spring break weather.
Experience the freshly renovated rooms and Bistro during your Spring Break at the Courtyard Marriott in the heart of Downtown Grand Rapids! Get a taste of Beer City USA with the hotel’s “Beer City” package, which includes overnight accommodations within walking distance of five major breweries, four local craft beers to enjoy in your room, breakfast, parking, and more!
Another offer from The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Ludington is their Spring Break Special. The more you stay, the more you save. First night is $99, second night is $89, third night is $79, and your fourth night is only $69!
Get ready for a week of fun at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum’s Spring Break! Enjoy special performances and drop in programming March 31st through April 9th! Visit www.grcm.org for a full schedule of events. Also check out their Amazing Dinosaurs exhibit, open now. Dig for fossils, come face to face with a baby dinosaur, and explore dino habitats in this exciting new exhibit!
If you’re staying in the Grand Haven area, the Electric Bike Place has rentals to get you out on the town this spring break. Explore the town without breaking a sweat. You can rent electric bikes by the hour and explore the natural beauty of Grand Haven.
Spring break means it’s time to finalize those plans for your sandy or snowy trip. Don’t forget to keep your gear in good service and get the accessories you need to make the most of your trip. For your snowbound vacations, MACkite Board Sports Center in Grand Haven has hard goods 30-40% off. If your old gear is still good, drop it off for a tune up, repair, or DIN test to keep you safe while shredding. If you are thinking fun in the sun, check out their smokin’ deals on Liquid Force Envy and Slingshot RPM kites, as well as water-wear, travel bags, and foil-boards to make the most of every day spent. Whether you’re in the mood to hit the beach or hit the slopes, get your gear from MACkite Board Sports Center!
Spring Break in Southern West Michigan
The cycle of the seasons at Virtue Cider in Fennville is a beauty to behold. Situated just a few miles from the Lake Michigan coast, Virtue Cider welcome both the lake-effect snow and the unseasonably warm and rainy winter we’ve had this year. Cider Making and the upkeep of their farm is an all-season affairs, and their Old Spot pigs, sheep, and chickens don’t hibernate for the winter. The Bottle Shop and Tasting Room are open, so you can stop by for a tour, taste some of their ciders, including flagship, vintage, and specialty series, take some home in a growler, or grab bottles from their Bottle Shop.
Visit the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Augusta during spring break with your family for an outdoor education experience, or just enjoy the Sanctuary’s trails in springtime weather! On April 1st, the Build-a-Box NestWatch Workshop allows your family to make and take home a nestbox for Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and other birds. On April 2nd, celebrate W.K. Kellogg’s birthday with free admission to the Sanctuary at the 90 Years of Sustaining the Vision Open House! On April 9th, get to know the Sanctuary’s ambassador raptors and participate in fun family-oriented activities at Birds of Prey Live. Make spring break both a fun and educational time with some of these unique birds!
Fish to your heart’s content this spring break when you go on the water with Originator Sport Fishing Charters in St. Joseph. The upcoming salmon season is forecasted to be another excellent year! Take the opportunity to book your trip early to ensure you get the dates and times you and your crew want. They’re currently offering $40 off any St. Joseph River Steelhead trip and $100 off any Lake Michigan charter for March and April, Monday through Thursday. In addition, they are offering $40 to $70 off weekday non-holiday Monday through Thursday, and $40 off a 4 person $50 off a 5 person and $70 off a six person charter. Use these discounts to get you and your family out fishing this spring break!
Another sign of spring is the opening of Coldwater Country’s own Capri Drive-In. Southern Michigan’s 1,000 car, twin screen drive-in movie theater kicks off the season (weather dependent) the first weekend in April. Check the website for updates on exact opening dates and movie schedule.
The Bay Pointe Inn in Shelbyville is a great homebase for your upcoming spring break. They have a pool and hot tub, as well as a special where kids 12 and under eat free with purchase of adult entrée. Grab your towel and bathing suit when you head over to the Bay Pointe Inn this spring!
The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is celebrating 15 years promoting the 21 wineries that produce quality wine here in southwest Michigan. Their location makes for an easy day trip. Visit the distinct wineries at your leisure, spending a day visiting wineries and tasting rooms while still being back home at a reasonable hour. Spend a weekend (regular or long) and add time to visit the many quaint, unique, and fun filled beach towns along the shoreline. If you’re not familiar with the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, it is a secret that is begging to be discovered!
Spring break in Marshall is fun for the whole family. Retailers offer arts and crafts projects for children to create in store. These projects are available all day from April 4th through 6th. Visit these friendly stores while you’re in the Marshall Area for spring break!
