The Grand Tour

Overlooking Lake Michigan from its eastern shore, Grand Haven started out as a trading post established by Rix Robinson for Jacob Astor’s American Fur Company. At the time, the region was known as Gabagouache, a Pottawattamie term meaning big mouth.

And what a big mouth it is! The Grand River — Michigan’s longest with a length of 252 miles — flows through the city of Grand Haven on its way to pouring more than 2.7 billion gallons of water into the lake each day, enough to fill 4,210 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

With its wide river mouth representing an attractive natural harbor, Gabagouache gained prominence as a fur trading post. But as times changed and beaver top hats fell out of style, settlers adapted and turned their attention to lumber instead. The Rev. William Ferry, along with Robinson and Ferry’s brother-in-law Nathan White, built a sawmill and renamed the settlement Grand Haven, which was felt to sound far more dignified than big mouth.

Located just 14 miles from Muskegon and 36 miles from Grand Rapids, the new community boomed — and particularly as demand for white pine soared in the wake of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. But just as the fur trade came and went, so too did the lumber business, and by the late 1800s Grand Haven reinvented itself yet again as a resort destination. Cottages soon dotted the landscape, and large hotels lined the bluffs overlooking the river and lakefront. The 300-room Cutler House not only boasted both hot and cold running water, but also gas lights — truly luxurious accommodations for its day by any standard.

Grand Haven remains a vacation wonderland today. An estimated 2.1 million visitors visit Grand Haven each year, driven by word of mouth and media attention alike. Grand Haven State Park was named one of the 25 best beaches in the US by Travel + Leisure magazine, while USA Today listed it as among the 10 best beach vacation ideas for families.

“The river and the lake are what make Grand Haven such a boater’s paradise and a place for people to visit,” says David Lorenz, who recently retired from his position as vice president at Travel Michigan and now divides his time between travel consulting and hosting the WJR Michigan Travel Show. Lorenz and his wife moved to Grand Haven after college and, despite David working in Lansing some 100 miles away, the couple chose to stay in Grand Haven because they loved the city that much.

Coast Guard City USA

The 10-day Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival may have started as an informal picnic to honor light station workers more than 100 years ago, but today it has grown to become one of the state’s largest festivals, attracting up to 350,000 visitors annually.

The festival, which runs from July 25 to August 3 this year, combines live entertainment, music, parades, craft shows, a carnival and food vendors in a public celebration of the Coast Guard and its critical work.

Fittingly, Grand Haven stands as the only municipality in the country officially designated by an act of Congress as Coast Guard City, USA.

Breweries, distilleries and dining

If there’s one thing about Grand Haven, it’s that you won’t go thirsty.

Housed in a 1905 historic building, Grand Armory Brewing, on 2nd Street, is known for its unique stouts and sours with 20 hand-crafted brews on tap including New School Gose Watermelon, roggenbiers, a German-style rye beer like their Roggen Rye, ciders, wines, and stouts. They offer food and live entertainment as well, making it a top choice when it’s time to refresh.

Just down the road, the tap list at Odd Side Ales features a wide section of intriguing-sounding beers like Imperial Mayan Mocha Stout, and a German-style bock lager called Krumpusbock. The ale house prides itself on offering “juicy hoppy and happy beers,” along with a selection of craft cocktails, seltzers, ciders and wine.

Grand Haven has a long list of great restaurants too, but if you’re looking for a place to just hang out and soak in the vibe, consider Tip-A-Few. Open for almost a half-century, their offerings are takes on classic Mexican dishes mixed with American menu items like Coney or chili dogs and Mama Vink’s Sloppy Joes. “We drive from Grand Rapids, where we live, to eat there and catch a game,” says Travel Michigan’s Nick Nerbonne. “It’s an extremely comfortable, friendly place.”

The owners of the Paisley Grille partner with local farmers to bring fresh farm-to-table menu options to their diners. The menu changes seasonally but offerings can include California style tuna poke, heirloom fried chicken, crispy coconut shrimp, artisan pizzas, lobster rolls and a smoke house chicken sandwich.

You may also want to stop at Noto’s at the Bil-Mar, a beachfront restaurant in business since 1952. Nestled between the city beach and the state park, Noto’s menu has a Sicilian flair, with lunch and dinner items ranging from casual items such as wood-fired pizzas, spaghetti, and salads to prime rib, lobster mac and cheese, and fire roasted peach glazed salmon. Their outdoor patio is perfect for catching the sunset on a summer night.