If you’ve never been to Michigan’s fabulous West coast — you are totally missing out!
I might be a bit bias since I’ve called West MI home for my entire life — but honestly, it’s stunning almost year round. Even for a non beach-lover like myself, there are oodles of things to keep you and your entire family busy for weeks!
Yes, we love West MI so much that we live here year-round AND we vacation here 🙂
Last year, Dave’s family rented a cottage for a week (it was Dave’s parents’ Christmas present to everyone). We had so much fun that we thought we should try it again this year. We stayed in a different cottage about 30 minutes south of last year, but it was still just as fun.
The cottage wasn’t directly on the beach but we visited the beach a couple different mornings — and boy did Nora have a blast. I personally don’t love the beach (especially not with a baby) but Nora had so much fun that it definitely made it worth all the work of packing everything up, getting full of sand, and washing everything when we got back.
That girl + sand + water = lots and lots of fun!
Simon napped like a champ with the soothing sounds of the wind and waves.
I also realized that by simply putting a plastic bottle of water in the warm sand all morning, it’s the perfect temperature to make a bottle — very convenient for future beach trips with a hungry baby 🙂
Since we weren’t right on the beach this year, we brought 2 kiddie pools for back at the cottage — one filled with sand and one with water. Nora and her cousins (all 4 and under) had a blast playing and splashing Papa (Dave’s dad) — who was a REALLY good sport!
There was a really nice trail right next to the cottage too — perfect for lots of walks and bike rides.
There was also an old red barn on the property, so of course, we had to snap a few family pictures!
And what’s a beach vacation without ice cream… right?
There’s already talk of doing another cottage vacation next year… but for now, another fun-filled cottage vacation is “in the books”.
Last year, I got a lot of questions about where our cottage was, how we found it, etc. etc. Since Dave’s mom did most of the planning, I don’t have every detail — but here’s what I can tell you.
We stayed in Holland (on Lake Macatawa) last year. This year, we were in South Haven.
I believe she used VRBO.com to find both cottages.
You’ll want to start looking early — especially if you need a larger cottage or are picky about your location. They fill up FAST!
Carrie says
I’ve never left a comment here, even though I LOVE your site, but I just had to chime in about Lake Michigan. We live in Southern California now, but I lived in Grand Rapids the first forty some years of my life and spent so many summer days at Lake Michigan (mainly in Holland, Muskegon, and Grand Haven). I have lots of great memories of all the fun we had playing in the waves, climbing the dunes, taking walks along the pier that always ended with getting waffle cones… The ocean’s nice, but Lake Michigan is the best! Glad you could make memories there with your family too.
Andrea says
Aw, thanks Carrie! So glad you are now a “commenter”!
We are loving the beach with Nora and will hopefully make many more memories in the years to come. Enjoy The ocean 🙂
Sandy K says
LOVE your pictures. Looks like a great place to live or visit. Your daughter is getting prettier every day.
Carrie says
I was born in Muskegon, MI. We recently have sold our parent’s house in West Michigan due to the passing of our father. We live 6 hours SE in Ohio and hope to continue our pilgrimage to West Michigan. I hope you went to the Grand Haven Musical Fountain. Nora would love it! You also should make sure to go to Duck Lake (North of Muskegon). There is an inlet between Duck Lake and Lake Michigan. It is a perfect beach setting for families with multiple ages. My boys loved to catch the tiny fish in the inlet. This is a wonderful, relaxing vacation area!
Kathryn McMillan says
Our family LOVES west Michigan as well. We live in NW indiana but have a condo near Grand Haven on Spring Lake. We have traveled to lots of the ports in West Michigan and really like the Grand Haven area too!
Julia K says
I used VRBO to book accommodation for when we visited Thailand earlier in the year. It’s a great website and we found a great property as a result. Highly recommend it !
Kelly says
Awesome pictures!! Best way to get sand off kids is with baby powder! Works great! Makes sand fall right off. We keep a big bottle right in our sand box.
Amanda says
Please tell me you ate at Captain Sundae!!
My college roommate grew up in Holland, and her parents house is only about 2-3 blocks from the beach (making for an excellent walk). Every time we go up there, they always treat us to some Captain Sundae. We’ve also been up there for Tulip Time, and it’s super fun (I’m assuming you’ve been, lol). We’re actually considering heading up there for Tulip Time next spring 🙂
Andrea says
haha — we did not visit Captain Sundae because we were in South Haven this year. That would have been a long drive just for ice cream 🙂
However, we have definitely been there many times in our lives!!
Leanne says
I cannot wait to get to Michigan! we had to cancel our trip for next week to St. Joseph…but, we plan on heading up on the 10th of August…
I was just looking back on the pictures we took the first summer we went to St. Joseph– SIX years ago!
and I agree, short hair is fabulous on you!! such great photos! thanks for sharing!
Andrea says
Thanks Leanne — the short hair is awesome for summer! Bummer about your trip — I hope you make it up here in August. I’m sure you’ll have a blast!
Kristy says
We went to Lake Superior North Shore this year (cold water- brr) but we are huge beach fans! We usually go south- Gulf Coast- but I’ve always wanted to go to west Michigan. Is the water as clear blue as it looks in your pictures? And the sand soft? Superior beaches are coarse and rocky.
Andrea says
Yes Kristy, Lake Superior is VERY VERY cold! Lake Michigan is actually pretty warm — especially further south. And yes, the water really is as blue as in my pictures. The sand is also super soft (way different than the beaches of Lake Superior). You should definitely check out Lake Michigan some time. It basically feels like you’re on a Caribbean island — just without the palm trees 🙂
Erika Z says
Last year we vacationed up in New Buffalo – absolutely beautiful! You are so lucky to be live in such a pretty state 🙂
Laura says
You really rock short hair, you know that? Stunning photos!
Andrea says
Aww, Thanks Laura! I love short hair in the summer!
Tanya Postula says
Love love love Michigan. I grew up there. Its just a beautiful place. We were in Holland and South Haven a few years ago. Even in July the water is freezing. Love your site. Thanks.
Andrea says
Thanks Tanya. And guess what, the water was actually pretty warm this year!! With little kids, we tend to stay in the very shallow water so it’s nice and warm 🙂
Krystal says
Holy smokes Dave’s dad looks like he could be the twin of the guy who played Frasier’s dad on Frasier. Looks like you guys had a blast!
Andrea says
Haha — I actually had no idea what Fraiser’s Dad looked like, so we looked it up today and you’re right! Even his mom agreed that there are a lot of similarities 🙂