WWMT

This summer, the perfect remedies for perpetual boredom can be found in our little corner of the world.

My summer days are often curtailed with the saying, “I have nothing to do.”

For being the most awaited time of the year, it is far too frequent that I find my June, July, and August spent sitting on my phone or simply exasperated with my own boredom. Fortunately, however, the addition of a driver’s license to my daily routine has since incentivized me to research the many opportunities that now await me in this corner of Michigan. As a happy result, I have been able to compile a list of both known and unknown attractions, events, and entertainment that people of all ages can enjoy over the next few months in or around the Western part of the Mitten. And, believe me when I say, if there is one thing I have concluded from my something-to-do sleuthing, it is that there is something for everyone to love and experience this summer.

John Ball Zoo Lantern Festival 

An experience that can be appreciated among all age groups, the John Ball Zoo Lantern Festival is the only location in Michigan where you can view such exorbitantly unique lantern displays. Stretching a span of one mile throughout the course of the zoo, the lanterns mirror traditional Asian heritage and tell the intertwined history of wildlife and Asian culture. The show is a kaleidoscope of color and illumination, reaching beyond the bounds of traditional, generic lantern displays to create radiant formations of both mythological animals and elaborate depictions of the allegorical world. Guests can expect to see a wide array of Asian-hailing folklore featuring many creatures of revered mythology, most prevalently the Chinese dragon. All that being said, because the festival season has been ongoing for a considerable time, the periods in which one can visit are limited to Tuesdays through Sundays before June 15, as the beginning of the zoo’s summer season marks the end of the lantern festival season. 

Hudsonville Balloon Days

Nestled in the heart of the Hudsonville Fairgrounds is an annual event that entails family fun, food, and fervor: three days completely dedicated to hot air balloons. From June 20-22, experienced hot air balloon pilots will man their vehicles and set off into the sky for the community to see. This main event is accompanied by an evening of food trucks, featuring a variety of options ranging from Kona Ice and kettle corn to street tacos and barbecue. Prior to the balloon launch, families can tune into live music, jump around in the bounce house, create a balloon animal of peak craftsmanship, and more. As the balloons fly into the atmosphere of the sunset-lit sky, the twinkle of their lights is a spectacle for all to see. And, there is a notable bonus—for those looking to stay frugal, this event is completely free to attend aside from a $10 parking fee. 

Ionia County Fair

While a bit more of a trek to attend, the vibrant, contagious fun of the Ionia County Fair is invariably worth the pursuit. The fair, which lasts from July 10 to July 20, is complete with a cornucopia of attractions, rides, games, and more. The fair invites guests to enjoy over 40 children’s, family, and thrill rides. From swiveling and swirling on the tea cups or tilt-a-whirl, catching a glimpse of the spirited scenery on the top of the Ferris wheel, and spiraling through the air on the giant drop tower or high-speed swinging pendulum attraction, the fair ensures that all guests are bound to be enthralled by both the calm and rip-roaring rides alike. Beyond just the rides, guests can savor traditional deep-fried fair foods and other ballpark-esque classics. The fair also offers free entertainment, which includes talent shows, live music, dance, and, most notably, a plethora of vehicle shows ranging from monster trucks and dirt bikes to rodeos and motocross. Regardless of where you may fall on the thrill or entertainment spectrum, the Ionia County Fair assures that everyone will experience the commonality of a good time. 

Michigan’s Adventure

Probably the most well-known feature on the list, Muskegon is home to Michigan’s largest amusement park: Michigan’s Adventure. Comprised of the most thrilling rollercoasters that the state offers, Michigan’s Adventure is the embodiment of an arms-in-the-air, out-of-breath, fear-and-fun-inducing experience. On Shivering Timbers, the notorious 122-foot wooden coaster, guests will experience a notable amount of airtime and a stunning number of stomach-dropping plummets, with the 60-mile-per-hour speeds propelling thrill-seekers towards two minutes and 30 seconds of undeniable enjoyment. Over the river—or, in this case, the amusement park’s trademark pond—is the steel, suspended looping coaster, Thunderhawk, which awaits its next adrenaline-junkies with an offer of free-falling, upside-down, 360-degree twists and turns that emulate the freedom of flight. The Corkscrew and the Wolverine Wildcat coasters are bound to provide a similar exhilaration, with the former featuring a dizzying display of loop-de-loops and the latter complete with sharp, jagged turns and an 85-foot drop. The park also has a notable number of children’s rides and attractions of more serene nature, and, for the hottest summer days, the park’s WildWater Adventure Park is full of stirring water slides and relief from the heat. Whether you tend to lean towards calm, lulling lures or hair-raising thrills, a trip to Michigan’s Adventure should be a staple on every Michigander’s summer bucket list. 

So, whether you’re craving the dazzling lanterns of John Ball Zoo, the breathtaking sights and scenes of Hudsonville’s hot air balloons, the wild rides and activities of the Ionia County Fair, or the elated screams of Michigan’s Adventure, there’s no reason for summer to slip away with a sigh of on empty itinerary. With West Michigan bursting with endless experiences for every taste and mood, this summer, you can be certain of one thing: there’s no excuse to stay bored. All it takes is a little curiosity, a willing spirit, and the open road ahead.