Curious about one of the best beach communities and resort towns in the entire state of Michigan? Today we are going to highlight all things Grand Haven.

Location & Population

Grand Haven is located 30 minutes west of Grand Rapids, about 30 minutes north of Holland, and on the east coast of beautiful Lake Michigan. It’s about two and a half hours north of Chicago. Due to it’s location, it is a destination for many throughout the state of Michigan and all over the Midwest, especially in the summer months. 

The overall population for Grand Haven is roughly about 10,000 people but some weekends in the summer, that population goes all the way up to close to half a million people. It’s not uncommon to see people who live in Grand Haven and commute to Grand Rapids for work because you really get the best of both worlds with beach living and roughly a 30-minute drive right to downtown Grand Rapids.

What Makes Grand Haven so great?

It’s not just the proximity to other cities that makes Grand Haven so great. It’s also the vibrant local businesses that call this community, home. From cozy coffee shops to trendy boutiques, there’s no shortage of places to explore, and incredible local businesses to support. Some of my favorites to check out are Kirby House, Pronto Pups, Snug Harbor, and so many more. Stroll the streets, walk the boardwalk, and you will see exactly what we’re talking about.

Recreational Activities in Grand Haven

One of the most special things about this community are the endless recreational activities. This is a true water town with natural beauty and scenic views everywhere you look, making this a great place to be outdoors.

When it comes to some of these recreational activities, Grand Haven has something for everyone. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, or simply soaking up the sun on the beach, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the beauty of this community.

One of the best places to go is the Grand Haven State Park in the summer. There’s just no other beach like this with the overall feel, the glistening of the water, the sand, the lighthouse, swimming, and surfing. It’s an amazing place to go. To get to the state park, you can enjoy the beautiful boardwalk that starts in downtown Grand Haven heading out to the lighthouse. Another thing you want to experience is taking a stroll out to the lighthouse and just walking around.

So after you’ve had a chance to explore all the walking and scenery of Grand Haven, and check out the beaches, we recommend that you go out to the Rosy Mound Natural Area. This is a dune park and beach with a large parking lot where you can park. Once you walk in, it’s about a mile walk each way and one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the outdoors.

National Coast Guard Festival

As I mentioned, there is a full week that this community will explode to over a half million visitors from all over the country, and that is during the National Coast Guard Fest, a staple event in Grand Haven, Michigan. This is a boating community in a perfect place to highlight the National Coast Guard Fest.

Every summer, Grand Haven absolutely comes alive for this week-long festival honoring the men and women of the United States Coast Guard. From parades to fireworks, it’s a time-honored tradition that brings the community together in a spirit of patriotism and gratitude. There are so many different fun events taking place this week, including parades and carnivals. This event takes place in late July, so Typically the weather is perfect and the sun is shining, making people want to be out on their boats, looking forward to a special evening of fireworks and celebration.

Schools in Grand Haven, Michigan

If you do live here or are thinking about relocating to Grand Haven, we always love to talk about the local school system. For families, Grand Haven offers top-notch schools that are committed to academic excellence and student success. With a variety of public and private options available, parents can feel confident that their children are receiving incredible quality education. The Grand Haven Public School System is very highly ranked, coming in at 67th out of 580 schools in the entire state of Michigan. Its overall population is about 5,400 students.

Grand Haven Housing

When it comes to real estate opportunities in the Grand Haven, Michigan area, you can really get anything you want depending on your budget, of course. You will have some of the most beautiful real estate in the world with lakefront cottages on Lake Michigan and even headed into the Spring Lake area with some of the most desirable real estate all over the country. The price point is going to vary, but there are plenty of affordable options in the city of Grand Haven. Single-family homes are plentiful and there are also some options for condo living, if that’s more your style. There are actually a lot of condos in downtown Grand Haven overlooking the channel out to Lake Michigan. It’s an amazing place to invest in real estate, and some of the most beautiful places in the world to live by far and away.

If you have any questions or have been considering a move to Grand Haven or somewhere within West Michigan, make sure to connect with our team to support you.