4 stops we love along Grand Haven’s waterfront boardwalk

In this MLive photo, the first lighthouse on the South Pier in Grand Haven pictured on Wednesday, July 19, 2018. Neil Blake

GRAND HAVEN, MI – From its wide, sandy beaches to its bustling downtown area, there are a million things to love about Grand Haven.

This charming beach town is the perfect summertime destination for locals and tourists alike, offering continuous public access to the waterfront for miles and miles. You could spend an entire day strolling down the boardwalk and checking out all the restaurants, shops and attractions Coast Guard City USA has to offer.

Of course, we could go on and on about the many attractions of Grand Haven: The red wooden lighthouse, the lighted catwalk, the Musical Fountain, Pronto Pup and the Coast Guard Festival, which runs through Sunday, Aug. 6 and historically drawn crowds of 350,000 people to the lakeshore town each summer.

RELATED: Parade of ships arrive in Grand Haven as Coast Guard Festival begins

But to keep this list short and sweet, we’re going to hone in on the four iconic stops we love the most along the Grand Haven boardwalk.

A stroll along the boardwalk is three miles round-trip, and there are plenty of grassy knolls and benches for idlers who prefer people and boat watching. We recommend starting at Chinook Pier, located at 301 N. Harbor Dr., and walking east along the waterfront.

Here are the four places we recommend checking out along the boardwalk during your next trip to Grand Haven.

1. Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium

Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium is one of the many stops we love along the Grand Haven pier. This MLive photo shows an aerial view of the stadium during the first Grand Haven Pride Festival in Grand Haven, Michigan on Saturday, June 10, 2023. (Drone image by Joel Bissell | MLive.com)Joel Bissell | MLive.com

First up is Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium, a landmark that sits right on the Grand River’s edge in downtown Grand Haven.

The stadium, located at 1 N. Harbor Drive, is like a waterfront Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, but on a much smaller scale.

The venue hosts tons of concerts and community events, and is also just a great place to sit on the grass and take in the scenic backdrop as boats pass on the channel. You can also grab an ice cream cone from a nearby shop to enjoy while you sit and chill.

The city hosts a free summer concert series with shows every Friday night. You can find the full lineup here to plan your next trip around one of the concerts, which are held from 6-8:30 p.m.

2. U.S. Coast Guard Grand Haven Station

This is what makes Grand Haven, Coast Guard City USA.

The Grand Haven Coast Guard station, located at 601 S. Harbor Dr., is an iconic stop along the Grand River boardwalk. Manned by active duty and reserve members, the station is the home of two 47-foot Motor Life Boats, three 29-foot Small Response Boats, and two 15-foot ice or shallow rescue skiffs, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The station’s primary missions are search and rescue and maritime law enforcement on over 3,500 square nautical miles and four counties on the eastern half of Lake Michigan.

The present day station, which opened its doors on June 5, 1989, is the third station manned by the Grand Haven Coast Guard. You can read more about the station’s history here.

3. Grab a scoop at the Pier Peddler

Pier Peddler pictured at 907 S Harbor Dr. on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Grand Haven, Michigan. (Ridley Hudson | MLive.com)Ridley Hudson | MLive.com

Anyone who has spent a beach day in Grand Haven has probably passed by Pier Peddler while strolling along the boardwalk.

Located right along the water, this ice cream stand and souvenir shop is a great place to stop for a yummy treat before you walk over to the Grand Haven State Park or the South Pierhead.

The shop is located at 907 S Harbor Drive, in the Grand Haven Lighthouse Connector Park. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the shop’s Facebook page.

RELATED: 6 ice cream shops right on the water in Lake Michigan beach towns

4. Grand Haven Pier

Grand Haven’s lighthouses on the south pier pictured on Aug. 2, 2021. Neil Blake | MLlive.comNeil Blake | MLlive.com

Last but not least, the picturesque Grand Haven South Pier is the perfect stop to end on your boardwalk trip.

The South Pier, which is home to two bright red lighthouses and an iconic catwalk, is a bucket list item for those traveling to West Michigan. The pier is a fun spot to fish, stroll or just stand quietly in awe as the sunset melts into the water. In the summer, swimmers like to jump off the pier into the freshwater below.

The lighthouses were established in 1839, according to the city. While the lighthouses are not open on the inside for the public, you can stand outside them and pose for a great photo-op.

The pier is located on the edge of the beach at the Grand Haven State Park, which is located at 1001 S. Harbor Dr.