Summer: watching the blue sky turn into a vibrant ombre of pink and orange, feeling the pain of the blistering sunburn on your face, all while the sticky scoop of Blue Moon ice cream melts off the cone and onto your lap. These short, awaited months should be filled with memorable experiences that ensure our break from reality is long-lasting.
However, everyone has those days when rotting in bed seems easier than spending the day in the sun. If you find yourself wasting the days away, feeling there’s nothing to do, here are a few of the best activities to add to your summer bucket list.
Coast Guard Festival
At the beginning of the festival, there is a Coast Guard run. Although the race is strenuous, the incredible views of Lake Michigan and the Grand Haven lighthouse make it worthwhile.
The rest of the festival is filled with attractions. The evening sky is lit up by the bright carnival rides: the Ferris wheel, the zipper, the pirate ship, and other traditional rides. After the rides, the options for food are endless: corn dogs, fried Oreos, elephant ears, kettle corn, soft pretzels, and caramel apples. To end the night, there is a fireworks show with the musical fountain along the waterfront.
Overall, the Coast Guard festival is an amazing attraction to attend with your friends. There is no chance of getting bored.
“I enjoyed going to the Coast Guard festival. My friends and I rode the rides and got carnival food. Coast Guard is an amazing way to see everyone from school in a different setting and catch up with my friends over the summer,” Jr. Monroe Milobinski said.
A day away
Planning a day outside of Holland is always a fun way to spend time with your friends and still enjoy the sun and sand. Two of the most popular, and driveable, spots are Grand Haven and Saugatuck. Both downtown areas are lined with shops and restaurants, located right on the water. This ensures a perfect beach day, followed by an enjoyable dinner.
“Beach trips in the summer are my absolute favorite. Spending the day with my friends at the beach and then getting dinner after while in Saugatuck or Grand Haven feels like the perfect summer day, and it’s something every teenager needs to experience,” Jr. Leah Dassen said.
Walking along the trails
Trail walks are a healthy way to connect with nature. Walking through a scenic route can be therapeutic, allowing you to improve your mental and physical health. Walking through trails gets you outdoors to see nature’s beauty that can’t be seen from the road.
Two of the most popular trails in Holland are Mt. Pisgah and Windstrum. Both locations have well-kept trails through the woods with a rewarding view at the end.
Mt. Pisgah offers a boardwalk leading to a lookout of the State Park. Not only is this an amazing spot to take a rest and enjoy the breeze, but there is a perfect view of Lake Michigan and Big Red. The Windstrum trails lead you to a boardwalk of benches, looking at a pond with beach grass that sits across from the Yacht Basin Marina.
Walking through the trails alone can be relaxing, but going with your friends is even better. Conversations are better in a peaceful environment, and sharing the experience with others makes it more meaningful.
“I love going on walks with my friends. It’s so much fun to spend that time with them, but it is also an amazing way for teens to clear their headspace,” Dassen said.
Fireworks
Attending a fireworks show with a group of friends is a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July. Grand Haven offers an outstanding show. To begin the night, the musical fountain plays its 15-20 minute show, accompanied by lights and patriotic music. Following the musical fountain, fireworks light up the sky for about a half hour. Grand Haven is truly the place to be on this night. Not only is the fireworks show incredible, but the streets are packed with people, filling everything with life.
However, if you want to stay local, Collins Park and State Park also offer fireworks shows starting at dusk. Like Grand Haven, both parks release beautiful sparks and smoke for about a half-hour, with an unbelievable grand finale.
Spending the evening with your friends while dazzling fireworks light up the sky is unforgettable.
“Firework shows are fun to watch. There are only so many a year, so it’s something different to do with your friends,” Soph. Campbell Smith said.
Going for a drive
Every window is rolled down, inviting the warm air into the car and blowing your hair in all directions. Your friend reaches over and turns the volume to max, letting the music drown out your obnoxious attempts to scream the lyrics to your favorite songs.
Summer is the perfect time of the year to go for a long drive, with or without the company of your friends. It can be used as a time to enjoy the scenic roads, have deep conversations, scream to your favorite music, and everything in between.
If near the State Park area, a highly recommended road to complete the perfect drive would have to be Lakeshore. It’s a straight road that continues through downtown Grand Haven, ensuring 30 minutes of pure happiness. If you’re not interested in driving down to that area, there are countless side roads or landmarks you can use to turn yourself back around.
“I love going on late night drives with friends with all the windows down, music on full volume, all while screaming lyrics at the top of our lungs and enjoying every second of the moment,” Jr. Mabel Ronne said.
Sunset + ice cream combo
As you walk onto the pier to be face-to-face with the sun meeting the horizon, the vibrant pinks and oranges fill your vision, making you wonder how each sunset continues to be better than the last.
Living on Lake Michigan means breathtaking sunsets all summer long. There will never be a night when the State Park isn’t packed with hundreds of people, a large mix of tourists and locals.
Watching the sun go down is relaxing, the perfect way to end the day, and is something so simple that still ensures quality time with your friends or family. Not only are we blessed with a beautiful beach, but also with multiple, popular ice cream spots all within minutes from the park. Located right on the beach is The Beach Place, followed by The General Store just down the road, and then Captain Sundae about ten minutes down Ottawa Beach Road.
“Getting ice cream after sunset is a fun thing to do with friends. When I think of summer, of think of this,” Jr. Cailey Mooney said.
Beach Day
The hot summer weather calls for a day at the beach. There is nothing quite like sunbathing with your friends, feeling the warmth of the sun and the sand between your toes.
This day could be spent relaxing as the waves crash by your chair, or it could be spent splashing around in the water. But the fun doesn’t end there: beach volleyball, spike ball, pier walks, and strolls on the beach are other ways to pass the time. And, of course, it’s not a beach day without a picnic. The Beach Place offers beach-inspired meals along with an assortment of ice cream to choose from.
“I love spending the day at the beach. It is my favorite way to soak up the sun with my friends,” Jr. Isabel O’Connor said.
Michigan’s Adventure
A day trip to Michigan’s Adventure is a must-add to your bucket list. Attending a theme park is not an everyday activity, making it so special. Although this attraction could get pricey, it is worth the expense. The theme park is a unique experience with something to offer for everyone.
Imagine sitting on a roller coaster with your best friends, anticipating the thrilling drop that will make your heart race. However, the fun doesn’t end with the exhilarating coasters. The water park is a perfect way to cool off and enjoy the water after a long day in the sun. You can have a blast on the water slides or refresh yourself in the lazy river.
Michigan’s Adventure is the perfect way to stay busy and create unforgettable memories.
“I think Michigan’s Adventure is a fun thing to do in the summer because of all of the different rides you can go on. It’s best when you go with your friends so that you guys can enjoy and experience it all together,” Soph. Luke Catton said.
Pickleball
As you play a friendly game of pickleball, sweat drips down your face, but the cool summer breeze refreshes you. Pickleball is a fast-paced game, requiring minimal practice. It’s easy to learn and can be played by people of all skill levels. Pickleball is a social sport as it can’t be played alone, ensuring the time is spent with your friends.
Pickleball is an excellent way to get outside and stay active. It allows you to break a sweat without going through an extensive workout. Plus, it’s always good to have some friendly competition.
“Pickleball is the perfect way to pass the time and get exercise with my friends. Last summer I played pickleball all of the time, it was a blast,” O’Connor said.
