Earlier this month my family was invited to attend a complimentary blogger event at Michigan’s Adventure amusement park. The park is located just off of US route 31, a few miles north of Muskegon, MI. Despite an afternoon shower, we had a great time and came away with a very positive impression of what it offers a family both in terms of activities and value. Here are a few of the reasons that made Michigan’s Adventure a great family outing, and why we are likely to return in the future.
photo credit: Michigan’s Adventure
Michigan’s Adventure: A Variety of Activities
When most people think of a day at an amusement park, the thrill rides first come to mind. Michigan’s Adventure has its share of roller coasters and other thrill rides. I particularly enjoyed the suspended roller coaster Thunderhawk. The park also boasts Shivering Timbers, which is considered to be among the world’s best wooden roller coasters. But for our family (with kids ages 9, 6 and 2) we focused most of our time on the more family-oriented rides. The park has a great selection of kiddie rides as well as classic carnival rides (carousel, Ferris wheel, bumper cars, tilt-a-whirl, etc.) Our 9-year-old’s favorite ride was the newly introduced Lakeside Gliders, which allows the rider to control the movements of a 2 person glider-type swing. Whether your ride preference is wild or mild, there will be something for everyone.
Michigan’s Adventure: Wild Water Adventure
One of the best features of Michigan’s Adventure is that the water park is included in the price of admission. We spent much of the warmer afternoon hours in the water section of the park. The water park is large enough to be its own stand-alone attraction. It includes three different wave pools (you can choose exactly how big you want your waves to be), 7 different types of water slides, 3 kids play areas and a lazy river. We could have easily spent much more time there. It wouldn’t be unusual to pay a similar ticket price for a water park this size that didn’t include any of the dry rides.
Michigan’s Adventure: Not Too Crowded
On the day we visited Michigan’s Adventure, there were no crowds at all. Instead of waiting in line, we found many rides where the attendant was waiting for someone to come and ride the ride. Of course, we were there early in the season and it’s not going to stay quite that empty all summer. The park workers told me that while the crowds will certainly increase from that low level, they stay pretty reasonable, especially if you avoid visiting on a Saturday. While Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio regularly has over 3 million visitors annually, Michigan’s Adventure usually has less than a million visitors a season, which should mean tolerable wait times for most rides on a week day.
Michigan’s Adventure: Value for the Money
Gate price for a ticket to Michigan’s Adventure is $29. Children 2 years and under are free. To get an even better deal, check the May 19, 2013 SmartSource insert for coupons for $3 off the admission price or purchase tickets at a Meijer store for $26.99 each. Sign up for the Michigan’s Adventure email newsletter to be updated on other offers and coupons. Remember that price includes a full day at both the amusement AND water parks.
Michigan’s Adventure: Great Location
Michigan’s Adventure is located near Michigan’s west coast. If you have the time to make it a longer trip you could visit some of the state’s most beautiful beaches and state parks, which are only a short drive away. I would recommend spending time in the waterfront town of Grand Haven, or visiting John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids.
Some things to consider
There are a couple things to consider when it comes to Michigan’s Adventure. An important one is the food. Outside food is not allowed in the park. This was a special concern due to the food allergies in our family. We stopped at guest services, however, and they were happy to provide information on allergy warnings so that we’d know which stands to avoid for cross-contamination.
Much like a sports stadium, you’re not likely to find the best value when you’re required to dine there. Like most theme parks, culinary offerings are not likely to be on the cheap or healthy side. We ate at the Family Grill outdoor buffet. While the price was not terribly unreasonable (especially if you like to return for seconds), the quality left something to be desired. The Family Grill offered burgers, hot dogs, brats, chicken nuggets, mini corn dogs, beans, macaroni salad and potato salad. The price ($10.99 for adults) also included all-you-can-drink fountain pop and plain vanilla ice cream cups. In the future I would probably pack a picnic lunch to eat at the car outside the park gates.
If your amusement park experiences are focused on finding the biggest thrills, Michigan’s Adventure may not have as much to offer. The park has a few high quality coasters, but their collection cannot compare to Cedar Point in both number and scope of the headlining rides. If you are a coaster enthusiast, Cedar Point is the place to be. If a cheaper option with fewer/smaller coasters, but plenty of other rides, a full waterpark and shorter lines appeal to your family then Michigan’s Adventure is the right choice. (Both parks are owned by the same parent company, Cedar Fair.)
We’re thankful that Michigan’s Adventure provided a great day of fun for our family. We are sure to be repeat visitors, since the kids are already asking when we can go back.
Full disclosure: Our family was given free admission and free passes to the Family Grill for participating in blogger day. All of the opinions contained in this post are my own.
Jenn says
We have yet to visit this park. Thanks for the great review.
Kathy Noble Murphy says
Thanks for the info. we are planning on visiting this summer – our 1st time.
Julie Myers says
We have visited Michigan’s Adventure at least three times and are going again next week! My kids are 12 now but they still love to go. And the water park is awesome! Try PJ Hoffmaster State Park while you’re in the area. You will not be disappointed!
Shannon Maciejewski says
We go every year now that my youngest is big enough for a lot of rides. He’s finally big enough for some water slides this year so we got season passes (the ones that are good at all the parks :-)!)
melissa says
Was thinking of staying at the KOA any loyal patrons think I should try elsewhere. Never been to the west side of the state. We plan to do a Fri-sun.
Lynn J says
I have been to this park many times – as stated the rides are not cedar pointe like, but this park is owned by the same corporation. If you buy the Cedar Fair platimum pass it gets you into both Mich Adv and Cedar Pointe (plus several other parks) all year.
One thing to keep in mind is that the water park opens later than the regular park and closes earlier – once your in there it’s so fun it’s hard to leave so SUNSCREEN is a must! I have never had a problem getting a locker there either.
As for eating, the best thing is to pack bread and sandwich meats and go to car to eat. If you arrive early you will be very close to the gates.
Cindy Hughes says
Can anyone suggest a hotel? We’d love to find something in the area with an indoor waterpark. I looked at visitmuskegon.org, but always value other’s opinions more.
Lorie says
Consider staying in Norton Shores. It has been years since we have been there, we stayed at a hotel that had a pool that went from the indoors to the outside pool, my daughter loved it. You will also be down the street from the Getty Drive In, we had a great time seeing two movies. Also not far from the beaches and Michigan Adventures.