Scenic Beauty

If postcard-perfect scenery makes your heart skip a beat, you'll love Michigan's West Coast!

1. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park integrates the experience of great gardens with great art. Tour an indoor tropical conservatory, arid and Victorian gardens, and more than 100 acres of outdoor plant presentations lined with trails and over 160 works of art.

2. The Flat River Grill is located in a historic building on the banks of the river that runs through downtown Lowell. A scenic choice for lunch or dinner.

3. Historic Covered Bridges are close by - including the 1871 Fallasburg Bridge over the Flat River; a replica of the original 1867 Ada Bridge over the Thornapple River; and White's Bridge, Michigan's oldest covered bridge still in use.

4. White River Light Station on the Lake Michigan shoreline features an 1875 lighthouse and maritime museum. Climb the spiral staircase for a bird's eye view.

5. Muskegon State Park features miles of fine sandy beaches along with majestic forested dunes. Climb the hill to the historic Block House for a stunning view.

6. P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch and a leisurely swim in the clear, clean waters of Lake Michigan. Visit the park's Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center to explore the region's unique topography and wildlife.

7. Michigan Rag Company offers beauty of another kind--this Grand Haven company designs handprinted resort wear for worldwide distribution. A smart side-trip if you're going to be in any of the photos you're snapping!

8. Chinook Pier in Grand Haven is a 2-1/2-mile lakeside boardwalk that ends at the city's historic lighthouse. You'll see boats of every size and shape traversing the channel. And if you wait until nightfall - nearly 10:00 p.m. in June - you'll see sunsets that will you're your breath away. Winter has its charms, too, as amazing ice formations appear along the shore and pier.

9. Bil-Mar Restaurant, located right on Grand Haven beach, offers a spectacular view (and great food).

10. "Big Red" Lighthouse is one of Michigan's most photographed treasures - thanks in part to the spectacular sunsets that frame its historic structure every evening.

11. Veldheer's Tulip Farm offers an entirely different visual treat - millions of brightly colored tulips amidst picturesque windmills, drawbridges and canals. You can purchase flower bulbs to take back home with you.

12. Saugatuck Dune Rides let you cruise the slopes and valleys of towering sand dunes as your driver shares the local lore.

13. Robinette's Apple Haus, on the way back to Grand Rapids, is one of the region's many family orchards. You can bike or cross-country ski through trails, take a hayride, enjoy homemade cider and doughnuts, shop for unique collectibles, and more. A special treat in autumn!

Tell us what scenic attractions you'd add to this Coasting Route!