11 Bucket-List Arts and Culture Experiences to Try in Muskegon
From intimate downtown jazz rooms to massive summer art festivals, Muskegon is a lakeside destination with a vibrant and growing arts scene. Here are 11 can’t-miss immersive experiences to consider for your next adventure.
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1. After Dark Tours at Hackley & Hume Historic Site
Charles Hackley and Thomas Hume were business partners in the timber industry. They built neighboring Queen Anne-style homes in the late 1880s. The restored homes are operated as part of the Hackley & Hume Historic Site, and on select Friday nights in the warmer months, visitors can experience these beautifully preserved, Victorian-era structures in a different way. The after-hours setting allows guests to connect more deeply with two civic leaders and the community they shaped.
2. Overnight Stay Aboard the USS Silversides
To fully experience life aboard a World War II-era submarine, sleep in the same berths, walk the decks and explore the sub and cutter as the USS Silversides crew once did during an overnight stay aboard the vessel. The Silversides, a Gatoclass submarine, was one of the most successful submarines of World War II and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
3. Lakeshore Art Festival
Over two days in late June, visitors can enjoy the work of nearly 250 juried fine art and specialty craft exhibitors, a Children’s Lane with immersive experiences for the youngest art aficionados, street performers, performing artists, multiple interactive art stations, an artisan food market and more at this longtime, awardwinning festival.
4. Shoreline Theatre Fest
Local theater companies are constantly finding fresh ways to thrive and connect with new audiences. The Shoreline Theatre Fest was created to amplify this energy, transforming downtown Muskegon into one massive stage with nonstop programming the same weekend as the
Lakeshore Art Festival. With performances, interactive experiences and workshops for all ages, multiple theater companies perform together in one unforgettable weekend, with all presentations free.
5. Bennett Schmidt Pavilion, Muskegon Museum of Art
A $15.4 million expansion in 2025 doubled the size of the Muskegon Museum of Art. Named in honor of art collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt, the Bennett Schmidt Pavilion features selections from The Bennett Collection’s 150-plus figurative realist paintings by women artists. The new pavilion also includes four galleries, two education studios, an outdoor sculpture park and a viewable collections storage area – a unique space offering visitors a rare glimpse into the museum’s preservation process through full-length windows.
6. The Alley Door Club Music Series
In 2026, this series celebrates 20 years of bringing regional music acts to Muskegon with a new home inside the Frauenthal Center’s Hilt Building Reception Gallery. Performers in 2026 range from a Beatles tribute band to longtime Alley Door Club Series favorites, all bringing the high-energy live performances fans have come to love.
7. Muskegon Civic Theatre
Muskegon Civic Theatre is the only community theater in Muskegon County. Also hosting performances at the stunning Frauenthal Center, this volunteer organization provides entertaining theatrical experiences by and for children and adults of all backgrounds.
8. Story Time with the Lighthouse Keeper
Lighthouses have dotted the shores of Lake Michigan around Muskegon for at least 150 years. One delightful way to learn more about this rich history is Story Time with the Lighthouse Keeper, typically held on select days in the summer at the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse, where dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers help bring this vibrant history to life.
9. James Jackson Museum of African American History
Sharing the African American narrative is the goal of the James Jackson Museum, located in Muskegon Heights. The museum’s collection includes exhibits on local, national and world leaders, icons from the sports world, African art, and a host of other artifacts and historical items to help visitors learn about African American history and culture.
10. The Block by West Michigan Symphony
An intimate and unique 115-seat listening room that complements the West Michigan Symphony’s main stage orchestra offerings, The Block is located in the Russell Block Building in downtown Muskegon. The Block’s core 12-concert series features regional, national and international artists, and in the summer, The Block hosts a popular jazz series. The Block also serves as home for several youth ensembles.
11. Playhouse at White Lake
The historic Playhouse at White Lake has been in almost constant operation for over 100 years. Year-round offerings include live music, youth theater, screenings of classic movies and live theater productions featuring regional and national professionals.
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