Summer gets all the attention around here. Personally, I think some of the best weekends on the lakeshore happen after the crowds go home.
The towns get quieter, the lake gets moody, and you finally have room to breathe. Here is what I love about the off season. If you have only ever seen this place in July, the off season will feel like a different trip.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
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Why the Quiet Months Win
1) The beaches are yours
Walk Oval Beach or Holland State Park in November and you might not see another person. It is just you, the sand and a lot of open water.
The lake is moody and dramatic this time of year, and the sunsets come early. Bring a warm hat and plan your walk for late afternoon so you catch the color.
Here's a secret: a gray, windy day can be the best beach day of the off season. The waves get big, the sky goes silver, and a short walk feels like a real adventure. Wear boots you do not mind getting sandy and stay well back from the water when it is rough.
2) No waiting for a table
Restaurants that need reservations weeks ahead in July have open tables on a Friday night.
If there is a place you have always wanted to try but could never get into in summer, this is your window. Walk in, sit down, take your time.
This is also the time to linger. Order dessert, have the second coffee, and nobody will be eyeing your table. If you like to plan around food, the off season is when the lakeshore restaurant scene is the most relaxed.
3) Slower, cozier stays
This is the time of year for a fire, a long dinner and a book. Nobody is rushing to the beach at 9 am.
My advice is to plan less. Pick one or two things you want to do each day and leave the rest of the time for the house. That is the whole point of an off season weekend.
Pack a stack of books, a puzzle or a board game. Slow mornings in pajamas are part of the plan, not a waste of a day. If the weather is nasty, that is just an excuse to stay in a little longer.
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4) The towns are still open
Downtown Holland, Saugatuck, South Haven and Grand Haven stay busy all year, with coffee shops, galleries and shops open on weekends.
You get the fun of a real downtown without the summer parking hunt. Our area guides have the details for each town.
Weekends are the best bet for shops and galleries, so plan your downtown time for Friday evening and Saturday. Wander, warm up with a coffee, and pick up something local to take home.
I have been hosting for over ten years, and the quiet months are still some of my favorite to host. There is something about having the lakeshore mostly to yourself. It is the version of the lakeshore that locals love most.
Off season weekends are easier to book, too. Take a look at our homes in Holland, Saugatuck, South Haven and Grand Junction and grab a weekend while the lake is quiet.