Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven is a city of 10,996 people in Ottawa County, Michigan, founded in 1867.
Why visit Grand Haven
Townapedia lists 23 museums and landmarks, 47 parks and trails, 67 places to eat, 7 places to stay and 7 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Grand Haven South Pierhead Entrance Light, Grand Haven 9, Aloys Bilz House and Battle Point Site.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 80°F; January lows average 19°F.
Weather in Grand Haven
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Grand Haven
Grand Haven is a city within the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2020 census, Grand Haven had a population of 11,011. It is located in the northern portion of Grand Haven Charter Township, but is administratively autonomous.
From the Wikipedia article Grand Haven, Michigan (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do7
Grand Haven South Pierhead Entrance Light
Lighthouse · 1.8 mi
Lighthouse in Michigan, United States
Grand Haven 9
Cinema and theater · 1.8 mi
17220 Hayes Street, Grand Haven
Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner Light
Lighthouse · 1.8 mi
Lighthouse in Michigan, United States
Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl
Ski area · 1.0 mi
Ski area in Michigan, United States
Museums and landmarks23
Aloys Bilz House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
House in Spring Lake, Michigan
Battle Point Site
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.9 mi
Archaeological site in Crockery Township, Michigan, USA
Edward P. Ferry House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
House in Grand Haven, Michigan
Fruitport Road–Pettys Bayou Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Bridge in Ottawa County, Michigan, USA
Grand Haven Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Historic district in Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Trunk Western Railroad Grand Haven Coal Tipple
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Coaling tower in Grand Haven, Michigan
Nathaniel and Esther (Savidge) Robbins House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Historic house in Grand Haven, Michigan
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Pere Marquette 1223
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Preserved PM N-1 class 2-8-4 locomotive
Piers and Revetments at Grand Haven, Michigan
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Historic navigational structures located at the mouth of the Grand River in Grand Haven, Michigan, United States
Pere Marquette Railroad Locomotive 1223
Monument and historic site · 1.1 mi
Coast Guard Cutters on the Great Lakes
Monument and historic site · 1.1 mi
Three red buoys and signboard
11 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds47
35 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes67
Brooklyn's
Cafe · Bagel, Coffee Shop, Tea · 1.7 mi
411 West Savidge Street
Mo-Fr 06:00-18:00; Sa-Su 07:00-18:00
Morning Star Cafe
Restaurant · Sandwich, Breakfast, Burger, American, Regional, Salad, Dessert, Local · 0.5 mi
711 Washington Avenue
06:30-14:30
12 Corners Vineyards
Brewery and winery · 1.0 mi
41 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven
Fr,Sa 12:00-19:00; Su 12:00-17:00; Mo-Th off
kiwami
Restaurant · Japanese · 1.6 mi
510 West Savidge Street
Mo-Th 11:30-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:00; Su 16:30-21:30
The Blue Porch Bar & Grill
Restaurant · Burger, Sandwich, American, Regional · 0.5 mi
21 North Beacon Boulevard
Fuel Bar + Refuge
Restaurant · Seafood, Burger, Pizza, Asian, American · 1.8 mi
228 West Savidge Street, Spring Lake
55 more on the map.
History
The Potawatomi and Ottawa Native Americans lived in the area for centuries and used the river as a trade route into the interior of Michigan. Some of the long cultures of the Ottawa tribe are being revealed through the excavation of archeological artifacts.
The city dates its European-American founding to French colonial settlers. A fur trading outpost called Gabagouache was first established by Madeline La Framboise and her husband Joseph.
After the War of 1812, this area became more settled by Americans. A trading post was established here about 1821 by the American Fur Company, but the first permanent resident was a Presbyterian minister, William Montague Ferry, who founded in 1834 the first area church. Settler Rix Robinson named the town "Grand Haven" in 1835. Sheldon Tannery was founded in 1838, developing a process to make leather from the fur trade and cattle. The second church was organized in 1850. Ferry founded the city's first bank in 1851 in the Ferry & Son building on Harbor Drive. He also started a school, Ferry Elementary, which continues to operate. The city was incorporated in 1867.
In the mid-to-late 19th century, Grand Haven developed as a logging, lumber mill, and shipping town, as well as a shipbuilding center.
From the History section of Grand Haven, Michigan on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay7
Holiday Inn Grand Haven-Spring Lake
Motel and hotel · 1.5 mi
940 West Savidge Street, Spring Lake
Churches and places of worship2
Shopping9
Gas and EV charging12
Schools, colleges and libraries34
Healthcare5
Map of Grand Haven
213 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 19°F | 2.8 in |
| Feb | 33°F | 20°F | 2.0 in |
| Mar | 42°F | 26°F | 2.3 in |
| Apr | 55°F | 36°F | 3.7 in |
| May | 67°F | 47°F | 3.8 in |
| Jun | 76°F | 57°F | 3.5 in |
| Jul | 80°F | 62°F | 3.6 in |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 3.1 in |
| Sep | 73°F | 52°F | 3.5 in |
| Oct | 60°F | 42°F | 3.8 in |
| Nov | 47°F | 33°F | 3.1 in |
| Dec | 36°F | 25°F | 2.4 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Grand Haven Wwtp (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Ottawa County has had 7 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for biologicals.
- 2020-03-27: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2013-06-18: Flooding (Flood)
- 2008-07-14: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2005-09-07: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
- 2004-06-30: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Muskegon County Airport (MKG) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 8 miles away.
- Spring Lake 2 mi northeast, about 3 min by car
- Ferrysburg 2 mi north, about 4 min by car
- Fruitport 6 mi northeast, about 9 min by car
- Norton Shores 8 mi north, about 13 min by car
- Muskegon Heights 10 mi north, about 16 min by car
- Allendale 15 mi east, about 24 min by car
- Comstock Park 27 mi east, about 44 min by car
- Grand Rapids 29 mi east, about 47 min by car
- Cutlerville 31 mi southeast, about 51 min by car
- East Grand Rapids 32 mi east, about 51 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Grand Theatre (1), Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- First Reformed Church, Grand Haven Historic District, Jim Roberts, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grand Trunk Western Caboose in Grand Haven, Michigan - June 2015, H. Michael Miley, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Front view of Pere Marquette No. 1223 in Grand Haven, Michigan - June 2015, H. Michael Miley, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Pere Marquette No. 1223 in Grand Haven, Michigan - July 2010, H. Michael Miley, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Nose of Pere Marquette No. 1223 in Grand Haven, Michigan - July 2010, H. Michael Miley, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Grand Trunk Western Railroad Grand Haven Coal Tipple, Jim Roberts, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grand haven at dusk -a 2013-09-01 20-31-12, Joanna Poe from Munith, MI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Grand haven at dusk -b 2013-09-01 20-31-12, Joanna Poe from Munith, MI, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Grand Haven Beach - 20260623, Enzo Arcamone, CC BY 4.0
- Grand Haven Light House, Alfonso Alvarez, CC BY 3.0
- Grand Haven Light House, Alfonso Alvarez, CC BY 3.0
- F-100 Super Sabre at Grand Haven Memorial Airpark, Holyjoe722 Taken by C. Portenga., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Battle Point Site, rossograph, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pere-marquette-1223, Dwp49423 ( talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0
- Petty's Bayou Bridge, rossograph, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Ferry House, rossograph, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Robins House, rossograph, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Escanaba 1935 2, Unknown photographer, presumably United States Coast Guard personnel, Public domain
- Laurentian at the USCG festival (14865875263), NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Laurentian at the USCG festival (14845990595), NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CC BY-SA 2.0
- CIMG9100 (6236987366), Nelo Hotsuma, CC BY 2.0
- Why are the turn arrows labeled? (6236502025), Nelo Hotsuma, CC BY 2.0
- Icy walkway (3123201144), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Beacon on ice (3214878045), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lifering (3215728640), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Icy flow (3122369685), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lighthouse frozen panorama (3215728196), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Icy sides (3215729080), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Orange skies and lighthouse (3376020692), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lighthouse (3122368411), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Blue skies over lighthouse (3376018464), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lighthouse, red filter (3258731917), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lighthouse liferings (3214877799), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lighthouse (3123191438), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Blue skies over lighthouse (3375193543), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lighthouse (3123226374), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lighthouse in the spotlight (3258731529), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- Lighthouse in the spotlight (3215728304), wsilver, CC BY 2.0
- A Lighthouse on the Great Lakes (32425648575), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District, CC BY-SA 2.0
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