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The recreational boater is no doubt familiar with Michigan’s “sunset” coast and with most of the harbor towns that dot its shoreline. What many boaters miss by venturing too far north or south is a nearly perfect balance of charming history and culture, and dynamic urban living right in the middle of Michigan’s western coastline. The best-kept secret of Michigan’s west coast is exactly what you will discover when you enter any port of call in Muskegon County—the Muskegon Channel in the south and the White Lake Channel in the north. The Muskegon and the White Lake channels welcome boaters into friendly harbors, revealing areas as different from each other as the people that frequent them.

Muskegon Lake features several marinas offering a wide range of amenities, including Hartshorn Marina, which is operated through the city of Muskegon.

Hartshorn offers a friendly atmosphere with an experienced, courteous staff, and a spotless facility. Renovated in 2006, Hartshorn Marina is only a step away from great summer festivities, including the Muskegon Bike Time and Summer Celebration.

Marina patrons can enjoy the summer fireworks displays over Muskegon Lake without leaving their docks. Other amenities include gated slips, free WiFi, a picnic area, clean bathrooms and showers, a dog run, a dock box, access to gas grills and a marina recycling program. All hard docks are made with splinter-free Trex and include picnic tables.

Hartshorn has 20-, 30-, 40- and 60-foot slips, including transient, available for the 2010 boating season. Slips start at $862 in the Small Boat Basin, and $1,350 in the Large Boat Basin, with options for hard or floating docks. New customers receive a five-percent discount. For additional information visit www.hartshornmarina.com or call (231) 724-6785.

For a complete listing of all of the marinas and the launch ramps within Muskegon County, contact the Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 250-9283.

Deep-blue water and warm summer winds caress more than 26 miles of the Lake Michigan beaches that define Muskegon’s breathtaking shoreline. Families enjoy the sun and surf of the “big lake” while taking in the brilliant blue waters ideal for fishing, water sports, swimming and relaxing. The nationally recognized, clean beach has been the home of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Finals, and the King of the Great Lakes Kite Boarding Competition. Scenic dinner cruises are available on the Port City Princess.

Muskegon County should be called the “City of Festivals,” partly because there are more than 20 festivals between May and September. They range from Muskegon Bike Time, Muskegon’s fastest-growing festival, celebrating motorcycles, to the Muskegon Summer Celebration and Air Show, with wide-ranging entertainment. The Summer Celebration is an annual, 11-day festival, with live music, carnival rides, and food and fun for the whole family. Two other must-attend festivals are the Michigan Irish Music Festival in September with live Irish music performances, rain-or-shine, and the Unity Christian Music Festival that brings four amazing days of national Christian music acts to Muskegon’s Heritage Landing on the shores of Muskegon Lake.

Muskegon is ranked number 10 nationwide for culture and leisure activities, in a category for cities of its size.