Mini Golf, Go Karts & Outdoor Attractions
Warm weather fun in West Michigan is here!
Looking for a memorable family experience? Head out to an outdoor amusement center or your favorite mini golf spot for some go-karts, zip lines or epic rounds of putt-putt.
Use this list of our favorite outdoor play centers, parks, trails, and nature centers to help you find your next family fun.
West Side Christian School
Small class sizes, outdoor education opportunities, busing for all K-8 students, on-site childcare, and so much more! We partner with families to provide whole-child Christian education that integrates God’s Word and creation into learning. Schedule your tour today at wscsgr.org.
Best Outdoor Family Attractions in Grand Rapids
Drumroll, please! Grand Rapids area families voted the following as the best outdoor attractions for 2021!
Best Outdoor Family Attraction (Paid Admission)
Winner: Deer Tracks Junction
Winner: Deer Tracks Junction
About Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park
DTJ Adventure Park has hours of fun for all! Tons of animals with up close encounters, huge one-of-a-kind play areas, and homemade ice cream! New fun for 2021! Feed the animals or just enjoy time to love on 'em. Adventures vary by season; check our website for current schedule.
T E S T I M O N I A L
Best animal place I have ever been to. Animals are well taken care of. Extremely friendly and caring staff. The place is very clean and safe. This will always be a go to place for me every year.
Don Scott
About Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo
A full day of fun awaits at Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo! Unique animals, attractions, and activities for all ages!
Favorite Outdoor Family Attraction (Paid Admission)
1. Deer Tracks Junction
2. Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
3. John Ball Zoo
4. Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo
5. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
6. Blandford Nature Center
6. Michigan’s Adventure (Muskegon)
8. Millennium Park (Walker) – Kent County
9. Nelis’ Dutch Village (Holland)
10. Craig’s Cruisers (Wyoming)
Mini Golf – Where You Can Play in West MI
Putt putt golf is for all ages and all experience levels. Bring your kids, or bring your silly friends and get ready to venture over yards and yards of bright green turf as you laugh your way to the 18th hole.
(Want a related challenge? Try disc golf at one of these local courses.)
| AJ’s Family Fun Center 4400 Ball Park Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321 (616) 785-0077 Have fun on their outdoor 18-hole mini-golf course, followed by batting cages, and bumper boats. They also have an indoor arcade and a snack bar with items like ice cream, hamburgers, and soft pretzels. Located next to Fifth Third Ball Park. |
| Alpine Avenue Golf Center 4855 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321 (616) 784-1250 This outdoor, 19-hole mini-golf course is laid back and open daily during spring, summer, and fall. They also have a golf driving range. |
| Bat’n’Club Family Fun Center 1076 W Sherman, Muskegon, MI 49442 Play a round on one of the two outdoor 18-hole mini-golf courses or swing it out in their batting cages. |
| C’s Extreme Ice Cream & Mini Golf 8990 Water S, Montague, MI 49437 Get some ice cream and then play putt putt on their outdoor, 18-hole mini-golf course. |
| Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center (Grand Rapids) 5730 Clyde Park Ave SW Wyoming, MI 49509 616-530-2900 This indoor-outdoor family fun amusement destination is open year-round. Outdoor attractions include bumper boats, go-karts, zipline, and mini-golf. Their minigolf course offers 18 holes of fun. This is a seasonal and weather permitting attraction. Keep track of your score on your smartphone with their digital scorecard! |
| Craig’s Cruisers (Holland) 651 Chicago Dr, Holland, MI 49423 This outdoor mini golf course has 18 holes and is open weather-permitting. $8 per round. Digital scorecard. |
| Craig’s Cruisers (Muskegon) 1551 E Pontaluna Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49456 Outdoor, 18-hole mini golf course open weather-permitting. $8 per round. No age or height restrictions. |
| Dairy Ranch 1717 142nd Ave, Dorr, MI 49323 The Dairy Ranch ice cream shop also has an old-school outdoor mini golf course out back. |
| Double Dip Depot 328 Remembrance Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534 Lots of updates were made to their outdoor, 19-hole mini-golf course in 2021! They are also a full-service ice cream shop and occasionally host car cruises featuring old cars. |
| The Fun Park 68099 County Road 388, South Haven, MI 49090 Bumper Boats, Go Karts and and outdoor mini golf course. |
| Great Lakes Glow Golf 3494 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 Indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf! They feature 18 holes of miniature golf played under black light utilizing ultraviolet visual artistry. They also have a small arcade of approximately 25 games, concession-style food and drink options, and novelties for redemption and purchase. |
| Lakeside Entertainment 09921 Blue Star Memorial Hwy, South Haven, MI 49090 Outdoor, 18-hole mini golf course. The course has four ponds with fountains, streams and waterfalls. The destination also has a restaurant and bowling alley. |
| Loeschner’s Village Green Miniature Golf 4521 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, MI 49418 Two old-school mini golf courses. They are both outdoors. The 19-hole and 20-hole putt putt courses have unique obstacles. |
| The Lost City 12330 James St, Holland, MI 49424 This is a unique indoor nine-hole mini golf course. Take a ride through the Gobi desert on this putt putt course! Dodge crocodiles on the Nile, try to make your way through the cursed pyramid, and avoid the palm trees; it’s all part of the fun at The Lost City! The last hole features a plinko game, and if you can get your ball into the middle hole, you win a free game! |
| Pirate’s Landing Mini Golf @ Captain Sundae 365 Douglas Ave, Holland, MI 49424 This outdoor, 18-hole course is adjacent to an awesome ice cream shop. Special mini golf pricing for kids under 12, Seniors, and walk alongs. Ages 3 and under play FREE with a paying adult. |
| Putter’s Creek 40 Whitehall Rd, North Muskegon, MI 49445 An outdoor, 18-hole course that goes up hills and under waterfalls. Once a month, with LED balls and glow-in-the-dark clubs, they also play GLOW GOLF. They also have go karts. Each race is approximately 15-20 laps. *Double karts are for one person over 54” and one child. Kids ride free. Ice cream and lawn games are available, too. |
| Rollaway Fun Center 805 E Main St, Lowell, MI 49331 Outdoor, 18-hole course |
| Sundae Sundae Golf Golf 631 E Lakewood Blvd, Holland, MI 49424 Two outdoor, 18-hole mini golf courses |
Go Karts & Outdoor Amusement Centers
Outdoor play centers are great places to bring the family and enjoy some fun together.
In the small town where I grew up, there was only one place to go, but in West Michigan there are many different options. Whether you like mini golf, go-karts, roller coasters, ziplines, or even high ropes courses, West Michigan has it all. Enjoy a day out with your family at any of these nearby outdoor play centers.
Below are local favorites for outdoor fun.
| AJ’s Family Fun Center 4400 Ball Park Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321 Have fun on their outdoor 18-hole mini-golf course, followed by batting cages, and bumper boats. They also have an indoor arcade and a snack bar with items like ice cream, hamburgers, and soft pretzels. Located next to Fifth Third Ball Park. |
| Allegan Event Riverfront Boardwalk, Allegan, MI 49010 Two 600-foot long zip lines take you over the river and back on the riverfront zip line. Follow that up with a go on QUICKjump, the outdoor freefall simulation. Our Review >> |
| Cannonsburg Zipline 6800 Cannonsburg Rd. Belmont, MI 49317 The 5-station zipline tour takes about 1.5 hours. Ziplines range from 300 – 600 feet and riders can go up to 40 mph. Reservations required. |
| Craig’s Cruisers Family Fun Center (Grand Rapids) 5730 Clyde Park Ave SW Wyoming, MI 49509 This indoor-outdoor family fun amusement destination is open year-round. Outdoor attractions include bumper boats, go-karts, zipline, and mini-golf. Our Review >> |
| Craig’s Cruisers (Holland) 651 Chicago Dr, Holland, MI 49423 They have an outdoor, 18-hole minigolf course, alomg with outdoor go-karts, batting cages, eurobungy, and swan boats for loads of outdoor family fun. |
| Craig’s Cruisers (Muskegon) 1551 E Pontaluna Rd, Norton Shores, MI 49456 Bumper boats, outdoor go-karts, batting cages, and an outdoor, 18-hole mini-golf course make this an outside activity center favorite. |
| Craig’s Cruisers (Silver Lake) 8343 W. Hazel Road, Silver Lake, MI 49436 A Zip Line, Swan Boats, Bumper boats, outdoor go-karts, and an outdoor mini-golf course are in the fun line up here. |
| The Fun Park 68099 County Road 388, South Haven, MI 49090 Outdoor putt putt course, go-karts, and bumper boats. |
| John Ball Zoo 1300 Fulton W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Go to the zoo to see 1300+ animals including tigers, lions, and red pandas. While you’re there, soar over the zoo on the outdoor zip line or ropes course. Our Review >> |
| Lakeside Entertainment 09921 Blue Star Memorial Hwy, South Haven, MI 49090 Outdoor, 18-hole mini golf course, and indoor bowling alley. |
| Michigan’s Adventure Amusement & Water Park 4750 Whitehall Rd, Muskegon, MI 49445 Rollercoasters, kiddie rides, petting zoo, lazy river, wave pool, waterslides, and more make this a popular Michigan family attraction. Our Review >> |
| Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park 462 N Scenic Dr, Muskegon, MI 49445 Zipline, summer luge, archery, trail quest (think outdoor escape room) dog-friendly fun and more. Our Review >> |
| Putter’s Creek 40 Whitehall Rd, North Muskegon, MI 49445 Mini golf, go karts, and canoeing on the Muskegon River. |
| Rollaway Fun Center 805 E Main St, Lowell, MI 49331 Outdoor, 18-hole mini-golf course. (Indoor roller skating, bowling and laser tag.) |
| Nelis’ Dutch Village 12350 James St, Holland, MI 49424 Visit the barn animals, kiddie rides, old-fashioned games – even a mini zipline. Special festivals and events throughout the open season. Our Review >> |
| Tree Runner Adventure Park 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 Ropes course and zipline through the wooded challenges. Kid and adult courses. Our Review >> |
Grand Rapids Nature Centers, Gardens & Hikes
There are trails, and then there are Pure Michigan trails. Our area parks & rec departments take their jobs seriously, offering beautifully groomed trails (or more wild trails, if that’s your style) all over West Michigan.
From local parks with paved trails perfect for strollers, to dune climbs and forest hikes out to Lake Michigan, there are enough outdoor hikes to keep you busy year-round.
Find the complete list of Grand Rapids trails here.
You can also try a new playground from the mega playgrounds list, hit the beach, or find an area splash pad.
| Blandford Nature Center 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 264 acres of nature! Visitors can hike 7 miles of trails, take classes, and participate in the outdoors year-round. Summer camps, festivals and more. Our Review >> |
| Calvin University Eco Preserve 3201 Burton SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Flat nature trails wind through the woods and past water features. The interpretive center offers hands-on learning throughout the year and summer camps. Our Review >> |
| DeGraaf Nature Center 600 Graafschap Rd, Holland, MI 49423 Hike the short trails through woods, meadow, and past ponds. Live birds of prey programs, summer camps and other programming. |
| Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 1000 East Beltine Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 Outdoor features: Miles of walking paths past sculptures, Japanese Garden, Children’s Garden, Farm Garden, Special Exhibits, Concerts, Summer Camps, Classes. Our Review >> |
Want More Outdoor Adventure?
Try a local playground, park or trail. Water enthusiasts will naturally want to find a beach on Lake Michigan or maybe a local splash pad or pool.
Or, read on for more things to explore in greater Grand Rapids.
