Budget Friendly Summer Fun

The city of Rockford is home to the United Bank Rogue River Blues Series, a FREE 10-week concert series that showcases jazz, blues, and folk music artists. Pack a picnic and enjoy Tuesday evenings with live music beside the river with your friends and neighbors. The stage is located along White Pine Trail, near the dam, on the bank of the Rouge River in the quaint town of Rockford. Get the schedule 

Whether you’re in a tent or brand new RV, Holland State Park offers a great experience for all. The park offers an expansive, sandy beach along Lake Michigan, two large campgrounds and a beautiful view of sailboats and sunsets.

With free admission and nearly 18 miles of trails, Millennium Park, located on the southwest side of Grand Rapids, is a great hiking destination. The park offers a variety of opportunities for recreation and relaxation including a large beach, splashpad, and boat rental facilities.

Designed to allow migrating fish a means to get around the powerful water flow at the man-made rapids in the Grand River, this popular site in the heart of Grand Rapids allows visitors to watch fish jump up the “ladder” in a seasonal migration in the spring and summer. It’s free and open to the public, so pack a picnic and bring the whole family to take in the wonders of nature.

The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are the only sand dunes east of the Mississippi River where visitors are allowed to drive private motorized vehicles over the landscape, and you can visit for free if you have a state park pass. If you don’t have an off road vehicle you can still enjoy the beach, hiking the dunes on foot or even going to the top of a lighthouse. When you’re done there, the dunes are located only a short ride away from the renowned Lake Michigan if you wish to take a walk or swim at the beach.

The kiddos (and your wallet) are sure to enjoy an afternoon exploring Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids. Check out the rehabilitated animals that live there and visit their farm to learn how organic food is grown and how animals are raised. Play on the playgrounds, explore the property and learn!

In Comstock Park you’ll find Grand Rapids’ very own minor league baseball team, the Whitecaps. The West Michigan Whitecaps make going to a baseball game even more fun with all the extra events, themed days, and mascot! Check out their lawn tickets for a more budget friendly option.

Looking for something to do on a rainy day in Grand Rapids? Check out the presidential museum for some educational fun and see documents, artifacts, photographs, and videos that tell the dramatic story of the Ford Presidency in the mid-1970s. You can even step into a life-sized replica of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room.

This beautiful oasis on the edge of downtown Holland features a 249 year-old working Dutch windmill as well as a replica of a 14th-century wayside inn, an antique Dutch carousel and acres of manicured gardens.

If you’re thinking about a new summer toy, we can help find a financing solution that’s right for you. Our team is dedicated to offering the best in customer service, plus, you can call or chat with us anytime, day or night! So, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 616.559.7000 or apply for a recreation loan.