Things To Do In Norton Shores

The bayous and creeks flowing into the Grand River form an inviting home for wildlife, including eagles that nest in the trees along the shoreline. Perched in their aeries, the birds study the water's surface. Spotting a disturbance, an eagle lifts off and glides toward the water, opening its talons to pluck the prey suspended just beneath the surface.

The team at Lakeshore Kayak Rental lends their kayaks—inspected and certified by the DNR—and other watercraft to help visitors stumble upon sights such as these throughout the gentle Grand River and its connecting waterways. The staff, which includes instructors claiming certifications from the American Canoe Association, provides lessons for beginner kayakers, canoeists, and paddleboarders, and recommends areas for more experienced outdoorsmen to explore. With advanced notice, Lakeshore's crew can also arrange transportation to and from some area lodgings and farther-away launch points. To encourage camaraderie throughout the kayaking community, Lakeshore's team hosts the annual Grand River Kayak Race.

A nonprofit movie house, The Harbor Theater offers cinefiles a welcome reprieve from stale screen fillers by stocking its theater with rich, artistic, and fresh independent and foreign films. Sharpen subtitle-reading skills by catching an upcoming screening of The Illusionist (coming soon), an animated feature from the French filmmakers behind The Triplets of Belleville. Or brush up on American history with Made in Dageham, a period drama exploring sexual discrimination during a 1968 walkout at the Ford Dageham plant.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks continue to mow down their United States Hockey League competition with a brand of fast and physical hockey that draws on their student athletes’ strengths and prepares them for the breakneck speeds of college or the NHL. Head Coach Kevin Patrick draws on his experience as an assistant with the University of Wisconsin’s 2006 NCAA championship team to ensure that the squad stays one skate ahead of its opponents, forcing his players to practice with their skates covered in half-dried maple syrup. The Jacks will certainly have a leg up on defense, as Minnesota Wild draftee Nick Seeler freezes oncoming forwards with frequent stick slaps and Army recruit Christian Pomarico awaits enemies in his snow-camouflage coveralls.

Boasting 50 sleek, synthetic lanes with optional bumpers, as well as a full-service bar and snack counter, Sherman Bowling Center provides fuel and fun to familial strike forces of all ages. Grab a like-minded pin-hater and lace up in your chic, sleek alley slippers to take on back-to-back rounds of America’s favorite pastime after baseball and compiling lists of favorite pastimes. In between games, lubricate bodily lanes and veins by slurping servings of soda from the included pitcher, or use it to refresh sapped energy stores long enough to take on new virtual enemies in the attached arcade (arcade games are not included in this Groupon). Located just a few minutes from Muskegon Lake, this ball-flinging emporium sports open-bowling hours seven days a week, though bowlers should call ahead to confirm hours and availability.

Celebrating more than 50 years of style, swing, and unabashed swagger, Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show turns back the hands of time during an evening of vintage tunes and sidesplitting punch lines. Veteran performer Sandy Hackett, the son of legendary comedian Buddy Hackett, stars as Joey Bishop alongside a talented cast of ringers, who don their Frank, Sammy, and Dean alter egos before charming audiences with a mingling of new and classic arrangements of iconic songs. The Shadows Orchestra backs each number, including never-before-heard ditties penned by prolific songwriter Ron Miller, while recorded voiceovers from Buddy Hackett himself echo through the theater. In between toe-tapping refrains, ears grab hold of the show's comedic thread as the savvy foursome struts away from the music for spontaneous moments of banter and to flirt with sheepish microphones.

The Muskegon Family YMCA serves its community with fitness facilities and classes open to youngsters and adults alike. Facilities include workout rooms, indoor courts, and outdoor playing fields along with a fully equipped locker room featuring saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. In workout studios, instructors lead many adult- and youth-fitness classes throughout the week, and swim coaches captain lessons, swim-team practices, and exercise sessions in the indoor pool. When parents work out, experts keep a close eye on their kids in the nursery, ensuring they won't don fake beards to run off and join a gang of lumberjacks.