Michigan Maritime Museum spans vast shoreline

Experience the rich maritime heritage of the Great Lakes by visiting Michigan's most distinguished institution of maritime research, preservation and education.

Five separate buildings offer a variety of engaging opportunities for the Museum visitor including permanent and changing exhibits on Michigan maritime history, a center for the teaching of boat building and related maritime skills, and a regionally renowned research library. Waterfront festivals and events are complemented by the hustle and bustle of a modern harbor and vast sandy beaches in one of west Michigan's most picturesque shoreline communities.

The sloop Friends Good Will promotes tourism in West Michigan by providing the public with a wide variety of cultural and educational experiences.  The historic replica is the only Tall Ship to sail the Great Lakes with a state-of-the-art, interactive, floating classroom designed for year-round instruction.  Friends Good Will, fully U.S. Coast Guard approved for passengers, is available for day sails, as well as private charters.  Friends Good Will also makes several voyages to other ports during the sailing season.

There is a new “on water” experience available on the Lindy Lou, the Museum’s new river launch. The Lindy Lou is reminiscent of the river launches that took passengers up stream to resorts and picnic grounds, or simply provided a pleasant way for families and lovers to spend a lazy afternoon on the river around the turn of the century. The new launch takes its design cues from the famous Truscott Launch, a launch that was built in St. Joseph, Michigan in the late 1800s and could be found on rivers and inland waterways throughout the country. The Lindy Lou also takes an environmental cue from the past as it is powered by an electric motor as were launches that cruised the lagoons during the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

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UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS

Registration now open for 31st Classic Boat Show & Small Craft Festival.  Go to Events page to download registration form.