Celebrate Thanksgiving in West Michigan

By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 22nd, and West Michigan is going all out in celebration. Enjoy delicious food at a buffet, or get a meal to bring home to your family. All of the classics will be there, from ham and turkey to stuffing and potatoes. If you have room for dessert, that will be served as well. There’s more to do after you eat, like holiday tours and early shopping. Enjoy a West Michigan Thanksgiving this month.

Dine in Southern West Michigan

Silo Banquets & Catering in Allegan offers their Thanksgiving Dinner to Go every year. The Silo has the largest catering kitchen in West Michigan, and each of the dinners that they prepare are ready to feed up to ten people. These dinners include everything that you need to have a family Thanksgiving meal, including turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy, pie, and more. Make Thanksgiving dinner a breeze with these ready-to-serve meals.

Thanksgiving is a special time to express gratitude for all the blessings of the year. In honor of this celebration, Schuler’s Restaurant in Marshall serves turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and all the trimmings. Make reservations to have a family Thanksgiving in Schuler’s beautiful dining room, or order ahead and pick up your feast on Thanksgiving Day to share with your family at home.

This Thanksgiving, give the cooks in your family a much-deserved break. Bring your family to the Boulevard Inn & Bistro in St. Joseph for their Thanksgiving Day Brunch Buffet on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. Just choose your favorites from the bountiful buffet, sit back, and enjoy being together.

The Bay Pointe Inn in Shelbyville is hosting a Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet and live music on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. The menu includes traditional Thanksgiving fare, like turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin pie, in addition to pastries, shrimp cocktails, mini mousse, and more.

You’ll find some of the freshest farm ingredients served for Thanksgiving when you visit Saugatuck. They have a variety of Thanksgiving specials and buffets throughout the area, many of which are on Thanksgiving day. Area restaurants will serve a traditional menu with a few added surprises.

Henderson Castle in is hosting their annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 21st. Enjoy all the delicious food that you’ve come to expect from Henderson Castle during this festive season.

The Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo has two restaurants, each offering different Thanksgiving specials and events. Zazio’s is hosting a special Black Friday Brunch on Friday, Nov. 23rd. Over at Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill, they’ll be serving up a holiday-themed menu on Thanksgiving.

Dine in Central West Michigan

Double JJ Resort in Rothbury is once again hosting their popular Thanksgiving Buffet at the Sundance Restaurant. The annual buffet is a relaxing way to spend time with friends and family with the beautiful view from the Sundance. This delicious brunch buffet features a unique menu every year.

Chef Tim and his team at SE4SONS Gastropub at Muskegon Country Club will be preparing Thanksgiving dinners for you to take home and throw in the oven. All meals will be sent with cooking and reheating instructions, making it easy to put together your Thanksgiving feast. All orders must be placed by Thursday, Nov. 15th.

Both the JW Marriott and Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids are serving up Thanksgiving day brunches on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. Reservations are recommended.

Stop by Mt. Pleasant for Thanksgiving and leave the cooking to the professionals. They have both Thanksgiving buffets and easy dinners that you can take home to the family. Enjoy Thanksgiving-themed entrees, sides, and desserts without all the mess and clean up.

The Holland area is going all out for Thanksgiving. The area is home to dozens of restaurants, each with their own Thanksgiving traditions and menus. Check out what the Holland area restaurants have to offer, and find the perfect restaurant to suit your tastes and fit into your budget.

Dine in Northern West Michigan

The popular Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Grand Traverse Resort in Williamsburg is back. Enjoy a wide array of Thanksgiving-themed brunch treats as well as a special buffet for kids. The Thanksgiving buffet menu is available on the Aerie Restaurant website where you can also make your reservations.

If the thought of preparing an entire Thanksgiving meal for your family and friends has you stressed out, let Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire do the cooking and cleaning up. Call today to make reservations for the Thanksgiving Harvest Buffet at The Lakeview Restaurant. This buffet offers a delicious array of everything you’d expect a traditional Thanksgiving feast to include and more.

You’re invited to bring your family to the Thanksgiving Celebration at Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls. They have plenty of activities and entertainment for all ages. For your Thanksgiving meal, choose either the delightful buffet or have a complete meal, including all of the holiday favorites, prepared and delivered to your room.

Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville is hosting a Thanksgiving weekend full of family events and activities. Their Thanksgiving Reconnect Weekend runs from Thursday, Nov. 22nd to Sunday, Nov. 25th, kicking off with the 4K Turkey Vulture Trot. Afterward, enjoy a well-deserved traditional Thanksgiving buffet.

Thanksgiving brings family and friends together, and Charlevoix welcomes you and your loved ones to come to celebrate this special holiday with them. During the long weekend, enjoy Thanksgiving feasts at local restaurants, including Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant.

Get into the Thanksgiving spirit with a stop along the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula wine trail. Drop into one of the nine unique wineries for a wine tasting to decide which Michigan wines you will be serving this holiday season.

Pre-Thanksgiving Traditions

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Lansing is getting decked out with thousands of lights and holiday fun for the Silver Bells in the City celebration. Silver Bells in the City attracts over 80,000 people to the Capital City each year and takes place annually on the Friday before Thanksgiving. This free event brings family and friends together to kick off the holiday season.

Grand Haven Main Street provides a picturesque postcard start to this year’s holiday season. Downtown Grand Haven will be abuzz with festivities and cheer as Light Night gets you in a festive mood on Friday, Nov. 16th. Carolers will be strolling throughout downtown, roasted chestnuts, cider, and hot chocolate will be available to the public courtesy of Grand Haven Main Street and Grand Haven Tri-Cities Historical Museum.

Get in the holiday spirit in Mecosta County with the Festival of Lights parade on Saturday, Nov. 17th. This popular parade features 30 floats and groups of walkers loaded with Christmas lights, live reindeer, and a grand entrance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Stay at Hotel Walloon for the area’s holiday kick off! On Wednesday, Nov. 21st, the Village of Walloon will come alive with Christmas vendors, an appearance by Santa, the lighting of the village, kids activities, and more. Then, spend a relaxing weekend celebrating Thanksgiving in northern Michigan.

Events Over Thanksgiving Weekend

From Thursday to Sunday and throughout November, Thanksgiving events are taking over many parts of West Michigan. The extended weekend is the perfect time to get out with family and friends to enjoy the festivities.

The Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo has two restaurants, each offering different Thanksgiving specials and events. Zazios is hosting a Holiday Cooking Class on Wednesday, Nov.17th to teach you how to wow your guests this holiday season. They’re also hosting a special Black Friday Brunch on Friday, Nov. 23rd. Over at Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill, they’ll be serving up a holiday-themed menu on Thanksgiving.

The Holland area is going all out for Thanksgiving, with events, buffets, and ways to give back to the community. Before feasting upon one of the area’s many Thanksgiving buffets, lace up your running or walking shoes for the Turkey Trot 8K on Thursday, Nov. 22nd. Stop by the Kerstmarkt on Nov. 23rd and 24th, or enjoy a post-Thanksgiving concert at the Park Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 24th. From now through Dec. 22nd, the Holland Area Visitors Bureau is hosting a Winter Coat & Food Drive. Get in the holiday spirit and give back by dropping off new and gently used coats, hats, mittens, and scarves as well as non-perishable food items to the WHTC AM radio station or the Holland Area Visitors Bureau.

The Muskegon area has holiday events all month long. Just in time for Thanksgiving, the 14th Annual Festival of Trees at the Muskegon Museum of Art features themed trees and decor from Nov. 21st to Dec. 2nd. While the family is in town for Thanksgiving, take them on the Hackley & Hume Holiday Tour on Nov. 24th and 25th. Experience the Hackley and Hume homes by candlelight to celebrate the holiday season.

Thanksgiving brings family and friends together, and Charlevoix welcomes you and your loved ones to come to celebrate this special holiday with them. Before the holiday commences, sign up for the annual Turkey Trot 5K run along the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. During the long weekend, enjoy Thanksgiving feasts at local restaurants, including Stafford’s Weathervane Restaurant.

Thanksgiving Stays & Packages

Take a road trip to quiet Saugatuck and host your Thanksgiving dinner in a vacation rental from Lakeshore Lodging. Whether you have a larger group to host this Thanksgiving or you’re just looking for a change of scenery, choosing to host your Thanksgiving dinner in a vacation rental is a fresh way to do the holiday.

As a thank you to their guests, the All Season Hotel & Resort in Kalkaska is offering a free night when you purchase and stay one night between Nov. 20th and 30th.

The Thanksgiving Package at the Terrace Inn & 1911 Restaurant in Petoskey includes a two-night stay for two in one of their cozy cottage-style rooms on Nov. 22nd and 23rd.