Nature's Paradise

Muskegon County, Michigan

Seventeen years ago, many people thought Ted Fricano was, as he describes it, “crazy” when he decided to transform a building slated for demolition in Muskegon into a 250-seat pizzeria. But Fricano’s Pizza was ahead of the curve and a driving factor in the revitalization of downtown Muskegon, helping to create its cool, urban vibe and burgeoning scene of shops, restaurants, art galleries, breweries and distillery. Now a destination, both the downtown (reachable for boaters via taxis or ride-sharing) and the Lakeside District, which runs along the shoreline of Muskegon Lake, offer a multitude of fun and cultural activities — many within walking distance of the marinas. “We have several tie-up restaurants where people can dock and go eat,” says Hayden Hall, sales manager of the family owned Hall’s Sport Center, which sells new and pre-owned boats, accessories and parts, and has a service department. “Docker’s is great for its atmosphere, and The Lake House Waterfront Grille is known for having fantastic food.” Hall also likes to steer his boat through the shallow channel connecting Muskegon R.....