art, the seat of Oceana County, is a picturesque town surrounded by the Hart and John Gurney Lakes- both of which can be seen from a hill or from the Veterans Park. It is home to the National Asparagus Festival and the Oceana County Fair. Like most of the cities and towns in Michigan, Hart offers the absolute best of both worlds for travellers – pristine beauty of nature combined with modern comforts and conveniences. So before you dismiss Hart as just one of those out of the way small towns with nothing new to offer, check out what this “veggie” city (more on that later!) has in store for you...
The National Asparagus Festival held every other year in Hart (alternately with Shelby), and the city is mighty proud to be the third largest producer of asparagus in the country (placing second only to California and Washington. It is considered the summer’s main event in the Silver Lake area, which Hart is a part of. Visitors can look forward to fireworks, the Asparagus Royale parade, the Joe Foster Golf Open, an arts & crafts fair, a 5-kilometre run/walk (called, very convincingly- “Spear It”), an Asparagus Food Show and a whole lot more. You don’t need to love asparagus to be able to enjoy this festival- but it is highly recommended to be as fit as you can, in preparation for all the fun activities involved!
Silver Lake Sand Dunes has the only area in Michigan where you can drive directly on the dunes. Off-road vehicles (ORVs) can be rented, making it a unique kind of adventure that the whole family can enjoy. The Off Road Vehicle Area is open every year starting the 1st of April up until the 31st of October. Extreme caution is recommended, however thrilling the rides may be- the dunes may change or shift rapidly because of winds and erosion. For more tips and safety procedures/precautions while enjoying this possibly extreme activity
If you’d like to explore the dunes on a more leisurely pace, there are 1200 acres accessible to hikers. While walking on the dunes, you might even see some fulgurites, which are “natural carrot-shaped glass tubes” (definition and more information readily available online!
We can’t talk about a Michigan city without mentioning the beaches, right? Hart and the Silver Lake/Mears area boasts of some well known and hidden treasures of beaches – perfect for a romantic interlude, great bonding moments with family and friends, or just for that much needed R&R. Beach options range from secluded and intimate, to easily accessible and fully-equipped with modern conveniences. Don’t forget to visit the Silver Lake State Park Campground Beach, Silver Lake State Park ORV Area Beach (which can only be accessed by driving an off-road vehicle), John Gurney Park (one of Hart’s most treasured secrets), and a host of other “sandy” options.
Just a few miles away in Rothbury, you can find the renowned Double JJ Ranch & Golf Resort (which is, incidentally, also home of the Rothbury Festival). This sprawling entertainment complex has a 60,000-square foot indoor waterpark (equipped with the tallest indoor waterslide in all of West Michigan), horseback trails, fishing facilities, an 18-hole golf course (the Thoroughbred Golf Club which is spread over 240 acres and is rated 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest, and named “One of the Top 100 Women-Friendly Courses in America” by Golf for Women), and a host of other adventures to choose from, year round! To check out which activities fit your travel plans.
Not sure where to stay in Hart? A good start would be to take a deep relaxing breath, then ask yourself the all-important question – “what’s my priority?” That huge first step taken, let it be known that Hart offers a host of lodging options to choose from. If you’d like to be at the center of activity, try checking out the resorts in the area. If you prefer most of the conveniences and comfortable amenities, try looking at the list of hotels and motels. Or are you looking for something more outdoorsy, more of the “real thing”, with the freedom to stay and go whenever you want? The campgrounds and RV resorts in this area are safe and well-equipped choices for you then.
One last thing though- remember that WHERE you stay is just a small part of enjoying your vacation...it’s HOW you stay, or more explicitly how you decide to spend your vacation, that will decide how your trip turns out. So, just go and HAVE A GREAT TIME!
