Recreation: The City owns and operates five parks. The Largest and busiest is Fish Hatchery Park, site of fish derbies, concerts, ball games, tennis matches, picnics and loafing. Tyden Park near downtown Hastings is in the process of renovation. A major attraction is the Thornapple River which winds its way through the park. On the North end of town we have Bob King Park which features "Tangle Town" a handicap accessible play structure constructed in the Spring of 1997 due to the efforts of the Circle of Friends. This group coordinated the entire project from the donated materials and volunteer labor, to the meals and child care provided for people volunteering their efforts. The play structure features something for everyone.
There are 11 public golf courses within a half hour drive.
There is a 4 screen movie theatre located in the City of Hastings.
Fifteen minutes from Hastings is Charlton Park, scene of Civil War battle re- enactments, antique auto shows, folk life festivals and home of a sixteen building Historic Village. The museum houses one of the state’s outstanding collections of agricultural and rural artifacts. Nearby are picnic pavilions, a ball diamond, beaches and boat launches on Thornapple Lake.
Gilmore’s Car Museum, within an easy half hour drive, offers big red barns, double-decker busses and a dazzling collection of antique automobiles.
Yankee Springs Recreation Area is twelve miles away with three miles of frontage on Gun Lake, picnic areas, campgrounds, foot trails, an area for snowmobiling, cross-country ski trails and the Devil’s Soup Bowl. Adjacent is Yankee Springs State Game Area with 3,000 acres open for hunting.