This Manistee lighthouse puts on a sparkling show each Northern Michigan winter.

Featured in the February 2021 issue of Traverse. Subscribe.

Perhaps the only thing more spectacular than the leading lines of the catwalk that stretches from 5th Avenue Beach to the Manistee North Pier Lighthouse is seeing the walkway covered in massive, glistening icicles.

Manistee’s harbor has been marked by a lighthouse since the mid-1800s; after a few iterations, the current steel lighthouse was constructed on the north pier in 1927. In 2011, the light was transferred from the U.S. Department of the Interior to the City of Manistee and the Manistee County Historical Museum, which is now in charge of its restoration. The lighthouse received a fresh coat of white paint in 2016 thanks to the museum’s efforts, and donations are currently being collected for the painting of the interior.

The elevated wooden catwalk—one of four remaining catwalks on Lake Michigan—serves an important purpose, providing safe access to the light during stormy weather. Lucky for us, this walkway also transforms into a breathtaking winter display.

Find this and more articles celebrating Northern Michigan fun, including a UP cabin getaway and a cool new vacation rental in East Jordan, all in the February 2021 issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine; or subscribe and get Traverse delivered to your door each month.