Celebrating the holidays Up North in Cadillac, Frankfort, Manistee or Ludington? Explore our 2021 holiday and gift guide for each town to make everything from holiday events to gifts for the entire family a breeze this winter in Northern Michigan.
2021 Cadillac Holiday Guide
You’ll have a downright jolly time in Cadillac. Get all of your shopping done then hit the trails: 200 groomed miles for snowmobiles, 60-plus for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and 34 downhill ski runs.
Shop Local in Cadillac
Ladies, don’t miss Mäkse Boutique or Serendipity, both on Mitchell Street. More fun stops: The Ultimate Gift Shop, McLain Cycle & Fitness and The Sweet Shop (get a box of the signature Snow Birds—white chocolate and Georgia pecans).
Cadillac’s Merriest Sips
Clam Lake Beer Company has wines, cocktails and 40 craft beers on tap. The peppermint Russian feels especially festive with peppermint vodka, Kahlúa liqueur instead of Kahlua Rum and Coffee Liqueur.
Santa’s Secret Cadillac Gift
Positive Chimney & Fire Place has a wide selection of grills, smokers and pizza ovens, plus accessories and spices. We love the idea of serving wood-fired pizzas at holiday gatherings.
Explore Cadillac’s Winter Wonderland
Explore more than 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the Huron Manistee National Forest. For a guided adventure, check out K&R Outfitters. For maps and trail conditions, visit cadillacmichigan.com.
2021 Holiday Events in Cadillac
Visit MyNorth.com/Events and cadillacmichigan.com for Santa sightings, tree lightings and more. And find everything you need for a Cadillac outing on our Cadillac town page.
Cadillac Holiday Gift Guide
In this year’s Cadillac gift guide, we’re featuring items from Serendipity and Positive Chimney. Whether you are looking for home decor, gifts or home goods, these two shops feature the best gifts for the homebody in your life. Make this year’s holiday shopping a breeze in Cadillac!
Serendipity is located at 101 S. Mitchell St. in Cadillac and is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. This shop features unique clothing, jewelry, accessories, home goods gifts and more.
Here are the items from Serendipity featured in our 2021 guide:
- Wild Woolies Felt Coin Purse, $17.99 each
- Green Thumb Gardening set, $19
- Towel and Utensil Set, $19.99
Positive Chimney & Fire Place is located at 6717 M-115 in Cadillac and is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. 5:30 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. While this shop mainly features fireplaces, stoves, spas, grills and more, you can also find home goods and necessities here.
Here are the Positive Chimney gifts featured in our 2021 guide:
- Safety Matches, $2.99
- Handcrafted Bellow, $95
- Enamel Trivet, $24
- Enamel Kettle, $99
2021 Frankfort Holiday Guide
A much-loved craft brewery with a penchant for ugly Christmas sweaters, a renovated 1920s theater, fabulous eateries and fun shops— Frankfort is downright jolly.
Shop Local in Frankfort
Crystal Lake Adventure Sports is the spot for outdoor gear, and The Corner Toy Store has a huge selection of LEGOs. A few miles outside of town, Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm & Boutique has super soft hats, mittens and stuffed animals.
Frankfort’s Merriest Sips
We love the menu at Stormcloud Brewing Company. 1) The food and beer are delish. 2) Pairings are recommended for every item. Want mac ‘n’ cheese? Get the Rainmaker Ale. Need a hot salted caramel cookie? Drink a B. Sirius Dubbel.
Santa’s Secret Frankfort Gift
The Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts is home to Mary’s Gift Gallery featuring Michigan-made works and artists. Go see an exhibit and do a little holiday shopping.
Explore Frankfort’s Winter Wonderland
For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, head to Arcadia Dunes, 15 minutes south of Frankfort. There are multiple trails, but the Lake Michigan view from the top of Baldy Dune is spectacular. (Too steep to ski? Snowshoe instead!).
Holiday Events in Frankfort
Visit MyNorth.com/Events and frankfort-elberta.com for Santa sightings, tree lightings and more. And find everything you need for a Frankfort outing at MyNorth.com/frankfort-michigan.
Ultimate Frankfort Gift Guide
For this year’s Frankfort gift guide we’re featuring items from Crystal Lake Aventure Sports, Elizabeth Lane Oliver Arts Center and Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm & Boutique. From outdoor gear to handcrafted jewelry, there’s something for everyone on your list in Frankfort.
Crystal Lake Aventure Sports is located at 312 Main St. in Frankfort and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This shop specializes in adventure rentals, clothing, gear and more.
Here are the Crystal Lake Aventure Sports items featured in our 2021 guide:
- Vuori Ponto Performance Half Zip Hoodie, $110
- Cotopaxi Luzon 24L Backpack, $75
- Patagonia Classic Retro-X Jacket, $199
Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts is located at 132 Coast Guard Rd. in Frankfort and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. This arts center features unique, handmade gifts from Jewelry to pottery.
Here are the items featured in our 2021 gift guide:
- Vase by Diane Zakala, $36
- Petoskey Wine Bottle Stopper by Robert Bayer, $30
- Necklace by Kimberly Bazemore, $188
Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm and Boutique is located at 4907 River Rd. in Frankfort and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. This shop features high-quality alpaca clothing and accessories ranging from outdoor gear to cozy socks.
Here are the Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm items featured in our 2021 guide:
- Cable Button Gloves, $42
- Reindeer Stuffed Animal, $43
- Alpaca Fur Pom Hat, $54
- Alpaca Bamboo Socks (Snowman and Yeti), $26 each
- Kissing Alpaca Glittens, $42
2021 Manistee Holiday Guide
Manistee’s Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend and nearby Bear Lake’s Sparkle in the Park event, with its thousands and thousands of lights, will fill you with cheer.
Shop Local in Manistee
Start your holiday shopping with a cup of locally roasted coffee at The Outpost, and browse the store’s quality selection of clothing. Then head down River Street, finding books and games at Happy Owl Bookshop and fun cards at Kellie’s Hallmark.
Manistee’s Merriest Sips
North Channel Brewing Co. has an awesome, walkable location downtown, right next to the Manistee River and drawbridge. You can’t go wrong with Manistee’s IPA or the Lighthouse Lager, both available in cans for gift giving.
Santa’s Secret Manistee Gift
Pine River Paddlesports Center in neighboring Wellston offers guided winter rafting on the Pine. The trips last a little more than an hour, and you don’t have to worry about getting wet! A fun gift for your adventure-loving friends.
Explore Manistee’s Winter Wonderland
Big-M Recreation Area has 18 groomed miles for classic cross-country skiing and 25 miles of groomed single-track trails for winter fat tire biking. The rolling, wooded landscape has segments for many experience levels.
Manistee Holiday Events
Visit MyNorth.com/Events, manisteechamber.com and visitmanisteecounty.com for Santa sightings, tree lightings and more. Find everything you need for a Manistee outing on our Manistee town page.
Manistee Gift Guide
In this year’s Manistee gift guide, we’re featuring gifts from The Outpost and Happy Owl Gift Shop. From home goods to Michigan-themed outdoor gear these stops will make checking gifts off your list beyond easy!
The Outpost is located at 359 River St. in Manistee and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This shop features year-round gear and clothing selections for men and women in Northern Michigan.
Here are The Outpost items featured in our 2021 guide:
- 16oz Travel Mug, $23
- Zip Hoodie, $59.99
- Cashmere Scarf, $28
Happy Owl Bookshop is located at 358 River St. in Manistee and is open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From books to home goods, this shop is the perfect spot to find a gift for the bookworm in your life.
Here are the Happy Owl gifts featured in our 2021 guide:
- Great Lakes Freighters Ceramic Mug, $13.99
- The Wonkey Donkey Book, $7.99
- Donkey Plush Toy, $25.99
- “Book Boyfriend” Soy Candle, $16.99
- Manistee Camp Mug, $14.99
Ludington Holiday Guide
Ludington is a winter paradise—relax at cozy B&Bs, snowshoe along Lake Michigan dunes and find fun gifts at cheery shops downtown.
Shop Local in Ludington
Todd & Brad Reed’s photography gallery on Ludington Avenue is a must, as are Grateful Heart & Home, Snyder’s Shoes and Spindrift Cyclesports.
Ludington Merry Sips
Ludington Bay Brewing Company has great beer (order D’Booty, a barrel-aged ale only available in winter) and an inviting patio with igloos and firepits.
Santa’s Secret Ludington Gift
The historic Cartier Mansion B&B recently transformed its car- riage house into four ADA-accessible guest suites ranging from large and spacious to quaint and comfortable. Gift a weekend stay.
Explore Ludington’s Winter Wonderland
Ludington State Park is a popular spot with several miles of trails groomed for cross-country skiing, and snowshoers are welcome to explore all others. The park also hosts a series of events, including a popular lantern-lit snowshoe and ski.
Ludington Holiday Events
Visit MyNorth.com/Events, ludington.org and pureludington.com for Santa sightings, tree lightings and more. Find everything you need for a Ludington outing on our Ludington town page.
Give the Gift of Traverse Magazine this Year!
Searching for the gift that keeps on giving? Send an annual, 12-month gift subscription of Traverse Magazine to someone you love for under $25. If you order before November 30 you can receive the January issue. Orders placed after this date will come with a complimentary postcard announcing your gift! And new for 2022? This gift subscription to Traverse includes the coveted MyNorth Weddings, a $6.95 value.
