Here are 6 of our favorite ways to get up close and personal with this coastal region, from Benzie County to Ludington, and all the forests, lakes and rivers between.
This article was first featured in the 2023 MyNorth Vacation Guide. Learn more about this year's guide, order a digital or print copy, or find a complimentary guide on newsstands across Northern Michigan.
Cruise or Send-Off the S.S. Badger | Send the S.S. Badger off with a wave from Stearns Park in Ludington as it sails for Wisconsin at 9 a.m. every summer morning. Or go aboard for a shoreline cruise.
Our Favorite View of Lake Michigan | Pull over at Inspiration Point on M-22, just north of the village of Arcadia, and feel your spirits soar as you take in this bird’s-eye view of Lake Michigan.
Bike Big M Trail | Mountain bike under a canopy of hardwoods on the 37-mile Big M trail between Cadillac and Wellston.
Photo by Gail Snable
Photo by Taylor Brown
Paddle Pine River | Consult the canoe connoisseurs of Pine River Paddlesports to find your just-right stretch of water.
View the Coast from Above | Check out Orchard Beach Aviation for an aerial tour of the coast. On truly bluebird days, some sightseers can spot Lake Michigan shipwrecks from the air.
Explore Local Lighthouses | The stretch of shoreline between Frankfort, Ludington and Mears is guarded by six lighthouses. Make it a point to visit at least one, or spend a weekend exploring them all.