21 Unique Things To Do In Manistee, Michigan

This is one of the nicest beaches on Lake Michigan. It has great sand, plenty of room, amazing facilities, and lots of family fun.

It is also a place to enjoy the sunset over the water. You will also come across three playgrounds in walking distance of the sand. Parking is free but since it is so large it might take you a few minutes to walk to the water.

If you visit the area during weekdays, you will probably have the beach to yourself. You can walk along the shore, sunbathe, or enjoy the views from the deck as the fishing boats come in from Lake Michigan.

It is a beautiful walk down to the lighthouse. It is a bit of a walk out on the pier, but it is wide enough and if you are careful, it's worthwhile to get close to the lighthouse.

To visit, enter 5th Avenue Beach or US Coast Station on 5th Avenue in your GPS/Google Maps. Otherwise, you will be directed to the side of the park that does not offer direct access to the lighthouse pier.

It is an exhilarating feeling to watch the waves crash on the platform the lighthouse is on. Moreover, the view of the sunset off the water and the lighthouse is possibly one of the most beautiful Manistee things to do.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a historical theater that manages to incorporate a modern touch. There is a large event room for use in hosting an art exhibition or special events.

The ballroom on the second floor with a grand staircase also serves as a wedding venue. The staff is super nice and very helpful. People also love the fact that the center is walkable from Water Street and has both restaurants and hotels.

The theater holds many events such as Manistee's Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend, Nutcracker, and other plays, concerts, or ay popular presentations. Check the latest events from The Ramsdell website.

Many people walk past and don't realize that this place is a hidden gem. You will be amazed by the great variety of interesting and old artifacts.

The museum is located on what was two separate properties; a pharmacy and a bookstore. It is enjoyable to read fascinating stories about prior Manistee residents and view old items such as Macintosh computers, 1880' dresses, medicine bottles, and sound machines.

The entry fee is modest and although the space doesn't seem big, it is divided into four rooms; all packed with artifacts. To fully appreciate this museum of local history, you will need at least half a day.

Bungalow Inn is a popular place for dinner. It is a good mix of bar, grill, and dining with great fish and steak specials.

They have many options, large portions, and a nice variety. Check the online menu before as other additional options might not be available on the regular menu.

Moreover, the atmosphere is quite eclectic. The bar features a dark tone with great tin ceilings and the dining section is mostly of wood with bright lights. Both create a very inviting environment. The prices are fair for the food you get and you will leave with a nice leftover for another time.

This walkway along the river starts at many areas downtown and goes to Lake Michigan. The walk is an easy boardwalk path with shaded areas and ramps instead of stairs.

You get a nice view of fishing boats coming in or people's pleasure boating. Besides, there are many other things to see such as the views of the boats, plants, animals, and architecture of the buildings.

At the end is a beach area and views of the lighthouse. If you enjoy walking, you should do this. To stretch your leg rest on many of the benches available along the way. This activity is thus considered one of the loveable things to do in Manistee MI.

This is a preserved car ferry of Lake Michigan that offers tours in the spring and summer. The ferry also serves as a hotel, and haunted house several times of the year.

Anyone who prefers to lodge here might get a 1930s feel. The museum also caters to a guided tour that starts at the top of every hour and runs for about 45 minutes. It walks you through a good portion of the ship and gives a bunch of history of the rail car crossings across Lake Michigan.

You will enjoy exploring the ship and imagining life as a sailor. One can also take a self-guided tour of the Coast Guard ship Acacia which is moored next to the Milwaukee.

A great place to spend a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon. It's a good beach with clear water, changing rooms, and a canteen that sells hot dogs, chips and all kinds of biscuits, ice creams and sandwiches.

Rent condos for a ride and get a taste that you are in a new town on the East Coast. The concessions building has a large variety of food, tables to eat with grills and volleyball nets.

Children will certainly enjoy shell hunting, constructing things with driftwood, and splashing in the water. There is a parking lot to sit and enjoy sunsets or go out on the pier. Also, take some time to explore Lake Michigan things to do.

A beautiful course that offers a stunning view of Lake Michigan. The fairways and greens are in great shape and you will love looking down the bluffs and seeing the pristine lake.

The place is like a bomber paradise. Several holes beg you to try and be on in one or at least just a chip on. This is also one of the oldest courses in the state of Michigan.

On Mondays, you can play as a senior in the morning for $25 including a cart. This is a perfect time to try something in the cafe, which has tasty foods and a good choice of beers and other alcoholic libations.

North Channel Brewing Co. is a nice micro-brewery located just across the bridge from downtown Manistee. You can stop by for some drinks and light snacks after some shopping downtown.

You will be greeted and seated right away. The servers are nice and attentive too. They have a nice variety on tap the beer selection is extensive and pairs well with the food.

Their poutine is one of the delicious and popular orders. People express that they serve the best gravy on poutine. All in all this place has a lot of great things to offer their customers.

Orchard Beach State Park has a little campground great for a nature escape. You can enjoy great sunsets and the park is very close to 1st Avenue beach.

The park has a lot of campers out with tents or RV's. It is a lovely spot on high bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. The views from here are something that should not be missed. Find a spot and enjoy the sunset on Lake Michigan.

They have nice shower buildings in at least two locations and a variety of trails to walk. This is a nice way to spend a family outing. You can also bring your dog but they must be on lease.

The dam pond provides opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and camping. You instantly feel the peace of nature when you step foot in this tranquil environment.

It would be a good paddle for families with children or inexperienced paddlers. There are some good hydraulics close to the dam, basically the first 1/4th mile. The rest of the river is quick and keeps you on your toes.

You can also canoe the beautiful Manistee River from Hodenpyl Dam to High Bridge. The stretch from Hodenpyl to Red Bridge is the best leg of the trip. One can also opt for the Manistee River trail hike.

This is a vintage theater that has been restored to its glory and is run by volunteers. It is said that no visit to Manistee is complete without seeing a first run or classic movie at the Vogue.

The theater is a mix of retro and modern as evident from the great facade outside to the retro atrium inside. The prices are fair and the sound quality and picture are of great quality. Sometimes they have free movies for children.

The place provides a nostalgic experience when one went to movies with folks back in the day. Check the show dates, become a member, or take a virtual tour from the Vogue Theater Manistee website.

This is one of the top Manistee MI hotels/casinos. The staff are the best you will see anywhere.

From the cleaning people, the front desk, waitresses, and dealers, to everyone who works there, they are friendly and truly care about you. The rooms are always clean and the service is excellent.

If you like to get away or gamble, go to the casino section. You will find many good slots and lots of choices. As popular hotels in Manistee Michigan, people can dine in from multiple onsite restaurants and relax at many pools and hot tubs, both indoor and outdoor.

This trail takes you to the top of the dune with a beautiful view of the lake. The trail passes through a conservation preserve and on one side are the dune trails and Lake Michigan, while the other side has woodland and fields.

That trail is most popular for mountain biking. The trails to get to the dune entrance are fairly flat and easy. There is a staircase to get up to the dune and a sand trail. Moreover, the trail has good signage so it is quite difficult to get lost.

Stay on the trails and watch out for poison ivy. It is a good trip but make sure to be cautious. The parking is pretty limited but the porta-potty on the trail is well appreciated.

This is one of the best places where you cannot hesitate to get a bird's eye view of Lake Michigan. Taking this aerial tour of Manistee and the surrounding area will not disappoint you.

The pilot makes you feel very comfortable even if it's your first time in a four-person plane. The takeoff, flight, and landing all ensure a smooth ride.

The staff points out many areas of interest and shares some valuable history of the areas. The service is available ear around. Book your scenic tour today at the Orchard Beach Aviation website.

If you want the best ice cream around, make the drive to Alpine Chocolate Haus in Manistee. The place is super cute, the staff are friendly and the choices are amazing.

Grab an ice cream and stroll through the town or walk along the riverwalk. It will be a great day. If you cannot decide which flavor to pick, the employee offers a taste to make sure that you like it.

They also offer a sparse dessert menu so you can wander down the street to find something to satisfy a sweet tooth. Besides ice cream, they also have homemade candies and old-fashioned gum.

This is another best places to bring the family, enjoy nature, and see the famous rocks of Michigan. It is a rocky beach and you do have to walk a little bit to get to the water.

But there is a trail which makes it easier. You will see an outhouse and a water pump for free water if you run out. For those who can't walk the trek to the beach, there is a wonderful overlook of the lake.

The trails and beach are also not overcrowded. You can spend an entire day relaxing and playing in the waves. There is also a picnic area near parking that is quite accessible.

Princess of Manistee is a beautiful ship that provides fine and entertaining harbor cruises on the beautiful Lake Michigan. It is 65 feet long, weighted with a maximum capacity of 145 persons.

On board, you will have amazing views of the coast, dunes, and sunsets. The crew provides some history and important information about the places that are shown in the series. There are also snacks and drinks for sale: draft local beers and wines are also offered to visitors.

The Princess has themed cruises for occasions such as fireworks and for viewing the sunset. These cruises may have different times or costs, so it must be better to ask in advance.

The Little Mac Bridge is an exquisite wooden bridge over the Manistee River in Michigan. You will find the bridge in the Manistee National Forest area, just a few miles northeast of Manistee.

The structure is quite large and is located above the surface of the water. The bridge is for walks only and a perfect place to practice pedestrianism and take photos.

While crossing the Little Mac Bridge, tourists get good scenic views of the river and trees surrounding that area. Some come to hike, to take pictures, or simply to get some fresh air and relax. It looks best in fall with the trees starting to turn color.

Guardian Angels Church was built during 1888 -1890. The church has a tower that works up to a height of 170 feet.

This spire symbolizes security and reunion to the families in the community. It also has a bell tower that measures one hundred and eighty feet in height. This tower is the tallest building within the area of Manistee.

It has a particularly large clock and a very stunning rose window. The church building inside has some of its sections that can accommodate around 450 people. Take a look at things to do in Michigan as well.