Arcadia

Arcadia is a quiet place, and that is the reason to stop. It is a small village on the M-22 byway in northern Manistee County, with a town beach on Lake Michigan, a little marina on Arcadia Lake and miles of dune trails just north of town. Plan a half day, or a full day if you want a long hike, and base yourself in a bigger town.

Getting there and getting around

M-22 runs past the village; the beach and the marina are a few blocks off the highway. By our routing estimates, the drive takes about 2 hours 50 minutes from Grand Rapids, about 5 hours from Detroit and about 5 hours 45 minutes from Chicago. See getting here for the routes.

The closest airline airport is Manistee County Blacker Airport, with daily flights to Chicago O’Hare and rental car counters in the terminal; our estimate puts it about 30 minutes away. Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is about an hour and 15 minutes away by our estimate. Private pilots can use Frankfort Dow Memorial Field, about 20 minutes away.

You will want a car. The stops below are spread along M-22.

Where to eat

Arcadia’s places to eat are small and mostly seasonal, so check before you go, especially outside summer.

• Breakfast and lunch: MT Plate Diner. A local diner at 3489 Lake Street, near M-22 and the village beach, for a regular sit-down meal.
• Coffee and a light breakfast: Bowens Creek. A roadside coffee and crêpe stop at 17015 Northwood Highway (M-22), near Arcadia Marsh. An easy stop on a drive up the shore.
• Casual lunch or dinner: Ketch22 Kafe. A food trailer at the same M-22 stop, with sandwiches, burgers and wraps. It is seasonal, so check that it is open.
• Ice cream: Arcadia Ice House, 17073 Northwood Highway. The natural stop after the beach or a walk at the marsh.

For a special dinner: The Dining Room at Arcadia Bluffs. At 14710 Northwood Highway, with wide Lake Michigan views that are at their finest around sunset. It is open to the public, not just golfers, and takes reservations. It is seasonal, so check dates before you plan around it.

Where to stay

Our Arcadia listing is Arcadia Bluffs, the golf resort on the bluffs south of the village, with lodge rooms in season; confirm its lodging details before you book. See places to stay in Arcadia for the full list.

For more choice, stay in Frankfort or Manistee. See our Frankfort guide or our Manistee guide.

Our picks

Arcadia Beach Natural Area The town beach, at the west end of Lake Street: Lake Michigan sand with parking, restrooms, picnic tables with grills and a playground. This is where you swim. Watch the waves and stay out when the water is rough.

Arcadia Overlook The turnout on M-22 about 1.5 miles north of the village. Climb about 120 steps to the top deck for the long view down the bluff and up the coast toward Frankfort, or use the lower platform by the lot. Time it for sunset.

Arcadia Dunes The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s 3,927-acre preserve, open dawn to dusk. Start with the Overlook Trail from the Baldy lot, listed as universally accessible, to a high view over Lake Michigan. The flat Camp Trail suits families, and Pete’s Woods is the spring wildflower walk. Leashed dogs are welcome.

Arcadia Marsh A rare Great Lakes coastal marsh just south of the village, with about 0.9 miles of trail and a universal access boardwalk. It is a birding stop. The middle stretch closes from April 15 to July 15 for nesting season, and dogs and bikes are not allowed.

Arcadia Lake A small harbor with a channel out to Lake Michigan. The Veterans Memorial Marina has slips, a launch next door and kayak storage.

Golf Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club is the big draw for golfers, with its courses on the bluffs above the lake. Chestnut Hills, a family-run course inland, is the relaxed round.

A half day, or a day

Half day. Walk the Overlook Trail at Arcadia Dunes in the morning, then spend the afternoon at the town beach with a picnic. Stop at the Arcadia Overlook on your way out for the view.

A day. Add a longer loop on the Baldy Trails and an hour of birding at Arcadia Marsh. Finish with sunset from the Overlook, then dinner at The Dining Room at Arcadia Bluffs (book ahead) or a casual meal in the village. Our drive from Manistee to Frankfort and Point Betsie strings Arcadia together with the towns either side.

With kids, and on a rainy day

Kids get the playground at the town beach, the Overlook stairs and the flat Camp Trail. On a rainy day, Arcadia has a small historical museum; check its website for hours. Otherwise, head to Manistee or Frankfort.

Best time to go

Summer, for the beach and the marina. Arcadia Daze, the Lions Club’s heritage weekend at Finch Park in late July, brings a parade, a 5K, a car show and an arts and crafts fair. In spring, come for the wildflowers in Pete’s Woods and the birds at the marsh.

Winter

Winter is very quiet. Arcadia Dunes is listed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and the preserve stays open dawn to dusk. Plan to eat and sleep elsewhere.

Hours, menus and schedules change, so check with each place before you go.