3 days · Best in summer or fall
Harbor towns of the lakeshore: Grand Haven to Manistee
Three days up the Lake Michigan shore through Grand Haven, Ludington and Manistee, with a state park beach, a pier walk and a lighthouse every day.
This trip suits beach people who like a town with their sand. Three harbor towns sit at river mouths along the Lake Michigan shore, each with a pier, a light and a downtown you can walk, and a state park gives you a beach stop every day. The road between them is the West Michigan Pike, mostly US-31.
Day 1: Grand Haven. Spend the day at Grand Haven State Park, 48 acres of sand where the Grand River meets the lake, with a buoyed swim area and a beach house. Walk out the south pier toward the two red lights, then follow the boardwalk along the river into downtown, where snack stands and waterfront places to eat line the way. On summer evenings, find a seat at the waterfront stadium for the free Musical Fountain show across the channel. Sleep in Grand Haven.
Day 2: Ludington. Head north to Ludington State Park at the end of M-116. Walk or bike the 1.8-mile path to Big Sable Point Lighthouse, which is open from early May into late October, then swim at one of the park’s two buoyed beaches. Back in town, Stearns Park Beach is the free city beach, and the waterfront parks are where people gather to watch the S.S. Badger come and go in season. Downtown has shops and restaurants close to the water. Sleep in Ludington.
Day 3: Manistee. Swim at First Street Beach, then walk the riverwalk behind the River Street storefronts. Walk the north pier from Fifth Avenue Beach to the pierhead light; the tower is listed as closed until May 21, 2027, so treat a climb as a bonus in future seasons. End the day on the bluff at Orchard Beach State Park for the sunset. Despite the name, erosion has cut off its beach, so swim in town first. Sleep in Manistee, or head home.
The tradeoff. Three towns in three days means packing up twice. If you would rather unpack once, base in Ludington and do Manistee as a day trip.
Book ahead. We’d reserve rooms early for a summer weekend in any of the three towns, and check the Coast Guard Festival dates before you pick yours in Grand Haven. Put a Recreation Passport on your car before you go; it covers all three state parks.
The route
Day 1
Park once and walk: the beach, boardwalk and downtown sit side by side.
Recreation Passport needed to drive in. Watch the beach flags.
Grand Haven South Pierhead lights
Walk out from the state park beach or the boardwalk. Stay off the pier in high waves.
Day 2
Watch the S.S. Badger come in from the waterfront parks in season.
At the end of M-116. The Skyline Trail is closed for rebuilding.
A 1.8-mile walk or ride each way with little shade. Bring water.
Day 3
Park at First Street Beach and walk the riverwalk into downtown.
Tower listed as closed until May 21, 2027. The pier walk from Fifth Avenue Beach is still open to stroll.
Come for the bluff and the sunset. There is no beach access from the park.
Route map: Harbor towns of the lakeshore: Grand Haven to Manistee
9 places on an OpenStreetMap map
Practical notes
- Michigan state parks require a Recreation Passport for vehicle entry.
- Stay off piers and breakwalls in high waves.
- Drive times on this site are estimates. Use a map app for current routes and road conditions.