3 days · Best in summer or fall
A Ludington and Manistee beach weekend
Three summer days on the Lake Michigan shore, from Ludington State Park and Big Sable Point to Manistee's pier and riverwalk and the Arcadia Overlook.
This weekend is for families and beach people who want long Lake Michigan beach days with a harbor town to come back to. Ludington and Manistee are harbor towns a short drive apart on US-31, and Arcadia, up the M-22 byway, gives you a quiet beach and a high lookout over the lake to finish.
Day 1: Ludington. Settle in at Stearns Park Beach, the city’s free Lake Michigan beach, with a playground and, in summer, wheelchair-accessible paths to the water and a sand wheelchair to borrow. Downtown has shops and restaurants a few blocks away. Then do what residents and visitors alike do: watch the S.S. Badger, the 1953 coal-fired car ferry, steam in or out of the harbor from one of the waterfront parks. On summer Wednesday evenings, Waterfront Park has free concerts by the channel. Sleep in Ludington.
Day 2: The state park, then Manistee. Drive north on M-116 to Ludington State Park. Walk or bike the 1.8 miles to Big Sable Point Lighthouse in the morning, before the heat, and climb the tower if it is open. Spend the afternoon at one of the park’s two buoyed swim beaches: Lake Michigan surf, or the beach on Hamlin Lake on the other side. The route page covers the drive. Then head north to Manistee and walk the riverwalk at dusk, with stairs up to River Street for dinner. Sleep in Manistee.
Day 3: Manistee beaches and Arcadia. Swim at First Street Beach, which has a free family disc golf course, then walk the north pier from Fifth Avenue Beach toward the pierhead light. In the afternoon, take the M-22 byway north to Arcadia Beach, the township’s public beach, with picnic tables and grills. Pack a supper and finish at the Arcadia Overlook for the sunset. If you skip the stairs, the lower platform by the lot is listed as fully accessible.
The tradeoff. You move once, from Ludington to Manistee. If you would rather unpack once, stay two nights in either town; Arcadia works as a day trip from Manistee.
Book ahead. We’d reserve rooms early for any July or August weekend. Manistee fills the Fourth of July holiday with the National Forest Festival. Put a Recreation Passport on your car. For more ideas around town, see our Manistee visitor guide.
The route
Day 1
Stearns Park Beach is free, with accessible paths to the water in summer.
Sails mid-May into October. Check the schedule for arrival and departure times.
Day 2
Recreation Passport needed. Most of the Lake Michigan shore is closed to pets.
A 1.8-mile walk each way on sand and gravel with little shade. Bring water.
An evening stroll behind River Street. Park along River or Water Street.
Day 3
Restrooms, playgrounds and life vests to borrow.
About a quarter mile out the north pier from Fifth Avenue Beach. Tower listed as closed until May 21, 2027.
At the west end of Lake Street, with parking, restrooms and a playground.
About 120 steps to the top deck. The lot is small at sunset.
Route map: A Ludington and Manistee beach weekend
9 places on an OpenStreetMap map
Practical notes
- Michigan state parks require a Recreation Passport for vehicle entry.
- Lake Michigan conditions change fast. Watch the waves and beach flags, and stay off piers in high waves.
- Drive times on this site are estimates. Use a map app for current routes and road conditions.