We admit it--we absolutely love West Michigan in the summertime! Yes, there are more people and cars, but we really don’t mind sharing our secret with the rest of the world. And we never take our vacations this time of year—why leave perfection? Our abundance of natural resources is what makes life here so good.

Beaches
Miles of clean, sandy beaches await you, along the shores of Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. We treasure our Great Lakes, and most newcomers to the area are amazed at the size of Lake Michigan—you can’t see the neighboring state of Wisconsin, so it looks like a sea! Swimming and soaking up the sun are favorite activities waiting for you to enjoy. And despite the large numbers of people, you’ll never feel crowded. Stearns Beach is the closest, located at the end of Ludington Avenue. This is where you’ll find the long breakwall that leads out to the North Pierhead Light. The Ludington State Park boasts a sugar sand shoreline that’s nearly seven miles long. Families appreciate the warm waters of Hamlin Lake Beach, located within the park.

Boating and Fishing
There are over 70 charter captains in Ludington and Manistee, and they like to keep busy! Fishing is big business here, due to the abundance of salmon and steelhead in Lake Michigan. These experienced captains will be happy to share their knowledge with you when you book a half or full day charter, almost guaranteeing you a “fish story” of your very own. Their boats are well equipped, safe, and licensed—providing you with priceless memories. Many area resorts also rent pontoons, speedboats, and jet skis, allowing you to venture out on the water at your own pace.

Activities
You’ll never hear the words, “There’s nothing to do!” during the summer months in West Michigan. June brings the Gus Macker 3-on-3 tournament to Ludington, and the July 4th Freedom Festival and Manistee’s Forest Festival are big crowd-pleasers, complete with parade and fireworks. Fishing tournaments, sidewalk sales, dune buggy rides, local concerts—you may have a problem fitting all that fun into your schedule! Of course, there are quiet moments to enjoy, also. Find a private spot at one of the numerous area parks, or take a tour of Historic White Pine Village or the Ludington Pumped Storage Project. Summer may not be our longest season, but it is the most fun—come and join us!

Jump to: Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter - Calendar Home