Welcome to Ludington and Mason County!
Take it from a local--there’s no finer place to work or relax than Ludington on the Lake. For so many of us, the workday commute includes a trip through Stearns Park beach, with the North Breakwater Lighthouse and breakwall in view. We love to hear the steam whistle announce the arrival or departure of the S.S. Badger carferry, and we’re proud of our home port heritage. Life here is just easier; a far cry from the traffic jams and stressful driving inherent in big cities.
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Ludington is a safe, clean community--small enough to be friendly and big enough to offer many advantages found in more metropolitan areas. We have unique downtown shops, large chain stores, family-owned restaurants, and most of the popular franchises. Our community is very supportive of its ever-growing visual and performing arts. Plus, we’re just a short drive from larger cities.
Natural resources abound here, from the Ludington State Park to forests, sand dunes, inland lakes and a vast Lake Michigan shoreline. We have miles and miles of public beach to explore, and our sunsets are some of the finest in the world. Beautiful marinas are just a few blocks from the heart of downtown and provide the perfect backdrop for the popular waterfront walkway.
Many residents first discovered Ludington while visiting one of our popular events like the 4th of July Freedom Festival parade and fireworks, Gus Macker at Stearns Beach, or the Lakestride Half Marathon. Add in a mixture of Friday Night Live or Movies in the Park, offered downtown on selected summer evenings, and you’ll see why it’s so easy to fall in love with Ludington.
What’s not to do here? Our lakes provide the best in water recreation, and we’re the number one king salmon port on Lake Michigan--with over 65 charter captains to help you catch “the big one.” No other place provides more beautiful scenery for a hike or bike ride. With three golf courses in town (plus over a dozen courses within a half hour drive), three mini golf courses, five disc golf courses, bowling alleys, multiplex theaters, and a couple adventure parks, entertainment is always available. There are also many activities held at the Western Michigan Fairgrounds, including the Fair, Renaissance Festival, summer flea markets, and numerous horse shows.
Our town is such a wonderful place to raise children. The Ludington Area School District puts a strong emphasis on academic achievement and good citizenship, with graduating classes rarely exceeding 200. The music program is excellent, and the school offers many sports for girls and boys including football, track, basketball, baseball, wrestling, soccer, tennis, golf, swimming, volleyball, equestrian, and cross country. Our teams often boast winning seasons, and the Ludington Orioles are always known for their good sportsmanship. There are summer arts programs just for kids, and community clubs such as 4-H, chess, and scouting. For higher education, we’re so fortunate to have our very own West Shore Community College, offering a two year program, with credits transferring easily to larger universities. WSCC is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year!
Memorial Medical Center utilizes leading edge medical technology and employs a highly skilled hospital staff. Many health specialists have moved their practices to Ludington, providing our community with outstanding dental, vision, and medical care.
The cost of living in Ludington is relatively low compared to other communities, with reasonable housing and apartments for people of all incomes. Condominiums are plentiful around the harbor area, and there are many new housing developments near town. Retirees find Ludington an ideal place to spend their golden years. Retirement communities and assisted care facilities are abundant and just minutes from the hospital. For those without a car, low cost transportation is provided by the Ludington Mass Transit Authority.
The influx of summer tourists create many job opportunities, and our local industry provides a year round base for employment. Large companies that have enjoyed success here include Dow Chemical, FloraCraft, Whitehall Industries, Metalworks, Straits Steel & Wire, Brill Manufacturing, and Great Lakes Castings. A new Industrial Park in Pere Marquette Township brings the promise of even more jobs for the area.
It happens time and time again--people come here to vacation, fall in love with the area, and decide to make it their home. Come explore what we have to offer, and join the good life in Ludington, along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.