Michigan has so many options that make it considered one of my favourite states within the U.S.: entry to 3 of the 5 Nice Lakes, miles and miles of gorgeous forests, nice (and underrated) cities, Midwestern allure and hospitality, and distinctive spots you will not discover wherever else within the nation like Mackinac Island and the Upper Peninsula.
As an Ohioan, I have been fortunate sufficient to discover quite a lot of Michigan through the years. And now I am excited to share one more nook of the Mitten State with you: town of Ludington!
Ludington, Michigan as a seashore getaway
This small metropolis of lower than 8,000 folks sits on Lake Michigan, close to the mouth of the Pere Marquette River in Michigan’s Mason County. And the easiest way I can describe it’s as a Nice Lakes seashore city.
Ludington has all the trimmings of an idyllic little seashore city: it is on the water, has a big sandy seashore, and boasts a walkable downtown space stuffed with bars, eating places, and t-shirt retailers. Ludington additionally has some enjoyable museums, distinctive locations to remain, and is close to a superb state park. Principally, it makes for a terrific lengthy weekend getaway once you need to swap the saltwater for freshwater!
In the event you’re intrigued to be taught extra about Ludington, learn on!
Be aware: This put up is dropped at you as a part of a paid partnership with Pure Ludington. As all the time, although, my opinions are my very own and based mostly 100% alone experiences!
How one can get to Ludington
Ludington lies on Michigan’s western aspect, on the shore of Lake Michigan. For many who know Mitten Geography, Ludington sits simply above the knuckle of the Michigan Hand Map. (Michiganders know precisely what I am speaking about, and for many who do not, simply know that folks in Michigan usually use their hand like a map to indicate the place totally different locations are within the state.)
Town is greatest reached by automotive, with U.S. Route 10 main straight into downtown. Ludington is roughly 3.5 hours from Detroit, 4 hours from Chicago, and 6 hours from Cleveland, Ohio, for those who’re driving.
Throughout the summer season months, you may also arrive in Ludington through the SS Badger carferry from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The SS Badger is tremendous historic (a Nationwide Historic Landmark, the truth is!) because the final coal-fired passenger vessel working in the US.
When to go to Ludington
Ludington is a year-round vacation spot, however there are some warm-weather sights which might be ideally suited to the summer season months. In my private opinion, I might say Could-September is without doubt one of the greatest instances to go to Ludington, with August-September being superb if you wish to swim in Lake Michigan.
Being positioned on the lake, Ludington usually has fairly delicate summer season climate – which is nice information for anybody like me who loves summer season actions however hates sweltering warmth.
It is a superb fall vacation spot, too, with Ludington State Park, Cartier Park, and the close by Manistee Nationwide Forest all providing up nice leaf-peeping. (Actually, a Michigan fall road trip is considered one of my favorites I’ve ever carried out!) On this a part of Michigan, fall colours peak normally within the first half of October.
High 10 issues to do in Ludington
Ludington could also be a small metropolis, however there’s extra to do than you in all probability assume. I truly visited Ludington solo, however know that it is also a incredible vacation spot for {couples} and households, too – there actually is one thing for everybody.
I spent 4 days leisurely exploring all that Ludington has to supply, and right here had been my favourite issues to do:
1. Hit the seashore at Stearns Park
The general public seashore at Stearns Park is a large, deep sandy seashore that is free to go to (and has a lot of free parking, too!). The seashore is nice for wading, has wheelchair-friendly accessible walkways out into the sand, and in addition is a great spot to observe the sundown because it faces west throughout Lake Michigan.
There are restrooms and concession stands at each the northern and southern ends of the seashore – and the concession stands truly serve actually good meals, with The Sandbox on the southern finish of the seashore whipping up scrumptious sliders.
Stearns Park can be subsequent to a skatepark, playground, and mini golf course, that means there’s a lot to do right here for everybody.
2. Climb a lighthouse
Additionally accessible from Stearns Park Seashore is the Ludington North Breakwater Light. This small lighthouse sits on the finish of a protracted (as in nearly half a mile lengthy) concrete pier/breakwater that you could stroll down in good climate situations.
The lighthouse itself is 57 toes tall and dates again to 1924, and from Memorial Day by means of Labor Day you’ll be able to climb to the highest of it for a payment. The views from the highest on a transparent day are incredible – however know that the “stairs” right here extra carefully resemble ladders.
(Even for those who’re not planning to climb the lighthouse, the stroll out alongside the breakwater remains to be value it.)
3. Tour the Maritime Museum
Not removed from the North Breakwater Gentle you may discover the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, which is a superb museum for the entire household.
Positioned in a former U.S. Coast Guard Station overlooking Lake Michigan (the constructing is now listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations), this 3-story museum covers every part from Lake Michigan’s carferries to the Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940 to Nice Lakes shipwrecks. On the second ground there’s even an interactive exhibit the place you’ll be able to attempt your hand at “piloting” a carferry into port – it is tougher than it appears to be like!
The museum is operated by the Mason County Historic Society, and you may simply spend 1-2 hours right here.
4. Store in downtown Ludington
Downtown Ludington consists of just some principal streets lined with historic shopfronts and exquisite Victorian seashore houses. I extremely suggest devoting at the very least a pair hours to exploring the native retailers right here.
Some distinctive issues you are able to do embody purchasing for classic threads at Attractive Nomad, designing your personal t-shirt at Gordys Skate Co., making your personal candle at Home & Harbor, and selecting up some candy treats at Kilwins.
5. Go to Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park – AKA Waterfront Sculpture Park – is a 5.3-acre park positioned subsequent to Ludington’s principal harbor/marina on Pere Marquette Lake. The park is house to 9 massive bronze sculptures that depict totally different scenes and icons from Ludington’s historical past, and affords up nice views of the SS Badger when she sails in to/out of port.
This grassy park additionally has a pleasant playground, in addition to a live performance pavilion the place you’ll be able to usually catch free dwell music through the summer season months. It is a great place for shore fishing, too, and through salmon season you may positively see a lot of fishing boats out in out in Pere Marquette Lake linked to Lake Michigan.
6. Spend a day at Ludington State Park
I may in all probability commit a complete weblog put up to Ludington State Park, as it is a distinctive and exquisite state park. It is bordered by Lake Michigan to the west, smaller Hamlin Lake to the east, and is lower by means of by the Large Sable River.
The state park affords nice campsites for those who’re into that, or you’ll be able to simply go to for a day. With in the future, just a few of the belongings you positively ought to do embody:
- Swim at Ludington State Park Seashore (and go to the Arts-and-Crafts fashion historic Seashore Home constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935).
- Lease a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and go for a paddle on the calm Hamlin Lake.
- Hike the Misplaced Lake Path + Island Path loop round Lake Hamlin (about 2 miles spherical journey ranging from the Hamlin Lake Seashore parking space).
- See unbelievable dune views from the Skyline Path.
- Stroll out to the enduring Big Sable Point Lighthouse (4-ish miles spherical journey on a flat path), which dates again to 1867. You’ll be able to climb 130 steps to the watchtower room for wonderful views over Lake Michigan (the tower is open for climbs from early Could by means of late October). I truly walked out for sundown, which meant I missed out on climbing the lighthouse – however it was nonetheless nicely value it!
Ludington State Park expenses a day use payment, which is $11 per day for anybody with out-of-state license plates. You’ll be able to pay this payment on the entrance sales space.
7. Hang around at Stix
Only a couple minutes down the highway from the state park, I extremely suggest stopping at Stix. Stix is a complete leisure venue, providing an upscale restaurant, bowling alley, and out of doors beer backyard.
For me, the beer backyard was the star right here. It has its personal bar, a BBQ meals truck, tons of seating choices, hearth pits, garden video games, and out of doors phases for dwell music. It looks like a great spot to be within the evenings throughout summer season and fall.
8. Step again in time in Historic White Pine Village
In the event you’re a historical past nerd like me, you then will not need to skip a go to to Historic White Pine Village. This duplicate nineteenth century pioneer village is only a brief drive south of downtown Ludington, and has 30+ buildings you’ll be able to discover throughout a self-guided tour.
The village makes use of historic buildings (lots of them authentic) and genuine artifacts to showcase the world’s historical past, which focuses on issues like farming and lumbering.
You’ll be able to find out about every part from milking cows to maple sugaring to how a sawmill works, and go to buildings like a schoolhouse, a basic retailer, a trapper’s cabin, a physician’s workplace, and the unique Mason County Courthouse from 1849. There are museum-style reveals, too, in addition to an genuine quaint ice cream parlor contained in the City Corridor.
Historic White Pine Village is open from early Could by means of October, and takes at the very least 1-2 hours to discover.
9. Go wine tasting
It’s possible you’ll be conversant in a few of Michigan’s wine areas (I’ve even written about some earlier than, just like the Leelanau Peninsula), so it may not be a shock to be taught that you could go wine tasting in Ludington!
I visited Pere Marquette Vineyard, discovered simply across the nook from Historic White Pine Village. This family-run vineyard was began by the Morton household as a passion after a visit to France within the Eighties, however has grown into a reasonably spectacular manufacturing.
All of the wine made at Pere Marquette Winery is made utilizing grapes grown on their very own property. They’re recognized for his or her Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Cayuga grapes, and make a variety of tasty wines that span the colour and taste gamut. For summer season, I preferred their Cayuga White and Any Day Rose.
Wine tastings listed here are carried out in a comfortable tasting room inside transformed stables, and so they additionally promote cheese plates and different snacks. Tastings are very cheap, too, at $10 for five tastes, or $16 for a flight of 4 wines.
Different space wineries you’ll be able to try embody North Branch Winery in close by Scottville, and Fox Barn Winery in Shelby.
10. Get out on the water
Lastly, along with the leases on Hamlin Lake that I discussed above, there are many distinctive methods to get out on the water in Ludington. Some of the fashionable might be fishing on Lake Michigan and in its tributary rivers just like the Pere Marquette River – do you know that Ludington is the most effective place to fish for salmon in Michigan?? (Properly, for those who did not, now you do!)
Together with salmon, the waters round Ludington are additionally nice for fishing for brown trout and yellow perch. You may get a fishing license from the Michigan DNR and produce your personal sort out and equipment, or you’ll be able to rent a fishing constitution to take you out. There are greater than 25 native constitution captains – discover one by means of the Ludington Area Charter Boat Association.
Salmon season within the space is usually August-October.
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The place to eat in Ludington
It doesn’t matter what you are searching for in Ludington, you’ll be able to in all probability discover it! A few of my favourite spots for consuming and ingesting embody:
- Purple Rooster Espresso & Group for caffeine
- Cafe 106 for diner-style breakfast and lunch
- Cluck Bucket Downtown for hen sandwiches
- The Sandbox on the seashore for connoisseur sliders
- The ten Spot meals truck park for a fast lunch
- Jamesport Brewing Firm for native beer and meals (the pecan-crusted perch is so good)
- The Mitten Bar for native pub vibes and plenty of craft beer choices
- Desk 14 for upscale eating
- Home of Flavors Eating places for ice cream
The place to remain in Ludington
Ludington has a number of distinctive, locally-owned lodging choices, starting from refurbished nostalgic motels to cozy B&Bs in historic houses. I stayed at two wonderful spots, and would suggest each of them.
- Summer’s Inn – This family-run, adults-only motel has touches that make it really feel like rather more than only a motel. The rooms have been refreshed however nonetheless retain their mid-century vibes, breakfast is cooked to order every morning, and there is even a non-public backyard with a koi pond for company to get pleasure from.
- The Lamplighter Bed & Breakfast – Positioned in a stupendous historic house, the Lamplighter is such a soothing and welcoming place to remain. The rooms are very comfy, the out of doors house is tremendous enjoyable, and the home-cooked breakfasts and nightly fresh-baked cookies are unbelievable!
Wherever you keep, you are certain to be charmed by Michigan’s Midwest hospitality.
Who’s able to plan a visit to Ludington now?
