Escanaba, MI: Lakeside breezes, hometown hospitality, art and adventure

The Sand Point Lighthouse, also known as the Escanaba Light, located in Escanaba, Michigan, has been an unofficial aid to navigation on Lake Michigan's northern shore since 1868. The Lighthouse is a story-and-a-half high rectangular structure with a brick tower attached to it. On top of the tower is a cast iron lantern room with a fourth order Fresnel lens, which emits a fixed red light that radiates light for 11.5 miles. What makes the Sand Point Lighthouse unique is that its tower is facing the land instead of facing the water. It is not known whether this orientation was a mistake or was intentional. The lighthouse has been restored in 1990 and is now open to the public during the summer months.

2-20 Water Plant Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829

The original Escanaba Public Library was a Carnegie library (a library built with funds donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie) located in Escanaba, Michigan. The library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was designed by local architect Theodore Lohff and was officially opened in May 1903. The Escanaba Public Library is a one-story building in Classical Revival style, built of red brick and Lake Superior Sandstone. Its front facade has a portico entrance with a pediment and an entablature supported by four Ionic columns. In 1995 the library moved to the new location and the old Carnegie building was sold to private owners.

400 Ludington St, Escanaba, MI 49829, Phone: 906-789-7323

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Sayklly’s Confectionery and Gifts store has been the Escanaba icon since 1906. The original store is located in historic downtown Escanaba and still produces Sayklly’s famous homemade chocolates and candies made from secret, premium ingredients. The store, which is today one of three, has been owned and run by the Sayklly family for three generation. They still heat their candy in big copper kettles and hand-dip their chocolates. What changed since is that now their famous chocolates are available for sale online and can be delivered to customers’ homes directly. In addition, they now offer gift lines like Hummel, Waterford, Lladro, and Dept. 56, as well as local items such as Escanaba & Marquette t-shirts, sweatshirts and afghans, pure maple syrup and Yooper souvenirs.

1304 Ludington St, Escanaba, MI 49829, Phone: 906-786-1524

Drifters Family Restaurant is a popular local eatery opened in 1992 in downtown Escanaba, Michigan. The restaurant is known for its huge breakfast menu, home-made soups, fresh salads and a few Mexican treats. Spacious dining room is family-friendly, with cozy booths and comfortable seats. Drifters is open seven days a week and offers drive-in and carry out. Their private dining room can accommodate private parties of up to 40 guests. All their meals are made from fresh, high quality ingredients, using family recipes. The portions are especially large, and with the oversize parking lots in front of the restaurant, the place is very popular with truckers and travellers. It does not mean that the locals do not appreciate their superb pancakes or all sorts of omelets served for breakfast.

701 N Lincoln Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829, Phone: 906-789-0508

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

Occupying the former gymnasium and auditorium of the St. Joseph Parish School, the William Boniface Fine Arts Center has become a much loved community hub, dedicated to bringing the arts to the Escanaba community. The center is home to 2 art galleries, one of which (The Studio Gallery) provides exhibition space to local artists while the other, the Powers Gallery, exhibits a range of artworks by artists who have applied to have their work included. Both galleries are open to the public during office hours and entrance is free. The center also offers a wide variety of art workshops, lessons and lectures.

William Boniface Fine Arts Center, 700 1st Ave South, Escanaba, MI 49829, 906 786 3833

Ludington Park is a mile-long coastal park along the shore of Lake Michigan. Much loved by the Escanaba community, the park is a popular recreational attraction where you can enjoy a cycle path leading to a swimming beach with bathhouse facilities and a fishing pier. There is also an 18-station fitness circuit, tennis courts, volley ball and picnic facilities. The cycle path leads to Aronson Island, which has a boat launch and a yacht harbor and is popular with kayakers and SUP enthusiasts. Other park attractions include a walking/hiking trail, disc golf and free music nights (Mondays) at the Karas Memorial Band Shell.

Ludington Park, 1001 North Lincoln Rd, Escanaba, MI 49829, 906 879 7862

East Ludington Gallery is nestled in a large historic building in the heart of coastal Escanaba, where it provides a showcase for several local artists who draw inspiration from the beautiful Upper Peninsula scenery. In total, the gallery exhibits the work of 45 local artists and crafters and is the ideal place to buy a meaningful souvenir of your visit. You can find just about all kinds of art is this gallery – functional ceramics, handmade baskets and sculptures and beautiful paintings in a wide variety of mediums. There are also beautiful greetings cards, jewelry, glass art, quilts, stained glass, mosaic and wood-carved items.

East Ludington Gallery, 1007 Ludington St, Escanaba, MI 49829, 906 786 0300

Perfectly positioned in an historic 130 year-old building, Leigh’s Garden Winery is a very special Escanaba meeting place for locals and visitors. The winery produces a range of excellent wines on site, made from locally-grown cold-weather grapes. Visitors are invited to step inside the warm and welcoming tasting room to try some of their wines and to enjoy some really good music. Tasting options include flights of 5 classic or premium wines and first-time visitors get a complimentary wine glass when they order a flight. Friday nights are Piano nights.

Leigh’s Garden Winery, 904 Ludington Street, Escanaba, MI 49829, 906 553 7799