Ludington, Michigan

Named after the Wisconsin Badgers, the athletic teams representing the University of Wisconsin, S.S. Badger is the largest car and passenger ferry to sail the Great Lakes. It runs daily from mid-May to mid-October from its home port Ludington to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The 410-foot ship can accommodate 600 passengers and 180 different types of vehicles. The onboard entertainment options are a mix of fun and reminiscent of its maritime heritage. You can play Badger Bingo, watch movies, or have a meal in any of the two restaurants. When it arrives at the port, watching it from the North Breakwater Lighthouse on the backdrop of a beautiful sunset is a favorite local pastime.

700 S. Williams Street, Ludington, Michigan, Phone: 800-841-4243

Encompassing an enormous 5,300 acres area and seven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Ludington State Park sits between two great lakes—Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. Housing a Great Lake, sand dunes, a river, a dam, and forests, the park is practically the ecosystem nucleus of the area. The lakeside park offers boating, fishing and swimming opportunities. If you want to stay the night, cabins and RV sites are available for rent. The place also has ski, bicycle, hiking, and canoe trails with excellent wildlife viewing. The renovated Big Sable Point Lighthouse is another popular spot where you can get an intimate experience by working as a volunteer lighthouse keeper.

Lower Peninsula, Mason County, Michigan, Phone: 231-843-2423

This beautiful and historic lighthouse is an integral part of the Ludington community. Being one of the tallest lighthouses in Michigan, it offers spectacular views of the surroundings.

You can visit the Big Sable Point Lighthouse between 10 am and 5 pm daily, from May to October, but be prepared to hike 1.8 miles and climb 130 steps. There is a gift shop in the original Keeper's Quarters selling mementos. To reach the lighthouse, follow the M-116 route to the north up to the Ludington State Park and then take a hike from the parking lot to the beach where the black-and-white lighthouse is standing.

5611 N Lighthouse, Ludington, MI 49431, Phone: 231-845-7417

If the Big Sable Point Lighthouse is a historic attraction, the Ludington North Breakwater Light is the focal point of Ludington. Located on the north breakwater pier in the meeting point of Lake Michigan and Pere Marquette River, it offers a great vantage point for watching the S.S. Badger carferry on Lake Michigan or the sunset. People love to take a walk on the mile-long route from the breakwall to the light, which is also a popular fishing venue. The pyramid-shaped tower has three decks, lantern rooms, several windows, and plenty of pictures for visitors to explore. Reaching to the top requires climbing 53 steps, and the reward is spectacular views of Ludington harbor.

Stearns Park Beach, Stearns Park Outer Drive, Ludington, MI 49431, Phone: 231-845-7417

Starting its journey as a ‘summer sampler museum’ in 2006, Sandcastles Children’s Museum has evolved into a great learning and play center. Over 20,000 annual visitors are a sign of that growing popularity. With regular donations from many organizations and voluntary labor, it arranges many workshops and projects for children. Kids can enjoy interesting events like Stop Motion Animation, Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles, Mud Painting, Campfire Stu, Puppet Show, and more. There are various stations for different activities such as pretend play, dress up, crafting, and more. The kids will definitely like the mini pizzeria, Play-Doh table, and the grocery store.

129 E. Ludington Avenue, Ludington, MI 49431, Phone: 231-233-9326

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Encompassing an area of 13 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the Historic White Pine Village is an outdoor museum whose premises contain more than 30 museums featuring artifacts and historical items. Bookworms and history buffs can head to the research library in the Admission Building to dig out interesting facts on Mason County. It has old photographs, obituaries, newspapers, and other historical materials. There is a gift shop where you can purchase locally made products like wooden toys, jam, and maple syrup. If you are hungry, and Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor in the Town Hall is there to entertain with ice creams and snacks.

1687 S Lakeshore Dr, Ludington, MI 49431, Phone: 231-843-4808

The river spans across a sixty-six miles stretch from the junction of the Middle and Little South Branches to the mouth of Pere Marquette Lake. The designated ‘National Wild and Scenic River’ is safe for all kinds of water sports and activities because it is only two to four feet deep.

The Pere Marquette River is a popular year-round fishing spot due to the abundance of rainbow trout, steelhead, and salmon. You can go camping, hiking, or paddling by renting a canoe or kayak. Even amateur paddlers can venture a trip because of the steady waves and clear water. Wildlife viewing is another in-demand activity. The Bowman Lake Area and Jorgenson Angler Trail are great for watching wildflowers, plants, and small game.

1755 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac, MI 49601, Phone: 231-775-2421

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

The museum is a portal to dive back into the past and learn about the maritime history of Ludington. Located in a landmark historic building— a former US Coast Guard Station—the museum teaches in an entertaining way.

The three main attractions are a scale model diorama of the Elberta railyard, a 110-foot panorama painting of Pere Marquette Lake in the 1800s, and the pilothouse of the Pere Marquette 22 carferry. Visitors will also enjoy watching various interactive exhibits and holograms of captains Andy Van Dyke and Nels Palmer. The best part of the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum is the opportunity to pilot the Pere Marquette 22 carferry into Ludington’s harbor.

217 South Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, MI 49431, Phone: 231-843-4808

Spanning across an area of 3,450 acres in the Manistee National Forest, the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness is not exactly a pristine setting. But, it still boasts of having a 4-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline and the largest set of freshwater dunes in the world.

Paralleling the shoreline are open dunes and forested bluffs; skirting the edge of these is a footpath that at one time was called the Michigan Trail. If you want to camp in this charming wilderness, the Lake Michigan Recreation Area hosts 99 campsites with with hand pumps for water, fire pits, and vault restroom facilities. If you decide to camp in the hardwoods, carry your trash when leaving.

8191 Morton Rd, Free Soil, MI 49411, Phone: 231-775-2421

The memorial pays tribute to the 17th-century French priest and explorer Jacques Marquette. He introduced the French culture to Native Americans in the wilderness of North America. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has the ownership and administrative rights of the 52-acre memorial—a significant part of Michigan’s historical profile.

The Father Marquette National Memorial is open to visitors for the period between April 1 and November 30. Unless the weather is severe, you can visit there daily from 8 am to 10 pm. The entire premises house the memorial, a 15-station outdoor trail, and breathtaking views of the Mackinac Bridge.

720 Church Street, St Ignace, MI 49781, Phone: 906-643-8620