The charming Victorian town of Manistee
Manistee Township sits on the eastern banks of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manistee River. At the town's peak, it was the center of the logging industry in Michigan which brought much wealth to the town and can be seen in the sophisticated Victorian architecture. Now, the town is one of the largest producers of salt and a hub for visitors who come for the faded elegance, sandy beaches, outdoor activities on the lake. If you are lucky enough to nab one of the Manistee Township vacation rentals, the national forest nearby is well worth a visit.
Watch a show at the opulent Ramsdell Theatre
While it may be tempting to spend lazy days on the nearby beaches, the town also has plenty of attractions to keep you busy. While staying in a Manistee Township vacation rental in the heart of the city, you can explore the historic downtown area onboard the trolley buses whose drivers act as tour guides. The opulent Ramsdell Theatre was built in the early 20th century after the opera house was destroyed in a fire, and is now home to the Manistee Civic Players who produce shows and musicals throughout the year. Both the Manistee County Historical Museum and the Waterworks Museum are well worth visiting.
Swing your clubs or cast your line
High adventure is not really on the agenda in Manistee. Gentle walks along the beach to see the North Pierhead Lighthouse or paddle boarding across the lake is more its style. The are several fishing outfits in town which can take you on charters across the lake to hook in salmon and trout. While staying in a Manistee Township vacation rental, you can try your luck at the Little River Casino or swing your clubs on the Arcadia Bluffs or the Manistee Golf and Country Club. Want to hear the music of local birds? Guided tours in the Manistee National Forest will take care of that.
High octane winters in snow-dusted Manistee
Summer brings high season in Manistee County, when legions of sunseekers descend on Lake Michigan. Some Manistee vacation rentals back right onto the beach, which means you can cool off in a matter of minutes. Things don't slow down in the winter, when Manistee receives a dusting of snow. From cross-country skiing and snowmobiling to dog sledding and ice fishing, Manatee is the perfect place to enjoy a Michigan winter. While the Manistee River offers year-round fishing, the fall coho run is considered one of the best in the world.
Animal magic in Manistee
The vast Lake Michigan teems with walleye and crawfish, which is caught and finds its way onto many of the local restaurant menus. Bird lovers should head straight for the lake which is inhabited by wading geese and predatory birds like hawks and eagles. Manistee's Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary is a protected wetland with woodpeckers and wild turkeys, as well as the stopping off point for millions of monarch butterflies on their annual migration to Mexico. In the late 1940s giant Redwood seedlings were planted at the Lake Bluff Center, and the ones that survived now tower over 100 feet high.
Transportation to and around Manistee
Fly into Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker), the closest airport, located 4 mi (6.5 km) from the city center.
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