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Manistee [1] is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northwestern lower peninsula of Michigan, about 65 miles south of Traverse City. Manistee offers small town charm with beautiful beaches, great fishing, and the Manistee National Forest. For vacationers Manistee has a lot to offer but it may be more notable for what it doesn't: large crowds, high prices, heavy traffic and tacky tourist traps.

Get in

  • Most visitors to Manistee will arrive by car from US 31 that runs north and south through town or via M-55 that ends just north of town at US 31.
  • For boaters there is a municipal marina with easy access from Lake Michigan.
  • There's also a small airport with two daily flights via Midwest Connect to Milwaukee via Muskegon.

See

  • You can tour the town on one of the trolley buses that depart from the Dial-a-Ride on Memorial Drive just north of the Manistee River. The drivers offer some history of the town including the claim that Manistee had more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the U.S. in the late 1800's. The tour passes by some of the old Victorian style homes that housed the lumber barons years ago.

Do

  • The Riverwalk offers a wonderful way to take in Manistee. It runs along the south side of the river from US 31 all the way to Lake Michigan, about a mile and a half altogether. If you're lucky you'll see a 700 foot lake freighter slowly making its way through the narrow river channel on its way from Lake Michigan to Manistee Lake.
  • You can take a nice walk along the beach and walk to the tip of the lighthouse. The beach sand is very nice and on the side of the lighthouse you can usually see some nice fish since the water is so clear.

Events

  • Manistee National Forest Festival is Manistee's biggest annual event. In 2007 the dates are June 29-July 4. Enjoy a huge variety of events including a flea market, carnival, entertainment, arts and crafts fair, fireworks over Lake Michigan, and a parade on July 4.
  • Port City Festival is every year on the weekend after Labor Day (Sept. 8 in 2007). Enjoy the scenic Riverwalk, entertainment, food, antique car show, arts & crafts fair, historic building tours, special exhibits and more.
  • Victorian Sleigh Bell Weekend is the first weekend of December. Enjoy an old time Christmas parade and events. The parade has no motor vehicles, everything is pulled with horses. It includes 2 huge Christmas trees that make there was down River Street.

Buy

Shop downtown on River Street at the many boutique stores, department store, or antique stores.

Eat

Local eats include the Tuscan Grille for Italian food, The Glenwood north of Manistee overlooking Portage Lake and River Street Station for good pub grub.

Chain restaurants in Manistee include Burger King, McDonalds, Wendy's, KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and A&W.

  • Bungalow Inn, 1100 28th St (US 31 South), ☏ +1 231 723-8000. Full service restaurant located in Manistee on US 31 South. The Bungalow Inn has received numerous awards for their food, including Best Breakfast, Best Gourmet Burger, Best Prime Rib, Best Seafood, Best Salads, and Friendliest Service. 

Drink

There are many bars in Manistee, ranging from River Street Station to neighborhood pubs such as McManigal's and Stu's. Those are just three of over ten bars in and near Manistee.

Sleep

Go next

Routes through Manistee
Traverse City ← Bear Lake ←  N  S  → Ludington → Muskegon
Leelanau Peninsula ← Arcadia ←  N  S  → END
END ←  W  E  → Jct Template:Rtarrow Cadillac → Houghton Lake


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