The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Manistee County, Michigan Now
BY TRIPVEEL EDITORIAL STAFF | March 2020
Natural beauty. It’s northern Michigan’s claim to fame and it flourishes in Manistee County. Enjoy 25 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, 3 Lake Michigan harbors, inland lakes and 270 miles of rivers surrounded by charming, historic towns, fertile farms, lush orchards and thousands of acres within Manistee National Forest.
Image courtesy of Visit Manistee County
1. THE HIKING
Known as Inspiration Point, you’ll find yourself "on top of Manistee County” at Arcadia Overlook. Within minutes your ears will pop as you climb up the 370 foot incline to the parking area at the overlook. The view doesn't stop here, travel up the 120 steps to the top of the lookout and gaze out at one of the most picturesque views that truly define Manistee County as “Pure Michigan.” One look at the glistening sand and the gentle glide of waves hitting its shoreline is all the proof you’ll need to understand why it’s so loved.
If you’d like to spend more time as one in nature, head over to the North Country Trail. Nestled in the Manistee National Forest, you will find hundreds of miles of marked trails where you can hike your way through the dense hardwoods high atop the Manistee River bluffs. With a diverse set of terrain for all skill levels, there are many access points to start or end your trek.
2. THE GOLF
Open to the public seven days a week, The Bluffs Course at Arcadia Bluffs is inspired by its windswept location overlooking 3,100 feet of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline—resembling a seaside links course with rolling terrain, natural fescues and panoramic views of beautiful Lake Michigan. Offering players a world-class golfing experience unlike anything in the United States, GPS-equipped golf carts take you across over 500 acres with many of the mounds and native areas sculpted and shaped into their present form.
Just a mile from the Bluffs Course is The South Course, which has enough topographic relief to allow for varying lies, contains sandy soils for firm and fast conditioning. Golfers will notice the distinct lack of trees on the course, making the ever present wind a consideration and affording long range views across the property. A daily-fee club, Arcadia Bluffs is pure enjoyment for golfer of all abilities.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
With panoramic views of the intricately designed Arcadia Bluffs golf course and sunset views over the Lake Michigan shoreline, The Dining Room at Arcadia Bluffs is certainly the most dramatic dining experience in Manistee County. Indulge in carefully curated craft cocktails and delectable culinary creations. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the Smoked Maple Old Fashioned—concocted with Iron Fish maple bourbon whiskey, Iron Fish maple syrup, bitters, salt flakes and an orange twist curated with cherrywood smoke.
Arcadia Bluffs in Manistee County, Michigan
Amidst the passion for superlative ingredients that span every inch of the seasonal, fresh menu—favorite dishes to indulge on include Spanish Octopus & Crab Cake Duette with heirloom lemon, poblano pepper aioli, lime remoulade and shaved fennel, Scottish Salmon with confit of fingerling potato, haricot vert and Meyer lemon beurre blanc, as well as Filet of Tenderloin with carrot purée, cabernet demi-glace, morel mushroom and duck fries.
While The Dining Room and The Lakeview Room are open seasonally, the newly debuted Restaurant at The South Course, located within the stunning new South Course clubhouse, will be open year-round.
4. THE BEACHES
With over twenty-five miles of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline, Manistee County offers ten spectacular beaches. With varying terrains and scenic points of interest, 5th Avenue Beach affords a breathtaking view of North Pierhead Lighthouse, while multiple other beaches such as Arcadia and Pierport are tucked within the dunes.
Seven of these ten beaches are even pet-friendly. North Beach Access is considered a top pet-friendly beach with miles of uninterrupted, walkable beachfront. This is a great secluded spot for you to get away from the every day beaches. Even in the height of summer, you won't see much more than a handful of people.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Manistee County presents two distinct self-guided historic home tours: West Homes Historic Tour and East Homes Historic Tour. The West Homes Historic Tour takes you to 21 historic homes Manistee’s west residential district, such as The Vincent Home. It’s recommend you begin this self-guided tour at the Manistee County Historical Museum-Water Works Museum on First Street. The East Homes Historic Tour takes you to 15 historic homes, such as The Dempsey Home in the East Historic District. It’s also recommended that you begin this self-guided tour at the Manistee County Historical Museum on River Street as well.
Located within the East Historic District, the Queen Anne-style Dempsey Home was built in 1894 on the corner of Maple and Fifth streets for James Dempsey, a well known Manistee lumberman who served as mayor and was appointed to postmaster in 1857. This unique, red brick home was described in the Manistee newspapers as being one of the handsomest and coziest residences in town, and is arguably one of the most beautifully restored examples of 1800s architecture within both the city and Western Michigan.
WHERE TO STAY
Enjoy the entire Arcadia Bluffs experience. With choices from The Lodge, Bluffs Lodge and The Cottages, the accommodations at Arcadia Bluffs are designed for you to be able to relax, enjoy time with friends and family, and soak in all that Manistee County has to offer.
