auty1

Any recommendations for activities
around Manistee in July?
Am traveling with 2 boys-
10 and 14 who love golf and the beach.
What is there to do in the city of
Manistee, any advice on restaurants?

Thanks much!

battlecreek

Just got back from Manistee yesterday, in fact.

It's a pretty small city, but has some nice features, especially:

-- The old Victorian part of town along the river that flows into Lake Michigan.
-- The new river walk downtown.
-- Great bits of Victorian architecture, including the wonderful Ramsdell Theatre.
-- Walking out to the end of the southern-most pier, especially near sunset.
-- Renting bikes and biking along the Lake Michigan waterfront.
-- Fishing charters.
-- The wonderful old "Vogue Theatre" in downtown Manistee. If your kids have never been to a real 1920's style movie house, this is the place to go.

For a taste of wilderness, I'd strongly recommend the 10 mile drive south to the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, which has wonderful trails through unspoiled territory. It's run by the feds, so it's very clean. Drive south from Manistee to "Forest Trail" Road (next to the new BP station). Then drive west on Forest Trail to the end (about 8 miles).

In terms of restaurants, there's nothing spectacular in Manistee, really. The House of Flavors on the river is nice. There's also a good Italian place on U.S. 31.

Have fun!

auty1

Thanks Battlecreek for the suggestions...sounds like there's
enough in Manistee to keep the boys
busy for a week...should be fun!

Thanks again!

jacqueline2307

Don't forget the fireworks on Lake Michigan if you are there on July 4. The downtown beach has a great fishing pier walk out to the lighthouse. I think there is also a lighted boat parade the same weekend. To the north are Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Pierce Stocking Drive (scenic drive through dune area) and Fishtown in Leelenau. Check out the Pointe Betsie Lighthouse north of Manistee. To the east is the Manistee National Forest which has the Manistee and Pine Rivers--nice for canoe trips or tubing. The Manistee is a slow moving river. Try Crystal Lake or Sand Lake near Wellston (30 min east) if you are looking for a small inland lake for a diversion from Lake Michigan. Caberfae Peaks and Golf Resort is about 45 min east on M55. The Big M is a complex of hiking trails about 20 minutes east off of M55. Have fun!

miscrapper

We have family in Onekama which is on Portage Lake about 15 minutes north of Manistee. There is a great restaurant there called "The Blue Slipper" it is on M22 (main drag in town) it doesn't look like much from outside but food is great!