Manistee Area
Things To Do
Manistee, Michigan has numerous activities to keep you busy, regardless of age. Visit our beaches, hike in the Manistee National Forest, try your luck at our casino, play a round of golf, tour our lighthouses, or enjoy the view on our River Walk. We're lucky to have West Shore Community College in our home town, complete with recreation center featuring a swimming pool, fitness center, racquetball court, and more.
Charter Boats of Manistee
Whether you are looking for a Lake Michigan charter boat or a guide to take you down the Manistee River, check out this web page for a list of Manistee charter captains and the services they offer.
Douglas Park
W. 1st St., c/o City of Manistee, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-4051
This is the city's largest recreational area, featuring playgrounds, tennis courts, picnic areas, volleyball and basketball courts, and softball field. Douglas Park also features a concession stand, public restrooms, and a pier which is great for fishing.
Duffy Park
Monroe St., c/o City of Manistee, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-4051
Here you'll find a play area, basketball court, and Mucha Field, a full size little league baseball field.
Hamlin Lake Boat Rentals
at Sauble Resort, 3461 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-8497
Explore Hamlin Lake's beauty from the water by renting a pontoon, jet ski or fishing boat. Pull the kids tubing behind a luxury pontoon for hours of entertainment. Visit sand dunes where the only access is by boat. Available by the hour, day, week. Guided sunset cruises. Reservations required.
Historic White Pine Village
1687 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 843-4808
Experience a new look at Historic White Pine Village. Attractive interpretive and educational signs now grace the Time Museum, Car Museum, and areas of the Farmstead complex. Take a self-guided tour to relive Mason County's past as you visit 29 museum buildings rich in local history.
Trade highway miles for cruise ship smiles! The 410' S.S. Badger offers an affordable cruise experience and the lowest cross-lake fares. Passengers enjoy low-cost Wi-Fi Internet, free entertainment, movies, food, shopping, and more. Cars, RVs, motorcycles travel with you. Group and frequent sailor discounts available. Big ship, more fun, best value!
Lake Michigan Sand Dunes
If you love the thrill of climbing a sand dune and enjoying a beautiful panoramic vista, then visit this website about Lake Michigan's most popular sand dunes including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, Silver Lake Sand Dunes, and more. Pure Michigan sugar beach sand, clear waters, magnificent sunsets...discover Lake Michigan Sand Dunes.
Red Szymarek Park
5th Ave/Monroe St., c/o City of Manistee, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-4051
A wooded park with plenty of shade trees, it features a children's playground and a volleyball court.
Reitz Park
Forest Ave., c/o City of Manistee, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-4051
Home to the Manistee Saints, a local semi-professional baseball team. Located in this park are a children's playground, wooded picnic area, and a basketball court.
Sandcastles Children's Museum
129 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI 49431, (231) 233-9326
Create...discover...explore. Join us for fun and learning. Featuring 23 interactive exhibits designed to inspire creativity, curiosity, awareness, and love of learning. Special programs: Creative Kids Day-every Tuesday, all day. Fun Fridays-special events every Friday at 11am. Check website for hours. Admission $4.50; annual family memberships $75.
Summit View Farms Corn Maze
3217 Schoedel Rd., Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-6885
Enjoy a casual, 30 minute corn maze throughout 10 acres high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan at the Schoedel Family Farm. View farm animals including cows, goats and ducks. Pumpkins and bundles of corn stalks are available for sale. Open Saturdays 3-8, Sundays 1-4. Call 231-499-6841 or 231-690-7477. The Corn Maze is on Schoedel Road just off scenic M-22 across from the new Douglas Valley Vineyards, just two miles north of Little River Casino in Manistee. Open weekends in September & October. $5 per person, $15 per family. Larger groups are accepted other times by appointment. Hayrides, bonfires, and pig roast parties may also be arranged by appointment.
Trolley tours
180 Memorial Dr. & Washington, Manistee, MI 49660, (231) 723-6525
Take a leisurely tour of Manistee on a charming trolley. Stop by the terminal on Memorial Drive, or hail one as it goes by. You'll get a wonderful glimpse of Manistee...from the downtown region to the majestic historic homes to the beaches. Available May-September.
West Shore Community College
3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI 49454, (231) 845-6211, (800) 848-9722
Offering quality instructional programs leading to immediate employment or transfer to four-year institutions. Check the Performing Arts schedule (phone extension 5507) for upcoming plays and concerts. The Ice Arena and Recreation Center (phone extension 5584) are open to the public - indoor heated pool, whirlpool, indoor tennis, racquetball, basketball, weight room and more.
West Shore Community Ice Arena
3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI 49454, (231) 843-9712
Located across from the Rec Center at West Shore Community College. Home to the West Shore Wolves Youth Hockey Association and the Manistee Chippewa hockey team. Skating is a great activity for all ages, and the Ice Arena offers public skating throughout the year; call the above number for times.
West Shore Recreation Center
at West Shore Community College, 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville, MI 49454, (231) 845-6522
The Recreation Center is a premier recreational facility available to the community for leisure/fitness activities. Indoor facilities include a wellness center with aerobic circuit weight training and cardiovascular equipment. Also, racquetball court, basketball, and 25 meter swimming pool with Red Cross certified lifeguards.
Also see: Canoes & Kayak Rentals
More Manistee Boating and Fishing Info
For more activities and fun things to do in the Manistee, Michigan area, check out these additional links to destinations close by:
Things to Do in Manistee, Michigan -- Enjoy exploring the Manistee River in the heart of the Manistee National Forest, and discover Manistee's historic downtown district and riverwalk.
Activities and things to do in Ludington, Michigan -- A favorite vacation spot, Ludington on Lake Michigan has a children's museum, the Lake Michigan Carferry, sand dunes and hiking trails at the Ludington State Park and more!
Hamlin Lake Things to Do -- Just 4 miles north of Ludington, Hamlin Lake is a great destination for boating and fishing. The Hamlin Lake shoreline is also part of the Ludington State Park.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes Fun Things to Do -- The Silver Lake Sand Dunes makes for a terrific vacation because you can take your off-road vehicle for a spin on the scenic sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan and Silver Lake.
Pentwater, Michigan Activities -- Nothing is quite like the quaint, artsy, harbor town village of Pentwater. Don't miss the popular Charles Mears State Park on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Fun in Scottville, Michigan -- Home of the zany Scottville Clown Band. Discover the Riverside Park along the National Scenic Pere Marquette River, great for canoeing and fishing.
Things to Do on the Pere Marquette River near Scottville, Michigan -- Fishing and canoeing on the National Scenic Pere Marquette River is a great way to spend the day.
And be sure to check out West Michigan Things to Do for our largest list of West Michigan Activities.
