It's no secret I love my native state of Michigan. I've grown up practically in Lake Michigan. Our license plates used to read 'Water Wonderland' and indeed Michigan is known for beaches and water sports. A friend who hails from New York, quipped when she saw Lake Michigan for the first time--"This is a lake?? More like a small ocean!' And better than an ocean, our lakes are freshwater instead of salt. Besides our monumental Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior, Michigan boasts hundreds of smaller inland lakes. Here's a travel guide for to Michigan's ten best beache rated for swimming, boating, water sports, camping, cleanliness, sand quality, safety, accessibility, water temps, DNR services, amenities. Most are located on Lake Michigan. Eastern Michigan--Lake Huron--has more industry, rock bottom and fewer swimable beaches.Ludington: Ludington has an interesting beach configuration. If you turn off from US 31 at US-10 and go west you eventually hit Lake Michigan. At that point, you have Ludington's beautiful city beach with shady, grassy picnic area. You can also turn north there and drive along the lake to Ludington State Park. It's located along the Au Sable River which empties into Lake Michigan and connects to Hamlin Lake.
Silver Lake: A summer resort nestles on Silver Lake, which forms a sort of junction with Lake Michigan. It's famous for splendid dunes, gobs of water sport and gorgeous water.
Pentwater: Pentwater is a tiny community with a back-in-time feel. It's getting more built-up and touristy, but still retains that vintage lake resort air Michigan is famous for. Gone are several of our favorite historical establishments and in their place massive, expensive condos, but we still love it. Be sure to check out the main street antique mall.
Grand Haven: My hometown boasts the best waterfront layout on the Big Lake (what us old-school locals call Lake Michigan). Washington Street (the main drag) boasts Victorian homes and 1920s store facades. It walks you to the Grand River channel waterfront. Dewey Hill, across the river, forms a natural staging area for our Musical Fountain. Follow the river along our boardwalk to our historic pier, catwalk, lighthouse, foghouse and state park. Or turn the other way for marinas, Pere Marquette locomotive and on the Spring Lake just over the bridge.
Manistee: Explore trendy shops, antique stores, vintage booksellers, brew pubs and eateries on main street or drop down a few steps to the boat-lined riverwalk. It wends along the Manistee River and out to Lake Michigan. Manistee boasts some of our awesomest dunes!
Petosky: Named for the legendary Petosky stone (Michigan's state stone) Petosky combines upscale, cosmopolitan with charming beach themes for a delightful community.
North Muskegon: Had I written this article 30 years ago, Muskegon's beaches would have topped my list. Unfortunately, Muskegon was hit pretty hard by unemployment upheaval of its major industries. It does have some nice beaches--Pioneer Park, the oval and North Muskegon. The USS Silversides, a WWII submarine, is docked in the channel.
Remember, "if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you" in Michigan! Oh and don't miss the old lighthouses--most every Lake Michigan beach has one!
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