Ludington, Michigan
Top 10 Things To Do in Ludington
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan with miles of beachfront and water access, Ludington offers a quintessential “Up North” experience close by. Ludington and Mason County deliver a combination of unspoiled natural resources and unrivaled outdoor recreation with quaint, small-town charm – all within easy reach via expressway about four hours from Chicago and Detroit.
For information on the Ludington area, visit PureLudington.com.
What to do:
1. Enjoy a sugar-sand beach – Ludington boasts some of the best beaches in West Michigan, with 28 miles of shoreline throughout the county. From the free, in-town Stearns Park Beach (walking distance to downtown) with amenities like picnic areas and grills, shuffleboard and volleyball courts; to the seven-mile expansive shoreline in Ludington State Park for natural beauty, there is something for everyone. pureludington.com/Beaches-Parks
2. Watch the S.S. Badger come into port – or ride it! – Ludington is home of the historic S.S. Badger, the last coal-fired steamship operating in the United States. Weighing more than 4 tons and 410’ in length, the Badger can transport 600 passengers and 180 cars per trip across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisc. It plies Lake Michigan on its four-hour cruise May to October, departing at 9 a.m. and arriving at 7 p.m. A favorite photo opp is from the Ludington North Breakwater Light, where the Badger feels close enough to touch!
3. Hike to (and climb) a lighthouse – Nestled among jack pines reached by a two-mile walk stands Big Sable Point Lighthouse and its stately black and white tower. At 112 feet tall, this historic 1867 beacon is a prime attraction within Ludington State Park, operated by SPLKA, (Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association). Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, tour the original Keeper’s Quarters that have been converted into a gift shop, stroll along the sand dunes or climb the tower. SPLKA also manages the Ludington North Breakwater Light in Stearns Park in downtown Ludington, whose tower also is open for climbs in the summer.
4. Charter a fishing boat – Ludington is a top fishing port on Lake Michigan, with more fishing charters originating and more trout and salmon caught out of its port each year than any other in Michigan. Fish Lake Michigan on a charter boat or hire a river guide to fish the 66-mile Pere Marquette River for its legendary steelhead and salmon runs, with 65 licensed charter boats available for hire. Select restaurants will even prepare and cook your catch for dinner through Michigan’s Catch & Cook program.
5. Watch the sun set – Enjoy beautiful sunsets over Lake Michigan on your own at one of Ludington’s stunning sugar-sand beaches, bringing beach chairs, blankets and refreshments to enjoy a true Up North evening.
6. Hit a trail – Ludington boasts more than 40 miles of trails in a variety of settings – from 21 miles of hiking trails in Ludington State Park ranging from wooded forest, to hilly back dune terrain to shoreline hiking (also great in winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing); to 10 continuous miles of single-track mountain biking in the city between the Ludington School Forest Trail and Cartier Park Trails.
7. Paddle the Canoe Trail – For a different kind of trailblazing, follow a water trail like the four-mile Ludington State Park Canoe Trail in Hamlin Lake. Don’t have a canoe or kayak? Rent one from the beach concession.
8. Hunt for sculptures – The 5.3-acre Waterfront Sculpture Park adjacent to the marinas features green space for picnicking, a large playscape, and a sculpture trail with nine bronze sculptures depicting Ludington’s history (other sculptures are located throughout the county). Docked nearby is the S.S. Badger when in port.
9. Take in a festival – Ludington has many special events throughout the year, including its two most popular – the Fourth of July Freedom Festival (complete with parade and fireworks) and New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.
10. Tour the craft beer scene – Ludington has a thriving craft beer scene, with Ludington Bay Brewing (opened in 2017) and Jamesport Brewing (turned 20 years in 2020), plus the Mitten Bar featuring Michigan-only craft beer and wine. Venture east in the county to Starving Artist Brewing, a nano-brewery in a barn that opened in 2015. The owner regularly experiments with unique flavors and collaborations with everyone from other breweries to the local ice cream parlor. Visitors can buy cans, bottles and growlers on the premises.
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Restaurants + Bars
• Barley & Rye (109 W. Ludington Ave.) & the Mitten Bar - Adjoining bars for back-and-forth fun, with Barley & Rye serving craft cocktails and the Mitten serving Michigan-made craft beer and wine.
• Blu Moon Bistro and Over the Moon rooftop patio (125 S. James St.) – Fun rooftop dining for warm
days/nights, plus cozy interior with eclectic menu
• Café 106 (106 N. Rath Ave.) – Breakfast and lunch; no dinner
• Crown and Cork (502 W Loomis St.) – Fine dining for dinner, plus dualing pianos and live music on
weekends; overlooks Pere Marquette Lake
• House of Flavors (402 W. Ludington Ave.) – Great for breakfast, lunch, dinner AND ice cream!
• Jamesport Brewing Co. (410 S James St.) – Excellent food and beer, plus features back deck overlooking
Pere Marquette Lake and a beautiful outdoor space
• Ludington Bay Brewing Company (515 S. James St.) – Excellent food and beer, plus has big side patio with fire pit and two-sided fireplace
• The Q Smokehouse (225 S. James St.) – Fresh meats smoked daily; also good for take-out
• Table 14 (130 W. Ludington Ave.) – Eclectic and seasonal menu with a Charleston southern twist at this
fine-dining establishment (also small outdoor patio)
Dessert & Coffee/Tea Spots
• House of Flavors (402 W. Ludington Ave.)
• HumaniTea (127 S. James St.)
• Kilwin’s Ludington (118 W. Ludington Ave.)
• Red Rooster Coffee & Community (207 S. James St.)
Museums/Cultural Attractions
• Historic White Pine Village (1687 S. Lakeshore Dr.)
• Port of Ludington Maritime Museum (217 S. Lakeshore Dr.)
• Lighthouses - Ludington North Breakwater Light and Big Sable Point Light
Parks / Beaches
• Cartier Park – paved biking/walking loop plus 3.5-mile mountain bike trail
• Ludington State Park* (Michigan Recreational Passport) – main Lake Michigan Beach, Hamlin Lake beach area, 20 miles of trails, three campgrounds, etc.
• Stearns Park Beach – Free city beach in walking distance to downtown with concession, picnic area with grills, shuffleboard
• Waterfront Sculpture Park – includes two large playgrounds plus grassy area and bandshell, strolling path by sculptures along marina and Pere Marquette Lake
Downtown Shopping + Socializing
• Downtown district – Ludington Avenue and James Street
• Ludington Outdoor Social District (LOSD) – Outdoor district where patrons can order a beverage from a participating establishment and drink it within the LOSD boundaries to be outside
Lodging
Ludington offers a variety of lodging options — from Victorian lumber baron homes-turned B&Bs, to mom-and-pop motor lodges, to boutique hotels. And if you book a two-night stay through the end of October, you can get 50% off your second night at participating establishments.
I hope you plan a visit soon!
xoxo, Catie