Ludington

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Lighthouse, which stands in Ludington State Park, a few miles outside of the city. The nearly 2-mile trail winds through low-lying dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline. You can also bike, but no motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail. The climb (130 steps) to the top of the 112-foot tower is well worth the hike. Step out on the catwalk for unmatched views of Lake Michigan and Ludington State Park.

Just a few blocks from downtown, Stearns Park Beach on Lake Michigan is popular with beachgoers. The park is home to two concession stands (now operated by one of the owners of Brunch Babes, so expect more interesting menu options), shuffleboard, a skate park, mini golf, and playground and picnic areas. The pier to the North Breakwater Light is walkable and an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

What makes Ludington unique among many beach towns is its cultural and historical amenities, including the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Historic White Pine Village. I ducked into the maritime museum on a cloudy beach day and was impressed with the exhibits and interactive displays. The museum explores the city’s history on the water, lumbering days, and the steamers and car ferries that once crowded its waters. An extensive exhibit on the Armistice Day Storm in 1940 is mesmerizing. The storm took the lives of 64 sailors on Lake Michigan. Their stories are told with survivor accounts, photographs and video of the shipwrecks at the lake’s bottom.

For more information on Ludington or to start planning a trip, visit pureludington.com.

Greg Tasker is a Traverse City-based freelance writer. Greg’s articles focused on northern Michigan travel will appear in C & G Newspapers during the summer.