If you are looking for a place to relax on sugar sands, enjoy a coastal vibe, and have an outdoor adventure, then visiting Ludington should be on your bucket list! Ludington is right on the Lake Michigan shoreline between Grand Haven and Traverse City and is less than a 4-hour drive from Chicago, which makes for the perfect weekend getaway. If you find yourself here, there is plenty to do, whether you want to stay active or just relax and hang out at one of Ludington's gorgeous sugar-sand beaches (the county has 28 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, in fact). Since Ludington is already known for its beaches, we've created the below list of all the other great places to see to help you plan and navigate your visit to Ludington.
1.Stay at the Lamplighter B&B
This was our first B&B experience, and it could not have been better! Jen and Dan were incredible hosts, and they made sure our stay there was nothing short of amazing. They truly set a bar of what a B&B should be. Dan would serve breakfast every morning that was made from scratch using only local ingredients. Each morning, it was a completely different meal experience, simply delicious! The building itself had an amazing vibe to it, especially since it was built in the 1800s, so just by being here you felt like you were part of the history. HIGHLY recommend staying here if you are coming this way!
2.Explore Lighthouses
There are 4 lighthouses around Ludington. We were lucky enough to visit two of them, which were the Ludington North Breakwater Light and Little Sable Point Lighthouse. To visit the North Breakwater Light, park at Stearns Park Beach and take a half-mile walk on the breakwall all the way to the lighthouse (the sunset from here is also incredible!). To visit Little Sable Point, head south on US-31 towards Silver Lake for 30 miles. There is plenty of parking there, and it’s a short walk to the lighthouse. Take a moment to enjoy the views and the beautiful beach.
3.Visit the past at Historic White Pine Village
If you are a history buff like us, this place is a MUST! This pioneer town from the late 19th and early 20th century is one of a kind, and you get to see and experience how life was back then. You can easily spend a couple of hours here immersing yourself with the past and exploring 30 historic buildings – the majority of which are open to tour. It reminds you to enjoy the simple things in life.
4.Grab a flight of wine at Pere Marquette Winery
If you have been following us for a bit, then you know we love a good wine! Michigan is known for its wines, so it’s no surprise there would be a winery in the area – and a good one at that! We loved the laid-back atmosphere with plenty of seating so that you can enjoy your wine without feeling overwhelmed with crowds. Our favorites were the Badger White and Cayuga White!
5.Go hiking at Ludington State Park
Currently the park is going through renovations, but you can still hike the Skyline Trail, which is about a mile hike along a raised boardwalk at the tree line. You will climb a bit of stairs on the way up, but as long as you are wearing good shoes and have a bottle of water, you will be just fine! Since the park is closed for the most part until July 2025, enjoy the scenic drive on M116 and stop at the dunes for amazing views of the lake, especially at sunset.
6.Ride on the dunes with Mac Wood’s
This is such a fun experience for all ages! We did not know what to expect, but this was super fun. The ride takes about 45 minutes, and your tour guide will take you up and down the Silver Lake Sand Dunes while talking about the dunes and the local community. You will be able to stop a couple times to take great photos of the magnificent dunes.
7.Watch the S.S. Badger depart or come back to the port
If you have time and are planning to jump on a 4 hour ferry to or from Manitowoc, WI, definitely do it! Fun fact, you can take your car with you. With crossings scheduled daily from May to October, the Badger is the only passenger steamship still in operation in the United States and has been in service since 1953. Unfortunately, we were unable to go on it, but you can watch it depart or come back to the port every day. It departs from Waterfront Park at 9 a.m., so plan to wake up early to catch it. (You can also watch it arrive at 7 p.m.) It’s a really cool experience to see this massive ship go off to Lake Michigan.
8.Explore the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum
If you want to learn more about the maritime history in this area, then make this a stop during your visit. This museum features 3 floors of exhibits that really bring history to life by showcasing artifacts, storytelling, and interactive activities like being a captain of your own ship!
9.Indulge in the local food & bar scene
While in Ludington, you will not go hungry! There are plenty of options depending on what you are in the mood for. We dined at STIX, which is a local gem. They serve amazing quality food and also offer an outdoor biergarten, a bowling alley, and live music. If you are looking for lunch with great beer, stop at Ludington Bay Brewing. They have an extensive food menu and plenty of locally brewed beer options for everyone. If you are looking for a drink with a local vibe, stop at The Mitten Bar selling exclusively Michigan-made craft beer and wine. Sometimes we look for a quick bite since we want to continue on exploring, so food trucks are always a good option too. Brunch Babes is a food truck that has been featured on the Food Network and for the right reasons! Whether you are in a mood for donuts, tacos or their spin on tots, Brunch Babes will ensure your belly is satisfied upon leaving.
10.Visit Waterfront Park
As mentioned before, you can watch the Badger leave or come back from here. Additionally, you can take a stroll around all the sculptures they have here, which make for a really cool photo opp with Pere Marquette Lake and all the boats in the background.
We hope this quick list will make your Ludington visit unforgettable and full of adventure!
XoXo
Adri & Kam