Visiting Historic Manistee, Michigan
Discover Michigan's Hidden Gem of a Tourist Destination
Sep 21, 2009
Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, the scenic Victorian Port City of Manistee is one of Michigan’s best-kept secrets. The town boasts sandy, world-class beaches, gorgeous Victorian architecture, and a friendly, small-town atmosphere.
The Victorian Port City
Manistee was founded as a lumbering town in the late 1800s. Its location on the shores of Lake Michigan and its river systems made it an ideal port for the lumber industry; trees harvested inland could be floated downstream to the lake, where they could be transported throughout the region via the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.
There was much money to be made in lumbering, and it brought much wealth to the Manistee area; at the turn of the century, Manistee had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the United States. These lumber barons built enormous, elaborate houses, a great many of which can still be seen today.
Downtown Manistee
Manistee’s historic downtown district is on River Street, which curves along the town’s river channel. The meandering main street is lined with Victorian buildings, most of which have been renovated and restored. The downtown district has strict rules and ordinances to keep any exterior building remodeling in tune with the street’s historic feel.
Among these buildings is the Ramsdell Inn, located in the T.J. Ramsdell building. Named for its builder, the inn has been restored in recent years and offers Manistee’s premier lodging. Ramsdell also built the nearby Ramsdell Theatre, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The theatre is also where famous actor James Earl Jones first took the stage, having grown up in the local area.
Downtown Manistee is home to a wide variety of specialty shops. These businesses include Surroundings (a cigar and candle shop), Northern Spirits (a yarn, bead, and gift shop featuring many locally-made items), and Goody’s Juice and Java (voted northern Michigan’s beat coffee shop).
The Beaches
Manistee has miles of beautiful, sandy beaches. The most popular public beach is First Street Beach and Douglas Park, which can be accessed easily from the downtown district. Fifth Avenue Beach is home to Manistee’s North Pierhead Lighthouse, one of only a handful of Great Lakes lighthouses that retains its original catwalk.
For those seeking more solitude, there is a public beach access point north of Manistee’s Industrial Park that is frequented mainly by the locals. An even quieter option is the beach at the Lake Bluff Audubon Society. The Lake Bluff beach is one of the most serene and scenic stretches of publicly accessible beach in the area, with stunning bluffs rising above the lakeshore. The Lake Bluff Audubon Center also has a network of hiking trails through the nearby woods and fields, ideal for watching wildlife or just enjoying the scenery.
When planning a trip to Manistee, visit the Manistee County Convention and Visitor Bureau website for information on lodging, attractions, and any upcoming events.
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