Must-see attractions in Gold Coast

  • South Manitou Island Lighthouse, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

    Manitou Islands

    Gold Coast

    The forest-cloaked Manitou Islands provide an off-the-beaten-path adventure. They’re part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, hence the entrance…

  • Big Sable Point Lighthouse on the Lake Michigan shore in Ludington State Park.

    Ludington State Park

    Gold Coast

    The lakeside park is one of Michigan's largest and most popular playlots. Once inside, people simply pull over on the roadside and make a break for the…

  • Round Barn Winery

    Gold Coast

    Round Barn goes beyond vino with its grapes – it also uses the fruit to make DiVine Vodka, a smoother elixir than the kind made with grains or potatoes…

  • Holland State Park

    Gold Coast

    One of the state’s most visited parks, Holland offers a lovely huge beach on Lake Michigan that’s stellar for sunset gaping and lighthouse views. A cafe,…

  • Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area

    Gold Coast

    Nordhouse Dunes, a 3450-acre plot within the Huron-Manistee National Forest, features perhaps the wildest stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. Dunes rise…

  • Chinook Pier

    Gold Coast

    Chinook Pier has a lot going on. There’s a seasonal mini-golf course (adult/child $3/2) and farmers market (8am to 1pm Wednesday and Saturday). Wet Mitten…

  • Horton Bay General Store

    Gold Coast

    Fans of Ernest Hemingway will recall the store, with its 'high false front,' from his short story 'Up in Michigan.' As a youth, Hemingway used to hang out…

  • Musical Fountain

    Gold Coast

    Everyone gathers for the musical fountain performance each evening in summer. It's a trippy tradition to watch water spray high in the sky while…

  • Grand Haven State Park

    Gold Coast

    The 48-acre urban park is all beach – a wide, gorgeous one with squeaky clean sand. It’s mega popular in summer, especially for families, who appreciate…

  • Beaver Island

    Gold Coast

    A quiet, Irish-influenced enclave of some 600 people, Beaver Island floats in Lake Michigan offshore from Charlevoix. Forest covers most of its 9-mile…

  • Red Fox Inn

    Gold Coast

    Vollie Fox, Hemingway's fishing buddy, lived in this building next door to Horton Bay General Store. Young Ernie would stay at the inn, which is now…

  • Veldheer Tulip Gardens

    Gold Coast

    A popular place to immerse in all things Dutch. When the gardens bloom in spring, Veldheer charges a fee (adult/child $12/6). Otherwise it's free to check…

  • Warren Dunes

    Gold Coast

    With 3 miles of beachfront, 6 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails, and climbable dunes that rise 260ft in the air, visitors are all over this…

  • Rosy Mound Natural Area

    Gold Coast

    Learn about dunes! A 0.7-mile (one way) boardwalk trail takes you from the parking lot to the Lake Michigan shore. Prepare for loads of stairs up and down…

  • Tabor Hill Winery

    Gold Coast

    Connoisseurs often regard Tabor Hill Winery as the region’s best. The vintner provides tours and lets you belly up in the tasting room for swigs of its…

  • Chateau Grand Traverse

    Gold Coast

    It is one of the Old Mission Peninsula's stalwarts, pouring renowned chardonnay and pinot noir (five-wine tasting $5). The patio overlooking the vineyard…

  • Oval Beach

    Gold Coast

    Life guards patrol the long expanse of fine sand. There are bathrooms and concession stands, though not enough to spoil the peaceful, dune-laden scene. It…

  • Petoskey State Park

    Gold Coast

    The park is north along Hwy 119 and has a beautiful beach. Look for indigenous Petoskey stones, which are honeycomb-patterned fragments of ancient coral…

  • Chateau Chantal

    Gold Coast

    It gets lots of kudos for its chardonnay, pinot noir and dessert wines (five-wine tasting from $7, three-wine flight from $10). The romantic, French-style…

  • Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery

    Gold Coast

    Michigan's excellent wines taste even better on Brys Estate's sprawling deck, which provides stunning vineyard and bay views. Tastings from $8; cheese and…

  • Little Traverse Historical Museum

    Gold Coast

    This small museum has a worthy Hemingway collection, including rare first-edition books that the author autographed for a friend when he visited in 1947.

  • Peninsula Cellars

    Gold Coast

    Located in an old schoolhouse, Peninsula makes fine whites and is often less crowded than other wineries. A five-wine tasting costs $5.

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