From Wikitravel

Manistee [1] [2] is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northwestern lower peninsula of Michigan, about 65 miles south of Traverse City. Manistee offers small town charm with beautiful beaches, great fishing, and the Manistee National Forest. For vacationers Manistee has a lot to offer but it may be more notable for what it doesn't: large crowds, high prices, heavy traffic and tacky tourist traps.

Contents 1 Get in 2 See 3 Do 3.1 Events 4 Buy 5 Eat 6 Sleep

Get in

• Most visitors to Manistee will arrive by car from US 31 that runs north and south through town or via M 55 that ends just north of town at 31.
• For boaters there is a municipal marina with easy access from Lake Michigan.
• There's also a small airport with daily flights to Chicago and other midwestern towns.

See

• You can tour the town on one of the trolley buses that depart from the Dial-a-Ride on Memorial Drive just north of the Manistee River. The drivers offer some history of the town including the claim that Manistee had more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the U.S. in the late 1800's. The tour passes by some of the old Victorian style homes that housed the lumber barons years ago.

• During the summer catch the Water Bug boat tours up and down the Manistee River channel. Tours depart at 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm and before sunset. See the Manistee North Pier lighthouse, Manistee Lake and learn more about the town.

Do

• The Riverwalk offers a wonderful way to take in Manistee. It runs along the south side of the river from US 31 all the way to Lake Michigan, about a mile and a half altogether. If you're lucky you'll see a 700 foot lake freighter slowly making its way through the narrow river channel on its way from Lake Michigan to Manistee Lake.

• You can take a nice walk along the beach and walk to the tip of the lighthouse. The beach sand is very nice and on the side of the lighthouse you can usually see some nice fish since the water is so clear.

• Go Fish! Manistee offers great fishing from fly fishing in the Manistee River to small catches in Manistee Lake to the big King Salmon in Lake Michigan. Dozens of charter boats are available at Fish Manistee

• The Little River Casino offers gaming, entertainment, and dining just north of town.

• Golf at nearby courses including Manistee National or Arcadia Bluffs

• Manistee National Forest

Events

• Manistee National Forest Festival is Manistee's biggest annual event. In 2004 the dates are June 30-July 4. Enjoy a huge variety of events. See Manistee County Chamber for more.

• Port City Festival is every year on the weekend after Labor Day (Sept. 11 & 12 in 2004). Enjoy the scenic Riverwalk, entertainment, food, antique car show, arts & crafts fair, historic building tours, special exhibits and more.

• Event Calendar includes many more events.

Buy

Shop downtown on River Street at the many boutique stores, department store, or antique stores.

Eat

Local eats include the Roadhouse on the River for Mexican and a brewpub, 440 West for riverfront dining, The Glenwood north of Manistee overlooking Portage Lake and River Street Station for good pub grub.

Sleep

• Days Inn of Manistee
• Microtel
• Manistee Beach Condo overlooks the Harbor Village marina along the Lake Michigan shore. Indoor/outdoor pools, fully furnished. (800) 666-9237

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