Explore Ludington, Michigan’s Timeless Charms and Hidden Delights

Experience family fun in Ludington, Michigan with sandy beaches and sunsets that enchant every visitor, perfect for a serene getaway.

Piney Ridge Road snakes through sand-swept acres of shade trees and wetlands. It leads visitors away from Lake Michigan towards Hamlin Lake and skirts the border of Ludington State Park.

A summering family with their golden retriever ends their day strolling down its side. After removing their sandals, they disappear behind the sandy threshold of a well-worn trail that leads to Ludington State Park.

It takes everything inside me not to park the car and follow them. I’ve got a nose for a good sunset walk, and they are onto something.

But that would be weird, and besides, Hobby Crest, specifically The Sunfish Cabin, calls.

Driving further down Piney Ridge Road past evening windows where families are gathering for warm meals after a day of sunshine and water, we happen upon a little wooden sign. Blink, and you’d miss it.

This is the kind of right-hand turn that takes visitors off of a shady street and quickly places them into all sorts of sunshine. It’s unexpected and sudden—this vision of a golden sun sinking into a sparkling lake.

“Oh…” me and my three sons collectively sigh.

Staying at Hobby Crest

Ludington, Michigan with Kids
Photo credit: Steffy McCourt

Perfectly appointed, this beautiful cabin resort perches on top of a grassy crest that overlooks a private sandy beach on Lake Hamlin.

The daughter of the owners, whose sun-bleached blonde hair is swept up into an I’ve-been-boating-knot, checks us in.

“Can we fish here?” my youngest son asks.

“We spent the last hour doing just that,” she winks. “The fish are jumping.”

She points out the window to a dock with a fisherman’s bench and pole rest.

This is just the motivation my boys needed to quickly unpack the luggage from the car.

When finished, they book it to the dock, and I spin around our sunny new abode. It has yellow walls, wooden floors, and white furniture—it feels like summer.

I toss our clothes into the dressers and make my way outside with a cold drink.

Another family is staying in the two-story cabin across the way. They are grilling. The air is filled with the sound of the lake lapping and the savory scent of whatever they are having for dinner.

My stomach growls.

“10 minutes, boys!” I holler toward the dock.

Dinner at Stix

Ludington Michigan with Kids
Photo credit: Steffy McCourt

Just a five-minute drive takes us to a restaurant that came highly recommended. It’s called Stix, which verifies the owner has a sense of humor because this place doesn’t feel anything like its name.

I’m glad I put on lipstick because this place is hopping.

A band is playing in the gorgeous Biergarten. (A Biergarten and gorgeous don’t usually appear in the same sentence, but I’m starting to sense that this is a place full of contradictions—but in the best kind of way.)

We order barbecue from a food truck in the garden. Which sounds strange but fits the overall theme.

Then, we find a cozy spot by one of many roaring bonfires.

My boys scarf down the food and beg for another round.

We are at a consensus; I can’t imagine a better plan.

After another and final round of barbeque, I settle back into an Adirondack chair, feet propped up, near the fire, and listen to music that probably sounds better here than it would anywhere else.

My boys make quick friends and start playing a made-up version of tag-hide-n-seek. The kids’ ages range between 14 and 3, and their giggles float into the sky, turning into twinkling stars.

At some point, we leave, but it’s a kind of Midwestern slow-leave. Many stops along the way out until we finally made it into the car.

That evening, as we are snuggled into our beds at Hobby Crest, the sky gifts us with the most soothing rain shower.

We drift to sleep, listening to the lake lapping and the rain drip-dropping.

Things to do with kids in Ludington, Michigan

Ludington Michigan with Kids
Photo credit: Steffy McCourt

It’s not hard to fill a day in Ludington.

There are museums for children that are actually museums for anyone and museums for adults that are heaven-sent for children.

There is shopping, and there are, of course, Lake Michigan beaches.

The problem is that you will want to do everything but won’t have time.

So here is a friendly little guide to help you and your family decide what to do. Just to be clear, there are no bad decisions to be made here.

Historic White Pine Village 

This darling living history museum is the perfect way to spend a morning with the whole family, including grandparents. It is a replica of a late 19th-early 20th-century pioneer village. There are 30 historic buildings and one steam locomotive. My boys most enjoyed poking around the doctor’s building.

Port of Ludington Maritime Museum 

This maritime museum sits on the shore of Lake Michigan, as it was once the Coast Guard Station. It boasts three floors of both permanent and rotating exhibits. My boys loved climbing up into the museum’s lighthouse and calling down to me as I tried to lose myself in the photographs of handsome Erhardt Peters’ life on Lake Michigan’s car ferries.

Jaycees Mini Golf 

It opened in 1967 as a way for the city to fund community projects, and it has been doing just that since then. It’s a charming little mini golf course near a public beach and the downtown area. It’s fun for the whole family, but it also happens to be the perfect activity for the boys to do while mom checks out the shops.

Ludington North Breakwater Light

A half-mile walk from Stearn’s Park Beach will take visitors to this 100-year-old lighthouse. On a summer’s day, I suggest combining a beach day with this activity. It costs $8 to walk up the 53 steps to the spectacular view! Weather can close the lighthouse, so it’s always a good idea to call ahead.

Sandcastles Children’s Museum 

Opened by educators in 2006, this is the children’s museum that every community needs. To be honest, when I first read about its exhibits, I thought that my boys, ages 10, 12, and 14, would be too old to enjoy it. Well, I was wrong. I did not allow enough time for this amazing space with 30 different exhibits. We could have easily spent an entire enriching afternoon there.

Ludington State Park 

It was a windy, cold spring day when we first visited this park. We climbed up and down a few sand dunes to walk along the beach. We were not the only ones to brave the chill as we passed many dog walkers. We spent the rest of our time here driving around and hopping out for quick stops. We all agreed that we would need to come back in the summer because this park is simply stunning. It has everything that makes Western Michigan swoon-worthy- beaches, dunes, and forests!

Stearns Park Beach 

This free city beach is within walking distance of downtown. It has a concession, a picnic area with grills, and a shuffleboard. This is the place to watch the best show in town — the sunset! This is just what me and my boys did, ice cream in hand, on our second evening in town.

Pro-Tip: My boys had a blast playing football on the beach with a Croc (yes, one of their plastic shoes). Bring a football for just this kind of fun free beach activity. Or a Croc. Whatever feels right.

Ludington makes a great summer vacation destination. Only a short drive from Metro Detroit, this laid-back beach town offers visitors the opportunity to unplug and recharge. While there is plenty to do, all of the doings are easy-going. This charming beach town just might be Michigan’s best-kept secret.


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Steffy McCourt
Steffy McCourt
Steffy McCourt brings over 15 years of experience in education, parenting, and travel writing for esteemed publications like We Are Teachers and LA Family Travel. Recognized for her commitment to advancing literacy and writing skills, Steffy is honored to be a Fellow of the National Writing Project. She collaborates with educators nationwide to enhance teaching practices and empower student writers.

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