Things to Do and See in Benzie

Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruise passing by Point Betsie (photo by Jay Burt)

See spectatular scenery, lighthouses, local art, and historical sites. Hear the leaves rustling from the wind, the waves pounding on the shores, the music of our concerts, the birds and sounds of nature. Smell the fresh air of Pure Northern Michigan, the woods in spring or fall and the lakes around you. Taste the local dishes, desserts, and wines all bursting with flavor. Feel the sand between your toes, the water as you play in our lakes,  the snow crunching under your boots, and the nature that encompasses you as you saunter through our parks.

Browse our site for a multitude of things to do that cover all five senses--any time of the year!

Sleeping Bear Dunes (Kerry Kelly)

Explore The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Stay In Benzie and you'll find Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in our backyard. Hike, Bike, or just take in the scenery and great outdoors. See the wonder from the water by taking a ride on Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruise. Lighthouses, bluffs, dunes and nature are waiting for you.

Enjoy the Outdoors!

Benzie County has something for everyone. If you like to play Golf , we have 8 courses to choose from. If you're a bird watcher, visit our Birding page,  find the best places to see them.  our trails which include the Betsie Valley Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes trails, and Crystal Mountain's Michigan Legacy Art Park trail.  Stay In Benzie, pick your trail and get started. Our Bike & Hike page will help you make your plans.

Play 'on' the Water! Play 'in' the Water!

Enjoy 25 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, our many lakes, and two rivers.  Canoe & Kayak on the Betsie or Platte River, or just paddle around a lake. Plan a picnic on a beach or at one of our parks.  Stay In Benzie and play in the water! Excitement for the young can be found at Crystal Mountain's Park At Water's Edge. Enjoy water sports on Crystal Lake or Big Platte Lake.  Rent a boat, or bring your own and just cruise around the lake. Bring your rod and reel for Fishing or plan a day with a Fishing Charter or Guide. End your day with a Lake Michigan sunset.

Artist Gwen Frostic

Fill your Senses with the Arts and Cultural Activities

Visit our Museums, Parks & Historical Sites. Take in a movie at Cherry Bowl Drive In or Frankfort Garden Theater, or listen to music in the park during summer months. Visit our Concerts & Theaters page for more theater and concert choices. Stay In Benzie and see the work of our local artists at Arts & Crafts Fairs. We are home to Gwen Frostic, and Michigan Legacy Art Park. A short drive to the east will take you to Interlochen Center For The Arts where you'll find concerts and events year round.

Shop for treasures, local art and much more...

From quaint shops, to art galleries, to antique stores, you’ll find something in every corner. Our shops and boutiques have unique items, up-north deco or just t-shirts. Benzie County shopping will give you more choices then you’d expect. Vist our Shopping page for ideas.

Dine In or Take Dinner Out at Benzie Restaurants

Your choices for satisfying your palate are endless in the Benzie area.  From Asian to Mexican, or picnic carry-outs to eloquent dining, we have a wide variety to choose from. While you're here, you'll want to taste the local treats as well, such as world famous Cherry Pie. Visit our Dining page for options.

Benzie....A Four Season Playground!

Spring brings wildflowers and morel mushrooms to the forests. The birds return as the lakes thaw and fish begin to head downriver. Spring is a great time to hunt for petoskey stones along Lake Michigan.

Summer Fun is full of warm air and sunshine. The lakes warm up and the woods are full of wildlife. We celebrate our country's independance, play in the water, and breathe in the fresh air. In the evening, we sit around a campfire at the lake's edge and gaze up at the Milky Way. The end of summer brings the Coho back into the rivers from the big lake.

When Fall arrives, there is still much to do in the Benzie area. September is usually still warm enough to play in the lakes. It's a great time for hiking or bicycling and exploring our area. The leaves change to create spectacular colors against the blue sky and aqua marine waters. We celebrate fall with our carved pumpkins and other fun festivals.

Winter Fun  brings fluffy snow to play in. Yes, it's cold; but how great it is to be outdoors, still on the hiking trails, but now on showshoes or skis. We are home to one of the best ski resorts in the midwest, Crystal Mountain. Benzie also has 135 miles of groomed trails for snowmobilers. We celebrate this season in February with Winterfest.

Gravity Hill - A 'mystery not to miss'

In addition to the fabulous outdoor adventures, you can find an adventure of a mysterious kind too! Take a drive out to Benzie's own "Gravity Hill", just a few miles southeast of Frankfort & Elberta. You can put your car in neutral on the downhill slope and your car will slowly roll, but it will roll backwards, uphill! These natural gravity hills are found in hilly locations where a distant horizon is not visible as a reference point, which produces the optical illusion that a gentle downhill slope is, in fact, an uphill slope. This is a "mystery" not to miss!

 Come Stay In Benzie ......    Come Play in Benzie!

Below are additional "Things To Do and See" in the Benzie Area