Local Attractions & Things to Do

A list of our favorite destinations next door and within the greater White Lake & Lake Michigan area.

Walk, Kayak, or Paddle Board Destinations along the Beach:

North from the Lake House

• Meinert Park - 182 acres of rolling dunes just 4 doors north of the cottage.  It is accessible both from the beach and via a dune trail at the north end of Lost Valley Road.  Features: 2000 ft of natural Lake Michigan frontage; 200 ft dune climb; restrooms, a modern playground, and Little Flower Creek.  On windy days watch for Kite Boarders.  The dune climb is an adventure in itself with multiple peaks and bowls to explore.  A ridge trail just in the trees on the south side is an easier ascent than straight up the face, but either way the view on top and run down to the water are worth it.

• "Little" Flower Creek - Within Meinert Park, this always changing outlet into Lake Michigan provides hours of entertainment for kids as they build bridges, erect damns, float boats, and dig new channels in the sand.

• Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve - 3/4 of a mile north of the cottage is the Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve.  It features another 2000 ft of undeveloped beach and an excellent boardwalk & stair climb to the top of a 150 ft high protected dune.

• "Big" Flower Creek - 1 mile north of the cottage is the outlet of Flower Creek (also called Big Flower Creek), which is a larger and deeper creek emptying into Lake Michigan.  It forms the northern border of the nature preserve and provides ambitious paddlers access to a secluded wetland delta.

South from the Lake House

• Small Common Beach - 500 ft south of the cottage and 100 ft wide or so.  Has a beach stair access through the dune up to Lost Valley Road.

• Large Common Beach - 1/2 mile south of the cottage and over 2000 ft wide with two beach stair access points.  Walk down Lost Valley Road to observe a broad variety of cottages set in the dunes, then at the large common beach take off your shoes and either explore further south or walk back to the cottage on the sand.

Food and Drink

Restaurants

• Oh Brother’s, Montague - Very local vibe, great food.  Just down the road on Business 31

• Pekadill’s, Whitehall - Huge menu of sandwiches/croissants/wraps, also an old-time ice cream parlor.  Enjoy either in their backyard garden seating.  On Friday and Saturday summer evenings they do great BBQ Ribs and Chicken.

• The Book Nook & Java Shop, Montague - Excellent indie bookstore that also serves coffee, breakfast, soups, sandwiches, and beer/wine in the evenings.

• Rico's Tamales, Rothbury - Small family-owned place with counter service, seating and take out.  Their tamales and tacos get rave reviews.  Can order tamales by the dozen (call ahead) for a feast back at the cottage.  Only open on weekdays.

• Hearthstone Bistro, Muskegon - Best higher end dinning within a 35-minute drive.  The location is unusual for fine dining, but the ambiance inside is classy and the food has been worth the price.

• The Gnarly Heifer, Whitehall - Excellent and creative burgers, dogs, and fries.

• Bone Ends, Whitehall - Poutine, Sandwiches, BBQ, & TexMex.  Lots to try here, even a few vegan options.

• Colby's Cafe & Brew, Whitehall - Classy place with high end coffee, unique breakfast options served all day, and soup, salad and sandwiches for lunch and dinner.

• Gary’s Restaurant, Whitehall - Simple place with hearty classic breakfast choices.  Lunch available too.

• Old Channel Inn, Montague - Just 15 min south of the cottage.  A quaint local favorite with traditional offerings and bar.  Grab a meal then explore the public beach behind it.

• San Marcos, Whitehall - Classic casual sit-down Mexican restaurant with complimentary chips and salsa and a full bar.

• Pizza - Papa’s Pizza and Big John’s Pizza are good local options.

• Lots of other places to try

Breweries

• Fetch Brewing, Whitehall - Great location in a 1912 bank building, working vault and all. Also nice outdoor seating.

• North Grove Brewers, Montague - Large and unique place, serves good food too.  Features classic arcade games and a pet friendly outdoor beer garden with lawn games.

• Sawyers Brewing, Montague - Smaller, cozy vibe.  Make their own wine and hard cider too.

• Bardic Wells Meadery, Montague - Unique offerings on tap or buy bottles to go.  Check their hours before visiting.

Grocery & Supplies

• Montague Foods, Montague - Similar to a D&W and is well provisioned with general grocery and many locally made products.

• Mac’s Meats, Rothbury - Excellent tiny meat market and bakery.  Known for their fresh meats, 19+ varieties of homemade bratwurst, and dinner plate size doughnuts.

• McCormick Gas Station, Montague - A decent selection of beverages, snacks, supplies and other convenience items.  Only 10 min down the road.

• Walmart, Whitehall - 15 min away.

Activities and Attractions:

Outdoor Recreation:

• Hart Montague Bicycle Trail State Park - A rails to trails project, this 22 mile paved trail is a popular biking route through scenic farmland with multiple access site options (map) providing parking and restrooms. Country Dairy (see below) sits right along the trail and is a great waypoint or turn around destination for ice cream or a meal.

• Happy Mohawk Canoe Livery (401 E Fruitvale Rd, Montague, MI 49437) – About a 20 min drive East from the cottage.  They rent canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes.  It’s a relaxing couple hour paddle and float experience.  The White River is clear, and we enjoy stopping along the way to swim or explore a bit with the kids.

• WaterDog Outfitters, Whitehall - Impressive local outdoor recreation store.  Specializing in biking, paddle sports, marine accessories, and apparel.   They also rent kayaks, paddle boards, and bikes.  Rent a kayak or SUP and they'll help you launch into White Lake or the White River watershed, or grab bikes for the Hart Montague Bicycle Trail State Park mentioned above.

• Old Channel Trail Golf Course, Montague (231-894-5076) - Just 10 min south of the Lake House is this local public course offering 27 holes with a few overlooking Lake Michigan.  A pleasant round any day of the week.  Call ahead to confirm a tee time, or just show up and they can usually fit you in.

• Stony Lake Stables, New Era - A 20 min drive north, they offer family and beginner friendly trail rides May through October.  Book on their website a day or more in advance to ensure availability.

• Disc Golf - Two courses nearby.  I recommend the Whitehall Township Disc Golf Course first.  It's well maintained, has some variety in hole layout, and its not common to lose a disc.  The Henderson Lake Disk Gold Course is another option but is tighter in the trees and suffers from poor navigation aids, making finding the next hole tricky at times.  Both are less than 20 min away.  Water Dog Outfitters stocks disc golf gear if needed.

• Mountain Bike at Mosquito Creek Trails, Twin Lake - A 45 min drive from the Lake House, but they’re the best trails around.

Beaches and Lighthouses:

• Medbery Park – This is the Lake Michigan public beach on the north side of the White Lake channel.  The pier is nice to walk, and you can jump from its north side into Lake Michigan.  Plenty of boat watching as they traverse the channel.

• White River Light Station & Museum – On the south shore of the White Lake channel.  A small historic lighthouse where you can view exhibits and climb to the modest tower ($8 adults, $5 children).  Also next to the south channel pier and more beach, but it's a bit of a hike if bringing a lot of beach equipment.

• Duck Lake State Park – A great beach featuring a large gentle river flowing through it from Duck Lake.  30-minute drive to the south.  Lots of fun for kids.  Also offers hiking trails on the north side of Duck Lake.

• Silver Lake State Park, Mears – Fun beach and dunes to climb that spill steeply down into Silver Lake.  30-40 min drive North.  Pedestrian access is at 8890 W Shore Dr, Mears, MI 49436.  There is a decent climb and walk across the sand out to the beach area, but doable for most and worth it.

• Little Sable Point Lighthouse, Mears – A very tall lighthouse that’s about a 35-minute drive north.  The climb to the top ($8 adults, $5 children) leads to an outside balcony with impressive 360-degree views.  It’s also on a nice beach with bathroom facilities.

Parks:

• Clear Springs Nature Preserve - A 100-acre nature preserve offers pleasant day hiking and trail jogging around Carlton creek, ponds, and the springs feeding them.

• Goodrich Park – This is a nice playground in downtown Whitehall, right on White Lake.  A local pizza place (Big John’s) is next door, there is a pavilion, and the small Marina is pleasant to walk around.

• Covell Park and Lions Park – Natural spaces on the south side of the White River, across Thompson Street from Goodrich Park.  Covell features the Hart Montague Trail White River Bridge and Lions has historical displays and an overlook of the wetlands.

You Pick Fruit Farms, Flowers & Farmer's Market:

• Degen Farms Sunflower Field, 10516 Old Hwy 99, Montague - Open Late July through August, 9a-9p.  Just around the corner from the Lake House.  A large field of sunflowers one can walk through for $2 (cash, check or Venmo only).  A photo focused experience.

• Montague Farmers Market, Montague - Located on the southeast corner of Church St. and Water St.  Small but good.  Open Saturdays, 9am -12:30pm & Tuesdays 5 pm – 7:30 pm.

• Palmer Blueberry Farm, 4099 Dame Road, Whitehall – Local U-pick blueberry farm, open July through later August. Has a small kids' play and picnic area too.  Open 8:30a till 5:30p on weekdays, 4p on Saturday, and closed on Sundays.

• Stibitz Farms, 2909 W White Lake Dr, Whitehall - Self-Serve Farm Stand offers local fruits and vegetables, eggs, jams and jellies, and more.  Worth a stop on the way to or from Palmer Blueberry Farm.

Activities:

• Country Dairy, New Era - A working dairy farm bottling 70,000 gallons of milk per week.  They offer a variety of tours and serve food in their market and café.  Great ice cream and a pleasant outdoor picnic area with a playground.

• C's Ice Cream and Mini Golf, Montague - Nothing fancy here.  Just great ice cream, a few simple lunch baskets, and a deceptively challenging classic putt-putt course.

• The Colby Escape Room, Whitehall - Just opened.  A thematic 20th century escape room hosted in the old Masonic Temple.

• Antiquing, White Lake Area - There are several quaint and unique antique shops to explore in the area.  The Carriage, Wicker Chicken, and Colby's Hokey Pokey offer treasure hunting options.

• NorthStar Cinema, Whitehall - for a traditional movies experience, or The Getty Drive In, Muskegon for the rare classic of an outdoor drive in theater.  Showtime is generally late to ensure darkness, and double features are the norm.  

• Mack Woods Dune Rides, Mears – Open air trucks drive through the large Silver Lake dune preserve.  They do go fast.  629 N 18th Ave, Mears, MI 49436.

• Silver Lake Off Road Vehicle Area, Mears – 450 acres of dunes open to ORV riding adventures.  Read the details about permitting, flags, and parking.  Or keep it simple and rent an ORV from one of the local operators: Silverback Offroad Rental, Silver Lake Buggy Rentals, or Sunbuggy Fun Rentals.

• Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo, New Era – 20 min drive to the northeast.  A local zoo with farm & harvest theme activities and a market.  The Olympic swimming pool size corn barn is a favorite, and they added a splash pad for cooling off this summer.  Fun for the young, or young at heart.

• Double JJ Ranch, Rothbury – A ranch/resort with horseback riding, golf, and an indoor water park, restaurants, etc.  20 min drive northeast.  The water park day passes are great for kids and family on a rainy day.

• Michigan’s Adventure, Muskegon – A rollercoaster and outdoor water park about 20 min southeast of the cottage.  Plenty of activities for thrill seekers.

• Muskegon Luge Adventure Park, Muskegon – A unique outdoor community asset featuring a quarter-mile zip line, luge (on wheels in the summer), climbing wall, trails and more.

• Jumpin' Jupiter Skate Center, Muskegon – Remember these?  This classic roller rink is family oriented, but also has adult night on "Throwback" Thursdays too.  Skate and roller blade rentals available.

Weather/Rain Day Suggestions:

• Watch the storms move across Lake Michigan

• Local Restaurants and Breweries and a Movie at NorthStar Cinemas in Whitehall

• Colby Escape Room, Antiquing and Souvenir Shopping all around the White Lake Area 

• Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark at the JJ Ranch - Lots of fun year round for any group with kids

• Many Museums to choose from in Muskegon - Our family has enjoyed the USS Silversides Museum, but the Milwaukee Clipper and USS LST 393 are other historical ship to explore, the Museum of Art is well reviewed, and the Hackley & Hume Historic Homes offer guided tours.

• Roller Skating at Jumpin' Jupiter, also in Muskegon.

Lots more to see in the surrounding area, from Muskegon to Pentwater and beyond.