The east shore of Lake , which stretches from Berrien County north to the Straits of Mackinac, is the largest freshwater dune system in the world. With towering sands that rise several hundred feet above the lake, there are countless locales to soak up the sun during the day and then watch it set across the western horizon as night falls.

Silver Beach, St. Joseph Mou nt Baldhead, Saugatuck Grand Haven State Par k For more than 100 years, vacationers Perched proudly in downtown After a day of exploring downtown have fl ocked to Silver Beach in St. Saugatuck, Mount Baldhead is a 600- Grand Haven, including the nightly Joseph for its sugar-sand beaches foot tall sand dune that overlooks presentation of the “World’s that stretch for 2,450 feet along the to the west and the Largest Musical Fountain” on freshwater shoreline. In those early Kalamazoo River to the east. Atop Dewey Hill, head west along the years, the Silver Beach Amusement this bluff , a large white ball still boardwalk toward the Park graced this space, off ering stands—a former World War II radar expansive 48-acre . The family-friendly activities that would station that was established to detect park, consisting entirely of beach last all day long and into the evening. planes coming over the Great Lakes. sand, provides scenic views of Lake Today, it is most commonly used by Michigan and the Grand Haven pier Today, new generations can enjoy boaters as a location marker as they and range lights. If your visit is in the the Silver Beach Carousel, walk travel the local waterways. winter, stay parked in your car and the pier to the historic range lights, take in Mother Nature’s sunset show look up into Michigan’s tallest While in the area, be sure to check or bundle up and take a walk along kaleidoscope and watch the colorful out the award-winning Oval Beach, the snow-covered beach. changing patterns before settling take a dune ride or riverboat in on the beach to watch the sun excursions, and then plan the trek of sink into the horizon, refl ecting a mere 300 or so steps to the top of on the shimmering waters of Lake Mt. Baldy’s summit for breathtaking Michigan. views that stretch out for miles in all directions. 22 bring a fl ashlight for the trip back Silver Lake Sand Dunes, down to the park entrance. Mear s One of the largest deposits of living The Emer ald Isle, dunes encompasses some 2,000 Beaver Island acres of rolling sands, 1.5 miles wide On the east side of Beaver Island, and three miles long, bordering Michigan’s Emerald Isle, the Lake Michigan and Silver Lake. This aptly Irish-named Donegal Bay area is home to the 1874 Little Sable is considered one of the prettiest Point Lighthouse, where visitors can spots on the island. Here, Mt. climb to the top of the tower for a Pisgah, an overgrown sand dune keeper’s view of the vast shoreline that rises 700 feet above the beach, and beyond. is the highest point on the island. One of Silver Lake State Park’s biggest Located just a quarter mile from draws is the 450-acre off -road vehicle shore, this climbable bluff provides area, where dune buggies reign. an adventurous and romantic place The windblown sand, undulating to end the evening, as the sun says ridges and valleys, wispy dune grass goodbye for the day. and scrub brush create a desert- like environment where adventure Legs Inn, Cross Village seekers can tear it up all day long, As one of the oldest settlements in before lining up to watch the sun set Michigan, Cross Village—located in the west. on the scenic M-119 “Tunnel of Trees”—has long-standing ties to the Arcadia Bluff Over loo k, Native American Ottawa Indians, and was once a thriving fi shing Manistee Cou nty and lumber town. After enjoying a Plan an afternoon exploring the traditional Polish dinner at the Legs Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve Inn restaurant, step out back and or the CS Mott Nature Preserve at soak up the beauty of the expansive Arcadia Dunes in northern Manistee gardens as well as the panoramic County, each just off the M-22 scenic views of Lake Michigan and several drive. A roadside rest area just north islands that dot the waterways in of the village of Arcadia features the distance. From the old school an observation platform ideal for viewfi nder, you can see four of the viewing shoreline towns such as state’s many lighthouses, as well as Frankfort to the north. Accessible have a front row seat for sunset. year round, visitors report seeing passing freighters below, eagles For t Hol mes, Mackinac Island fl ying above and breathtaking The historic Fort Holmes is noted sunsets no matter the season. as the highest point on Mackinac Island, originally built in 1814 by Empir e Bluff, Empir e British forces during the War of In the heart of the Sleeping Bear 1812. The locals consider this one of Dunes National Lakeshore, the the “hidden gem” spots where late 1.5-mile Empire Bluff trail leads to afternoon visits turn into evening an overlook some 400 feet above the opportunities for watching the sun sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan. set behind the silhouette of the On a clear day, South Manitou Island fi ve-mile Mighty Mackinac Bridge. comes into view off in the western Rebuilt during the summer of 2015, distance, while South Bar Lake and Fort Holmes is under the auspices of the Robert H. Manning Memorial the Mackinac State Historic Parks, Light is visible to the north. The trail with grounds open year round for is open year-round, and is ideal for public gatherings. snowshoe treks with the family. No matter the season, Empire Bluff is Dianna Stampfl er, Promote Michigan a popular sunset viewing spot, just 23