4 Star Places To Visit in Ludington, Michigan, United States (20)

1. 4.5 S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry (1.129 reviews)
   - Amazing experience on a steam ship!
   Wednesday: 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM Historic Sites • Ferries
   
   
   The S.S. Badger is the largest car ferry to ever sail Lake Michigan and has provided a safe, fun, and reliable shortcut across the inland sea for 67 years. The ferry takes passengers, autos, RVs, tour buses, motorcycles, bicycles, and commercial trucks across Lake Michigan between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin from mid-May through mid-October. See more..
   
2. 4.5 Big Sable Point Lighthouse (393 reviews)
   - Well Worth the Effort to Reach The Impressive Big Sable Lighthouse
   Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Lighthouses
   
   
   Though it is a nearly 2 mile walk down a soft sand road, it is well worth the effort to see this impressive historic lighthouse on a beautiful stretch of Lake Michigan. Fortunately on the day we were there, there was an overcast sky and temps were in the low 70’s so it was a pleasant walk. There is no shade on the walk, so be aware that on a sunny, warm day it may become quite uncomfortable particularly if humidity is high. Bring water, a hat, and wear sunscreen! A few days in the summer there is a bus that ferries visitors back and forth so for those who cannot make a 2-mile trek it is worth checking into. The lighthouse is closed on Mondays. See more..
   
3. 4.5 Ludington North Breakwater Light (226 reviews)
   - Nice
   Lighthouses
   
   
   My husband and I were in Livingston for one night on our travels around Lake Michigan. This is an unusual looking lighthouse that is well worth the visit. I can’t swim so it made me a bit nervous walking the concrete pier out into the lake, but I am really glad that I did it. We climbed to the top. It was a cloudy day so we couldn’t see very well but the guide at the top was very nice and informative. See more..
   
4. 4.5 Amber Elk Ranch (101 reviews)
   - Awesome Rut bugling and hand feed cows, MASSIVE RACKS!
   Spent 1-2 hours Ranches
   
   
   We are closed for the winter, we will open again on Memorial Day weekend, we look forward to seeing you then! Working elk ranch, take a 50 minute ride through our 130 acres of beautiful pasture where you will see elk cows and calves, spikers and bull elk up close. You will have the opportunity to feed the elk right from the wagon. See more..
   
5. 4.5 Historic White Pine Village (94 reviews)
   - A Visit Back In Time
   Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
   
   
   Historic White Pine Village offers a living-history, family-friendly, fun-filled tour of a late 19th – early 20th century pioneer village. The Village boasts 30 historic exhibit buildings, including the original 1849 Mason County Courthouse (on the National Register of Historic Places ) and an authentic turn-of-the-century steam locomotive, tender car, and flat car loaded with logs and headed toward the Village’s working sawmill. Visitors come face-to-face with early settlers: first-person interpreters with scripts carefully prepared by staff and historians, they interact and improvise with visitors in the persona of historical characters and recreate actual personages from Mason County. The buildings contain thousands of authentic artifacts and archives depicting the rich lumbering and agricultural history of its area. Thousands of area school children, families, individual visitors and residents tour the Village annually. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Buttersville Park (68 reviews)
   - Beautiful campsite but bring earplugs.
   Beaches • Parks
   
   
   Nice township campground in a beautiful location. Do not miss watching a gorgeous Lake Michigan sunset sitting on the bluff at the campsite. We didn’t have a lot of interaction with the staff but what we did was all very pleasant. One thing: there is a manufacturing plant nearby and, I don’t know if it happens all the time, but we were there on a Sunday night and the beep beep beep of what sounds like the reverse alarm on trucks went on all night long. Unless you’re one of those sleepers who won’t wake up for anything, bring ear plugs or you’ll probably have a pretty sleepless night listening to what sounds like an alarm clock all night long. See more..
   
7. 4.5 Port of Ludington Maritime Museum (48 reviews)
   - A well appointed attraction which you need at least 2 hours in
   Temporarily closed - Closed until May 6, 2023 Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Children's Museums • History Museums
   
   
   The Port of Ludington Maritime Museum brings history to life with digital storytelling, authentic images and artifacts, and engaging interactive exhibits that entertain, enlighten, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the region’s maritime history. Located in the former U.S. Coast Guard Station, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this family-friendly, three-story museum overlooks Lake Michigan’s wild shoreline, Ludington’s iconic North Pier Light, and the historic carferry Badger, extending the maritime experience beyond its doors in this vacation wonderland. The museum is operated by the Mason County Historical Society, which also operates the nearby Historic White Pine Village. See more..
   
8. 4.5 Hemlock Golf Club (42 reviews)
   - Best golf course in Western Michigan
   Golf Courses
   
   
   I played the Hemlock Golf Club this fall and boy was I impressed. The course was in tremendous shape, the staff was great and the golf well it was one of the most challenging and fun rounds I have ever played. The price I thought was a steal. I have played a lot of courses out that way including Arcadia bluffs which is in the over hundred dollar range. I learned that I can pay about half that, on a course that in my opinion offers a lot more. See more..
   
9. 4.5 Pere Marquette River (42 reviews)
   - Kayaking the river from Scottville
   Bodies of Water
   
   
   This National Scenic River is one of Northern Michigan's prime fishing spots. See more..
   
10. 4.5 Summit Park (27 reviews)
    - Our wedding vow renewal 2021
    Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Parks • Playgrounds
    
    
    We were married on this beach in 2011 and came back for our 10-year anniversary wedding vow renewal on the beach. There was a little bit less beach now than there was 10 years ago but it is still very nice. One of the things I like about this beach is there's some good rock hunting to be done here. All the children and adults love the beach. It seems as beaches became a very popular place in the last 10 years. In the afternoon lots of people go get food at the bortell's food market and bring it here to the picnic tables to eat and to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Michigan. Kudos to Michigan Parks department for the wonderful playground equipment that they've added here for little kids. The bathrooms were also very nice here and very clean. See more..
    
11. 4.5 Love Wines, LLC (18 reviews)
    - Absolutely love Love Wines!!
    Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops • Wineries & Vineyards
    
    
    We are a full winery in downtown Ludington. We also offer gifts and tastings. No reservations needed during business hours. See more..
    
12. 4.0 Harbor Cinemas 8 (18 reviews)
    - Great "matinee" special, but go a little early!
    Movie Theaters
    From 4 - 5:30 they have cheaper movie prices, but when we went to see Minions 3D the lines were quite long. They had 3 lines (one had two registers going). You actually pay at the concession stand - 1 line was tickets only, and the other 2 were tickets and concessions. The place was a zoo! However, things moved a little faster than I thought at first, but I was stressing out while we waited. So leave an extra 10 minutes before you normally would for a weekday movie. The seating was comfortable and the theater was quite clean. See more..
    
13. 4.0 Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness (17 reviews)
    - Beautiful place
    Nature & Wildlife Areas
    
    
    To get to the wilderness area you do go down a dirt road for about 6 miles and the parking lot is small but there is parking along the road as well. The hike to the beach is a bit long but so pretty and quiet. Once out to the lake the water is so many colors of blue and great for swimming. See more..
    
14. 4.5 Red Door Gallery (12 reviews)
    - Local art - excellent
    Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries
    
    
    This is a great place to stop for local arts and crafts. Items are presented well and offer a variety of media. See more..
    
15. 4.5 Maude's Garage (11 reviews)
    - What fun! Cool shop.
    Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops
    This upcycled garage on the mainstreet is packed full of vintage and hand-crafted fun. We were looking for a local artisan souvenir and found several to choose from. Do take cash for your purchases. Enjoy! (send the guys and little kids for ice cream while you shop) See more..
    
16. 4.5 JM Galleries (10 reviews)
    - Framing done right
    Wednesday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Art Galleries
    
    
    JM Galleries and Custom Picture Framing is beautiful photography gallery and full service custom picture frame shop.Choices from affordable ready made frames to extravagant custom framing options. See more..
    
17. 4.0 Father Jacques Marquette Shrine (6 reviews)
    - Beautiful picturesque
    Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites
    
    
    I live near this wonderful place. It is a must see in our little town. Well worth the trip. It does have stairs and is being remodeled. Breath taking view. See more..
    
18. 4.0 Ludington Area Center for the Arts (3 reviews)
    - Talented local artists display
    Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries
    The Ludington Area Center for the Arts (LACA) is a community arts organization and facility that cultivates regional arts: Music, Visual Arts, Performance, Dance, Culinary, Literary and more. The LACA Gallery features a variety of free visual arts exhibitions year-round. LACA also presents a wide variety of arts programming and workshops, as well as staged theatrical and musical performances. See more..
    
19. 4.0 The Mitten Bar (2 reviews)
    - Great Vibe, Great Music
    Wednesday: 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM Bars & Clubs
    Had a great night, music was delightful, place was packed, and its the place to be in Ludington at night. For a small town, they do this up like the city!! See more..
    
20. 4.5 Cartier Park (2 reviews)
    - Best Campground!
    Spent 1-2 hours Parks
    This campground is a fantastic place to camp. I have come several times and my husband has been coming since he was a child (He's 45) very clean, friendly and reasonable priced. Path to walk or ride your bike and a small play ground. Family friendly really everyone friendly! We definitely be back. See more..