A list of our favorite destinations next door and within the greater White Lake & Lake Michigan area.
Walk or Paddle Destinations from our Beach:
North from the Lake House
Meinert Park - Just 4 doors north. 182 acres with dunes, 2000 ft of Lake Michigan frontage, 200 ft dune climb, playground, restrooms, and Little Flower Creek. Great for kite boarders on windy days. The dune climb has multiple peaks and trails to explore.
Little Flower Creek - Within Meinert Park, this outlet into Lake Michigan is great for kids to build bridges & dams, dig channels, or just play.
Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve - 3/4 mile north. 2000 ft of undeveloped beach and a boardwalk stair climb to a 150 ft high dune lookout platform.
Big Flower Creek - 1 mile north. Larger creek emptying into Lake Michigan, forming the nature preserve's northern border. Provides ambitious paddlers access to a large wetland delta.
South from the Lake House
Small Common Beach - 500 ft south, and 100 ft wide, with beach stair access to the road.
Large Common Beach - 1/2 mile south, over 2000 ft wide, with two beach stair access points. Walk down Lost Valley Road to observe a variety of dune cottages, then at this common beach take off your shoes and walk back to the Lake House on the sand.
Shipwrecks - A piece of the wrecked Schooner Madison sits is marked by an informational sign in dune grass south of the Large Common Beach parking. The Interlaken shipwreck is off shore in 15' of water here, but is only visible on the calmest of sunny days.
Local Food and Drink
Restaurants
Oh Brother’s, Montague - Local vibe, great food.
Pekadill’s, Whitehall - Excellent sandwich shop and old-time ice cream parlor with backyard garden seating. BBQ Ribs and Chicken on Friday and Saturday summer nights.
The Book Nook & Java Shop, Montague - Indie bookstore with coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner and beer/wine.
Rico's Tamales, Rothbury - Family-owned place in Rothbury with great tamales and tacos. Call ahead for tamales by the dozen. Weekdays only.
Hearthstone Bistro, Muskegon - Best higher end dinning within a 35-minute drive. The ambiance is classy and the food is worth the price.
The Gnarly Heifer, Whitehall - Creative burgers, dogs, and fries.
Bone Ends, Whitehall - Poutine, Sandwiches, BBQ, & TexMex. Even a few vegan options.
Colby's Cafe & Brew, Whitehall - Upscale coffee, breakfast all day, soup, salad, and sandwiches for lunch and dinner.
Gary’s Restaurant, Whitehall - Classic breakfast and lunch choices.
Old Channel Inn, Montague - Local favorite in Montague with traditional offerings and a bar. Public beach behind it.
San Marcos, Whitehall - Casual sit-down Mexican restaurant and bar.
Pizza - Papa’s Pizza and Big John’s Pizza are good local options.
Lots of other places to try
Breweries
Fetch Brewing, Whitehall - Located in a 1912 bank building, vault and all. Pleasant outdoor seating.
North Grove Brewers, Montague - Large place with food, arcade games, and pet-friendly outdoor beer garden.
Sawyers Brewing, Montague - Cozy vibe in Montague, also makes wine and hard cider.
Bardic Wells Meadery, Montague - Unique mead offerings. Check hours.
Grocery & Supplies
Montague Foods, Montague - General grocery and many local products.
Mac’s Meats, Rothbury - Small market known for fresh meats, 19 varieties bratwurst, and dinner plate size doughnuts.
McCormick Gas Station, Montague - Beverages, snacks, and supplies. 10 min drive.
Walmart, Whitehall - 15 min drive.
Activities and Attractions:
Outdoor Recreation:
Hart Montague Bicycle Trail State Park - 22-mile paved trail for biking. Map available with access sites and restrooms. Country Dairy is fun stop along the trail.
Happy Mohawk Canoe Livery, Montague – Only 20 min East from the cottage. Canoe, kayak, raft, and tube rentals on the White River. Great for a relaxing paddle or float.
WaterDog Outfitters, Whitehall - Kayak & SUP rentals with launch assistance into White Lake or White River. Bike rentals for the Hart Montague Trail. Also an outdoor recreation store.
Old Channel Trail Golf Course, Montague - 27-hole public course with some Lake Michigan views. A pleasant round any day of the week.
Stony Lake Stables, New Era - Family and beginner friendly trail rides May through October. Book online in advance.
Disc Golf - Whitehall Township course (recommended) and Henderson Lake course nearby. Water Dog Outfitters stocks disc golf gear. Flip City and Mason County Park are even better, but further away.
Mountain Bike at Mosquito Creek Trails, Twin Lake - A 45 min drive, but they’re the best trails around.
Beaches, Lighthouses & Parks:
Medbery Park – Lake Michigan swim beach on the north side of the White Lake channel. Walk the pier, boat watch channel traffic, or jump off into the lake.
White River Light Station & Museum – South shore of the White Lake channel. Historic lighthouse museum and tower (paid admission), walk along channel to pier and beach.
Duck Lake State Park – Lake Michigan beach featuring a swimmable river and hiking trails.
Silver Lake State Park, Mears – Hike over the dune to this social silver lake beach. Pedestrian access is at 8890 W Shore Dr, Mears, MI 49436.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse, Mears – Beach and tall lighthouse with 360-degree views (paid admission).
Clear Springs Nature Preserve - 100-acre preserve with hiking and trail jogging around spring fed Carlton creek.
Goodrich Park – Playground and marina on White Lake.
Covell Park and Lions Park – Natural spaces on the White River, featuring a pedestrian bridge and historical displays respectively.
You Pick Fruit Farms, Flowers & Farmer's Market:
Degen Farms Sunflower Field, 10516 Old Hwy 99, Montague - Late July-August. Large field of sunflowers. A photo focused experience.
Montague Farmers Market, Montague - Local farm goods. Check days and hours.
Palmer Blueberry Farm, 4099 Dame Road, Whitehall – U-pick farm, open July and August. Closed Sundays.
Stibitz Farm Stand, 2909 W White Lake Dr, Whitehall - Self-Serve offering fruits, vegetables, eggs, jams and jellies, and more. On the way to Palmer Blueberry Farm.
Activities:
Country Dairy, New Era - A working dairy farm with tours, food, ice cream, playground.
C's Ice Cream and Mini Golf, Montague - Simple ice cream, lunch baskets, and classic putt-putt course.
The Colby Escape Room, Whitehall - A thematic escape room in the old Masonic Temple.
Antiquing & Souvenirs, White Lake Area - Several unique antique stores: The Carriage, Wicker Chicken, and Colby's Hokey Pokey. Pitkin Gift for souvenirs.
Movie Theaters: NorthStar Cinema, Whitehall (traditional experience), or The Getty Drive In, Muskegon (classic outdoor option).
Museums, Muskegon - The USS Silversides and USS LST 393 Ship Museums are troves of WW2 history. The Milwaukee Clipper offers tours of a1940's great lakes passenger ship. The Muskegon Museum of Art and the Hackley & Hume Historic Homes are well reviewed.
Mack Woods Dune Rides, Mears – Open air trucks rides through Silver Lake dunes, thrilling for all ages.
Silver Lake Off Road Vehicle Area, Mears – 450 acres of dunes for ORV driving. Rentals available: Silverback Offroad Rental, Silver Lake Buggy Rentals, or Sunbuggy Fun Rentals.
Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo, New Era – Local zoo with farm & harvest themed activities and a market. The corn barn is our family favorite.
Double JJ Ranch, Rothbury – Ranch/resort with restaurants, horseback riding, golf, & indoor water park. Day passes available.
Michigan’s Adventure, Muskegon – Rollercoasters, amusements, and outdoor water park.
Muskegon Luge Adventure Park, Muskegon – Quarter mile zip line, luge, climbing wall, trails and more.
Jumpin' Jupiter Skate Center, Muskegon – Classic family oriented roller rink with an adult night on "Throwback" Thursdays too.
Ludington Day Trip Ideas:
Disc Golf at Mason County Park
Marvel at the Pumped Storage Plant with scenic overlooks and educational displays
Explore Ludington State Park and climb it's Big Sable Point Lighthouse (portions closed till July 2025)
Waterfront Park offers a playground, sculpture garden, shoreline paths, and a view of the "SS Badger" passenger ferry when in port
Walk the North Breakwater and Climb the Lighthouse at the end
Many options for lunch or dinner out
Calendar of concerts and live music
Weather/Rain Day Suggestions:
Watch storms over Lake Michigan
Local dining, breweries, and NorthStar Cinemas
Museums in Muskegon
Colby Escape Room, antiquing and souvenir shopping
Gold Rush Indoor Waterpark at the JJ Ranch
Roller Skating at Jumpin' Jupiter or Bowling in Muskegon
Lots more to see in the surrounding area, from Muskegon to Pentwater and beyond.