Location: Empire
Top Things to do in Empire
10 Things to Do in Empire That You Shouldn't Miss
Empire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 375 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Empire Township.
Restaurants in Empire
1. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
This national park includes a 35-mile stretch of beach on Lake Michigan for swimming plus 13 hiking trails.
Reviewed By mpeacock_10 - maitland, florida
As I researched from Florida what we would be able to enjoy while in Michigan I never imagined sledding down these Magnificent Dunes. Just pull up park and trek up the Dunes to sled down. The hike up was easy due to fresh powder snow from that morning. We climbed to the very top and sled down many times.
2. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
Overall Ratings
5 based on 544 reviews
Reviewed By Mary C - Ada, Michigan
A beautiful drive with scenic views. We went on a Friday, before the weekend rush. Imagine this will be super busy in a few weeks when the colors change.
3. Empire Bluff Trail
Overall Ratings
5 based on 201 reviews
Extending two miles in length, this picturesque point-to-point hiking trail is rated moderate in skill level.
Reviewed By Elaine M - Muncie, Indiana
This is one of Sleeping Bear National Park's prettiest trails. It's moderately hard but doable for most if you take your time and meanwhile, enjoy the beautiful beech and maple forest around you! Beautiful views over Lake Michigan and north along the coast of the peninsula. Can get a bit crowded in early evening as folks try to catch the sunset. It's lovely any time of day.
4. Pyramid Point Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Loop trail rated moderate in skill level takes hikers through three different environments : meadow, beach-maple forest and high bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan.
Reviewed By LindseyANDBrian - Virginia
This was one of the few hikes that we did and we were glad we chose this one-absolutely stunning overlook over Lake Michigan at the top. We did the short trail to the overlook and back only. My seven-year-old loved building a sandcastle while we sat and enjoyed the view over the lake and the Manitou Islands. The parking lot filled up quickly-we got there are 10am and got one of the last spots.
5. Lake Michigan Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Kelli C
We enjoyed the public beach at Empire. Not too many rocks, enough to make it fun to search all the different types. One of our sons took surfing lessons off the beach from Ella with Sleeping Bear Surf and Kayak. The youngest enjoyed splashing and building in the sand. Beautiful views of the dunes from the beach.
6. Dunes Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
This 4.5-mile challenging hiking trail is the most popular in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Reviewed By ELFDUDE - Scottsdale, Arizona
Early morning is the time to hit the Dunes and boy is it worth it! You hike over 100 up 1.5 to the top to have amazing views of Lake Michigan! Additional trails take you thru amazing pine trees and shrubs
7. Glen Haven Historical Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Sabine S - Hannover, Germany
The village is well presented and interesting and on hot days it is great to enjoy the beach, go swimming and have a picnic! Good parking facilities and restrooms to change.
8. Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Northern Michigan’s finest & first freshwater surf shop! We are a full-service shop offering rentals, lessons & sales ~ stand-up paddleboards, surfboards, sea-kayaks, skimboards, longboard completes & sand bikes. Great selection of swimwear, lifestyle clothing, accessories & more! We are all about encouraging free-ride play on the big water! Happily servicing groms & families since 2004!
Reviewed By MOregr8travels - Dallas, Texas
This location was perfect for kayak rental! Super easy and extremely helpful and friendly people in the family owned store. It is only a couple of blocks from the beach, so no long drives or dropping off your car and taking a bus back, etc. There is a small lake for all levels to paddle on or practice and then right across the beach parking lot is Lake Michigan. The beach was also very nice and clean. I highly recommend renting here and taking in some relaxing time on the beach. Return was also really quick, just returned the gear when we left the beach for the day and they went down alone and picked up the kayaks. The owners were great and suggested a drive down to Frankford, which we would have missed and was a perfect end to our MI trip.
9. H & H Stables
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Come visit us at H & H Stables for safe, enjoyable and affordable horseback riding for the whole family. Whether you're bringing the family or a group of friends we have horseback riding for all ages and experience levels. All our trail rides are private rides to give you the best experience we can with your group. Our well trained horses and experienced staff will take great care of you.
Reviewed By Maggie E - Saint Louis, Missouri
We have never taken the kids horseback riding, and wanted their first experience to be memorable. We decided to do it on our Michigan vacation! We stayed North of Northport (about and hour from Traverse City) and had read great reviews of this stable in Empire. Worth the scenic hour drive. Very rural/rustic feel. Staff was friendly. Horses were well cared for. Older two kids (age 7/10) and my husband went on a trial ride they really enjoyed, and I stayed back with the little girls (age 3/5) for them to do a pony ride. I assumed their rides would be like the boring overpriced rides at a carnival...but BOY was I wrong. The very nice lady walked them for a LONG time around the entire area on the horse, taught them commands for the horse, let them guide the horse to eat/drink, and allowed them to feed the horse a snack! SO MUCH MORE than they had ever experienced before and they were both just thrilled! Would absolutely recommend H&H Stables to other travelers.
10. Platte Plains Trail
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Located in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, this is a 15-mile network of scenic hiking and biking trails.
Reviewed By freqflyer67 - Asheville, North Carolina
We have visited Sleeping Bear Dunes a number of times, but this was our first time checking out the Plains trails, and we were very pleasantly surprised. The trails are beautiful and peaceful, looping through woodland terrain. It does not seem like these trails see much use (I'm guessing because they don't go to the beach?). I'd like to thank the rangers of SBD for keeping them open for us runners and hikers who love this type of thing. Thank you!!! We will definitely be back again and are considering a winter trip to do some X-country skiing there.
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