Top Things to do in Benzie County
What to do and see in Benzie County, Benzie County: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Benzie County, United States including Crystal Lake, Betsie Valley Trail, Ellie Harold Art Studio & Gallery, Point Betsie Lighthouse, Homestead Dam, The Frankfort Light, St. Ambrose Cellars, Frankfort Beach, Platte Point Beach, Iron Fish Distillery.
Restaurants in Benzie County
1. Crystal Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By 182gregoryf
We have been vacationing every summer at Crystal Lake for at least 10 years. It is a beautiful place. Frankfort Michigan is a hopping little tourist town during the summer. If you need big shopping, you will be disappointed. This is geared for casual dining, t-shirts, and art galleries/book stores. A lovely sandy beach and Lake Michigan is at the end of Main St. Public access to Crystal Lake is the next town over, Beulah, MI. Best to rent a cottage on Crystal Lake and start your own summer traditions.
2. Betsie Valley Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By brianhH5461XT - Frankfort, United States
Built on the former Ann Arbor Railroad grade, the stretch between Frankfort and Beulah is a very pleasant ride. Starting at Cannon Park in Frankfort and ending in downtown Beulah, you get a small town tour, ride through meadows, forests, riverside, Crystal Lake and into downtown Beulah. Take the time to stop and explore and you will be rewarded with some of the most pleasant sights, smells and sounds of summer possible. The entire ride is only about 20 miles round trip, but it's mostly flat, with only the wind on the return trip to slow you down. A very peaceful, lovely ride.
3. Ellie Harold Art Studio & Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Ellie Harold Studio & Gallery is located in an historic Victorian home on the corner of 4th Street and Forest Avenue, just a short block from Main Street. The 1895 structure showcases the award-winning artist's contemporary oil paintings. When Ellie discovered the nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in 2007, she declared "I could paint here for the rest of my life." The following year, she and her husband Roo purchased the Forest Ave. home and embarked on a 3 year renovation project. Since 2012, they have welcomed many hundreds of visitors who enjoy meeting the artist and viewing her artwork displayed in a home setting. In addition to paintings and decor ideas, you'll also find gift items: boxed card sets, desk calendars and the artist's book, 7 Habits of Deeply Fulfilled Artists: Your Aesthetic Needs & How to Meet Them. In warmer weather you'll find Ellie painting in her Summer Studio -- you're welcome stop by and watch!
Reviewed By 277danr
In Frankfort, MI this past weekend admiring the beautifully restored and charming homes of this quaint "seacoast" town and found ourselves in Ellie's summer studio. We were instantly drawn to the welcoming and warm glow surrounding this place. Ellie visited with us throughout out personal home tour, and shared the inner feelings that inspired each piece, providing meaning and depth I've rarely seen firsthand. She also told her story which gave context and further texture to how she approaches her work. The work speaks to you with each brush stroke in a beautiful and loving way. We felt her kindness and vibrant spirit stay with us throughout the weekend. Thank you Ellie.
4. Point Betsie Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 307 reviews
Reviewed By dcarlstead - Palmyra, United States
The light house and shop and tours, are great and a lot of the lake history is talked about> The beach we spent time looking at the rocks on the beach. Great views.
5. Homestead Dam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
This Dam is use for fishing access and fish spawn runs also drop location for canoeing and kayaking. A motel/resort is also found right next to Dam and currently not listed in your Data. See "rusticresort.net" for more information.
6. The Frankfort Light
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By ShanOC - Grand Forks, United States
We were in Frankfort on a beautiful hot summer July day! We walked towards the beach and saw the lighthouse! And you could walk out to it?? Cool! Yes! We walked the massive concrete pier to reach the lighthouse. There were places that were wet in the concrete and made walking slippery. Be careful! Many were diving off the pier. We didn’t have clothes to swim in so we jealously watched. We hope to be back! This was part of a fun day in Frankfort!
7. St. Ambrose Cellars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
100% local honey, mead and Michigan grown wine. We have a wide selection of red and white wines along with our own estate meads. Come and sample Pure Michigan.
Reviewed By ChicagoChuck123 - Chicago, United States
Visited last weekend during Covid...everyone was distanced and had masks - that's good. We sat at a table and sadly got ignored for like 10 minutes. But - things are hard and I understand - so I kept it cool - finally someone noticed we had no service and a guy from another area addressed us. I told him we sat for a while in a nice way and SERVICE RECOVERY mode went in to full effect. The guy was AWESOME about getting the kids drinks fast as it was a HOT day. I knew what I wanted and wanted to move fast and get out. He understood and got us moving quick. I had a flight and asked for a suggestion - his suggestions were on-point. I bought a growler and apologized for whining about the wait. Guy brought me out a bottle for free. Great experience. The mead - WOW - just WOW. Great variety, even some beers - something for everyone and the grounds are beautiful. Would love to return on a cooler evening and see some live music. The John Lemon is SO good. Everything was so well balanced and fresh - the experience was one of the highlights of our trip. Looking forward to getting back when I can. Food truck looked really good and fairly priced.
8. Frankfort Beach
9. Platte Point Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By tjcachers
When the grandkids come to visit a must thing to do in do some tubing on the Platte River at its mouth followed with lots of beach time. You can park at the Lake township park or at the NLSP parking area (both require a fee unless you have a pass) and float the last 1/4 miles or so of the river to Lake Michigan.The parking is on Lake Michigan Dr. which is a paved road that ends at the boat launch.The area has great sand beaches that over look the sand dunes in the area along with a couple of island. It also is a must for a great sunset over Lake Michigan.
10. Iron Fish Distillery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Born on the waters of the Betsie River,raised on its watershed farmland and inspired by upstream Journeys of the Steelhead. We are Michigan's first farm based distillery, come book to a tour of our distillery, or just stop by and visit our tasting room.
Reviewed By sweetthang33
Love coming to iron fish to enjoy the amazing pizzas, homemade honey to purchase and take back home and variety of delicious cocktails! We purchased a wonderful rye vodka and the bourbon whiskey Carribean casks !! Great service and appreciated the knowledge of the variety of drinks —such a beautiful relaxing setting in a beautiful farmland!! We also got to enjoy live music on a Saturday evening!!
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