Explore Point Betsie

Poke around this Lake Michigan port town for super-fresh breakfast fare, browse a fabulous decor store, then wind down at a historic lighthouse and its sandy beach.

Mar 4, 2008 Emily Bingham
Point Betsie Lighthouse.

Point Betsie Lighthouse.

There's no point in pondering where your first Frankfort stop should be—a trip here simply is not complete without a made-from-scratch repast at Crescent Bakery (404 Main St., 231-352-4611).

Get your fingers good and sticky with a gooey Boston cream doughnut, or plan ahead and bag a few picnic-perfect paninis, like the veg-friendly Counselor: portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, fire-roasted peppers, basil pesto and mozzarella. Calories shmalories—you can walk them off while wandering the 10,000-square-foot Betsie Bay Furniture (311 Main St., 231-352-4202), located just a block down Main Street. Housed in a building that dates back to 1894, this behemoth of a decor shop is home to smart furnishings and even smarter design consultants. Take your time ogling all the goods—the hand-painted Jana Ugone lamps are tempting, no?—before leaving the great indoors behind for a while.

Wander back down Main Street, keeping an ear out for the ringing tones of sailboat rigs slapping in nearby Betsie Bay. Go ahead and pop into the other stores, but remember, the main attraction here still lies ahead. Just minutes north of town on M-22, the recently renovated Point Betsie Lighthouse (231-352-4915, pointbetsie.org) stands guard on a sandy strip of Lake Michigan shoreline. Though no longer used to guide ships through stormy waters, the 150-year-old lighthouse is still open for public tours even as interior renovations continue. Brave your way up to the top of the light tower for a spectacular view, or check out the fog signal building close by. Then head back to the beach, unpack those paninis and feast your eyes on a classic Point Betsie panorama.


Note: This article was updated for the web April 2008.

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