Chris’s Benzie County Guidebook
Restaurants, Breweries, and Distilleries
Delicious meads, wines, beer, food, honey products, yard games, frisbee golf, live music, and atmosphere!
86 locals recommend
St. Ambrose Cellars
841 S Pioneer RdDelicious meads, wines, beer, food, honey products, yard games, frisbee golf, live music, and atmosphere!
Five Shores Brewing
163 S Benzie BlvdGreat beer, food, and live music!
Stormcloud Brewing Company
303 Main StGreat restaurant and brewery
Lucky Dog Bar and Grille
223 S Benzie BlvdGreat variety of beers on tap and food options
Geno's Sports Bar And Grill
14848 Thompson AveA local legend, the ribs are hard to beat!
Unique craft distillery with great food options and atmosphere!
60 locals recommend
Iron Fish Distillery
14234 Dzuibanek RdUnique craft distillery with great food options and atmosphere!
JIMS JOINT BBQ
10914 U.S. 31Best brisket around!
A Beulah classic - try it out and thank us later! Excellent selection of deli meats and cheeses as well as fresh made bagels, breads, sandwiches, and pastries.
19 locals recommend
L' Chayim Delicatessen
274 S Benzie BlvdA Beulah classic - try it out and thank us later! Excellent selection of deli meats and cheeses as well as fresh made bagels, breads, sandwiches, and pastries.
Excellent eclectic foods, beverages, and deli counter with sandwiches and pizza. Try the Judy - you won't regret it!
13 locals recommend
East Shore Market
276 S Benzie BlvdExcellent eclectic foods, beverages, and deli counter with sandwiches and pizza. Try the Judy - you won't regret it!
A. Papano's Pizza BEULAH
7803 Crystal DrGreat pizza!
Hill Top Soda Shoppe
7117 South StGreat home made ice cream
Road House
1058 Michigan AveA Benzie County staple, get there early, it fills up fast!
Closest coffee/espresso and cafe to the cabin - try the tuna melt... *chef's kiss*
24 locals recommend
Ursa Major Bistro (formerly Blue C Cafe)
245 S Benzie BlvdClosest coffee/espresso and cafe to the cabin - try the tuna melt... *chef's kiss*
Lake Ann Brewing Company
6535 First StGreat beer and live music!
Lakes and Beaches
Beulah Public Beach
139 Lake StGreat local beach on beautiful Crystal Lake!
Frankfort Public Beach And Playground
Awesome beach with epic Lake Michigan waves
Esch Beach
Esch RoadA local favorite
Classic beach and river access point with boat launch, grills, and picnic areas
8 locals recommend
Platte River Point
Classic beach and river access point with boat launch, grills, and picnic areas
Platte Lake
Beautiful inland lake with great fishing
Empire Beach
great place to enjoy Lake Michigan, close to the Sleeping Bear Dunes
Historic Lake Michigan access point with beach access and visitor information
12 locals recommend
Glen Haven Historic Village
Glen Haven RoadHistoric Lake Michigan access point with beach access and visitor information
Rivers
Beautiful river for paddling or fishing, larger than the Platte or but not as big as the Manistee
7 locals recommend
Betsie River
Beautiful river for paddling or fishing, larger than the Platte or but not as big as the Manistee
Platte River
Beautiful river for paddling, floating, or fishing
Manistee Riverwalk
43-79 Jones StBeautiful large river for paddling, floating, or fishing
Crystal River
Stunning crystal clear river, close to Sleeping Bear Dunes
Hidden gem of a river, great paddling, fishing, and even some small whitewater!
6 locals recommend
Boardman River
Hidden gem of a river, great paddling, fishing, and even some small whitewater!
Great canoe/kayak/tube rental and shuttle service right on the Platte river!
58 locals recommend
Riverside Canoe Trips
5042 N Scenic HwyGreat canoe/kayak/tube rental and shuttle service right on the Platte river!
Trails
Beautiful multipurpose trail running 26 miles from Thompsonville to Frankfort with paved and unpaved sections. Perfect for running, walking, or biking. Some sections are open for snowmobiles in the winter.
33 locals recommend
Betsie Valley Trail
826 Michigan AveBeautiful multipurpose trail running 26 miles from Thompsonville to Frankfort with paved and unpaved sections. Perfect for running, walking, or biking. Some sections are open for snowmobiles in the winter.
Empire Bluff Trailhead
Empire Bluff TrailA classic with iconic views!
Arcadia Dunes Baldy Trailhead
Trail to BaldyGreat local option with Lake Michigan views
Best mountain bike trails in the area! Beautiful rolling 10-mile and 4-mile loops through hardwood forests
St Pierre Mountain Bike Trail
Saint PierreBest mountain bike trails in the area! Beautiful rolling 10-mile and 4-mile loops through hardwood forests
Quiet forested trail leading to Lake Michigan, excellent for cross country skiing in the winter.
18 locals recommend
Old Indian Trail
4349 North Scenic HighwayQuiet forested trail leading to Lake Michigan, excellent for cross country skiing in the winter.
Beautiful trail system in the National Lakeshore, mostly flat, winding through hardwoods on the shore of Lake Michigan. A favorite for trail running or longer hikes. Also accesses the White Pine backcountry campground.
Platte Plains Trail
Trail EndBeautiful trail system in the National Lakeshore, mostly flat, winding through hardwoods on the shore of Lake Michigan. A favorite for trail running or longer hikes. Also accesses the White Pine backcountry campground.
An area icon! Climb the dunes and walk all the way back to Lake Michigan
232 locals recommend
Sleeping Bear Dunes
An area icon! Climb the dunes and walk all the way back to Lake Michigan
Golf Courses
Crystal Lake Golf
8493 Fairway DrA great local course with Crystal Lake views
A shorter but challenging local course with one of my favorite views of Crystal Lake
8 locals recommend
Pinecroft Golf Course
8260 Henry RdA shorter but challenging local course with one of my favorite views of Crystal Lake
My personal favorite course in the area - bentgrass fairways, fast and true greens, and well laid out
8 locals recommend
Mistwood Golf Course
7568 Ole White DrMy personal favorite course in the area - bentgrass fairways, fast and true greens, and well laid out
Great option for a variety of golf with 36 holes. The Mountain Ridge course is very unique!
135 locals recommend
Crystal Mountain
Great option for a variety of golf with 36 holes. The Mountain Ridge course is very unique!
Champion Hill Golf Course
501 N Marshall RdClosest golf to the cabin, great longer course with rolling hills.
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club
14710 Northwood HwyIconic high-end golf, there is nothing like it!
Crystal Downs Country Club
249 Crystal Downs DrThe one and only. Private country club, must be a member or guest.
Shopping
Local family owned grocery store, top notch meat counter and liquor/beer/wine selection!
17 locals recommend
Honor Family Market
10625 Main StLocal family owned grocery store, top notch meat counter and liquor/beer/wine selection!
Nugent Ace Hardware
1665 Benzie HighwayThe most helpful and knowledgeable staff
Tractor Supply Co.
1352 Michigan AvenueA great resource if you need any pet supplies
NAPA Auto Parts - Genuine Parts Company
235 North Michigan AvenueClosest auto parts store, very friendly and helpful staff
Backcast Fly Shop LLC
1675 Benzie HwyWell stocked fishing (and hunting, and pet supply!) shop.
Local bike shop, offers parts and service plus bike, SUP, and kayak rentals
14 locals recommend
Crystal Lake Adventure Sports
312 Main StLocal bike shop, offers parts and service plus bike, SUP, and kayak rentals
Family Fare Supermarket
One stop shop for groceries, pharmacy, and hardware
Crystal Crate & Cargo
262 S Benzie BlvdAwesome little kitchen and homegoods store