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    Home » Recipes » Michigan

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat

    Published: Feb 12, 2018 by Jeni · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. 

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.  #michigan #travel #ludington
    Ludington is a charming harbor town located along Lake Michigan. It is about an hour and half away from Grand Rapids, making it perfect for a winter getaway.

    Traditionally, Ludington is a summer travel destination, but the off-season has so much to offer. From outdoor adventures, family fun, to a relaxing romantic getaway, Ludington offers something for everyone. Earlier this month, I headed up to Ludington to explore the beach town during the winter and I thought that I'd share some of my favorite things to see, do and eat.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.

    explore ludington state park

    Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Ludington State Park year-round. The park offers nearly 5,300 acres of scenic sand dunes, ponds, marshlands and forests. It is easy to see why the park is one of Michigan's most popular state parks. Even in the winter months, the park offers a wide range of activities. Whether you cross country ski, snowshoe, or ride fat tire bikes, Ludington State Park is the perfect place to hit the trials.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.  #ludington #travel #michigan Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.  #winter #travel

    Lantern-Lit Skiing & Snowshoeing

    During January and February, the Ludington State Park offers a Lantern-Lit Skiing & Snowshoeing event.  The event is completely free; you just need a recreational passport to enter the park. If you've never snowshoed before, this a great event to try it out! You can go at your own pace and take your time on the lantern-lit trail. Don't worry if you don't own snowshoes. The park offers 50 pairs for free on a first-come, first-serve basis. The trail is only ¾ of a mile long, making it perfect for beginners. The event starts at the warming shelter, located just inside the park entrance.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. 

    explore the craft beer scene

    The craft beer scene in Ludington in booming. While visiting Ludington, make sure to stop at one of the local craft breweries: Ludington Bay Brewing Company, Starving Artist, and Jamesport Brewing Company. Stop by one of these local craft breweries and taste some of the best craft beer around.

    For more information on the breweries, be sure to check out my post on the craft beer scene in Ludington!

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. 

    Have a drink at the Mitten bar

    At the Mitten Bar, you'll find only Michigan made drinks. From beer, ciders, wine, and liquor, sample what Michigan has to offer. The Mitten Bar also hosts live music on certain weekends. Check their Facebook page to see the performance schedule.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.

    visit stearns park beach

    Located in downtown Ludington, Stearns Park Beach is one one of Ludington's main beaches. It's the perfect spot to watch the sunset too! I love visiting Michigan beaches during the winter months. The water freezes and it is just breathtaking.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.
    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.  #michigan #winter

    see the S.S Badger

    Ludington is home to the last coal-fired steamship. In 2016, the ship was officially designated as a National Historic Landmark. From mid-May to mid-October, the ship sails daily between Manitowoc, WI and Ludington.  You can step back in time and ride the S.S. Badger. Even though the ship might not be running in the winter months, it is still neat to see the ship docked.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.

    dinner at blu moon bistro

    Finding vegan options in small beach towns can be difficult. Luckily the Blu Moon Bistro offers vegan options right on the menu. I ordered the sesame balls, which were perfect after snowshoeing.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.

    explore downtown

    Downtown Ludington offers a plethora of shops, galleries, and restaurants. I loved walking downtown in the snow. It was just so beautiful and peaceful.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.

    where to stay

    Ludington offers a wide range of lodging options. For my winter getaway, I stayed at The Ludington House, a historic Bed & Breakfast. The historic home was built in 1878 by Antoine E. Cartier, a lumber baron who came to Ludington from Quebec in 1852. The bed & breakfast is conveniently located a short walk from downtown.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.
    I stayed in the master suite, located on the second floor. I loved this room. From the original  marble fireplace to the whirlpool tub, this was the perfect room to relax after along day of exploring Ludington.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.

    If you have any dietary restrictions, there is no need to worry here! They can accommodate any dietary restrictions. Just be sure to let them know when you are making your reservation. For my vegan breakfast, I had a wonderful mango gratin. This was a unique breakfast option that I couldn't get enough of!

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.
    After enjoying the delicious mango gratin, I was served a flavorful tofu scramble with a side roasted root vegetable with a maple glaze. This delicious vegan breakfast was the perfect way to start the day!

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.
    Ludington is the perfect spot for a winter getaway. It is a great travel destination year-round, but there is just something so wonderful about visiting the beach town during the winter.

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter.

    Pin it for later!

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. #michigan #travel

    Thank you to Pure Ludington CVB for hosting my stay. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

    XO Jeni 

    Ludington, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat: a travel guide on what to see, do and eat in Ludington, Michigan during the winter. #ludington #michigan
    « How to Host a Romantic Date Night at Home
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Janet

      February 15, 2018 at 2:11 pm

      What a great post! I struggle to present our Midwest in the winter. You made it look amazing.

      Reply
      • Jeni

        February 21, 2018 at 6:09 pm

        Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words!

        Reply
    2. Melissa Schwartz

      February 17, 2018 at 1:48 am

      I so much love the snow kissed trees! 🙂

      Reply
      • Jeni

        February 21, 2018 at 6:08 pm

        The trees look so beautiful during the winter!

        Reply
    3. kristin

      March 10, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      wow! the lake looks amazing. i do admit i prefer it in the summer 😉 but the photos are gorgeous!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 3 Must-Visit Craft Breweries in Ludington, Michigan - Thyme & Love says:
      February 14, 2018 at 2:24 pm

      […] my recent winter getaway to Ludington, Michigan, I was finally able to check out their craft beer scene. Ludington is the perfect destination for […]

      Reply
    2. Muskegon, Michigan Winter Getaway: What to See, Do and Eat - Thyme & Love says:
      February 12, 2019 at 2:04 pm

      […] I love planning a winter getaway to one of the Lake Michigan beach towns. Last year, I explored Ludington in the off-season and had a great time. This winter, I headed to Muskegon for my winter […]

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jeni—the food blogger, recipe developer, and photographer behind Thyme & Love. I'm a busy mom would loves creating memories in the kitchen and traveling to new places.

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