Over the past couple of years, I’ve gotten fairly intimate with the state of Michigan. From the wineries of New Buffalo to the dunes along the shores of the lake, Michigan has proven itself to me to be a top Midwest weekend getaway destination no matter what the weather (ever do a winery tour in the winter? It’s wayyyy less expensive than peak season!). You can drive just an hour over the border and have access to all kinds of activities and experiences that will excite and relax you. But what if you want a little more R&R time? Head just a couple more hours along the shoreline to Silver Lake, Michigan and the surrounding towns and see why these dune cities should be at the top of your weekend getaway list!
Where to Stay
While there are a ton of great hotel options in Silver Lake for a Midwest weekend trip, Riley’s family (who I was accompanying on this trip) decided they wanted the full lakeside cottage experience and opted for a rental property in nearby Shelby, MI. We had direct access to the beach, a great deck and grilling area, plus kayaks to use at our leisure. And the best part? Everybody got a bed!
Other great nearby options include:
- Dunes Waterfront Resort
- Hexagon House Bed & Breakfast
- Pentwater Abbey Bed and Breakfast
Where to Eat in Silver Lake, Michigan
Stony Lake Inn
The quintessential family-owned small town joint, Stony Lake Inn is a great spot to grab a bite and a brew. They have typical fare – burgers, dogs, etc.– but they’re known for a few dishes, including their deep-fried asparagus. Definitely give it a try – the dipping sauce is delicious! And I opted for a half-rack of ribs… you can’t miss them. Even though I could barely survive the half-rack, I wished I’d ordered a full so I had leftovers to take home.
Cook Out
There’s nothing like grilling out on your own deck – and that’s exactly what we did. Not only did we cook burgers and dogs, but we also took full advantage of the weather and smoked a LOT of meat. Pulled pork never tasted so good! Hansen Foods, a quick 20-minute drive away, had a great selection of meat, sides and staples.
Cherry Point Farm & Market
We spotted the Cherry Point Farm & Market while we were driving back from the grocery store and I convinced everyone to make a pit stop. I’m so glad we did! In addition to an impressive assortment of Michigan cherry turnovers, pies and jellies, they also had local wares including some amazing soy candles. I picked up a Michigan Driftwood candle that I’m still burning.
Antler Bar in Pentwater
Part way through our stay, the youngins (myself included) jumped in the car and headed over to nearby Pentwater, MI to get out of the house and check out the town. In addition to some adorable boutiques and shops, they have a number of great restaurants. We chose to chow down at The Antler Bar, which is a great lodge-themed family friendly eatery that will make you feel like you’re either at summer camp or on a hunting trip. Or both at the same time. Which might be a little weird depending on whom you ask.
I opted for the cherry walnut salad with chicken and a beer (they have a ton of options) and was very happy. Other menu items include burgers, flat iron steak, perch, cod, mahi mahi and some Mexican fare.
House of Flavors
I’m pretty sure I ordered a salad on purpose so I wasn’t too full to hit the ice cream shop across the street, appropriately called House of Flavors. They’re actually a diner AND an ice cream parlor… but we only satiated our sweet tooth during this visit. I got what I usually get anywhere they have blended ice cream and did the Reese’s Avalanche with vanilla ice cream. I WISH I had saved room for one of their famous Super Pig Banana Split – made with seven scoops of ice cream, banana and of course, all the toppings. Apparently if you order this (not sure if you have to finish it or not) you get your picture on the wall!
Related: check out all the reasons why New Buffalo, Michigan should be on your weekend getaway list, too!
Things to Do in Silver Lake, Michigan
Enjoy the Pure Michigan Beaches
You don’t have to look far to find a beach here – there are more than 6 beaches in the surrounding area. Relax with a book, get active in a kayak or watch the sun go down with a bonfire (and s’mores, duh).
Check Out the Little Sable Point Lighthouse
Go for a leisurely stroll along the beach and you might find yourself at the Little Sable Point Lighthouse in very close by Mears, MI. Fun fact: Michigan has more lighthouses than almost any other state in the US. For $5 (or $2 for children) you can climb the 130 steps to the top of the Little Sable Point Lighthouse and check out the view, plus learn about the history of the lighthouse on a tour (an appointment is required for a tour). And FYI: there is a height requirement of 36 inches to climb it.
Make Like Mad Max & Rent a Dune Buggy
Okay, so this was NOT what I was expecting. I had no prior knowledge of dune buggies whatsoever and knew that I could expect a pretty low-key vacay amongst the dunes of Michigan. So when I heard Riley and his brothers wanted to rent some dune buggies I was NOT excited about what I thought was going to be a sandy snore fest of cruising around in a…. buggy.
HOLY $h!T was this COOL!!! First of all, they really should start calling them something more exciting than buggies (though I’m not sure what that might be). Basically, you get to race around sand dunes like Mario Kart in these things – getting up to some pretty fast speeds. And the sand makes it feel like you’re on a roller coaster – especially when you’re barreling down the steep end of a sand dune.
It can be a little pricey, but I cannot recommend this experience enough! We rented Razors from Wild Bill’s which was $350 for 2 hours (which is the minimum), at $150 each additional hour. Check out the website for more info – but you have to be 21+ to rent and 16+ to drive and only 2 people are allowed in each buggy at a time. It’s so worth the experience, though!
Pro Tips I’d Wish I’d Known Before I Went: while they do provide you with helmets and goggles (helmets aren’t required but I highly recommend because the sand is really unstable and there’s a possibility that you might flip over), I wish I had known to bring a bandana or something to tie around my mouth and nose under the helmet. Let’s just say I ate a LOT of sand that day. And try as I might, I couldn’t keep my mouth closed because I was laughing and screaming so much!
Overall, Silver Lake, Michigan and nearby towns Shelby and Pentwater proved to be a great summertime destination that provided lots of opportunity for R&R. Definitely looking forward to my next visit – and especially another opportunity to rent dune buggies! Have you ever been? Let me know in the comments!