Best Things To Do In Frankfort, Michigan

Looking for the perfect place for an Up North beach vacation? Head to Frankfort, Michigan. This lovely town is located right on Lake Michigan and offers beautiful beaches and gorgeous sunsets. You’ll find a variety of restaurants and a wildly popular craft brewery. Frankfort is also home to a historic lighthouse and a mineral spring. Whether you visit in winter or summer, here are the best things to do in Frankfort!

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Your vacation begins as you cruise along scenic M-115. The iconic Marine Gateway Arch is perched atop a high hill, proudly stating “Frankfort Welcomes You.” The support towers on each side of the arch resemble lighthouses, and the arch itself has an image of the North Breakwater Lighthouse. A model of a car ferry perches on top of the arch, in memory of the ferries that once transported cars from Frankfort across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin.

Best Things To Do In Frankfort, Michigan

Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse

Visitors seeking a great photo op won’t want to miss Frankfort’s North Breakwater Lighthouse. While it’s not possible to go into the tower, you can visit the grounds and walk out the pier to the lighthouse to enjoy the expansive views of Lake Michigan. Do take care on windy days if there are waves splashing over the breakwall.

A symbol of the area’s maritime heritage, the steel lighthouse is located at the entrance to Frankfort Harbor. Built in 1912, this interesting landmark was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. It’s white beacon still shines at night.

Follow Main Street through the center of Frankfort to the public beach. You’ll find public parking, a playground and benches where you can relax and enjoy the sound of the waves.

Frankfort Mineral Springs Park

Plan to spend some time relaxing in Frankfort Mineral Springs Park. Located on Betsie Lake near the downtown area, the focal point of this pleasant park is the iconic Mineral Spring. Spring-fed mineral water continually flows into a well beneath a gazebo.

This spring was discovered in the 1880’s, when miners drilling for salt hit an aquifer containing mineral water. To this day, legends circulate among the locals about the miraculous health benefits of drinking the water. We have seen folks filling up their water bottles from the spring. However, we can’t vouch for the cleanliness of the water. Therefore, we pass on indulging ourselves, but enjoy hanging out and enjoying the sound of bubbling water.

The park has a great playground area for kids, benches for relaxing and a walking trail along the water. There are also boat docks to access the park from the lake.

Bikers and hikers can access the paved Betsie River Trail right near the playground in the park. Extending 22 miles, it’s a scenic ride from Frankfort to Beulah, with views of Betsie Bay, the Betsie River and Crystal Lake.

Here’s the link to download the Betsie River Trail Map.

Point Betsie Lighthouse

The Point Betsie Lighthouse was completed in 1858, guiding large commercial ships through Lake Michigan’s Manitou Passage. It was also the the site of one of the country’s earliest life-saving stations. Point Betsie’s operating light signal still serves as an active navigation aid today.

You can tour the grounds of the lighthouse any time of year. The lighthouse itself is open to the public from mid-May into October.

You can visit the keeper’s residence, hear stories about lighthouse life and imagine how it might have felt to run the lighthouse during a long Michigan winter. Climb the 34 steps up into the tower for panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Listen to the fog horn in the fog signal building, and learn about maritime history and courageous rescues in the Boathouse Museum. The gift store is filled with Point Betsie-themed gifts, apparel, toys, and decorative items.

You can even spend the night in a refurbished apartment in the keeper’s quarters! It’s an expensive stay, though: 2022 rates ran $3,495.00 for a week long visit. The cost is $550.00 per night for a minimum of two nights during the months of May, September and October.

Ghost tours are held on the weekends leading up to Halloween. Sign up and learn about the legendary lighthouse ghosts. It also possible to book private events or small weddings on the lighthouse grounds

Check out the operating hours and sign up for a tour on the Point Betsie Lighthouse website.

Garden Theater

Movie buffs will definitely want to catch a film at the historic Gardens Theater. This gorgeous, single-screen gem is right on Frankfort’s Main Street. Originally built in 1923, the theater has been renovated by the Friends of the Garden Theater Nonprofit. It brings some of the best first-run, foreign, and independent films to northern Michigan.

Dedicated volunteers worked to restore the original Art Deco entrance. The Theater now has a state of the art sound system, and an up to date heating and cooling system.

Dedicated movie aficionados will want to partake in the annual Frankfort Film Festival. Held in October each year, the four day festival shows award winning films from Cannes, Sundance, Tribeca and other international festivals. The Festival highlights foreign films, documentaries, short films, dramas and comedies. Participants will enjoy live music, and have the opportunity to join in on Question and Answer sessions with directors and actors.

In an effort to reduce waste, the theater has stopped selling single use plastic water bottles. Participants are urged to bring their own and top them off at the theater’s water filling station, or purchase a tumbler at the snack counter that is made from sustainable plant-based material.

Check out current movie selections and show times at The Garden Theater website.

Day Trip To Crystal Mountain Resort

For those who love to ski during the winter, the slopes at Crystal Mountain Resort are just a 20 minute drive away. The big draw is Crystal’s 58 downhill ski and snowboarding trails, and 25km of cross-country skiing. Outdoor lovers can also enjoy ice skating, snowshoeing, fat tire snow biking, or a horse drawn surrey ride. Nearly half of Crystal’s ski runs are lit for night skiing, so the fun doesn’t have to end when it gets dark.

Summer visitors will also find plenty to do at Crystal Mountain. Spend the day on the Resort’s two golf courses, taking a scenic chair lift ride, playing disc golf or checking out the Zipline and Climbing Wall.

Best Place To Stay In Frankfort, Michigan

Historic Hotel Frankfort

Hotel Frankfort is the most convenient place to stay when visiting this beautiful town. The Victorian-styled, 17 room hotel is located right on scenic Main Street, putting a variety of quaint shops, galleries, and outstanding restaurants within walking distance. The iconic beach is just a few blocks to the west, an easy stroll to catch a stunning sunset over Lake Michigan.

Hotel Frankfort’s motto is “Come as a Guest, Leave as a Friend.” The venue has the vibe of an intimate B&B more so that the feel of being in a hotel.

The 88-year old hotel has 17 beautifully decorated guest rooms, each with a unique theme. All of rooms have private baths, and several include jacuzzi tubs. Read the room descriptions carefully, as the amenities also vary from room to room.

Barn Star Room in the Hotel Frankfort

The Barn Star room has a king-sized bed, a jacuzzi tub, and a decorative wood burning stove.

Fern Decco Room in Hotel Frankfort

The Fern Decco Room has a queen-sized bed. A spiral staircase leads downstairs to a spa-themed room, with a sauna, seating area and luxurious bath robes.

Some rooms are not equipped for children under 12, so you are asked to call the front desk when making a reservation if you are bringing children on your trip.

Hotel Frankfort’s cozy bar is the perfect place to unwind for happy hour. You’ll find an extensive wine list, a variety of local beer selections and perfect mixed craft cocktails.

Hotel Frankfort also has an outstanding in-house restaurant. The menu at the Nautical Grill features number of seafood appetizers and entrees, plus some vegetarian-friendly fare. There are always selections available for meat-lovers as well. Be sure to save room for a delicious dessert!

Check the restaurant restaurant hours ahead of time, as they change from season to season. During our visit, the restaurant was open 9 am -2:00 pm, and 4 pm- 8 pm Friday – Tuesday. Hours are more limited in winter.

Be aware that there is no elevator inside the hotel. Rooms with a 200 number are located upstairs.

Book your stay at Hotel Frankfort!

Best Places To Eat In Frankfort, Michigan

The Fusion: Asian Cuisine

The Fusion is a waterside restaurant that overlooks Betsie Bay and the Frankfort Municipal marina. The restaurant features a complete lineup of Asian dishes, including small plates, hand rolled sushi, and decadent desserts.

Enjoy the beautiful view from the deck in the summer. Take a look at the menu and find current hours on the Fusion’s website.

Vita Bella Italian Kitchen And Market

In the mood for authentic Italian fare? Vita Bella Italian Kitchen is the place for you! The focal point of the restaurant is its 6,000 pound wood fired pizza oven. Pasta and sauces are all made in-house. Dinner options include spaghetti, lasagna, manicotti and ravioli. Vita Bella is popular with locals for their eggplant parmesan and fresh antipasto salad. Chicken, veal and seafood are also on the menu, accompanied by an an extensive wine list.

We popped in for lunch on a cold winter day and took a seat at the bar. The lunch menu features paninis as well as that to-die-for Neapolitan pizza. We enjoyed watching our pizza being made and baked to perfection in the 6,000 pound wood fired pizza oven.

We started our meal with a bowl of clam chowder. It was created with the perfect touch of cream: not too heavy and filled with clams and new potatoes. Of course the highlight of our meal was the Funghi pizza. topped with cremini, button, and shiitake mushrooms, garlic, homemade mozzarella and olive oil.

For dessert, order the the cannoli: creamy, sweet ricotta filling, chocolate chips and a drizzle of chocolate in a crunchy shell. The shell makes all of the difference: light and crispy, truly a step above any cannoli we’ve tried in northern Michigan.

Don’t have time for a restaurant meal? Check out Vita Bella’s Italian Marketplace, where you’ll find pre-packaged meals that you can carry home. There is also ready to eat snacks and sandwiches, charcuterie, and fresh mozzarella, all of which you can enjoy right in the restaurant or carry down to the beach for a picnic You’ll find jars of the restaurant’s home made sauces and pastas, and imported Italian olive oil. There is also a selection of Italian beer, wines and soda available for purchase.

Vita Bella offers a series of cooking classes on Sundays throughout the winter and spring, featuring classic Italian dishes. Participants help prep the food and enjoy the meal with wine pairings. There are also occasionally classes for kids.

Look over the menu and sign up for classes at Vita Bella’s website.

Stormcloud Brewing Company Pub

Also conveniently located on Main Street, Stormcloud Brewing Company is a casual spot known for Belgian-style ales and craft beer. Stormcloud won the title of “Brewery of the Year” in 2022 at the USA Beer Ratings competition in San Francisco. Three of their brews took home medals: Gold for Rainmaker Ale, Silver for SUNRUNNR Ale and bronze for Birdwalker Blonde.

The food menu includes savory flatbread pizza, nachos, sandwiches, yummy hot pretzels and a soup of the day.

Looking for vegetarian fare? Stormcloud has you covered: their signature grain bowl is a staple on the menu. It combines red rice, black barley, red quinoa, almonds, sesame seeds, edamame, bell pepper, mushrooms, mixed greens, kale and tahini dressing. Definitely not your typical pub fare!

Each winter, weather permitting, Stormcloud creates their own ice sheet for curling right outside of the brew pub. You can sign up for an hour and a half group lesson on Saturdays during January and February. There are also slots available for private lessons during the week.

Stormcloud also hosts a 16-team curling league during January and February. Teams compete each week, culminating in an End-of-Season tournament. Teams compete for the Club Cup, which is a fancy, decorated keg.

Not interested in venturing out on the ice? You can enjoy watching the action from the outdoor patio while enjoying a Belgian-style beer! Visit Stormcloud’s website to check out the menu, schedule a curling lesson or find the league schedule in order to check out a match.

St. Ambrose Cellars

Technically, St Ambrose Cellars is not in Frankfort. It’s located about 12 miles away in Beulah, but its delightful family-friendly atmosphere makes St Ambrose absolutely worth the drive! We make it a point to drop in whenever we visit Frankfort. It’s the perfect spot for date night, or a family outing. Your favorite dog is also welcome.

St Ambrose Cellars is located on a lovely setting. The extensive lawn provides room for an 18 hole disc golf course, yard yoga, corn hole and other lawn games. Bands and musical groups set up in The Big Red Barn, showcasing live music throughout the summer. There’s plenty of outdoor seating and picnic tables sprinkled throughout the property.

St Ambrose Cellars makes beer, wine and cider from locally sourced farm produce. Their specialty is the mead they create from honey that comes from local honey producers. (St. Ambrose is the Patron Saint of Bees) They feature draft meads, still meads, and cysers, which are meads made with apples and honey.

One of their best sellers is the taproom’s X.R. Cyser. It’s a crisp apple cider blended with Star Thistle honey and finished off with maple syrup and apple pie spice. It pairs well with a charcuterie board.

The restaurant serves up wood fired pizzas and burgers. Their fish tacos are also a big hit. No matter what else you order, be sure to try the French fries! We love the sea salt fries, while our friends go for the truffle oil fries with parmesan and garlic salt.

Be sure to stop into the gift store, which showcases a wide variety of honey-based products and crafts from local artists.

St Ambrose hosts a number of special events throughout the year. The Honey Bee Market is open every Monday this summer (except July 3rd) from noon to 6m. Enjoy strolling around and check out local vendors, crafters, and artists. This is a great opportunity to support local artisans.

Not only is Ambrose Cellar family friendly, it’s dog friendly as well! They’ve launched their “Dog Days of Summer” series. The MI Pets Treat Truck will be stopping by throughout the summer. Think of them as an ice cream truck for dogs! They sell pet treats, cookies, chews, antlers, and toys to make your dog happy. Check out the Mi Pets Facebook page to find out when they’ll be at St Ambrose.

Check out the menu and live music schedule, buy tickets to special events, and order products online at the St Ambrose Cellars website.

Day Trip To Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Interested in another fabulous day trip from your Frankfort home base? Sleeping Bear Dunes is just 30 miles away. Check out Our blog post to find The Best Things To In Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.

Wrap Up: Best Things To Do In Frankfort, Michigan

You will love the picturesque town of Frankfort, Michigan, whether you’re relaxing on the beach, learning about the area’s maritime history, or checking out a fine selection of food and drink establishments. Enjoy your beach vacation!

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