Guidebook for Bear Lake
Area restaurants and cafe's
Heres some local places to find food and catch a glimpse of our local flavor.
It is in nearby Onekama which is on Portage Lake and leads to Portage Point and Lake Michigan. It is new and full of enthusiasm and has good coffee and teas and serve local and organic foods.
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Yellow Dog Cafe
4850 Main StIt is in nearby Onekama which is on Portage Lake and leads to Portage Point and Lake Michigan. It is new and full of enthusiasm and has good coffee and teas and serve local and organic foods.
They are in Manistee which is really a nice town on the river and on Lake Michigan. They have beer and brick oven pizza. Our latest guest spent a rainy afternoon in Manistee walking the riverwalk, eating here and checking out the downtown.
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The Fillmore
318 River StThey are in Manistee which is really a nice town on the river and on Lake Michigan. They have beer and brick oven pizza. Our latest guest spent a rainy afternoon in Manistee walking the riverwalk, eating here and checking out the downtown.
Chow's Kitchen
215 Arthur StreetAuthentic Thai food which can be fun for take-out for a beach picnic in Manistee.
Rosies place is on US 31 and has pool tables, juke boxes and locals. Its specials are Moose Nuts, (round fried bread good and greasy) and Honkey tonk music on the weekends. I heard it serves breakfast but we have yet to try.
Rosie's Place
9567 Chippewa HwyRosies place is on US 31 and has pool tables, juke boxes and locals. Its specials are Moose Nuts, (round fried bread good and greasy) and Honkey tonk music on the weekends. I heard it serves breakfast but we have yet to try.
They have the only from scratch bakery in the area. They are only open Wednesday thru Saturday. As we baked for 25 years we have a high bar for quality baked goods. This bakery makes the cut.
The Daily BakeHouse
76 Division StThey have the only from scratch bakery in the area. They are only open Wednesday thru Saturday. As we baked for 25 years we have a high bar for quality baked goods. This bakery makes the cut.
This is a restaurant that has been around for over 20 years and is packed in the summer. Classic lakeside fare for the medium to higher budget patron.
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The Glenwood (Closed for the season, reopening May 7, 2021)
4604 Main StreetThis is a restaurant that has been around for over 20 years and is packed in the summer. Classic lakeside fare for the medium to higher budget patron.
This Mexican themed restaurant is nearby but seems to always have a long wait in the summer months and lines out the door. Must be something special they put in the margaritas.
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Road House
1058 Michigan AveThis Mexican themed restaurant is nearby but seems to always have a long wait in the summer months and lines out the door. Must be something special they put in the margaritas.
The all season all reasons resort. The Resort has everything you’d imagine a full service resort to have and more. Awesome mountain biking and Nordic skiing. Popular Alpine resort as well. 36 holes of golf.
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Crystal Mountain
The all season all reasons resort. The Resort has everything you’d imagine a full service resort to have and more. Awesome mountain biking and Nordic skiing. Popular Alpine resort as well. 36 holes of golf.
Nearby Bear Lake has one restaurant and this is it. Classic diner breakfast and Friday Fish Fry. Will not get a Michelin rating but does provide a meal.
Lakeside Café
7833 Lake StreetNearby Bear Lake has one restaurant and this is it. Classic diner breakfast and Friday Fish Fry. Will not get a Michelin rating but does provide a meal.
The local hotspot with outdoor and indoor seating. Close to the cottage and they make good carry out pizza. Lots of menu options and beer selections.
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
Grille 44
12951 Pleasanton HwyThe local hotspot with outdoor and indoor seating. Close to the cottage and they make good carry out pizza. Lots of menu options and beer selections.
Great food truck near the Big Lake and Arcadia. Right around the corner from the Marsh Walk. Excellent sweet potato fries. Open Wednesday-Sunday summer only.
Ketch22 Kafe Food trailer
Great food truck near the Big Lake and Arcadia. Right around the corner from the Marsh Walk. Excellent sweet potato fries. Open Wednesday-Sunday summer only.
Drinks & Nightlife
Frankfort would be the nearest town with a selection of resturants and bars with Stormcloud Brewery, Coho Cafe, The Fusion, Dingys and nearby Cabbage Shed to name a few.
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Frankfort
Frankfort would be the nearest town with a selection of resturants and bars with Stormcloud Brewery, Coho Cafe, The Fusion, Dingys and nearby Cabbage Shed to name a few.
Little River Casino
2700 Orchard HwyFull on casino and resort with live music.
This is really close to the cottage and is not a brewery but a gin and vodka distillery with a tasting room and events. They serve appetizers and are great owners who give back to the community.
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Iron Fish Distillery
14234 Dzuibanek RdThis is really close to the cottage and is not a brewery but a gin and vodka distillery with a tasting room and events. They serve appetizers and are great owners who give back to the community.
A local winery and meadery that is award winning and full of activities on the weekends with live music often. Best honey wine in the state.
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St. Ambrose Cellars
841 S Pioneer RdA local winery and meadery that is award winning and full of activities on the weekends with live music often. Best honey wine in the state.
Less than 15 minutes away from the cottage is this craft cider house which has live music- usually folk/rock regional bands- and two food trucks. Great place to hang outside and the owners are good people who support our community.
8 preporuka/e lokalaca
Northern Natural Llc
7220 Chief RdLess than 15 minutes away from the cottage is this craft cider house which has live music- usually folk/rock regional bands- and two food trucks. Great place to hang outside and the owners are good people who support our community.
Nearby Manistee has a variety of restaurants and bars and is home to the Little River Casino and resort. Public beaches and various festivals throughout the year.
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Manistee
Nearby Manistee has a variety of restaurants and bars and is home to the Little River Casino and resort. Public beaches and various festivals throughout the year.
Parks & Nature
Less than 10 miles from the cottage, this is one of the largest Michigan coastal preserves. There are hiking trails, mountain bike trails and all-access trails through this spectacular Lake Michigan forest and dune environment. Mount Baldy is the giant perched dune which gives incredible views of Lake Michigan and Herring Lakes. The shoreline is hundreds of feet below. Nearby Green Point Dunes is a great hiking and has a trail right down to the shoreline and is rarely used.
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Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve
7292 Swamp RdLess than 10 miles from the cottage, this is one of the largest Michigan coastal preserves. There are hiking trails, mountain bike trails and all-access trails through this spectacular Lake Michigan forest and dune environment. Mount Baldy is the giant perched dune which gives incredible views of Lake Michigan and Herring Lakes. The shoreline is hundreds of feet below. Nearby Green Point Dunes is a great hiking and has a trail right down to the shoreline and is rarely used.
The Manistee River is only twenty miles away with numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. We love to canoe the river or hike the North Country trail.
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Manistee Riverwalk
43-79 Jones StThe Manistee River is only twenty miles away with numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. We love to canoe the river or hike the North Country trail.
The Betsie river is 15 miles away and there are numerous kayak and canoe rental places. Fishing is great on the Betsie.
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Betsie River
The Betsie river is 15 miles away and there are numerous kayak and canoe rental places. Fishing is great on the Betsie.
This is our go to beach to have a picnic and catch some good waves and sunshine. There is an artesian well that has amazing water that is called Old Facefall right at the beach. Less than 10 miles from the cottage!
Pierport
This is our go to beach to have a picnic and catch some good waves and sunshine. There is an artesian well that has amazing water that is called Old Facefall right at the beach. Less than 10 miles from the cottage!
Arcadia is awesome with a public beach right in town. This is also the gateway to M22 and the Lake Michigan coast... head North on M22 from Arcadia and you will go past the CS Mott Preserve and Green Point dunes on your way to Elberta and Frankfort. Head south from Arcadia on M22 on you will go to Onekama and Manistee. Staying right in Arcadia is really nice as well!
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Arcadia
Arcadia is awesome with a public beach right in town. This is also the gateway to M22 and the Lake Michigan coast... head North on M22 from Arcadia and you will go past the CS Mott Preserve and Green Point dunes on your way to Elberta and Frankfort. Head south from Arcadia on M22 on you will go to Onekama and Manistee. Staying right in Arcadia is really nice as well!
Hiking trail which leads to secluded beach on Lake Michigan.
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Green Point Dunes
1198 Green Point RdHiking trail which leads to secluded beach on Lake Michigan.
Newly constructed boardwalk spans this incredible marsh area which provides ecological balance and support for Lake Michigan. Two access points for a nice nature walk.
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Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve
16791 Northwood HwyNewly constructed boardwalk spans this incredible marsh area which provides ecological balance and support for Lake Michigan. Two access points for a nice nature walk.
Michigan Legacy Art Park
12500 Crystal Mountain DrEntertainment & Activities
The Spirit of the Woods Music Festival is held the third Saturday in June and it is great.
Spirit of the Woods Music Association
11171 Kerry RdThe Spirit of the Woods Music Festival is held the third Saturday in June and it is great.
Interlochen Center for the Arts
4000 J. Maddy PkwyRamsdell Regional Center for the Arts
101 Maple StThe Garden Theater
301 Main StEssentials
This is the closest grocery store and it has essentials as well as bargain goods. No alcohol sales.
7 preporuka/e lokalaca
Bear Lake Highlands
11685 Chippewa HwyThis is the closest grocery store and it has essentials as well as bargain goods. No alcohol sales.
This gas and grocery store is only three miles away and has all essentials any gas and grocery place would have but more stuffed animals than I have ever seen!
Saddle Up Gas & Grocery
12991 Pleasanton HwyThis gas and grocery store is only three miles away and has all essentials any gas and grocery place would have but more stuffed animals than I have ever seen!
This is the Big grocery store that is up in Benzonia which has most everything one could need. It has hardware, camping and a huge grocery selection as well as a pharmacy.
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Shop-N-Save
1747 Benzie HwyThis is the Big grocery store that is up in Benzonia which has most everything one could need. It has hardware, camping and a huge grocery selection as well as a pharmacy.
This store is one of those regional chain stores that is acres of shopping and has a full grocery and housewares departments.
Its huuge and the organic produce selection is spotty.
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Meijer
15 Caberfae HwyThis store is one of those regional chain stores that is acres of shopping and has a full grocery and housewares departments.
Its huuge and the organic produce selection is spotty.
Family Fare Supermarket
1747 Benzie HighwayArts & Culture
This is worth coming to Michigan for! A great setting for some top notch theatre-- we have gone many years and check out their schedule so you can go while you are at the cottage.
Lakeside Shakespeare Theater
188 Park AveThis is worth coming to Michigan for! A great setting for some top notch theatre-- we have gone many years and check out their schedule so you can go while you are at the cottage.
This is a great classic movie theatre that is volunteer run and community supported.
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Vogue Theatre
383 River StThis is a great classic movie theatre that is volunteer run and community supported.
This is a historic theatre with community theatre productions year round. They often have live music in the summer. Check out their schedule for events.
12 preporuka/e lokalaca
Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts
101 Maple StThis is a historic theatre with community theatre productions year round. They often have live music in the summer. Check out their schedule for events.
Check out the Roots on the River outdoor concert series held in Manistee throughout the summer.
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Manistee
Check out the Roots on the River outdoor concert series held in Manistee throughout the summer.
Interlochen is world famous for its music academy and Summer camp. They have a fantastic summer concert series with nationally known artists and recitals taking place frequently. Interlochen.org.
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Interlochen Center for the Arts
4000 J. Maddy PkwyInterlochen is world famous for its music academy and Summer camp. They have a fantastic summer concert series with nationally known artists and recitals taking place frequently. Interlochen.org.
Everything Else
On a rainy day or just to have a adventure north, a visit to Traverse City would be worth the 50 minute drive. We had our bakery at The Village in Grand Traverse Commons and the Village is a Must See. It is one of the largest historic renovation s in the country. There are also numerous restaurants, movies theatres, bars and shops in Traverse City.
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Traverse City
On a rainy day or just to have a adventure north, a visit to Traverse City would be worth the 50 minute drive. We had our bakery at The Village in Grand Traverse Commons and the Village is a Must See. It is one of the largest historic renovation s in the country. There are also numerous restaurants, movies theatres, bars and shops in Traverse City.
This is really an incredible place and worth the drive especially on a rainy day. We commuted to the Village for five years as we moved Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery there in 2007. (Bakery Lane cottage is the former sight of the bakery).
thevillagetc.com Tours are great to sign up for. Worth a whole day exploring and hike in the nearby woods for great views of the bay and the city.
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The Village at Grand Traverse Commons
1200 W Eleventh StThis is really an incredible place and worth the drive especially on a rainy day. We commuted to the Village for five years as we moved Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery there in 2007. (Bakery Lane cottage is the former sight of the bakery).
thevillagetc.com Tours are great to sign up for. Worth a whole day exploring and hike in the nearby woods for great views of the bay and the city.