7 Lake Michigan Lighthouses in One Day
Phew! Here we are, in the midst of the Coronavirus. I had no idea life could change so fast in such a short amount of time, that’s for sure. I guess I’m lucky to say that, my life has been pretty blessed. But this past weekend, I pretty much broke down. Friday night was my lowest point. So Saturday, I was like… what do I love doing most? What can I do in this current situation that will make me happy? Duh, lighthouses. ❤️ I got into my car and just headed straight to Grand Haven, and I decided I was going to see as MANY lighthouses as possible until the sun went down. And that’s exactly what I did. And as cheesy as this sounds, lighthouses have always given me some light in my life, hope, something to look forward to. And the scenes and memories of this day gave me so much peace. As I was climbing dunes and just sitting in the sand taking in the views of the lake and the lighthouses, I just felt like “me”.
Grand Haven South Pierhead Light
So if you’re looking for a fun thing to do in Michigan… during the quarantine or this summer, here’s a super fun day trip. I didn’t even start early. I had lunch first and then ventured out, so you could hit even more in a day if you were truly ambitious! But I started in Grand Haven (ahhh, heaven) at the Grand Haven South Pierhead Lighthouse. On this day, there weren’t many people around at all, so I was able to easily maintain a 6-foot distance from everyone. I got a couple of negative comments of people saying you’re supposed to “stay inside”, no the fuck you’re not. You can be outside as long as you’re abiding by social-distancing rules. If you go somewhere outside and it’s PACKED, I mean that’s an obvious no. Nobody should be gathering in groups right now. Go somewhere else. But when I went, it was not busy (see the pictures!) and I was easily able to practice safe social-distancing the entire time. (This was also before the shelter-in-place was announced in Michigan, so I don’t know exact rules with driving now, but you are still allowed to go outside.)
Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse
Second up along the coast… is back to where I grew up! Muskegon, Michigan. I actually just toured this lighthouse for the first time last summer, and it’s awesome. It was so fun to see my hometown from a totally new perspective. My grandpa used to pick me up from school and we’d go for a “drive around the lake” which is a very “Muskegon” thing to do. I love those memories. But yeah, again, nobody around whatsoever. There was a fisherman at the end of the pier, and I said hello and waved, haha. Also! I snapped all of these pictures myself using a small tripod and iPhone, so if you’re worried about creating or traveling or doing anything by yourself during this time, you can do it!
White River Light Station
After Muskegon, I headed up to the next one on the coast… White River Light Station. This one has so many fun memories attached to it for me. When I was in my early twenties and early to blogging, Brett and I rode our scooters up here all the way from Grand Haven. It’s a gorgeous drive with wind-y back roads. I also took my girlfriends here during my “camp bachelorette” party, which was so fun. I remember my friend Mani and I diving into Lake Michigan because the water and the air were SO warm… one of my favorite memories with her. I also used to ride past this lighthouse with my friend Jen when we’d go out tubing on White Lake. Such fun memories. See? That is my life. Not anything we’re dealing with currently.
Little Sable Point Lighthouse
So I forgot how beautiful this lighthouse is. I’ve been to this one several times — first in my earlier blogging days in 2011. I also took Eric here once after terrifying him on the Mac Woods Dune Ride, hahaha. I didn’t know anyone could be scared on a dune ride. 😂 But yeah, this one is amazing. It’s SO tall. You walk up to it and it just towers over you; it’s pretty amazing when you see it in person. There were a few couples out walking around. I climbed a couple of dunes to get pictures, but otherwise, it was pretty empty back here. Plus the weather was so beautiful. It was cold — def in the low 40s maybe? But sunny, and the further north I went, the colder it got, but I was so thankful for sunshine.
Pentwater Pierhead Lighthouse
Next up was Pentwater! I’ve actually never blogged this lighthouse before, but I’ve been here several times. I remember a boyfriend in high school took me here on a date, hahaha. Eric and I also tried to hit up this lighthouse last summer on our way back from something, but it was PACKED, so we decided to come back another time. But here I am… it’s another time! So yeah, counting this one officially as “seen” on my lighthouse list now. It’s a tiny one, but still worth seeing on the way! Plus Pentwater is just the cutest little beach town to visit. One of my mom’s favorite towns.
Ludington North Pierhead (Breakwater Lighthouse)
This lighthouse is another one of my faves. But this one is my favorite for the pier. It’s so fun to walk out on. Unfortunately it was closed off because the water/waves are so high right now, but I was able to climb a dune and see it from a distance and to snap a couple of pictures. I was here for the first time in 2013 — with Eric & Winny! Back when I used to dress suuuuper themed and cutesy and ModCloth-y, hahaha. I’ve been back a few times since — just touring it for the first time a few years ago. But yeah, this one is a beaut and I just love visiting Ludington. It’s such a great town.
Big Sable Lighthouse
This one is top five for me. I wasn’t expecting to make this one honestly, because I was driving over… and I was like, okay. The sun hasn’t gone down yet, but it was within an hour of golden hour/sunset. And it’s a 3-mile round trip walk. And honestly? The walk can be a little bit spooky, especially if you’re alone, and especially if you’re walking back in the dark. So I got to the parking lot, still a few cars in the lot, so I got out and was like… I’m just going to do this. I was kind of scared to be honest, haha. But I started running as much as I could, and as soon as I saw the top of the lighthouse in my line of sight, I was just so happy. I did it! So yeah, this one was definitely the hardest but the most worth it. Saved the best for last. I was hoping to see our engraved boardwalk, but they put it away for the season, but it was just so good to see this place. I sat on top of a dune, watched the sunset for a while, listened to music, and just felt happy and accomplished and again… “me”. So after that, I made the trek back to the car! My hips were KILLING ME. I destroyed my body on this day by climbing dunes, walking, and running 3 miles in Madewell sneakers (lol) but damn that was a good day. I got home, sandy feets, and felt okay. Just having those scenes in my head. I hope you are all hanging in there during this time and finding things that bring you joy.
