Photo by Manistee National Forest Festival
The Manistee National Forest Festival began as a way to celebrate and honor the Manistee National Forest, which encompasses over 480,000 acres. This is truly a “don’t-miss” event for the entire family, and a great venue for making some wonderful summer memories.
The annual Manistee National Forest Festival promises fun for the entire family. It’s one of the largest 4th of July celebrations in the state, presented by the Manistee Chamber of Commerce since 1936.
Events take place at Douglas Park/First Street Beach- 100 S. Lakeshore Dr., Manistee, unless otherwise noted.
See “Events Held on Multiple Days” Below…
There’s so much to see and do in Manistee! Read the stories below or go to the Manistee destination page.
The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
Manistee has the unique combination of beauty, history and nature, which attracts visitors from all over and inspires many to call it home.
The Manistee River spans for miles and provides the perfect watershed for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and exploring.
The Victorian port city of Manistee, MI features a River Walk, historic Ramsdell Theatre and the S.S. City of Milwaukee.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you'll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
Manistee County fishing reports for the Manistee River and Manistee Lake are provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
There are great events and festivals throughout the year in Manistee, Michigan's Victorian Port City. Find fun for the whole family!
The township of Arcadia in Manistee County, home of Arcadia Daze every July, is less than 15 minutes north of Onekama.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan's lower peninsula.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
The North Pierhead Lighthouse, located in the Victorian Port City of Manistee, stands watch over Lake Michigan.
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.
Manistee offers a variety of fishing opportunities! Cast your own line into one of the many lakes or streams — or hop aboard a charter boat!
Take a tour on the Historic S.S. City of Milwaukee car ferry and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Acacia docked in Manistee, Michigan.
Known as the "Two Lake Town", Onekema is just 20 minutes from Manistee and provides a cozy escape from the everyday.
Onekama, in Manistee County, is the first community along the M-22 Scenic Heritage Route and is commonly known as the "Two Lake Town."
Manistee Chamber of Commerce
11 Cypress St., Manistee, MI 49660
231-723-2575
Spend a Friday afternoon and evening strolling around the galleries in the quaint harbor village of Pentwater.
The Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City is held in mid-August on Blair Townhall Road, Traverse City. It was established in 1908.
The harbor village of Pentwater offers “Movies on the Green” during June-August. Films are shown on the Village Green in downtown Pentwater.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
Hop aboard the Lake Michigan S.S. Badger Carferry! Take the famous cruise across Lake Michigan and experience the Badger and all it has to do!
Summertime and music just go together perfectly and at the Village Green in the center of Pentwater, the evening is simply charming.
West Michigan is the location for many Car Shows during the summer. Various awards and plaques are presented at these car shows.
West Michigan fishing tournaments give anglers a chance to add a little money to their pocket in addition to the fish in their bucket.
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.
Much of West Michigan is bicycle-friendly, and you’ll find many nice paths on which to ride. It’s great exercise with great scenery to enjoy.
Pere Marquette River, with it’s moderately fast current and clear water, is an extremely popular river for canoeists and kayakers.
Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
The West Michigan area, with many small lakes and rivers to explore, is a popular location for paddle sports.
The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.