Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash.com
Mason County, home to Ludington, Scottville, Hamlin Lake and many rural communities, is well known for beaches and its beautiful countryside. But there’s much more to offer locals and visitors, as Mason County is also becoming rich in culture, and there are hidden treasures throughout the county that the general public may not be aware of. To bring attention to the historical and cultural aspects of Mason County, a new “trail” system was formed. The Mason County Cultural Trail is comprised of four trails: Lumber Heritage Trail, Agricultural Trail, Barn Quilt Trail, and Sculpture Trail.
The Agricultural Trail has stops in both Mason and Oceana counties. It explores the rich farmland and the crops they produce. Some of the highlights are Historic White Pine Village, Lewis Farms & Petting Zoo, and Kistlercrest Farms.
The Barn Quilt Trail features ten local barns throughout the barn that display a unique 8′ x 8′ plywood square with a beautiful design. It’s a wonderful drive through the back roads of Mason County to view these historic barns.
The Sculpture Trail focuses on a bit of art and history, wrapped up in special bronze sculptures. The majority of sculptures are on display at Waterfront Park in downtown Ludington. Others are found at the Mason County Fairgrounds, the library, and the Ludington State Park.
The Lumber Heritage Trail showcases life in the late 1800’s when the lumber economy was booming. Stops on this trail include many former homes of lumber barons, two cemeteries, and the Lumber Museum at Historic White Pine Village.
Agriculture plays a large role in the economics of Mason County. Take this self-guided tour to learn about agriculture in Mason County.
Get some fresh air and exercise during those cold winter months when you hit the Pentwater Pathway for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
No matter how you camp, you’ll find a West Michigan campground nearby that has everything you need to make your vacation stress-free and fun.
Pere Marquette River, with it’s moderately fast current and clear water, is an extremely popular river for canoeists and kayakers.
The colorful attire and crazy antics of the Scottville Clown Band amuse people, but they also have extraordinary musical talent.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
The Hart-Montague Bike Trail consists of 22.5 miles of paved paths for biking, snowmobiling, skating and more!
Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
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