Photo by Todd & Brad Reed Photography
When the Christmas season is upon us, the Victorian city of Manistee kicks off the festivities in a big way, with its annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend. This popular event brings as many as 10,000 visitors to Manistee to experience the wonder of a Christmas gone by. The highlight of the parade is the Belgian draft horses that pulls a 30′ Christmas tree down River Street in downtown Manistee. The entire Old Christmas Weekend is filled with wonderful activities.
Manistee is a great place to pick up those gifts for everyone on your list, and downtown restaurants welcome you into their cozy establishments for a delicious meal. As the snow flies, enjoy the carolers, decked out in period dresses, coats, and top hats. It’s certainly the right setting to put you in a festive holiday mood.
For the holiday season, make sure you include Manistee’s Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend in your plans.
If you are traveling from outside the area, check out places to stay in Manistee, and Manistee restaurants for your dining options.
And don’t forget to make time to visit the many downtown shops!
There’s so much to see and do in Manistee! Read the stories below or go to the Manistee destination page.
Manistee has the unique combination of beauty, history and nature, which attracts visitors from all over and inspires many to call it home.
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!
Manistee County fishing reports for the Manistee River and Manistee Lake are provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
The Victorian port city of Manistee, MI features a River Walk, historic Ramsdell Theatre and the S.S. City of Milwaukee.
The North Pierhead Lighthouse, located in the Victorian Port City of Manistee, stands watch over Lake Michigan.
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!
Known as the "Two Lake Town", Onekema is just 20 minutes from Manistee and provides a cozy escape from the everyday.
The township of Arcadia in Manistee County, home of Arcadia Daze every July, is less than 15 minutes north of Onekama.
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!
The Manistee River spans for miles and provides the perfect watershed for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and exploring.
The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.
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.
There are great events and festivals throughout the year in Manistee, Michigan's Victorian Port City. Find fun for the whole family!
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you'll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
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 Downtown Development Authority
(231) 398-3262
Planning a visit to the Manistee area? Have questions about your trip? Here’s where you can find help:
Contact the Manistee County Tourism Authority here:
The Ludington Area Jaycees annual Freedom Festival is one of the few great July 4th festivals still in existence in Michigan.
After a busy day at the beach or at work, it’s time to kick back and relax a while. What better way than to listen to some music.
Every year, the Mason-Lake Conservation District offers sales for tree seedlings and for native plants. Take advantage of this great service!
This nationally renowned festival includes eight days of air shows, concerts, parades, food tastings, arts/crafts show, and fireworks.
West Michigan fishing tournaments give anglers a chance to add a little money to their pocket in addition to the fish in their bucket.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
West Michigan is the location for many Car Shows during the summer. Various awards and plaques are presented at these car shows.
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
Irons Flea Roast and Ox Market features amusement rides, music, tournaments, kids games, food tent, ox market, parade and fireworks.
The annual West Shore Art Fair is managed by the Ludington Area Center for the Arts and is held each July at Rotary Park.
A magnificent display of color; the Northern Lights can be viewed at the right time of year at the right place in West Michigan!
West Michigan boasts numerous museums to learn about the area’s rich history and to expand knowledge through activities and exhibits.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
Standing tall and proud along the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Betsie marks the southern entrance to the Manitou Passage.
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
Todd and Brad Reed offer Photography Workshops throughout the year. These classes are great for beginners as well as seasoned professionals.