Welcome to Up North, Close By...
Your monthly guide to all that the Ludington area has to offer for a weekend, a week or a lifetime.
Harvest Season - A Great Time To Visit
You’re invited to celebrate the agricultural heritage of our region in a big way this harvest season. Things start hopping the weekend of September 18 with the annual Scottville Harvest Festival - there’s a parade, crowning of the Harvest Queen, FREE ox roast sandwiches, Scottville’s own Clown Band, the garden and antique tractor pull and much more.
On October 3 and 4, head on over to Historic White Pine Village for its annual Autumn Days. The Village dresses itself up in pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, and other decorations of the season. Take a hayride, learn about what farm life was like in the “good ole days,” and stop in the old-fashioned ice cream parlor for a big slice of homemade apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream.
Running parallel to U.S. 10 between Ludington and Scottville, rural Conrad Road is home to a number of heritage barns that date back to the late 1800’s. Many of these barns will be open for the area’s first ever Barns & Byways Tour on October 11. Different activities will be offered at each barn from a hayride to a photography exhibit to a veterinary clinic for kids. Be sure and add on a tour of the new Farm Tools Learning Center at Historic White Pine Village and the final farmers’ market and tractor pull of the season in Scottville. And, along the way, enjoy the spectacular colors of fall on the country roads. For ticket and other information on click here.Life Along the Sunset Port
The fishermen know this is the perfect time to visit Ludington State Park because it’s prime 
salmon season. But for the rest of us, it’s also the perfect time to experience the spectacle of the salmon racing up the Sable River and jumping at the Hamlin Dam. The State Park is less crowded (though you’d still better call ahead if you want to camp) and shows off a different season of its beauty. For fall colors and hiking through the woods, along Hamlin Lake, or to Big Sable Lighthouse, you just can’t beat it. Find out more about fall fishing, camping, and hiking at the State Park or the many other parks and outdoor facilities in our area.
Tip: September 20 is one of three opportunities to travel by bus to Big Sable Lighthouse. The bus leaves from the Vistors’ Center at Ludington State Park. The Lighthouse closes for the season on October 26.
Inland Adventures
Farther inland, explore the beauty of the Pere Marquette River by boat. Designated as a National Wild & Scenic River, the Pere Marquette offers over 66 miles of clean, flowing waterways. The PM, as locals call it, is a fishing paradise and a great river for paddlers, even if you’re a beginner. Baldwin Canoe Rental is the largest outfitter of its kind in West Michigan, so you’ll find a canoe, kayak, or raft available for yourself or your group just about every day (to be sure, call ahead, especially for Saturdays). If you have small children or seniors, consider renting a raft for six.
After you’ve enjoyed a few hours, a day, or a few days of easy paddling down river, the folks at Baldwin Canoe will pick you and your boat up. This family-run business knows their stuff and the PM. Roger and Marcia Beiluss began Baldwin Canoe back in 1968. Today, son Jeff and his wife, Patty run the operation, with daughter, Emily and nephew, Tim helping out.
What’s it like on the river? We met up with Jim and Kathy, Chicagoans visiting with their two teenage sons, Sam and Joe. While the boys liked the places where the water was faster, dad Jim just enjoyed bringing his sons to experience the river he enjoyed 20 years ago. This time of year, anglers from across the nation come to the Pere Marquette River to experience the legendary steelhead and salmon runs. But, there’s plenty of room for everyone and Baldwin Canoe will steer you to just the right spots for paddling.
In addition to Baldwin Canoe, River Run Canoe Livery and Pine River Paddlesports are also good bets for river adventures. Fore more information on all three, click here. For more about fishing on the Pere Marquette, click here.
What's Happening in Arts and Culture
Here are highlights of arts and cultural events coming up in our area. Our events calendar has more details on these and other events.
We're At The Heart of Michigan's Great Outdoors!
To find out more about these and other events nearby us, check out Michigan’s Great Outdoors.
More To Look Forward To...
