NAVIGATE MANISTEE
year-round relaxation & adventure
ABOUT
Manistee is the gateway to Northwest Michigan, a hidden gem on Lake Michigan and adjacent to the Manistee National Forest. It's your all-season getaway where relaxation and outdoor adventure intersect.
​
Indulge in the sandy beaches with cresting waves and mesmerizing sunsets. Hike the trails, camp under the stars, or bike in the Manistee National Forest. Drive along Michigan's notable M-22 highway for an impressive Fall color tour, or town hop along Lake Michigan's picturesque coastal cities. Charter a boat or fish in the Manistee River. Break up those cold winter months with a ski-cation at Crystal Mountain or Caberfae Peaks. Or simply lounge in front of the fireplace, soak in the hot tub, and maximize your remote work lifestyle!
​
When our family craves this, we Navigate Manistee! Situated in Harbor Village, Navigate Manistee vacations like a resort with its year-round amenities, yet with a relaxed, community feel. Whether looking for the beach, pools, or outdoor adventure, come see why we love Manistee and why you will too!
#NavigateManistee | @NavManistee
NAVIGATE MANISTEE
Simplicity. Relaxation. Practicality.
When you Navigate Manistee, our
3-level townhome offers just that.
Whether pure vacationing, using it as a home base for your outdoor adventures, or maximizing your newfound flexibility to live, work, and play remotely, this vacation home checks all of the boxes! Your home-away has a place to hang the beach towels and snow gear; ample shelving, drawers, and closet space for your week's worth of must-have's; streaming capabilities for your favorite channels and apps on two smart TV's; accommodations for remote work; and enough serving ware to host holiday meals and family gatherings.
We hope this relaxing home lives
like your own, but simpler! Book today with your 5-star Vrbo Premier Host.
Accommodations
Townhome | 3 Levels
​
Main Level: Living room with 2 sofas, auto-on gas fireplace, coffee table, end tables, lamps, smart TV, bookshelf, and entertainment storage console. Dining table for 6, plus peninsula seating for 3. Covered balcony off dining room with 2 chairs and end table. Kitchen with stainless steel refrigerator, dishwasher, range, and microwave. Half Bath, coat closet, and access to garage parking w/shelving and grill.
2nd Level: Primary BR with queen bed, two nightstands, lamps, double dresser, picture windows w/room darkening shades, ceiling fan, and double closet. Second BR with 2 twin beds, dresser, walk-in closet, window w/room darkening shade, and ceiling fan. Full Bath with tub and removable shower head, vanity, and over-toilet shelving. Spacious hall landing with 1 twin daybed and 1 twin trundle, lounge seating, and sliding glass doors to open-air balcony with seating for 4.
Lower Level Walkout: Family Room (aka FR/third BR) with queen-size sofa sleeper, 2 end tables, 2 lamps, bookshelf, entertainment console, smart TV with Roku, picture windows w/blinds, ceiling fan, kids books and games, door for privacy, and closet in hall. Office with desk, chair, and small chest of drawers. Laundry room with large capacity washer and dryer. Full Bath with standup shower. Spacious "mud room" for beach, pool, & snow gear that walks-out to a third patio with a bistro table and chairs.
Sleeping | 3 BR | 8
​
Primary BR with Queen +
Secondary BR with 2 Twin +
LL FR w/Queen-Sofa Sleeper +
2nd Floor Landing with 1 Twin Daybed and 1 Twin Trundle
​
Kitchen | Dining
New stainless steel refrigerator with filtered water dispenser and ice, range with air fryer technology, microwave, and dishwasher; new non-stick anodized pots and pans, bakeware, coffeemaker, Keurig pod coffeemaker, tea kettle, toaster, hand mixer, blender, crock pot, storage containers, mixing bowls, dining and silverware for 8, platters and serving bowls, glasses & wine glasses, kids plasticware, and dish towels.​
WiFi | Streaming
​
WiFi with up to 200 Mbps
download speeds. Local broadcasting networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS), plus select cable networks via the Spectrum streaming app.
Ability to stream your favorite apps with your personal accounts.
*Remote work and school approved!
Bathrooms | 2.5
​
Half on main floor.
Full with tub on 2nd floor.
Full with standup shower on LL.
Harbor Village Amenities
Indoor pool and spa, outdoor pool and spa (seasonal), fitness room, marina (private boat slips), playground, sand volleyball court, and firepit.
5th Avenue Beach is a quick 10-minute walk through Harbor Village (use our wagon). Downtown's Riverwalk, farmer's market (seasonal), and River Street's shops and eateries are a 15-minute walk away.
Complimentary Items
Dish soap, dishwasher pods, toilet paper, tissue, sponge, laundry detergent, trash bags, hand soap, coffee filters, and limited cooking seasonings are complimentary based on a week's stay. Guests may wish to have extra items should they require more than is provided.​
.
GALLERY
Accommodations
Living Room w/open plan layout.
Kitchen w/new stainless steel appliances.
Primary BR w/queen bed and expansive closet.
Amenities
Experiences
Climb the dunes for a breathtaking site of Lake Michigan.
Must try the whitefish dip!
Camping in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness within the Manistee National Forest.
all-season EXPERIENCES
Manistee has the experiences you're craving, and those you didn't even know you wanted!
Bookmark visitmanisteecounty.com
as your go-to planner!
​
#NavigateManistee
@NavManistee
#MyManistee
#PureMichigan
Water
Indoor Pool and Spa | Outdoor Pool and Spa (Seasonal) | Lake Michigan's 5th Avenue & 1st Street Beaches | Manistee Lake | Manistee River
​
Be mesmerized with Lake Michigan's pure beauty. Plunge through the waves or have a sunset bonfire at Fifth Avenue Beach. Walk the iconic and historic North Pierhead Lighthouse. Cold or rainy weather? Head to the year-round indoor pool (outdoor seasonal). Beachcomb for precious stones. And if you're feeling adventurous, float, tube, or kayak down the Manistee River!
Leisure
Fish | Golf | Frisbee Golf | Fall Color Tour | Scenic Hikes | Little River Casino | Stargaze | Bird Watch | Photography | Shop | Riverwalk
​
Manistee boasts 4-season fishing with Chinook, King, & Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Trout, and Bass to name a few. Stroll the Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve and visit the Arcadia Dunes along an accessible trail. Golf like a pro at Manistee National or for the view at Manistee Golf and Country Club. Or hit the Little River Casino when you just want to play indoors!
Adventure
​
Camp | Hike | Bike | Kiteboard | Boat | Paddleboard | Canoe | Kayak | Tube | Off-Road
​
​
Hike or bike the trails in Manistee National Forest. Camp under the stars at the Nordhouse Dunes-Lake Michigan campground or atop the bluff at Orchard Beach State Park. Rent a kayak and float down the Manistee River. Kiteboard over Lake Michigan. When you choose Manistee, you choose your own Manistee adventure!
Snow
Downhill Ski | Cross Country Ski | Snow Shoe | Fat Tire Bike | Sled | Snow Play
​
​
Two ski resorts are a short drive. Crystal Mountain is an expansive year-round resort with 54 runs and a 375' vertical. The resort has x-country skiing and ice skating, spa, and 3-season activities including alpine sledding and festivals in the summer. Caberfae Peaks boasts with one of the highest vertical drops in the Lower Peninsula at 485' where you jump out of your car and onto the slopes! Big M Trailhead has
x-country skiing, snowshoeing,
and fat tire trails!
*Please be advised that should guests bring personal outdoor equipment (boats, campers, trailers, kayaks, boards, etc.), the trailer and equipment must be stored in the garage during your stay. State of Michigan fishing, hunting, off-roading, and other sporting licenses or fees may apply to your activity. Most State and National parks require a seasonal or day pass fee for use. Depending on your itinerary, it may be cheaper to purchase an annual sticker. Boat slips may be available to rent outside of Harbor Village.
Places of Interest
​
LOCAL
5th Avenue Beach | 1st Street Beach & Douglas Park | Manistee Riverwalk | Orchard Beach State Park | Magoon Creek Natural Area & Sundling Park | Little River Casino | SS City of Milwaukee Museum | Manistee County Historical Museum | Manistee Golf & Country Club | Manistee National Golf & Resort | Manistee Lake (Stronach boat launch) |
North Channel Brewing Co. |
​
OUTER MANISTEE
Manistee National Forest | Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area | Big M Recreation Area | Big Manistee River | Little Manistee River | Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve | Arcadia Dunes: C.S. Mott Nature Preserve | Onekama | Arcadia | Caberfae Peaks | Crystal Mountain (year-round/summer activities and music) | Marilla Trailhead | Michigan Legacy Art Park |
Iron Fish Distillery |
​
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN
Sleeping Bear Dunes & National Lakeshore | Frankfort | Leland | Glen Arbor | Leelanau County, MI | Northport | Traverse City |
M-22 Scenic Drive |
TRAILS AND CAMPING
Northern Michigan Trails | Big M Recreation Area | Orchard Beach State Park | Lake Michigan Recreation Area | Lake Michigan Recreation Camping Map | Camping in Federal Parks |
The Outbound Collective |
TOURS
Manistee Historical Self-Guided Walking Tours | Historic Trolley Tours | Manistee Historic Sites Tours via YouTube | Scenic Air Tours | Brews and Spirits Self Guided Tour | Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail | Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail (Traverse City) |
​
Additional Planning Tips
​
TOURISM
Visit Manistee County | Pure Michigan | Manistee County Vacation Guide | My Michigan Beach | Michigan DNR | | City of Manistee | City Marina | Places to Eat | History of Manistee | Outdoor Michigan, Northwest | Manistee County Winter Trails | Manistee County Fall Color Tours | Manistee County Fishing | Manistee County Golf | Michigan State Parks Parking Passport* | USDA Passes* |
*MI State Parks, Recreation Areas, and Federal land areas (i.e. Recreation Trails within Manistee National Forest, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park), require an entrance fee that may be paid daily or annually.
​
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Complete Guide to Manistee, MI: 28 Best Things to Do for the Most Unforgettable Family Trip | 7 Ways to Find Your Winter Fun in Manistee | Exploring the Huron-Manistee National Forest | The Udell History in Manistee County | The Sand Industry in Manistee​ | Fat Biking the Swedish Fiddle Loop | Toni's Top Ten | Big M's Outer Loop | Industries of Manistee County | 4 Gorgeous Color Tours That Wind Through the Heart of Manistee | Tourism Is Driving Economic Development in Manistee County | Water and Lake Life in Manistee County (fishing) |
​​
RENTALS
​Manistee Adventures (local) | Pine River Paddle Sports | Crystal Adventures | Wilderness Canoe Trips, Big Manistee River | Riverside Canoes |
TIPS FOR PACKING | a prep guide
​
​​
​
Sample Day Trips
​
​
35 m | ARCADIA DUNES: THE CS MOTT NATURE PRESERVE has several hiking trails through the woods to the beach and dunes (one is an accessible trail), depending on your interest. We went through woods, grasslands, and dunes to experience the view from atop! You can see Frankfort if you look north. On the way there, we stopped at the Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve to enjoy the the extensive boardwalk over the marsh to the other side. Afterwards, you could easily travel north an extra 15 minutes for food
or snacks in Frankfort!
​
1 hr 15 m | SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE is a breathtaking mirage of dunes and the Lake that makes you think "we're almost there!" Check it out on a cooler or Fall day as it is a work-out. Afterwards, grab a bite in Empire, travel a hint north to Glen Arbor, or backtrack for food in Frankfort.
50 m | FRANKFORT is an idyllic beach town to grab food and drinks (try Storm Cloud Brewing Company). Save room for ice cream from the many creameries in a 1-mile stretch!
Enjoy it as you walk to the beach.
​
1 hr 30 m | LELAND'S HISTORIC FISHTOWN is picturesque in every way where you must try its divine whitefish dip! Enjoy the food, shopping, wine tasting rooms, and if you're feeling adventurous, boat to South Manitou Island or boat tour Sleeping Bear Dunes from Lake Michigan. This is definitely a destination trip, so you could couple it with a visit to Traverse City, Glen Arbor, or Northport. Otherwise, to break it up, stop in Beulah situated on beautiful Crystal Lake to grab a snack or food. We enjoyed
Five Shores Brewing in their outdoor space.
​
4 h RT + stops | Explore Northwest Michigan using M-22 as a guide. Stop along charming lakeside towns or drive to Northport, the most northern peninsula of this NW region. Loop southeast and enjoy dinner in hip and scenic Traverse City before heading back back to Manistee. This is definitely an all-day trip!
​
PLAN
NAVIGATE MANISTEE
Harbor Village at Manistee Beach, Manistee, MI 49660
Simplicity, relaxation and practicality are what we strive for when making our home your home. We are a proud Premier Host with unanimous 5-star reviews! It's our guests' experiences that shape our vision; it's our returning families with whom we've humbly earned their trust. We are extremely grateful to our guests who create their vacation memories with us. Click below to view our rates, read our reviews, and make a reservation via Vrbo!
~ Andrea, Mike & Family
*Please note that summer season require a 7-night minimum stay; off-season requires a 6-night minimum stay due to our HOA. Our off-season weekly rates are exceptional even if you're only able to squeeze in an extra long weekend, so please consider them in spite of the 6-night minimum. The address will be provided prior to your stay.
No pets, smoking, or parties allowed. Rates and reservations are available via
Vrbo #2006591 or www.vrbo.com/2006591.