Exploring the Lakeside Charm of Frankfort, Michigan

Some of my fondest memories are set in Frankfort Michigan: watching the huge aqua waves crash onto the shore at Point Betsie and splashing in the Lake Michigan waves at the Frankfort public beach. It’s why I make a point to visit every year, and I’m sharing some of my favorite things to do in this special corner of Northern Michigan.

Why You Should Visit Frankfort

Frankfort’s location is as close to perfect as you can get, in my opinion. Set on the shores of Lake Michigan just off the famous M-22 scenic highway, Frankfort has

• a cute downtown shopping and dining area
• a pretty and accesssible downtown Lake Michigan beach
• picturesque Point Betsie Lighthouse
• Crystal Lake, one of the prettiest inland lakes in Michigan
• miles of hiking and biking trails

Getting to Frankfort Michigan

By air: Fly into Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City and rent a car or Uber to drive the 40 minutes to Frankfort.

By car: From Grand Rapids, MI, follow US 31 or US 131 north to M115, which will take you right into downtown Frankfort. From Detroit, follow I-75 North to west M115.

Frankfort Weather

Frankfort, MI weather is typical northern Michigan: cold and snowy in the winter and delightfully warm in the summer. Expect temperatures to range from 70 F to 80 F during the day from June-September.

During the summer months, mornings and evenings may be cooler; typically lower 70 – 60 F.

Why Frankfort is the Perfect Lake Michigan Beach Town

One of the prettiest towns in all of Michgan, Frankfort is tucked away on a sandy stretch of beach in the foothills of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You can catch glimpses of towering dunes and sandy bluffs along the shoreline, and the proximity of the Dunes makes it a perfect jumping off spot for hiking and kayaking in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

There are endless opportunities for fun in the water: Betsie Lake in downtown Frankfort is a popular fishing spot; Crystal Lake is popular with swimmers and boaters alike and Lake Michigan is simply beautiful here.

It’s not much more than a square mile, but it won’t take long for Frankfort, MI to become a favorite northern Michigan vacation destination.

Favorite Things to Do in Frankfort Michigan

Spend the day at the beach

The beaches in and around Frankfort are, simply put, pure bliss. Soft, sandy bluffs and dunes cascading into an azure-colored Lake Michigan make for a perfect beach day. Frankfort’s Lake Michigan beaches make an ideal spot for a variety of water sports: surfing; kite boarding; paddle boarding as well as just enjoying the beautiful view. Check out these beaches:

• Frankfort Beach (Anchor Road Beach) – Beach, Swimming, Restrooms, Playground, Dunes, Beach Swings, Volleyball, LIghthouse and Pier; DOG RUN at north end of beach
• Elberta Beach – Beach, Swimming, NO Restrooms; Leashed Dogs Allowed on Beach
• Point Betsie Beach – Beach, Swimming, Lighthouse
• Crystal Lake Public Beach – Small beach on south shore of Crystal Lake

ADA Accessible Beach: Frankfort Beach, located in downtown Frankfort, has a fantastic walkway that extends from the road all the way to the pier.

Grab a Brew at Stormcloud Brewing company

Located at 303 Main St, Frankfort, MI 49635 in the middle of downtown Frankfort, Stormcloud Brewing Company is a perfect spot to grab a bite to eat and listen to some live music. Specializing in handcrafted Belgian Ales with names like the Birdwalker Blonde (my favorite) and the 228 Tripel, these inspired Michigan craft beers are some of the best in northern MI.

Shop and Eat Downtown Frankfort

Don’t be taken in by the quaint, old-fashioned buildings lining the downtown streets: Frankfort is a very informed community; tuned-in and progressive.

In addtion to the brewery, you’ll find restaurants, fudge and ice ream shops and fun boutiques to shops. L’Chayim Delicatessen has an inspired selection of made-to-order sandwiches; I like to grab one and walk down to the beach and eat it on a bench. Dos Arboles has some amazing Mexican dishes, including must-try Nachos and Carnitas. You’ll also want to try another My Michigan Beach favorite, A. Papanos Pizza.

Watch a Lake Michigan Sunset

Head over to Lake Michigan’s Frankfort Beach at duck to catch a glimpse of one of the spectacularly dramatic sunsets at the Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse. Bring your phone or camera and try to get there early: these sunsets are best captured from one of the cozy benches on the beach.

Or, you can skip the benches altogether and just grab a blanket and settle in at dusk to watch as the the flaming sun dips slowly into the deep waters of Lake Michigan- you’ll remember it forever.

Explore Frankfort’s Vibrant Arts Community

The picturesque city of Frankfort and the shore of Lake Michigan have inspired many artists over the years. In addition to the arts and crafts fairs held throughout the year, there are also studios and galleries worth checking out. You can also check the online galleries of these local artists.

• Gwen Frostic Prints
  The local artist and naturalist Gwen Frostic lived and worked in the area until her death in 2001; her work influenced by her Benzie County surroundings. Frostic’s beautiful linoleum block artwork earned her a place in both the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame and the hearts of art lovers everywhere. You can visit her studio where you can see exhibits of her work and purchase notecards, books and more.
• Oliver Art Center
  The Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts in downtown Frankfort promotes the advancement of arts through classes, workshops, exhibitions and more.
• Ellie Harold Art Studio
  Visit the studio Memorial Day through Labor Day where artist Ellie Harold shares regional landscape, still life, abstract oil paintings, as well as note cards, calendars and books.
• Frankfort Moments
  Visit the online store of local photographer Kathleen Smith of Frankfort Moments. Smith, an award-winning local photographer, captures the essence of this lovely area in her work. You may recognize some of her outstanding photo’s of Point Betsie Lighthouse and the Lake Michigan shoreline.

See Point Betsie Lighthouse

Wild and wonderful Point Betsie, with its dramatic Lake Michigan background, is said to be one of the most photographed spots in the United States. It’s no wonder: the wide, open beach and waves of Lake Michigan make a overwhelmingly beautiful backdrop for the Point Betsie Lighthouse.

The name “Point Betsie” comes from the native American name for the area. Still operational and serving as an active navigation aid, the light is a treasured landmark.

Stay at Crystal Mountain

Home of Michigan’s only alpine slide, Crystal Mountain is one of the best family resort in the county. Only 20 minutes from Frankfort, Crystal Mountain is a great family ski resort, but also offers fun in the summer and fall, too. I like visiting with my family in the summer, when we can play tennis and golf and then enjoy some time in the large outdoor pool.

One of my favortithe things at Crystal Mountain is the Michigan Legacy Art Park. Founded in 1995 by artist David Barr, the Michigan Legacy Art Park is a 30-acre outdoor sculpture park. This immersive art experience is open year-round and includes 40 works of art and 1.6 miles of hiking trails.

Ride the Betsie valley Trail with Joy 2 Ride Benzie

The Betsie Valley Trail is one of the most scenic biking trails in northwest Michigan.

A ground-breaking program through Joy2Ride, a Benzie County non-profit, “…allows individuals who are physically unable to pedal/ride a bike, the opportunity to enjoy our fantastic Betsie Valley Trail, by using a specially designed wheelchair bike and volunteer “pilots”.