{"id":1670,"date":"2015-12-03T18:41:38","date_gmt":"2015-12-03T23:41:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/?p=1670"},"modified":"2021-04-14T23:48:55","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T03:48:55","slug":"6-michigan-lighthouses-too-pretty-for-words","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shaleewanders.com\/6-michigan-lighthouses-too-pretty-for-words\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Best Lighthouses in Michigan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t\t\t\t\"Shalee\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n

\n\t\tThe Six Best Lighthouses in Michigan \n\t<\/h1>\n\t

January 25, 2020<\/p>\n\t

\"PicMonkey<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When I\u2019m old, frail, and slightly senile, I want to be a lighthouse keeper. I want to have a cat named Indiana Jones, a beautiful view of a lake, and most importantly – an ice cream shop within 5 miles.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve spent my life around these lakes, and I\u2019ve decided to narrow down my top picks for which Michigan lighthouses I\u2019m going to take over one day. You\u2019re all invited to come over, of course, but I can\u2019t promise my cooking will be any good (or that I\u2019ll have a kitchen).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Big Sable Point Light <\/strong><\/p>\n

This is my favorite lighthouse in the world, no questions asked. Nestled into quiet dunes two miles from civilization, without cell service, and killer sunset shows. I\u2019m picturing a massive storm rolling across Lake Michigan as I sit in the tower sipping a Keurig coffee and eating my ice cream cone.<\/p>\n

Ludington State Park opens the lighthouse every year in search for lighthouse keepers. If you volunteer, you\u2019ll spend two weeks being the coolest person in Michigan. It\u2019s been on my bucket list for years.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

St. James Lighthouse <\/strong><\/p>\n

I may need to build an actual house attachment if I plan to live in this one, but this light and I go way back. Every summer I visit Beaver Island, and every summer I hug this lighthouse. A childhood tradition that my 22-year-old self has no shame admitting. <\/p>\n

Located in the middle of Lake Michigan, Beaver Island sits 27 miles off the coast of Charlevoix. The quiet island contains around 400 people year-round and is a haven for summer family adventures. Mopeds are a common form of transportation, and Daddy Franks ice cream shop is incredible and the reason my ice cream addiction begun.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grand Haven Lighthouse <\/strong><\/p>\n

The summer crowds can be a bit much, but that\u2019s why I prefer to visit in the off season. Photographing this lighthouse at sunset is extraordinary all year around, especially when waves are breaking over the pier. If you\u2019ve ever been interested in freshwater surfing, the nearby local surf shop is the perfect starting place.<\/p>\n

The pier is iconic to Michigan and is a rad representation of the state.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Best<\/a><\/p>\n

St. Iroquois Lighthouse<\/strong><\/p>\n

A lighthouse keeper has been watching over the lighthouse for three years with his pet cat that roams about. When I met him, I realized he was the male version of me in 50 years and I half-wanted him to be my adopted Uncle. He decorates the outside with white Christmas lights which sparkle every night. There is also no admission fee for the tower. Double win!<\/p>\n

It sits slightly northwest of Sault Ste. Marie<\/a> on a serene peninsula. The tower faces Lake Superior and Canada\u2019s distant shoreline, while the water often reflects brilliant colors of a sunset. I love to sit on the pebble-filled shores watching distant freighters make their way to the Soo Locks. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"best<\/a><\/p>\n

Port Austin Lighthouse<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goal: spend the night in this lighthouse. Barrier: may get arrested in the process.<\/p>\n

This is a privately owned lighthouse, and one day I plan on buying it with all my other lighthouses. It’s remote location makes it the hardest to visit on the list, as it sits 3 miles into Lake Huron off the shore of Port Austin. Once I own it, I plan to kayak out there with a bottle of wine, Josh, some chips and salsa, a camera, and my cat Indiana Jones.<\/p>\n

Oh! And ice cream in a cooler. Easy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Best<\/a><\/p>\n

Grand Island Lighthouse <\/strong><\/p>\n

Currently abandoned, and absolutely stunning. When winter arrives with fresh snow that coats the trees, this lighthouse beams with beauty, even with its covered windows and locked doors. The simplicity it presents is what makes it one of my favorites. I once found myself laying at the base to take a nap on a brisk 20-degree day. Best sleep I ever had.<\/p>\n

Grand Island is situated off the coast of Munising. During especially cold winters, one can walk across the frozen Lake Superior bay to explore the island\u2019s ice caves and winter beauty. In summer there is a ferry to the island, where some own cottages and others simply camp and explore.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\"Outdoor\n\t

At any given moment, Shalee is either lost, hunting for ice cream, or obsessively planning her next adventure.<\/p>\n

Born and raised in rural Michigan, she began exploring the shores of Great Lakes as a teen, often sleeping in her car to save money. Eventually, her urge to explore pushed beyond her Midwest borders. Today, Shalee shares her tips and stories to thousands of readers interested in adventure and outdoor tourism. Her pack now includes two spunky hiking cats<\/a> and her partner, Josh. Learn more about her here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tJoin the Adventure \n\t<\/h2>\n\t\n
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shaleewanders<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n \n Back home in WY\u2014 the cats think i smell weird an<\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"Back\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n It\u2019s been so fun this year to watch another cat <\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"It\u2019s\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n The BEST fall weekend camping, canoeing, and hikin<\/span>\n \t <\/path><\/svg> \"The\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n I know we\u2019re supposed to be all about fall at th<\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"I\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n He would ride on the roof if we\u2019d let him. \n\n#ca<\/span>\n \t <\/path><\/svg> \"He\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n If I\u2019m being 100% honest, the most disappointing<\/span>\n \t <\/path><\/svg> \"If\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n Don\u2019t ask me where this is IM NOT TELLING FIND I<\/span>\n \t \"Don\u2019t\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n Fall in Montana is very much alive \ud83c\udf42\n\n#montana <\/span>\n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg>\t \"Fall\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>
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\n \n And none of them are in the Tetons\n\n#wyoming #back<\/span>\n \t <\/path><\/svg> \"And\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n\n\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tLoad More...<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\t\t\n \n \n\t <\/path>\n\t <\/svg> Follow on Instagram<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\t \n\t<\/span>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\"Blank\n\t

A Complete Guide to Road Tripping Western Scotland <\/a><\/p>\n

I’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford it. <\/a><\/p>\n

The Michigan Bucket List<\/a><\/p>\n

Everything You Need to Know About the Eurail Pass<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"ironwood\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Six Best Lighthouses in Michigan January 25, 2020   When I\u2019m old, frail, and slightly senile, I want to be a lighthouse keeper. I want to have a cat named Indiana Jones, a beautiful view of a lake, and most importantly – an ice cream shop within 5 miles. I\u2019ve spent my life around…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"tpl-no-header-footer.php","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6],"tags":[338,102,525,103,104,30,105,208,106,107,67,68,469],"class_list":["post-1670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","category-michigan","tag-adventure-blogger","tag-beaver-island-lighthouse","tag-best-lighthouses-in-michigan","tag-big-sables-lighthouse","tag-ludington-lighthouse","tag-michigan","tag-michigan-adventure","tag-michigan-blogger","tag-michigan-lighthouses","tag-port-austin-lighthouse","tag-shalee-blackmer","tag-shalee-wanders","tag-travel-blogger"],"yoast_head":"\nSix Best Lighthouses in Michigan - 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