This blog post contains affiliate links which may reward me in the event of a sale. I use these funds to reinvest in my blog and to create more great content like this Getaway to Manitou Beach to share with you! My Airbnb stay is sponsored by Devils Lake Golden Retreat, however all thoughts and opinions are my own. Disclaimer here.
Right before the Halloween weekend, we went on a getaway to Manitou Beach on Devils Lake! Why Devil’s Lake? Well… doesn’t it sound spooky? So it certainly is a great place to travel before Halloween. Also, this area contains a lot of unique attractions! The village of Manitou Beach is transforming itself into a four-season destination with shops, restaurants, and events open all year round.
Another big deciding factor on where to visit next was my realization that many Michiganders don’t vacation further south than where they live. Growing up, I camped with friends in Ludington and traveled to Traverse City, Mackinac Island, and Petoskey. Until recently, I never visited anywhere south of Grand Rapids. Lately, I’ve also found myself falling into this habit with recent trips to Kalkaska, Mackinac Island, and Harrison. So finding a family friendly vacation rental in an up and coming small town in southern Michigan was just what we needed! After a little research, we settled on an adorable cottage on Devil’s Lake in Manitou Beach called Devils Lake Golden Retreat.
A getaway to Manitou Beach and stay at this Airbnb is perfect if you’re looking for a year round vacation spot in Michigan. (FYI use code “Jackie” when checking out to knock 20% off the cost of your stay). While we traveled as a family, I kept thinking it’s an amazing place to stay for a girls trip or romantic getaway. Given it’s on Devils Lake with quite an interesting history, it’d also be fun to stay on a ‘spooky’ themed trip.
~ History of Manitou Beach ~
Manitou Beach is on Devils Lake, which is 1,312 acres – one of 98 lakes within Michigan that are 1,000 acres or larger, which is rare for southern Michigan.
The lake and its name is associated with a fascinating legend. In the 1700s, Izone, daughter of Potawatomi Chief Oroneka ran off with her lover Indimane to elope. As they canoed away, a mysterious fog covered the lake and Izone was never seen again. Legend has it the evil spirit of the lake took her so the lake became known as Michemanetue, or lake of the evil spirit.
Once settlers moved in in the 1830s, they adopted the name Devils Lake. In recent times, several odd occurrences happened such as several airplane crashes and a rare F-4 tornado that destroyed many homes around Manitou Beach in 1965.
Manitou Beach was founded in 1888, when land was bought, divided and sold to build cottages. Shortly after that, a railroad station was built, then came a resort owned by the railroad company. The name of the town comes from the second half of the Potawatomi name of the lake – ‘Manitou.’ By the 1920s, Manitou Beach was a thriving summer community with cottages, beaches, and bathhouses.
In 2011, businessman David Gajda, who once spent his summers in Manitou Beach, invested in the area. The goal is to transform Manitou Beach into a year round destination with art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and more that rival other places in Michigan like Traverse City and Saugatuck.
To learn more, check out Dan Cherry’s book here.
~ Getaway to Manitou Beach Map ~
~ Getaway to Manitou Beach Summary ~
When: During the weekend in mid-fall
Why: I look for unique area’s within Michigan that many Michiganders don’t know about. After several trips to the northern lower peninsula lately, we turned our sights south and found the hidden gem that is Manitou Beach on Devil’s Lake.
Time Traveled: 2.5 hours from Grand Rapids, 1.5 hours from Detroit, 1.5 hours from Kalamazoo, 1 hour from Lansing, 1 hour from Ann Arbor, 4 hours from Traverse City, 3 hours & 45 minutes from both Chicago and Indianapolis
Time Spent at Destination: 3 Day and 2 Nights
Budget: $$ – Airbnb, gas, food and drinks, souvenirs, wine tasting
What We Did During Our Getaway to Manitou Beach
Friday evening after work we headed out for our Getaway to Manitou Beach! From home, we drove to Boot Jack Tavern to grab dinner before checking into the Airbnb. Full details of our time at Devils Lake Golden Retreat are below (because I could talk about how much we loved our time there for days!)
The next morning we visited Manitou Beach Village where we grabbed a hot drink from Sandbar Cafe, went shopping at Michigan Gypsy, Devils Lake View Living, and Nellies on the Lake then had lunch at Two Lakes Tavern. We were impressed with the Lock Arch located in town – don’t miss locking in your own memories!
Following Winston’s afternoon nap, we took a fall color tour along US-12 through the Irish Hills stopping at the Irish Hills Towers and Saint Joseph’s Shrine. Around sunset we made it to Cherry Creek Cellars, a winery along US-12 that’s part of Southeast Michigan’s Pioneer Wine Trail. Here we enjoyed a flight of wine samples while listening to a local band perform. On our way back to the cottage, we ordered a pizza from Luigi’s and stopped into Woodstock Wine & Cheese for more wine and supplies to make a charcuterie board. After dinner and our son went to sleep, we enjoyed wine by the firepit.
On our final day, my son and I went for a walk in the neighborhood as my husband finished packing up. Then we went on another fall color tour – this time all the way around Devils Lake before heading to Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm for some fall fun! Our final stop before heading home was McCourtie Park – a must see hidden gem in Michigan!
Where We Stayed – Devils Lake Golden Retreat
During our Getaway to Manitou Beach we stayed at the Devils Lake Golden Retreat. It is one of the few original cottages in Manitou Beach that wasn’t completely destroyed by the Palm Sunday tornado in 1965.
This Spanish style cottage has three bedrooms and one bathroom, and is both family and dog friendly. From artwork to stickers and beyond, everyone traveling with man’s best friend is welcome here. However, if you do not have a dog (like my family,) we could not tell there were ever dogs staying here because the cleaning is so good. And thankfully so! Right after our stay, I took an allergy test and discovered I’m allergic to dogs!
Another cool feature about staying here is the hosts live a couple doors down and manage the property. That’s right – no property management company here! From ensuring the cottage is clean, to decorating, to personally putting together a welcome basket for you, Kristi is available to help you out. And that also goes for issues that may arise like if a lightbulb goes out or you need more coffee, she’ll personally deliver it. She can be as present as you need her to be or give you total privacy.
Inside Devils Lake Golden Retreat
I was instantly blown away upon entering Devils Lake Golden Retreat! The entire cottage has a warm and welcoming vibe. Stepping into the home was almost like stepping into a Midwest Living Magazine. From the cottages biggest feature – like an enormous round chandelier in the kitchen, to intricate thoughtful details – like a customized welcome basket, this Airbnb won my heart. On top of that it, we visited just before Halloween, and the cottage was even decorated to reflect that. Nothing scary- but several creatively placed skulls, pumpkins, and bats.
Kitchen, Dining & Living Rooms
From the entrance, we entered into an open kitchen looking into the dining and living rooms. The kitchen contains everything you may need – fridge, microwave, stove, oven, toaster, coffeemaker, and all kinds of cook and flatware. There is also a water cooler to use for drinking water. Waiting for us on the kitchen counter was a welcome basket containing a welcome note, Halloween candy, a custom hand dipped candle, and customized lock and key to lock in our memories at the Lock Arch! The lock is extremely cute and has our names, Airbnb, and date engraved onto it.
And that’s not all! Once we made our way into the breakfast room, (which is one of my favorite places in the cottage), we noticed a bottle of wine and tray of pastries from the local café for us! Within the breakfast room, there are shelves with toys and children’s crafts plus a big relaxing day bed. There are also two large sliding glass doors on either side of the room making it easy to enjoy the view of the lake even while inside.
Moving into the living room, there are two large couches and a chair to kick back on. There are more channels on the TV than you’ll ever be able to watch, but Netflix and other streaming platforms are also available through the Smart TV.
Finally the dining room contains a tall dining table with a beautiful seasonal centerpiece (when we stayed it was a ceramic pumpkin). Beside the table are shelves with all kinds of games available.
Bedrooms
As mentioned, there are three bedrooms at this cottage – a master with a Queen bed, kids room with 2 twin beds, and third room with a Queen bed. The master bedroom has a resort vibe to it. In the upper right corner of the room, there’s another TV should you wish to watch TV right from bed. The second room is the kids room. In the kids room, there are also books and a few other toys to play with. Finally, the third bedroom has a beautiful painting hung on the wall that was created by the host’s mother in law.
In every room here, there is a warm, welcoming feeling. Each bedroom contains big fluffy towels folded on top with stickers, toothbrushes, and toothpaste provided. While all the bedrooms are unique, each showcases décor purchased from local shops in Manitou Beach. One unique thing to note about the bedrooms is the charming older lantern lights rather than typical light switches. And another call out is the first bedroom is the warmest when the heat is on – good to know for anyone who get’s cold easily!
My Favorite Things
My favorite things inside the cottage are the day bed in the breakfast room and master bedroom. The day bed is comfortable with lots of cushion and pillows. It was where my son and I liked to read together each evening and where I took in incredible sunrises. I also loved staying in the comfortable and relaxing master bedroom. Whether you traveled from near or far, this room will instantly put you at ease, make you want to close the door, and relax.
And we can’t go outside yet until I mention some of the history this cottage displays. In the hallway leading to the bedrooms is a photo of Devils Lake Golden Retreat and how it looked before the Psalm Sunday tornado in the 1960s. And further down is a collage of old photos and postcards from the area. If you have time, you can even read the book I mentioned written by local author Dan Cherry – Along the Trails of Michemanetue.
Outside Devils Lake Golden Retreat
No matter what season you visit, there is still plenty to do outside at this Airbnb. From the breakfast room, step out onto the porch that is complete with table and chairs and a couch. If you travel down the steps towards the dock, there are a couple chairs and a bar cart to relax at and catch some rays on a sunny day. A gas grill is also here that you may use. Continuing on, if you take a right and travel back to the side of the house, a gas powered fire pit and tiki torches are available to use.
The cottage is on a dead end street with a large green space between it and the neighbors. It’s a great spot for families to play lawn games or for your dog to run around on (leashed). Just make sure not to park your car or any trailers here overnight.
In the winter, bring your ice fishing gear and snowmobile to enjoy out on the lake. And in the warmer months, enjoy fishing on the dock, swimming, and sunbathing right on the water.
Family Friendly Features
If you’re traveling as a family, there are plenty of toddler and child friendly features. For meal time, there are kids plates and utensils in the guest closet to use. To keep kids (or animals) away from the stairs on the patio, there is a large wooden gate to block them from going down.
For fun, in the dining room, there is a large shelving unit packed full of games for all ages. Both indoor and outdoor games are available. Then, in the breakfast room there are shelves full of toys, coloring books, paint and more to entertain the little ones.
If traveling with an infant or toddler, make sure to carry your pack n play. There is plenty of room to place it in the first bedroom. We moved the lamp from its location in the corner and it left plenty of space. This is also the room that get’s the warmest when running the furnace. However, if your kids are a bit older, there is a separate kids bedroom with two twin beds. Within this room there are also books for kids of all ages. One of our favorite places to enjoy reading at night was the day bed in the breakfast room.
Final Thoughts on Devils Lake Golden Retreat
Throughout our stay, I kept saying to myself how versatile this Airbnb is. With the retreat being close to a wine trail and by an exceptional number of female owned businesses, a stay at Devils Lake Golden Retreat would be amazing as a girls getaway. But then again, it would also make for a great romantic getaway. And let’s not discount how family and dog friendly it is – a stay at Devils Lake Golden Retreat is a great idea for anyone!
Another perk we enjoyed while here is the reassurance of the host Kristi being only a couple doors down. It’s rare to find self managed Airbnb’s these days anymore!
If you are interested in a getaway to Manitou Beach, you gotta book a stay at the Devils Lake Golden Retreat on Airbnb. At checkout enter the code ‘Jackie’ to receive 20% off your stay.
Other Things to In & Around Manitou Beach
Check out the list below of other things to do in and around Manitou Beach to customize your getaway to Manitou Beach!
- Devils Lake Golf Course – During the warmer months, book a tee time online at Lenawee County’s oldest golf course! Around since 1929, don’t miss this picturesque 18 hole course in the Irish Hills.
- Devils Lake Yacht Club – While ‘members only,’ you may visit and ask for a tour. By doing so, you’ll receive a 1 day complimentary membership pass. There’s a restaurant on site with an upscale menu, boat slip and room rentals.
- Diamond in the Ruff – If traveling with your dog, make sure to add this to your itinerary. They offer both pet grooming & are a pet boutique.
- Farmers and Crafters Market – Check out and purchase local produce and crafts in Manitou Beach Village. Runs every Saturday from Memorial weekend through Labor Day. Check out their Facebook page before going for a complete list of local farms participating.
- Highland Inn is a restaurant located in between Devils and Round Lakes that was built during prohibition.
- Jack Tibbs Memorial Park is the park in Manitou Beach. It contains a playground, fields, and picnic area.
- Paula’s Poop Deck and Rob’s Rentals are located at the same place. During the summer visit Paula’s for all your bathing suit and summer accessories needs. Then, if you need to rent a boat to enjoy your time at Devil’s Lake, stop by Rob’s.
- Trends – Salon & Spa – A full service salon and spa offering hair cuts and color, manicures and pedicures open Thursday through Saturday and on Tuesdays.
- Zombiewoods is a walk through haunted house with a zombie apocalypse theme that’s open in the fall. This haunted attraction is located nearby in Cement City.
Other Things to Do if You Have More Time…
Below are some additional suggestions of things to do if you’re staying in Manitou Beach for longer. These suggestions also include time it takes to drive there from Devil’s Lake Golden Retreat.
- Hidden Lake Gardens is 30 minutes away. It contains a conservatory, bonsai courtyard, walking and biking trails. The opening hours change depending on the season so make sure to check out their website. Entrance costs $5 per person for everyone age five and older.
- Go wine tasting along the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail. If your first stop is Cherry Creek Cellars, the drive is 15 minutes away. Otherwise the furthest winery on the trail is 35 minutes away. There are 8 wineries and 4+ breweries along the wine trail. Use this map here to help you plan your route!
- Take a road trip along US-12 to see the quirky roadside attractions and historic sites in the Irish Hills. To get onto US-12 from Manitou Beach, the drive is about 15 minutes away. Here are a couple driving tours the Irish Hills Chamber put together: Historic Driving Tour and the Fall Color Tour
- If your trip to Devils Lake is inspired by the spooky, take a day trip to Hell, Michigan, which is only one hour away! Also consider a stop at Zombiewoods, a walk through haunted house with a zombie apocalypse theme that’s open in the fall. This haunted attraction is located nearby in Cement City, 10 minutes away.
- Visit Michigan International Speedway, which is 20 minutes away. During the holiday’s annual Nite Lights, MIS is transformed into a Christmas wonderland! Drive through thousands of Christmas lights from November 25 through December 31 (find more Christmas experiences in Michigan here). Or book a Nascar Racing Experience to drive or ride along in a real Nascar!
- For those who love history, check out the Cambridge Historic Junction State Park when its open during the summer (10 minutes). Just across the street from it is the historic Brick Walker Tavern.
~ Events at Manitou Beach ~
Manitou Beach is a community with something going on year round! Consider a stay during one of the following events or check out Manitou Beach’s event calendar here.
- Devils and Round Lake Tip Up Festival– This winter fest takes place Feb 4-6, 2022 (so book your stay now!). Participate in an ice fishing contest, snowmobile, dirt bike, or ATV race, or watch live bands perform.
- Monthly sip and shop – Check out the Manitou Beach’s website to keep up to date on when the next sip and shop is. Stop by the village’s boutiques and restaurants to take advantage of special offers and enter into a giveaway.
- Holiday in the Hills takes place this year from Dec 3-5. There’s the community tree lightening with Santa Lucia girls and a holiday light parade on Friday, December 3rd.
- On the last Saturday in July, Manitou Beach has an annual Festival of the Arts. Around 60 juried artists give art demonstrations. Kids can take advantage of the art tent to craft their own piece of art.
~ Getaway to Manitou Beach Details ~
Day One: Travel to Manitou Beach & Settle In
Boot Jack Tavern
Our first stop on this getaway to Manitou Beach is Boot Jack Tavern. Pulling up, we were slightly nervous as almost every spot in the parking lot was full. However we were seated right away and service was fast and friendly! We had no issues getting a high chair as well as coloring book and crayons for our son.
This bar and grill has an up north log cabin vibe that’s original to when the restaurant was built in 1954. Back then, the restaurant was known as Timber’s. Boot Jack Tavern serves a long list of Michigan beer and wine on tap and in cans/bottles. The menu changes seasonally but you can expect delicious comfort food no matter when you stop in! When visiting we learned they often have live music and every Wednesday night is trivia night. There is also a happy hour that runs M-F from 3-6pm and a late night special from Sun-Th 9-10pm.
Arrival at Devils Lake Golden Retreat
After dinner, we checked into the Airbnb. In the dark, it was still easy to find. Make sure to park in the grass near the front door and not to the right of the house. Prior to our arrival, Kristi provided us with a 4 digit access code to get into the cottage. Feel free to give her a code you prefer a day before your arrival otherwise she’ll communicate a code to you.
Our first impression was simply joy! The while cottage is beautiful. It’s wide and open, bright, and beautifully decorated to remind you – hey, you’re on lake time now. But at the same time, there are seasonal decorations throughout the cottage as well. Then there was not just a welcome basket, there was also a platter with baked goods from Sandbar Cafe and a bottle of wine from Cherry Creek Cellars in the breakfast room! How did the host know the way to my heart is through baked goods? Not to mention it makes waking up easier and less rushed knowing we already had a bite to eat. As mentioned above, I could go on for days about how much we enjoyed our time staying here.
Once we unloaded everything, we found the ideal spot to set up our son’s pack n play for bed (which is the 1st bedroom). Then hit the hay so we were fresh and ready for exploring tomorrow!
Day Two: Manitou Beach Village, Devils Lake, Fall Color Tour, and Wine Tasting
Sandbar Cafe
After enjoying the Sandbar Cafe pastries Kristi provided over some pumpkin spice coffee at the cottage, we decided to head there in person to grab lattes to sip on as we explored the village. This café is open daily, and they accept both in person and online orders. Locally procured Zingerman’s coffee and Mackinac Island Creamery ice cream are served here. Not only do they sell coffee and tea but also breakfast, lunch, ice cream, and baked goods. Free wifi, games, and a mini library are also available.
Another cool thing about this café is that it’s extremely supportive of the local community. In the indoor seating area, there is a young artists gallery showcasing the work of the students that attended the area’s Summer Art camp.
Michigan Gypsy Boutique
Our second stop was to the Michigan Gypsy Boutique which is owned by Laura. During our visit, we had the pleasure of meeting her! Michigan Gypsy is open Wednesday through Sunday (although check the website for any potential updates). This gift shop sells all kind of locally sourced and made accessories, home décor, candles, and clothing. All three of us purchased hand stamped sweatshirts with Devils Lake-Manitou Beach detailing on them, and we love them. These aren’t your mom’s sweatshirts – these sweatshirt are so soft and comfortable, I’ll be wearing mine all winter!
Behind and attached to the boutique is the Manitou Beach Boathouse Art Gallery. It’s Lenawee County’s only non-profit art gallery. This gallery also runs a summer art camp for kids. Within it, you can expect to find local fine art, jewelry and gifts.
Laura made our experience at her boutique exceptional. While checking out, her internet and point of sale system went down. She still gave us our purchase and a handwritten note with the total trusting that we will come back. And of course we did, we found an ATM (at Sterling Market) later to complete our purchase.
Lock Arch
Within the welcome basket, we were gifted a beautiful lock with our names, the date, and Devils Lake Golden Retreat etched into it. The lock is to attach to Manitou Beach’s Lock Arch, which is a metal grid archway over the steps leading up to a community green space. Completed by local Greg Earle, the concept behind it is to lock in your memories from your time staying at Devils Lake. Thoughtful hidden gems like this always get me – this is such a stand out idea, and we loved attaching our lock to the arch.
If you stay at Devils Lake Golden Retreat, you can expect a similar lock! So you don’t worry about remembering to buy one ahead of time.
Two Lakes Tavern
Finally it’s lunch time! For lunch, he headed across the street to Two Lakes Tavern. This independently owned family friendly tavern is open daily and offers daily menu specials. The menu contains something for everyone with a wide list of appetizers, salads, handhelds, entrees, and a kids menu. They are known for their smoked brisket and pork. Since it was only lunch, we opted for lighter fare – I enjoyed my chicken sandwich, while Tony ordered his usual – a burger, and Winston a cheese quesadilla.
Two Lakes Tavern has a huge indoor seating area as well as patio outside. To the left of the bar is the ‘entertainment’ zone – there’s an area set aside for bands to play and a pool table. While here, we noticed this seemed like a regular hang out spot for many people in the community. Everyone was welcoming and friendly!
Nellie’s on the Lake
Next up is Nellie’s on the Lake. Owned by Suzanne and named after her grandmother, Nellie’s on the Lake is currently only open on Saturday’s during its weekly Artisan Market. While here, you can expect an exquisite shopping experience. Suzanne owns a small farm where she grows lavender without any pesticides or chemicals and harvests everything by hand. Then, she transforms much of her lavender into small batch lavender goods to sell here.
In addition to the Market, Nellie’s serves the most delicious lavender mocha and lavender lemonades. And other tasty items like mini cheesecakes from Jeri’s of Detroit, pie, salad, and teas are available to enjoy on site or to take with you.
Nellie’s is also available for private parties, wine tastings, and more. Check out their Facebook page to reserve a time to come in for a brunch! (I told you a getaway to Manitou Beach is perfect for a girls trip – or family getaway – my son and I enjoyed our own mini ‘tea party’ here!) While here, we purchased a tray of mini pumpkin cheesecakes (a couple we enjoyed on site) as well as some lavender bath soaks and a bottle of lavender simple syrup so I can make lavender mocha on my own from home! I did not expect to find a place like Nellie’s here, but so glad it’s here – it’s one of my favorite spots in Manitou Beach!
Devils Lake View Living
Our final stop before heading back to Devils Lake Golden Retreat for my son’s nap was the boutique Devils Lake View Living owned by Darlene. I also had the honor of meeting Darlene, who is extremely friendly and helpful when it comes to any questions you may have about the items she sells and the local community. One the boutique’s website, Darlene provides a quick overview of Manitou Beach Village’s growth over the past 10 years, which is nothing short of amazing! I encourage you to check it out here. The building this boutique is in is amazing! It looks like a lighthouse!
Devils Lake View Living is open daily and year round. It sells a variety of items for your lifestyle needs such as clothing, accessories, local art, bath and body products, décor, candles, and local artisanal foods and candy. Once you make a purchase, you can add your contact info to the mailing list and receive 40% off an item during your birthday month or 25% off an item if you shop outside your birthday month.
While here, I purchased a couple gifts for some close friends of mine as well as a treat for myself.
Irish Hills
Once Winston woke from his nap, we hit the road to go on a fall color drive around the Irish Hills. Originally we hoped to bike around Hidden Lake Gardens, but Winston’s nap went too long squashing that idea. But that’s ok, I always have a back up plan!
First we drove the back roads until we reached the historic Irish Hills towers. The towers have a fascinating history. They were built in the 1920s as an observation deck with gift shop below. The company that built them got into a little tiff with the farmer who they originally approached to allow the towers to be built on his land. That farmer then built his own towers that were taller than the Irish Hills Towers. That then led the owners to add onto the Irish Towers to make them taller until finally they approached the farmer and threatened to build a massive metal tower he could never possibly compete with. That led him to finally back down. Unfortunately in 2000, the Irish Hills Towers shut down, but they are currently in the process of restoration work.
Then we drove to the Saint Joseph Shrine – originally to see the statue of Saint Patrick (this is the Irish Hills after all…) – but we ended up exploring a little longer. Behind the church is a beautiful, scenic Via Delarosa that starts behind the church then goes down some steps to the waterfront of Iron Lake then back up again. The shrine and design of the Via Delarosa is inspired by the grotto Our Lady of Lourdes in France and construction happened in 1932. Even if you are not religious, this is a great walk to enjoy to appreciate the design and nature.
Cherry Creek Cellars
Our final stop out for the day was to Cherry Creek Cellars, which is on Southeast Michigan’s Pioneer Wine Trail. This family and dog friendly winery has both indoor and outdoor seating and ordering area’s. Inside food and branded merchandise are available.
One thing you’ll notice when arriving at Cherry Creek is the historic schoolhouse building the tasting room is in. From here, you can order a wine tasting flight. It is $5 per tasting and you receive 4 samples. There are a wide variety of wines available – from classics like Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, and Riesling to unique blends. One thing I love about Cherry Creek’s wines are their dedicated to supporting Michigan growers. All the grapes and fruit in Cherry Creek’s bottles are sourced from only Cherry Creeks vineyards or other Michigan wine growers. If you aren’t a fan of wine, try out Cherry Creek’s selection of hard ciders or beers. Cider, beer, and wine by the glass is sold at the bar outside the school house.
For entertainment, stop by on Saturday’s at 6pm. That’s when live music is performed. Check out their Facebook page for event details. The whole outdoor pergola area is charming with lots of places to sit and spread out. To keep warm, catch a table by one of the fire pits. From January through March, the winery is open Thursday to Sunday, and is open daily April through December.
While I ordered a flight of wine from indoors, my husband ordered (and loved) a couple glasses of their Cranberry Passion wine. I was beyond happy they produce my favorite type of wine – Gewurztraminer and highly enjoyed their refreshing version. While we were here, the sun was about to set and we enjoyed a beautiful golden hour over the vineyard before heading out.
Later that evening
As we headed back towards Devils Lake from the winery, we called Luigi’s Pizza to order a pizza for pick up. We highly recommend this small, family run pizzeria. Not only is the pizza delicious, prior to ordering we saw on Facebook they go above and beyond appreciating their employees. Way to go above and beyond Luigi’s!
Before picking up the pizza, we also made a stop at Woodstock Wine & Cheese for some wine and supplies for a small charcuterie board. This party store sells more than just drinks, there’s also a nice deli in it selling cheeses, sausages, sandwiches and more.
After dinner and bedtime, my husband and I had our own little date night in. We opened a bottle of wine and sat around the fire. Then we created a charcuterie board and started to watch the series Squid Game that everyone seemed to rave about before going to bed.
Day Three: Circle Tour, Fall Festivities, and a Unique Park
Devils Lake Circle Tour
Manitou Beach Public Boat Launch
Once we packed up and checked out, we decided to take a circle tour around Devils Lake before driving to Meckley’s. The first stop is the Manitou Beach Public Boat Launch. A plaque and commemorative rock from 1954 is located here telling the legend surrounding how Devils Lake received its name. However, it’s now known that Chief Meteau wasn’t the correct chief from the legend.
Side Streets
Working our was up on the far west side of the lake, we pulled off onto a small, tree lined street in order for me to get my basicness out. The leaf’s were starting to change color all around us with a considerable number of crunchy leaf’s already on the ground. After a delayed start to fall, it felt good to immerse ourselves in it.
Clearwater Beach
Then we circled around to the northeast corner of Devils Lake to where the Clearwater Beach Arch stood. Back in the 1928, an arch shaped sign was constructed for the Clearwater Beach Resort. In 1984, the arch was added to the Michigan State Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately in 1989, a truck hit the arch causing reconstruction of the sign in order to increase its clearance. But again, in 2009 another truck hit it and damaged the arch beyond repair. The pillars remain along with a plaque speaking to the history of the sign.
Highland Beach Inn
As we continued on Round Lake Highway, we passed the Highland Beach Inn. This restaurant got its start in the late 1920s as a dance hall and filling station. Today it retains some of its classic charm and sells a variety of bar and grill menu items and drinks.
Shortly after Highland Inn is the bridge between Devils and Round Lakes. Not much to see here, but it was still cool to check out how close together these 2 lakes are.
Green’s Lakeside Cemetary
Green’s Lakeside Cemetery was once Orson Green’s property. Orson Green is known as the first permanent white settler on Devils Lake. When his son Daniel passed away in 1848, the family buried him on his property. Then, several other townsfolk asked to also bury their loved ones here leading to the cemetery’s formation. There are several really old and fascinating headstones here.
Our final quick stop during our circle tour was briefly at the old drive in theater located just after the cemetery. There is no information here and there weren’t any ‘no trespassing signs’, but we didn’t stay long to explore.
Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm
Want to visit a farm, orchard, pumpkin patch, cidery, bakery, winery, brewery all at once? Look no further than Meckley’s!
This family and dog friendly farm has it all! Bakery selling irresistible pumpkin donuts, freshly made apple cider, hard cider, beer, and wine, and fun fall activities like hay rides and a corn maze.
When we visited, there were a variety of food trucks as well as a craft fair too! Despite it starting to rain when we visited, we did manage to have a great quick trip. We ate lunch, visited the pumpkin patch, and purchased both types of cider and donuts.
McCourtie Park
After a quick trip to Meckley’s due to how busy it was, we stopped by McCourtie Park, which is next to the farm. This free and unique park has been on my bucket list of places to visit in Michigan for awhile! This was a great stop to let our son get his wiggles out before driving home.
Originally known as Aiden Lair, it once was a public recreation space on the property of oil magnate William McCourtie. There are 17 bridges over a stream at this park. These bridges were built out of concrete to look like wood in a method call el trabejo rustico, a type of Mexican folk art. The bridges in McCourtie Park are the oldest known examples of this art in the US. Also within the park are two ponds that once were used for fishing and swimming. Built into the hillside is an underground apartment for McCourtie’s guests. The apartment is said to contain a bar with a fireplace. And the chimney’s are concealed to look like trees on top of the hills.
In 1987, the property was transformed into a public park. All 17 bridges remain here. Around this time, it also joined the National Register of Historic Places.
Besides the interesting bridges, there is also a disc golf course, tennis court, and basketball court. A picnic pavilion can also be rented. It is also important to note this park is handicap accessible!
Credits/Sources
Historic details of Manitou Beach and Devils Lake, Michigan come from the book Along the Trails of Michemanetue by local author Dan Cherry.
~~~
Where is the last place you spent a couple nights within your own state? I highly recommend giving southern Michigan a chance – the Irish Hills area is one of Michigan’s best kept secrets. With a wine trail, boutiques and galleries, and events going on year round, a getaway to Manitou Beach at the Devils Lake Golden Retreat is exactly what you may need!
Don’t forget! If you book a stay between now and May 1, 2022, use the code “Jackie” to receive 20% off your booking!
from Michigan with Love,
Jackie
1 thought on “Getaway to Manitou Beach”
Comments are closed.