This blog post may contain 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 article to share with you! My stay at Lake Huron Shores Cottages was hosted, however all thoughts & opinions are my own. Disclaimer here.
What is the best getaway on Lake Huron? Hmmm, that’s the thought I asked myself as I sat down at the end of last year to plan out my family’s travel adventures for this year. As I pulled up Google Maps musing over where we should go next, my eyes darted to the northeastern lower peninsula along Lake Huron. This is an area we don’t visit near enough. It’s a bit of a hidden gem for even us!
The last time we visited was about two years ago to explore Alpena. There’s a stretch along Lake Huron we hadn’t been to yet south of Ossineke and North of Tawas. That was it! That’s where we needed to travel to this year. But where to stay? And what to do? Time to get planning!
Thankfully I found the best place to stay on Lake Huron. We ended up booking a charming two bedroom cottage right on Lake Huron with its own private beach through Enjoy Unique Stays. And planning our getaway was a breeze as there are so many scenic and beautiful attractions a short drive away.
If you’re looking for the best getaway along Lake Huron in northern Michigan, you won’t want to miss this!
Lake Huron Shores Cottages
Location of the Cottages
Lake Huron Shores Cottages are located right on Lake Huron along U.S. 23 in Greenbush, which is between East Tawas and Alpena. Greenbush is such a hidden gem town of a place to escape to. With a population of only 1200 people and named after Greenbush, New York, this town like many others across Michigan got its start with the lumber industry. Today, Greenbush is a quiet community with not a whole lot of anything. However, it is located close to many beautiful natural and historical attractions.
When driving in, look for the wooden sign saying “Huron Shores Cottages” to pull into. The physical address is 2885 South US 23. There is a dirt roundabout that leads to the cottages, and you can park a car behind each cottage.
Surrounding Lake Huron Shores Cottages are a number of other vacation rentals, private homes and cottages. There isn’t anything large like a hotel nearby. It’s a phenomenal location for a quiet getaway on Lake Huron.
About Lake Huron Shores Cottages
Lake Huron Shores Cottages is run by a company called Enjoy Unique Stays. This company operates a number of truly interesting properties to vacation in states such as Michigan, Tennessee, and North Carolina. And the company is headquartered in Southwest Michigan!
The cottages we stayed at along Lake Huron have six cottages available to rent. Five of which are right on Lake Huron. Of the five, we stayed in cottage two.
Our cottage has two bedrooms, one bathroom and a loft with a third bed. All three of the rooms come with a queen sized bed. To enter the cottage from where you park, walk up the walkway to the front of the cottage, which faces the lake. Unlocking the cottage is easy. Two days before checking in, Enjoy Unique Stays will email you a four digit code with instructions.
Interior Amenities and Features of Lake Huron Shores Cottages
The Cottages at Lake Huron Shores come equipped with everything you’ll need whether you’re staying a couple nights or a full week (or longer). Kitchens have major appliances like an electric stove and oven with broiler plus full size refrigerator and freezer. Small appliances include keurig coffee maker and toaster. There are basics to cook with like a pot, frying pan, and baking sheet as well as plenty of serveware. To prepare your food, there is a separate table that faces the windows (so you can lift the curtains and enjoy the lake view as you prep!)
For in-cottage entertainment, the living room comes with a TV with roku. The two other bedrooms also have their own TVs. Carry some games or something to entertain yourself if it’s a rainy day.
While there isn’t enough space for a dining table inside, there is a long, thin table that backs up against the windows facing the lake with bench seating that tucks in. A great spot to enjoy breakfast from if it’s still a bit chilly in the morning.
In each bedroom, you’ll find a bath towel and wash cloth for each guest. Unfortunately there isn’t any storage space like a dresser or closet to put clothes away. But there is a desk vanity with mirror in the two rooms.
The bathroom comes equipped with an instant water heater for the shower. But we noticed it didn’t work as well for the bathtub. Some body wash, shampoo and conditioner were provided, however we carried and used our own. There were also three rolls of toilet paper provided.
Outdoor Perks Available
Stepping outside the cottage, you’ll notice a privacy wall separating each cottage. Within the confines of your private porch space, there is a small metal table and chairs set along with stacked adirondack chairs. Further out on the beach is a fire pit – each cottage gets their own! Decorating each cottage’s porch space are string lights adding to the ambiance of each.
Another amazing perk is enjoying the sunrise from Lake Huron Shores Cottages. We woke up at 6am to catch the sunrise during our stay and it was so worth it. From the charming coastal cottage vibes inside to the convenience and tranquility that comes staying right on Lake Huron, staying here has been the best getaway on Lake Huron!
For kids and families, behind the five lakefront cottages is a swing set with four swings and a tire swing. There’s also a picnic table with a charcoal grill and some backyard games to play with.
Another amenity added as of spring 2024 is a wood barrel sauna to use at no extra cost. Instructions and reservation information are available in the welcome package emailed.
Available to rent are kayaks, a paddleboat, and paddle boards.
Heads Up!
Something that could be improved on this property is the lack of a broom or hand vacuum inside the cottage. It’s nearly impossible to prevent sand from getting inside the cottage. We wanted to keep the floors clean and not get sand everywhere but couldn’t find where a broom was. Or if there was a hose to clean off feet before going inside, that would be helpful. If you stay here, consider bringing a plastic tote where you can add water to rinse your feet off before going inside.
In my opinion the above is quite minor considering how affordable the cottages are!
Rules and Check Out Procedures
There aren’t too many rules for staying here. We tried to clean up as we went, but the hardest part was avoiding bringing sand into the cottage.
Before checking out, they ask you not to make the beds, put all the used towels on the floor, empty and put the trash into the dumpster, and that’s it!
Unique Features Making this the Best Getaway on Lake Huron
Lake Huron Shores Cottages offers a million dollar views for a tiny fraction of that cost! Wake up to the sunrise, enjoy your morning coffee steps away from the beach, you don’t have to drag any sand toys far from the water, and there are chairs and firepits right on site. One of my favorite things was cracking the window open before bed and falling asleep to the sound of the waves. I could feel any stress I carry just fizzle away.
In addition to the major perk just outside your door, I really appreciated the coastal cottage decorations. This added to the ambiance of our trip. Plus, the beds were really high quality and led to a great rest.
Must See Features of Staying Here
While Lake Huron is definitely the biggest draw, don’t skip out on reserving the sauna! The sauna’s large window faces Lake Huron. Within the sauna there is a timer and temperature gauge too. It’s a wonderful amenity if you’re traveling for wellness or mindfulness and is available all year.
Best Getaway on Lake Huron – Places to Explore Nearby
Uniquely positioned between Tawas to the south and Alpena to the north, you are bound to discover one of Michigan’s most naturally scenic hidden gems. There’s also some beautiful historic stops including the Tawas Point Lighthouse to the south and Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, 10 miles to the north. During the summer, both lighthouses are open for tours.
Also, listed in the map below are nearby grocery stores, gas stations, and coffee shops if you plan to hang out at the cottage during your trip.
River Road National Scenic Byway
First, I highly recommend driving and stopping at the some of all of the stops along the River Road National Scenic Byway. This road is 22 miles long and stretches from Hale in the west to Oscoda on Lake Huron. This road follows the Ausable River.
Throughout the 22 miles, there are scenic stops where you can pull off into a parking lot and look out over beautiful overlooks, climb down steps to see some historic natural springs, or check out a history museum and monuments. Some of my favorite stops along this scenic byway are the Westgate Lookout, Iargo Springs, Lumberman’s Monument, and Champaign Hill.
And if you’re interested in a different point of view, book a 2 hour cruise along the river boat AuSable River Queen. This is a seasonal riverboat cruise that is open between Memorial Day and mid-October. It costs $20 per adults, $15 for kids age 6 to 17, and free for 5 and under.
This road trip can be done in a day trip, otherwise you can break it up and spend a little bit more time at each site. There are bathrooms and picnic tables at many of the stops along the way. It is seriously one of Michigan‘s greatest gems in my opinion. And whenever we travel this way, we never encounter too many other people.
Tawas Point State Park
The Tawas Point Light within the Tawas Point State Park is one of Michigan‘s most beautiful lighthouses. It’s a Cape Cod style of architecture that inspired a replica lighthouse to be built in Detroit at Milliken State Park. Built in 1876, it was an active lighthouse until 2016. However, it does have its fresnel light at the top of the lighthouse!
It’s also located at an interesting spot, because the peninsula it is on keeps growing due to a process called accretion (opposite of erosion). Inside the lighthouse there are historic photos and maps that show where the first lighthouse was built in 1852. It was rebuilt due to accretion since the first was no longer helpful to maritime traffic.
To tour the lighthouse, purchase tickets within the gift shop next to the lighthouse. It costs $5 for adults and is free for kids under 5. Tours take place Wednesday to Monday between 12-5pm from mid May through late October.
The tours are run by volunteer lighthouse keepers who stay in the lighthouse for a week at a time! This is a fun, unique program available in a few different lighthouses in Michigan. (It’s also on my family’s bucket list once Winston’s a bit older!) To climb to the top of the lighthouse there are a couple rules. First, only 5 people go up at a time. You must wear closed toe shoes and kids need to be able to climb up and down on their own. In total, there are 85 steps to the top.
Once we toured the top of the lighthouse, we checked out the rest of the former living space. You can walk around the living room, bedroom, and even former oil house which was used until the lighthouse converted from whale oil to kerosene. Outside the lighthouse, there is still the oil house building and outhouse.
On the grounds there is a trail to the tip of the peninsula, which is a great birding trail. Nearby the parking lot, there is a playground, picnic tables, restrooms, and a shop selling food and drinks.
Oscoda
The closest town to explore by the cottages in Greenbush is Oscoda. Within Oscoda, there are a number of restaurants – both locally owned and chain restaurants. We stopped at the cutest coffee shop called Sunrise Kava Cafe.
And there are some unique things to check out within Oscoda. One such recommendation that is fun to visit on a rainy day is the Wurtsmith Air Museum. This museum is open seasonally in the warmer months and is open Fridays to Sundays from 11am to 3pm. It costs $7 for adults, $3 for kids under 12, and is free for kids under 5 and active military members.
The Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport was used in the early 1900’s shortly after the founding of the Air Force. During its time in service, this base once trained the Tuskegee airmen and trained pilots how to land on frozen lakes, and practice flying B-52s. In 1993, the Wurtsmith Air Force Base was decommissioned.
The museum is pretty cool to tour. When you enter, you will walk in chronological order through history and learn about the base throughout various wars. Once the tour is completed, you need to see the historic aircraft in the hangar! My son is a huge airplane fan and loved seeing these planes up close!
One quick pitstop you need to take is a photo opp with the Paul Bunyan and Babe statues right off US 23 in Furtaw Field. We parked in the former Family Video parking lot and walked there to get closer.
Itinerary for a Weekend Getaway
This is the itinerary we followed during our visit. Although, a weekend stay seemed so short given all the beautiful attractions this area has! Let this serve as inspiration of what you may like to do, and definitely make sure you spend some time relaxing on the beach at Lake Huron Shores Cottages. It is truly a gem of a place and the absolute best getaway on Lake Huron.
Day One – Travel to Lake Huron Shores Cottages
Road trip up from wherever you’re coming from. For us, it was from the Grand Rapids area and a four hour drive. By the time we reached the cottages, the sun had set and we were ready to unpack and hit the hay.
Day Two – Sightseeing Nearby
7:30 am – Enjoy a slow morning of exploring the cottage, making breakfast, walking down to the beach, listening to the waves before getting ready.
10 AM – Head out to start the River Road National Scenic byway headed from West to East. The first stop is the Westgate scenic overlook, which has a couple overlooks with a short 450 foot trail connecting the two. There is also a picnic area and bathroom here too.
11:30 AM Iargo Springs – At this stop, we spent a little extra time because it involves around 300 steps down and back again. Once you take the steps down there is a boardwalk trail with several overlooks of the Au Sable River plus a few of the springs. It’s so lush and beautiful with many different types of plants! This spot also has informational signage and bathrooms.
1 PM – Final stop on the scenic byway for us was a stop along the lower Au Sable River closer to Oscoda. There is a staircase down to the river where you may see people fishing, kayaking or canoeing nearby.
1:30 PM – Tawas Bay Pizza Company for lunch. During my family’s first trip when we stayed in East Tawas, we ate at this pizza place and it was so good! Since my son loves pizza, we headed here! This pizza place offers wood fired pizza in a variety of options or you can customize your own pizza. Tables are available inside, on a patio, and outside. Or you can order takeout.
2:30 PM – We toured and climbed to the top of the Tawas Point Lighthouse. At the same time we were there, there was a birding event taking place with several species of migrating birds in the area.
4:30 PM – On the way back to Lake Huron Shores Cottages, we passed through Oscoda and stopped at Furtaw Field to snap a pic of the Paul Bunyan and Babe statues. By this point, Winston fell asleep in the car so my friend stayed with him so I could quickly capture this fun roadside stop!
5 PM – Back to the cottage to relax, unwind, play games, walk along the Lake Huron shore, listen to the waves, talk and connect, heat up our leftover pizza, and enjoy the place we were at until the sun went down and we went to bed. I cracked the window open a bit to listen to the sound of waves as I fell asleep.
Final Day – Packing Up and Making Our Way Home
6 AM – I set my alarm for this time and dragged myself out of bed to see if I could catch the sunrise. Yesterday, I missed it because it was foggy. Success!! So I woke my friend up too and we ran down to the beach to watch nature put on a show. Further down the beach, we noticed a bald eagle had just caught a fish and was having breakfast on the beach! What an amazing sight!
7:30 AM- Make breakfast, get ready, start packing up and cleaning the cottage up a bit.
9 AM – Check out and head out, along the way I stopped at Sunrise Kava in Oscoda to pick up an iced latte for myself and a snack for Winston.
10 AM – We attempted to stop at Gateway Park in Tawas City for Winston to get some wiggles out before the car ride but it was so full of bugs. Not terrible, biting bugs- but still- annoying bugs that get and land everywhere so we didn’t stay for long!
Map of the Best Getaway on Lake Huron
Finally to note, Lake Huron Shores Cottages are available to rent year round. While I can’t speak to what it’s like to visit this area in any of the cooler months (yet), you can’t deny just staying overnight right on one of the Great Lakes must be a phenomenal experience any time of year. And Lake Huron offers a calmer experience than being on the whipping end of Lake Michigan and Superior’s strong gales.
We highly recommend booking a stay at Lake Huron Shores Cottages, not just for a getaway but as a vacation! If we had an extra two days, we would hit up a grocery store to prepare meals at the cottage and spend a full day relaxing on the beach. It’s a serene place and for its affordable price point, definitely a place I see ourselves coming back to.
From Michigan with Love,
Jackie
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