Visiting the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Michigan

There are a lot of great attractions in Michigan, but one especially fun one to visit is the Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located in northern Michigan at the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula on the west coast. The lighthouse is inside the Leelanau State Park, about 9 miles north of Northport.

It was built in 1858 and has been guiding ships and sailors on the Great Lakes ever since. The lighthouse is currently listed on the National and State Register of Historical Places.

Visitors to the lighthouse can climb the lighthouse tower, as well as tour the historic residence of the keeper, which contains furniture and household items preserved from the 1920s and 30s.

Children will also delight in the foghorn, which blasts on Saturdays during the summer.

When you are worn out from touring, you can grab a quick sandwich or coffee at the Lighthouse Gift & Camp Store, or find some trinkets to bring home.

A number of special events take place at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse throughout the year. This includes various free evening education programs throughout the summer. If you have kids and live in the area, this would be a great place to take the children on a summer evening, to learn something about the history of the state.

There is also the Lobster Fest, which takes place in August, and costs $50 per person. Although the Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located on the Great Lakes, this lobster dinner is New England style with live entertainment at the lighthouse.

There are many other events throughout the year that can be found on the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Web site.

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is open daily, with seasonal hours. Its hours June through Labor Day are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Labor Day through October 31^st, it is open noon to 4 p.m., and in May, it is open noon to 4 p.m.

In November, the lighthouse is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

Admission is $4 per adult and $2 per child (age 6 through 18). Children 5 and under get in free.

Also note that a State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is needed to enter the Leelanau State Park. This permit costs $6 for Michigan residents and $8 for nonresidents. The permit can be purchased at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museums, or at other state parks.There's a lot of great attractions in Michigan, but one especially fun one to visit in the Grand Traverse Lighthouse.