This holiday season, plan to travel north to experience leisurely shopping, Santa visits, a 5K run and all the magic of Benzie County, Michigan’s unique hometown charm. Multiple holiday celebrations have been planned and include activities for all ages.
Visits with Santa will be held in Frankfort at the Hotel Frankfort on Saturday, November 26. Frankfort will also feature its Annual Holly Berry Arts and Crafts Fair on the same day. On December 10, Downtown Beulah will hold Christmas Magic with a parade, Santa visits, plenty of shopping and more. Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville kicks off the season with its Thanksgiving Reconnect Weekend and the Annual Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day. Starting December 16, Crystal Mountain launches daily family activities to light up the holidays for three weeks running through Christmas, New Year’s Day and the week following New Year’s Day.
Benzie County is only 130 miles north of Grand Rapids, 235 miles north of Detroit and 290 miles north of Chicago. Plan a few days or more to get a true flavor of Benzie County, known by many as the “most beautiful location in Michigan,” and experience outdoor sports and recreation.
Explore the quaint small towns and villages of Benzie County for seasonal treasures including cherry products, Michigan made food baskets, jams and spreads, Northern Michigan roasted coffees, fine wines, meads and honey, craft beer and spirits, candles and soaps, knitted items made of luxurious alpaca wool and original designed furniture for your home or second home.
Relax at Benzie County’s year-round gathering spots, including Stormcloud Brewing Company in Frankfort, serving delectable locally inspired food and house crafted Belgian brews; Lake Ann Brewing Company in Lake Ann, serving their own craft beer, local cider, meads and wine and offering regular music events; St. Ambrose Cellars, offering sampling of award-winning wines and meads as well as appetizer food plates, weekly music on Fridays and open mic night on Tuesdays; and Iron Fish Distillery, a beautiful newly opened establishment close to Crystal Mountain, featuring distilled spirits and more.
Benzie County has 135 miles of snowmobiling trails and spectacular sights for winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In addition to 30 miles of Lake Michigan coastline along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for snowshoeing, Benzie County has over 50 inland lakes for ice fishing and 22 miles along the Betsie Valley Trail for cross-country skiing.
If you’re looking for downhill skiing and snowboarding, look at Crystal Mountain in Benzie County, named one of Ten Best Snow Resorts for Families from Parents Magazine and #8 on Midwest Living Magazine’s 12 Best Ways to Own Winter (2015). Crystal Mountain also has ice skating, ice hockey, fat tire biking and more, as well as luxurious spa services at the relaxing Crystal Spa. Children’s activities and events take place regularly. Crystal Mountain also features superb dining for romantic getaways or family gatherings at two on-site restaurants.
Visitors can choose from many lodging choices in Benzie County, including quaint cottages, cozy cabins, historic hotels and inns and an award winning resort. For an entire listing and for assistance with lodging choices and holiday experiences, visit the Benzie County Visitor’s Bureau online or call (800) 882-5801.
- Mead photo: Sally Zara
- Remaining photos: Crystal Mountain
