Stay, Eat, Shop & Play: Frankfort!

Frankfort, Michigan is a charming beach village cradled by the Betsie Bay. Located at the southern end of M22, Frankfort sits right on Lake Michigan, guarded by its pier and the Frankfort North Lighthouse. Frankfort is the perfect little escape if you’re looking to get away for a week or even just for a long weekend!

So let’s get started! Frankfort is a very “foodie” friendly town. There’s an array of different cuisine options to choose from ranging from high-end sushi bars and wine cellars to good old-fashioned burgers and fries. For a familiar bar scene with great food, try Villa Marine Bar or Dinghy’s Restaurant Bar & Grill. If you’re looking for something on the higher end of the spectrum, try The Fusion, a waterfront restaurant with gourmet sushi and Pan-Asian cuisine or Coho Cafe, which offers fine dining and an extensive wine list. L’Chaim Delicatessen and Crescent Bakery offer a more relaxed and homey atmosphere with delicious sandwiches and other deli and bakery favorites. I can never resist stopping in L’Chaim for an egg salad sandwich! If you love a craft beer and locally inspired food, Stormcloud Brewing Company is the place to be. Though relatively new, Stormcloud has quickly made a name for itself, not only in Frankfort, but in the state of Michigan as well! They were even recently voted Michigan’s Best New Brewery in August 2016 by MLive.

Along with great eats, Frankfort also has a lot to offer on the activities spectrum. Charming little boutiques and shops line main street and there’s something for everyone! There’s no shortage of clothing stores, art galleries, and artisan jewelry shops where you can find unique hand crafted jewelry specific to Michigan. If you’re not into the shopping scene though, there are plenty of other things to do!

The Betsie Valley Trail is 22 miles long, paved, non-motorized, starts in Frankfort and extends through Elberta and Beulah, the next towns over. After passing through Beulah the trail continues on to Thompsonville but becomes unpaved. Uniquely, this trail was built to cover the Ann Arbor Railroad, which carried freight and passengers from Toledo through Ann Arbor, all the way to Beulah, Frankfort, and Elberta before all service was discontinued in 1985. The first 6 miles of this path are perfect for biking, rollerblading, walking, and are even pet friendly where permitted. And there’s no need to haul your bicycle up north. Beechnut Surf Shop in Frankfort offers hourly and daily bike rentals at an affordable price. If biking isn’t your thing you can also rent longboards, surfboards, and stand up paddleboards!

If you’re looking to just lounge on the beach Frankfort has you covered. It’s pristine dunes and extensive beach allows for lots of fun under the sun! And stick around in the evening for one of its many breathtaking sunsets over Lake Michigan.

Okay so now you’re probably thinking: Sounds Great! When should I plan my trip?

The best time to visit Frankfort is between April and September. A lot of the stores close for the winter months because traffic dies down through town. The best dates to plan your trip would be somewhere around the end of June and the very beginning of July. Everybody is planning on coming up for the 4th of July so they’re not going to be there the weekend before which makes for the perfect vacation: Less crowded beaches and more time to relax! Although if you do want to stay in Frankfort for the 4th of July holiday, I strongly suggest booking in advance… maybe like a year in advance! Places fill up fast and there’s a spectacular reason why. Frankfort’s fireworks display is one unlike any other I’ve experienced in my life. It’s incredible! That being said, traveling to Frankfort at this time, as well as any other place along M22, is going to be a struggle. Believe me when I say that everybody and their mother is going to be there.

Now, where should you stay?

A personal favorite of mine is Harbor Lights Resort located directly on the beach in town. This resort offers beachfront condos, motel rooms, and Jacuzzi suites. And when I say, “beachfront” I mean beachfront! In any room you stay in in the complex you are, quite literally, steps away from the beach. In many of the condos, the beach is right out your front door! They also offer an indoor pool and spa if you’re too worn out from playing in the sand all day. I’ve stayed in all three accommodations (motel room, Jacuzzi suite, and beach front condo) and have never been disappointed with my stay. If you’re looking for something a little bit lower key, there’s The Hotel Frankfort. Located just two blocks from the beach this historic hotel boasts 17 rooms, each including a private bathroom and a unique theme. You also have the option to upgrade to larger suites complete with a Jacuzzi or sauna. And if you feel like dining in they also offer a full-scale restaurant, dinging room, and bar!

So there you go, a little snippet on the beautiful town of Frankfort. I can’t fit everything into this blog post; there’s so much more that this charming little beach village has to offer! But I guess you’ll just have to find out for yourself. Get out there! I promise you won’t regret your stay.