Other Offerings Include New Waterfront Restaurants, New Attractions Plus Full Event Calendar 

Ludington officially kicks off the summer season with its Love Ludington Weekend June 5-9 featuring new elements, followed by a summer of events and attractions highlighted by the reopening of Ludington State Park July 1. Visitors also will find new places to dine, including two new waterfront restaurants, plus other new attractions and accommodations such as a newly renovated cottage resort on Hamlin Lake.

 

“We are excited to welcome visitors to Ludington this summer to experience our signature Love Ludington Weekend and also see what’s new this year, including our renovated Ludington State Park plus some fresh dining and lodging options,” said Brandy Miller, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Even if you’re a regular visitor to Ludington, you’ll find something new to experience this summer, along with our many favorite attractions.”

 

Love Ludington Weekend June 5-9

This annual summer tradition features new activities and events that extend the weekend by a few days – a special S.S. Badger sail Thursday, June 5 and a Back-to-the-Bricks car show Monday, June 9. For more information, visit pureludington.com/events/love-ludington-weekend. The schedule includes:

 

Thursday, June 5

  • NEW - On Deck: A Night Aboard the S.S. Badger – 7:30-10 p.m. Kicking off the weekend’s festivities, this new event blends the city’s finest culinary offerings, live entertainment and historic charm with a purpose – to raise funds for the Lakeshore Children’s Advocacy Center. The Badger will remain docked during the event, allowing guests to explore the ship freely, including areas not open during regular sailings. Guests will enjoy tastings from downtown Ludington’s most beloved restaurants offering samples of their signature dishes, as well as live music. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased here.  

 

Friday, June 6

  • Love Ludington Street Party – 6-9 p.m., downtown. This free, family-friendly evening event features live music, kids’ games, bounce houses, and food and drink along the downtown streets closed to traffic. 

 

Saturday, June 7

  • NEW - Ludington Bed & Breakfast Tours – 12-2 p.m. The Ludington Bed & Breakfast Association’s member inns in the East Ludington Avenue Historic District will be open to the public for self-guided walking tours. Suggested route – begin at Cartier Mansion, then head east on Ludington Avenue to Ludington House B&B, Candlelite Inn B&B and finally the Lamplighter Bed & Breakfast. ($20 suggested donation will benefit a local charity.)

  • NEW - Love Ludington Art Crawl – 12-4 p.m. Celebrating the creative community that Ludington has to offer, this self-guided walking tour leads visitors to explore nine downtown art galleries and markets and a handful of local restaurants and cafes showcasing artists and musicians. 

 

  • NEW - Port of Ludington Maritime Museum “Age of Steam” Exhibit launch – 12-4 p.m. Explore a new chapter of maritime history by visiting this latest addition to the museum telling how steam propulsion transformed the Great Lakes. While the museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m., visitors from 12-4 p.m. will receive $5 off admission. 

 

  • Blessing of the Boats – 5-10 p.m., Ludington Avenue West End. Boaters (and friends) can get their boat keys blessed while enjoying food, live music, raffles and vendors. All proceeds benefit the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.

 

Monday, June 9

  • NEW TO LUDINGTON - Back to the Bricks Car Show – 3-7 p.m. Browse 250 classic cars on South James Street during this public event that is part of the Back to the Bricks® 15th Anniversary Sunset Promo Tour, which also stops in West Branch, Traverse City, Frankfort and Mt. Pleasant. Free and open to the public, the car show includes a live performance by West Michigan country band Barely Devils. Drivers arrive June 9, participating in the car show and staying the night in Ludington.

 

Ludington State Park Reopens July 1

After a 10-month temporary closure of most of the park for $3 million worth of infrastructure improvements as one of 27 Michigan state parks receiving federal relief funding, Ludington State Park will reopen July 1 showcasing numerous improvements – the first of which will be noticed is the repaved M-116 highway to the main entrance. Other enhancements include: 

  • Repaved main entrance road and Hamlin Lake day-use area parking lot

  • Repaved Lake Michigan and warming shelter parking lots, adding 75-100 more parking spaces 

  • Widened entrance of beach parking lot to two lanes, with walkways for pedestrian safety

  • Enhanced traffic and pedestrian flow at the park entrance, with dedicated left- and right-turn lanes to  reduce waiting times 

  • Warming shelter area with multiple lanes and crosswalk to connect bike paths with the beach

 

“Thank you to our loyal visitors who have waited patiently for this reopening,” said Ludington State Park Manager Jim Gallie. “While we still offered access to the southern border of our park, we know our fans have been waiting to enjoy our Lake Michigan beach, campgrounds and trails that make our state park a favorite. We can’t wait for everyone to return and see the improvements.”

 

New Restaurants and Businesses

Ludington’s businesses have expanded this year, featuring new restaurants, including two with waterfront dining, plus other attractions offering indoor activities. 

 

New Restaurants

  • Fins Beach Club, 7786 US-10, Branch – Estimated to open June 2025. Local business owner Dr. Andy Riemer is revitalizing the former Emerson Lake Inn into this new waterfront restaurant on Emerson Lake after being shuttered since fall 2022. Guests can enjoy dinner or cocktails with their toes in the sand, thanks to the restaurant’s private beach and picturesque sand dunes. 

 

  • The Perch on Hamlin Lake, 3264 Piney Ridge Rd. – Estimated to open June 2025. This new restaurant on the grounds of Hobby Crest Resort overlooking Hamlin Lake will offer scenic lakeside dining, with more casual fare downstairs and a more upscale experience upstairs, as well as outdoor dining – all with views of Hamlin Lake. Accessible by boat as well. 

 

  • AndyS, 129 W. Ludington Ave. – Estimated to open August 2025. Built on the former site of Michael’s Bar and Grill at the corner of Ludington and Rath Avenues, this downtown restaurant by Dr. Andy Riemer (also re-opened STIX Ludington) will be a two-story sports bar and entertainment venue featuring upscale bar food, including wood-fired pizzas. It will include a rooftop bar with glass floor, mezzanine for live music, a private dining area, and a section with indoor sports simulators. 

 

  • PITBowls, 88 S. Pere Marquette Hwy. – Opened May 2025. The owner of the popular Cluck Bucket has a new food truck serving fresh, flavorful PIT inspired Signature Bowls: Chipotle, BBQ, Teriyaki, Mediterranean, Hot Honey, and fresh Acai Bowls, plus build-your-own-bowls. 

 

  • State & Main Coffee House, 101 N. Main St. Scottville – Opened November 2024. Offering daily brews, specialty coffees, coffee mocktails, Lotus Energy mocktails and seasonal features, this café in the historic People’s State Bank building at the corner of State and Main also has a featured daily croissant and Danish. 

 

  • Tokyo Hibachi and Sushi Bar, 4743 W US Hwy 10, Ste 1 – Opened September 2024. This eatery serves hibachi-style meals, sushi rolls, Korean dishes and more, plus sakes, draft beer and specialty cocktails.

 

New Businesses and Attractions

  • Sunset Bluff Resort, 6075 N. Victory Park Rd. – Renovations completed June 2025. This 30+-acre resort on a forested bluff with 1,500 feet of Hamlin Lake shoreline is under new ownership, with extensive renovations throughout the property. The 13 cottages ranging from 1-5 bedrooms each got a facelift, as well as new beds upgraded in size where possible. The resort now provides bed linens, fluffy bath towels and complimentary toiletries. All cottages have air conditioning, smart TVs and Wi-Fi. The new online booking system allows guests to easily see availability and book directly. The resort also is now pet friendly, with eight cottages allowing up to two dogs. Other amenities include a heated pool, playground, basketball and volleyball court, onsite pontoon and fishing boat rentals and kayaks. 

 

  • “Age of Steam” Exhibit – Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, 217 S. Lakeshore Dr. Opened May 2025. This immersive new exhibit tells the story of how steam propulsion transformed the Great Lakes. With 11 beautifully crafted steamship models, interpretive panels and engaging displays, the exhibit explores the transformation from wind-driven vessels to steam engines and the incredible innovation that defined this era.

 

  • “Zen’s Den” Exhibit – Sandcastles Children’s Museum, 129 E. Ludington Ave. Opened December 2024. This social-emotional learning exhibit features “Zen,” a caring character who invites children into his cottage to explore hands-on activities to help understand emotions, emotional needs and positive practices. 

 

  • Tapped Axes, 5770 U.S. 10 – Opened December 2024. West Michigan’s newest axe-throwing destination offers a fun activity for individuals 12 years and older - whether participating recreationally with friends or in a league. Open for walk-ins or by reservation. Outside food and drink welcome (no glass). A portable, two-lane axe-throwing trailer debuted in May and is available to travel to parties and events. 

 

Other Summer Events 

The Ludington area is hosting a number of signature events this summer in addition to Love Ludington Weekend (see full list at PureLudington.com/events):

 

Ongoing Events