Manistee County Winter Side Quests

Winter is full of side quests. The beauty of Manistee County is how close everything feels.
Trails lead to cafés, adventures lead to small-town charm, and every stop carries a story.

So after your next winter thrill, don’t head home. Ask yourself: Where to next?
Explore these winter adventures in Manistee County.

If you cross-country skied or fat biked the Big M …

… warm up in historic Downtown Manistee. After gliding (or riding) through the pines at Big M, reward yourself with a cozy dinner or warm-up cocktail (or both) at one of downtown Manistee’s restaurants. TJ’s Pub, BlueFish Kitchen + Bar, The Golden Stag, Fricano’s and Taco ‘Bout It each offer fun atmospheres, tasty foods and fun drinks while you watch the snow fall and refuel for your next adventure.

If you spent the morning ice fishing on Portage Lake or Bear Lake …

… try an afternoon pub crawl. Swap your fishing shanty for a barstool and sample winter brews and drinks. A stout pairs particularly well with storytelling, especially about “the one that got away.” The Blue Slipper in Onekama is the oldest tavern in the county. (Ask the bartender about the bullet hole in the bar.) Barstools are also comfy at Grille 44 or Rosie’s in Bear Lake, and The Bungalow, Jailhouse, The Painted Lady and Chopo’s in Manistee.

If you winter paddled on the Pine River or Manistee River …

… chase the stars on our dark-sky trails. Keep the wilderness theme alive with quiet, nighttime views under some of Michigan’s clearest winter skies. Bring a thermos of cocoa, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch the aurora.

If you took the kids skiing at Caberfae Peaks or Crystal Mountain …

… head to Manistee’s Vogue Theatre for a family flick. Warm up in the historic movie house with fresh popcorn and an old-school marquee. It’s a perfect way to cap off an afternoon outdoors. (Be sure to go to Backstage Hobbies and Games and Riverside Toys afterward. The Outsider has a room full of pinball.)

If you snowmobiled through our 450+ mile regional trail network …

… reward yourself with a tavern-style pizza or broasted chicken at Redneck Yacht Club. Nothing hits like a hot pizza or tasty chicken after a day of high-speed cold air. And the RYC has snowmobile parking! If you’re feeling burgers, Trak’s, North Channel Brewery and The Outsider have you covered.