Welcome to Manistee County, Michigan

Manistee County grew with the lumbering boom , so typical of West Michigan. In it's day the City of Manistee flourished as one of the busiest ports on the Great Lakes.

The beauty of the area attracts many tourists with its natural beauty, uniqueness and old-fashioned hometown feeling. Manistee offers many recreational and cultural activities. Unique shops, rustic to luxury lodging, State and National Forests, excellent recreational facilities, sport fishing, lakes, rivers, museums and the Historic Ramsdell Theatre all make Manistee County a great place to live or visit. Tourism is a major factor in the economic profile of Manistee County.

Manistee County is experiencing outstanding development and economic growth with millions of dollars invested in private and public projects. The State of Michigan, in 1997, gave Manistee County a "Tax Free" Renaissance Zone Designation. A City Industrial Park, land in Manistee Township, Kaleva Industrial Park, buildings in the City of Manistee, and Filer Charter Township are included in the Renaissance Zone. Little River Casino and Oaks State Correctional Facility are Manistee County's largest employers.

Coastline villages in Manistee County include Onekama, Arcadia and Bear Lake. Inland communities include Copemish, Kaleva, Brethren and Wellston. Each is unique in its own way, but common to all is a warm welcome to visitors and new residents.

Manistee - Manistee, when first settled in 1841, became a lumbering town. Manistee is called "The Victorian Port City" due to its elegant downtown section of well-preserved, turn-of- the-century buildings. The historic architecture and boardwalk along the waterfront make dining, shopping and sight-seeing a pleasant experience. A short distance away is Lake Michigan with a swimming beach, park, pier head, catwalk and lighthouse.

Onekama - The village of Onekama (pronounced Oh-neck-uh-muh) holds all the appeal that makes Northern Michigan a great place to visit or live. Not only does it rest on its own Portage Lake, but via a channel there is access to Lake Michigan. Activities in the area include fishing, boating, kayaking, golf and cross-country skiing.

Arcadia - Arcadia ("Peaceful") is one of a group of small villages along the western border of Michigan, facing Lake Michigan. Arcadia has a historical museum, restaurants, a post office, law office, shops and marinas.

Bear Lake - Bear Lake is located just five miles from Lake Michigan shores. Campgrounds, antique shops, restaurants, a golf course, a western theme park and riding stable are nearby. Camping, biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, kayaking, fishing and hunting bring visitors to the area.

Kaleva - Kaleva is ten miles from Lake Michigan and eight miles from Crystal Mountain Resort. A local tourist attraction is the Bottle House which houses the Kaleva Historical Museum. It was built by John Makinen out of 60,000 bottles from the local bottling factory.

Brethren - The town is about ten miles from Lake Michigan and 10 miles from Crystal Mountain Resort. Brethren being located in the Manistee National Forest affords many activities - hiking, hunting, bird watching, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and much more.

Wellston - Things to do while in Wellston are fishing, mushrooming, hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, hunting, snowmobiling and bird watching. Area amenities include restaurants, tackle shops, grocery stores, convenience stores, campgrounds and casinos.

March	St. Patrick's Day Parade, Manistee, 231-723-1031
June	Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival. An annual music festival held at the Dickson Township Park in Brethren, third Saturday in June.
June	Concert in the Park Series. Monday nights through mid-August. Onekama. 231-889-6111.
July	Manistee National Forest. Festival July 4th celebration. First Street Beach, Manistee. 231-723-2575.
July	Lakeside Tour of Homes. Manistee. 231-723-8955.
August	Onekama Days. Arts and crafts show, Las Vegas night, parade, children's activities, food. Manistee County Fairgrounds. 231-889-9650.
August	Kaleva Heritage Days. 231-362-3480.
September	Victorian Port City Festival. Manistee. 231-723-2575.
September	Brethren Days. 231-477-5864.
December	Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend. Manistee. 231-723-2575.
December	Christmas in Bear Lake. Bear Lake. 231-864-3491.