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Michigan’s top beach has 3 playgrounds, concessions, boat launch - and more

• Updated: Aug. 23, 2024, 2:10 p.m.
• | Published: Aug. 22, 2024, 6:55 a.m.

A view of the dog beach at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

• Justine Lofton | [email protected]

MANISTEE, MI – There are a lot of reasons this Up North beach on the shore of Lake Michigan was voted the best in the state .

Manistee’s First Street Beach/Douglas Park complex has everything visitors could want or need for a spectacular day - or vacation - in the sand.

Amenities include three playgrounds, a bathhouse with concessions, a dog park, a dog beach, pavilions, a gazebo used for summer concerts surrounded by grills and picnic tables, a large boat launch, a fish-cleaning station, tennis and basketball courts, baseball diamonds, access to the city’s riverwalk, two walkable piers, and a five-story hotel.

In May, it won the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice award for best beach in Michigan .

RELATED: Up North Lake Michigan beach named best in the state

The park, 100 S. Lakeshore Drive, is comprised of two loops and the waterfront. There’s so much to do and see, that visitors could spend a couple hours, the day or even a whole vacation.

Concerts, festivals, fireworks, fishing tournaments and more take place here throughout the year. Parking is free and plentiful all over the park.

The main beach is ADA-accessible, has a life vest and safety station, the bathhouse, and a volleyball net.

Let’s go through the amenities one at a time.

A view of the bathhouse at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

The bathhouse is a core amenity at First Street Beach. It’s located at on the main beach right next to the parking lot.

This is where you’ll find the concession stand, restrooms, changing rooms, a foot-washing station, the beach warning system and an open area with picnic tables. There’s even a sunblock dispenser.

Run by Lake Gulls Concessions & Rentals , the concession stand menu includes hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, wraps, salads and snacks.

A view of the Lions Pavilion at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Pavilions and picnic tables

There are picnic tables and shade structures all over this park.

One of the main areas is the Lions Pavilion, which is available to rent out. Next to the pavilion, there are six small shade structures, each equipped with two picnic tables and a charcoal grill. This area is in the north loop, just past the boat launch.

Find more picnic tables and pavilions in the south loop across from the main beach area.

A view of one of three playgrounds at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Three playgrounds

Families with young children will find lots to do here, including playing at three playgrounds.

These playgrounds are from varying eras.

The one on the beach features tall metal slides - yes, the old-style slides that get burning hot - swings and tetherball. Park at the beach.

The other two playgrounds are in the south loop of the park. Both feature rocket-shaped structures. One is a brand-new playscape with structures for different ages and abilities, plus a picnic shelter. The other is on the older side with metal slides and wooden climbing structures. Park anywhere along the second loop or in the large boat trailer parking lot in the north loop.

Michael Lofton, 47, and Arya Lofton, 2, both of Ludington, wade in Lake Michigan with their dogs, Kal and Ivar, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, at the dog beach area of First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Find this serene little dog beach along the north loop of the park near the Lions Pavilion.

This beach is situated between the stub pier and the south pierhead. The water here is generally calm since the piers shelter it from Lake Michigan’s wave action.

Dogs are welcome here, and it’s a great spot for small children. Its usually quieter and less crowded than the main beach.

Get down to the water by following any of the sandy trails through the beach grass, or start on the sidewalk near the south end of the parking lot.

A view of the dog park at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

The dog park is at the south end of the south loop. There are a few parking spot right at the fence, and lots more nearby.

This recently upgraded park features wooden agility equipment and an innovative water system that delivers water into a fixed dog bowl.

There are large- and small-dog areas, both almost completely shaded in the afternoon. There are two dog waste bag dispensers.

A view of a gazebo at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. The gazebo serves as a venue for summer concerts. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Gazebo area

The gazebo area is in the south loop. This area includes a pavilion, picnic tables and charcoal grills.

In the summertime, the gazebo is the venue for the Manistee Shoreline Showcase summer concert series.

A view of the boat launch at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Boat launch and fish cleaning station

The boat launch is near the entrance to the park, on the right of the north loop.

Boats launch into the Manistee River channel, a short distance from Lake Michigan. There are eight docks, four of which are universally accessible.

There’s ample trailer parking across from the launch area. The fish cleaning station is in the parking lot.

Use of the boat launch is $10 per day, or $50 for an annual pass to all city boat launches.

The stub pier near the Lions Pavilion is also used for fishing.

A view of basketball courts at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Sports fields and courts

There are several sporting fields and courts throughout the park, including basketball courts, lighted tennis courts, a beach volleyball court and two lighted softball fields.

An 18-hole disc golf course is also dispersed throughout the park.

The Manistee Riverwalk is a 1.5-mile accessible trail along the Manistee River Channel that connects downtown to the city's popular Lake Michigan beach and park complex. Tanda Gmiter | [email protected]

Manistee Riverwalk

The 1.5-mile scenic Manistee Riverwalk ends at the stub pier near the Lions Pavilion. The accessible trail along the Manistee River channel connects downtown Manistee to the beach complex.

A view of First Street Beach and the south pierhead in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Manistee’s south pier sits between the main beach area the dog beach. The wide flat surface is good for a short walk on days when Lake Michigan is calm.

The stub pier near the Lions Pavilion is good spot for fishing and boat watching. This pier has railings.

The Beach Bar at Hampton Inn & Suites Manistee Waterfront provides food and drinks with a panoramic view of Lake Michigan across the street at Manistee's award-winning First Street Beach. Seating options include shaded couches, loungers, Michigan map-shaped chairs around electric firepits, bar seating, picnic tables in the sand, swings and more. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

Hampton Inn & Suites

The beachfront Hampton Inn & Suites is new to the beach area as of summer 2023. This five-story hotel features a top-floor restaurant with amazing views of Lake Michigan. At ground level, check out the outdoor beach bar (alcohol must stay on the premises).

See more photos below.

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A view of the fish cleaning station at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

A view of an accessible observation deck at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

A view of Lake Michigan from a grassy area near the picnic shelters and Lions Pavilion at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

A view of picnic shelters and the Lions Pavilion at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

A view of the playground on the sand at First Street Beach in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

A view of First Street Beach in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

A view of a disc golf hole at First Street Beach/Douglas Park in Manistee, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Justine Lofton | [email protected]

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