Fun Things to do in Port Austin Michigan

Port Austin MI is a great place to visit if you are looking for fun places to vacation.

This spot is located at the tip of Michigan and offers a sandy beach that’s perfect for swimming or splashing. There’s also a charming downtown and a beautiful new walkwayable harbor area.

Port Austin, Michigan, is the perfect place for you if you love exploring historical lighthouses and discovering ice cream shops with old-fashioned soda fountains.

Continue reading to find a Michigan beach getaway spot that is bursting with summer fun.

Explore Port Austin, MI

Port Austin, Michigan is a great summer getaway town. For beach-goers who enjoy the soft sand of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay and the warm waters, Michigan’s thumb has long been a popular vacation spot.

It’s a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of modern life: Port Austin’s historic buildings are home to small cafés and unique shops.

It is a charming and comfortable spot for a beach vacation. The Port Austin Farmers Market, which brings fresh produce from nearby farms to the area, draws large crowds frequently. It is also one of the most visited farmers markets in the State!

Downtown Port Austin

Visitors to the area should not miss the popular farmers market. It is jam-packed with fresh, seasonal produce and homemade breads.

There are many beaches, parks, and other places for hiking and outdoor activities in and around Port Austin. It’s an amazing little town.

Port Austin’s centerpiece is the large, well-maintained marina in Port Austin. It features a walkable cement pier and break wall that extends into the bay.

You can also find fishing charters here.

Port Austin is fun and beautiful. It’s a small village near the bay with charm, but with a resort-town feel. This is the perfect resort town right at the tip.

Things to do and see in Port Austin

The beautiful Port Crescent State Park is home to many outdoor adventures. It is also one of Michigan’s Dark Sky Preserves and a great spot to view the northern lights .

The Huron County Nature Center is a wilderness forest arboretum with 120 acres of unspoiled woods and dunes, connected by trails.

Nearby Grindstone City is a ghost town in Huron County that was once the largest producer of grinding stones used to sharpen saws and other tools.

Follow Pointe Aux Barques Rd. You’ll find it by going east from the town. Port Hope, a picturesque port town on Lake Huron, might be a good option. White Church Gallery features the work of 30 Michigan artists.

Turnip Rock is a stunning rock formation that can be reached by kayak off the coast of Port Austin. You can also kayak to the Port Austin Reef Light, or follow the Broken Rocks Trail for a scenic water trail.

Veterans Waterfront Park features a small swimming area, playground, volleyball court and picnic facilities. There is also a veteran’s monument.

The breakwater’s scenic walkway offers spectacular views of Lake Huron, Port Austin Reef Lighthouse, and the marina.

Bird Creek County Park is a seven-acre day-use park with a wooden walkway and picnic shelters. It also has a sandy beach. Bird Creek Park offers stunning waterfront views and is located just steps away from Lake St.

Port Austin Weather

The weather in Caseville during the warm summer months (May through September) is nothing short of spectacular.

The summer heat can reach 70 F to 90 F, warm the bay waters and making them swim-able.

Port Austin Sunsets

Port Austin can be found along Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay. Port Austin’s coastline is west-facing due to its unique location at the tip of Michigan Thumb.

Visitors can enjoy stunning sunsets over the water as the glowing fireball sinks into the lake.

If you are in the area, make sure to head out to the beach at night to see the stunning sunset over Port Austin.

Port Austin Beaches

Port Austin, Michigan beaches are among the most beautiful and popular in the state.

The Village of Port Austin is home to the well-maintained Village Green and Veteran’s Waterfront Park. Continue southwest on Port Austin Rd. Port Crescent State Park is located just 20 miles from Caseville. It houses some of the most unique sand dunes on Lake Huron.

Continue onward to discover McGraw County Park and other beautiful Huron County Parks.

These beaches are described in detail in our Guide To The Best Beaches In Port Austin. Information on accessibility for people with disabilities and dog-friendliness is also included.

Huron County Parks

Port Austin is found in Huron County. This county owns and operates some the most stunning Huron beaches.

These beaches include two day-use beaches: McGraw Park and Philp Park , which are simple, clean, well-maintained…and extremely convenient.

You’ll be greeted by a 360-degree view of Lake Huron’s sparkling Saginaw Bay when you park your car in the lot.

You can bring your cooler and relax on the wide, sandy beaches.

Oak Beach County Park in offers swimming, fishing, 55 RV and tent campsites, as well as a convenience shop.

Visit Port Austin and Huron County

Port Austin

Downtown Port Austin is a living history centre: small shops, cafes, and local businesses line Lake Street.

This is Michigan’s shoreline community heaven. It is a great place to spend an afternoon exploring.

These are our favorite Port Austin spots:

Lighthouse Cafe – A casual breakfast and brunch spot, located at the intersection of M-53 (the main road from Bad Axe in MI ) and the water. You can also enjoy home-cooked meals with a beautiful view of the water.

Paks Backyard is a cute, comfortable café and beer garden that’s a favorite spot all summer.

Po at Austin Dime Store– This fun little place has been a popular destination for tourists looking for souvenirs or other beach trinkets for years. You can still find everything you need, from homemade fudge to beachwear. This is the perfect place to pick up some Port Austin swag.

Port Austin Kayak and Bike– If you’re visiting Port Austin, this is the place to go. Here you can choose between renting a kayak or a bicycle…or both. This spot offers everything you need for a great way to explore Port Austin on foot or by water.

The shop staff is friendly and eager to help you find the best trails, rock trails or bike routes. You’ll find interesting information about the Thumb Heritage Water Trail and the Pinnebog River nearby.

Huron County

Grindstone general store This historic ice cream shop is 134 years old and continues to offer the best ice cream in Michigan. You can see the deer in the wooded area at dusk.

Harbor Beach Located near Port Austin, this quiet lakeside community boasts one the city’s best trail systems. It includes the paved Harbor View Trail as well as the Backus Nature Trail. This trail system is great for bikers and hikers. Also, it’s a stop on Thumb Heritage Water Trail which runs along Saginaw Bay.

Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Located near Port Austin, Michigan’s historic Huron City, is the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse. It is one of the oldest lighthouses located in Michigan.

Pointe Aux Barques, French for “Point of the Little Ships”, is a tribute to the number of broken rocks and boulders that line this stretch of the Lake Huron coastline. This lighthouse, which is still active and maintained by the U.S Coast Guard in Lighthouse County Park, is an amazing spot to explore.

Kayak to Turnip Rock – For those who are curious, no, it is not possible to walk to Turnip Rock. This stunning rock formation is accessible only by kayak, paddleboard, or other watercraft.

The trip is 3.5 miles each way, but the uninhabited island is well worth it. For maps, kayak rentals and other great information, visit Port Austin Kayak

Things to Do in Port Austin

Port Austin is home to the sandy dunes at Port Crescent State Park, as well as many beaches and county parks.

Here are some fun things you can do if you want to go beyond the beach.

Knoblock Horse Riding Stable– Come by these stables outside of Port Austin to spend the day on the trails.

Butterfly House – Walk along a path that is surrounded by flowers and plants to learn about the different species of Michigan butterflies. The Butterfly House opens in the early summer and remains open until the butterflies migrate south in the fall.

Port Austin Reef Lighthouse The Port Austin Lighthouse can be found 2.5 miles from Port Austin. This historic lighthouse, located above Lake Huron’s rocky reef, can be viewed virtually.

Port Austin: Where to Stay

Port Austin Hotels, Motels and Inns

Beachcomber Hotel and Suites – Located right on the shores of Lake Huron, this retro motel is close to the harbor, break wall, and waterfront park.

The Garfield Inn– This stately manor, built in the mid-1800s, was once a private residence that President James Garfield frequented. This elegant residence is now a luxurorius Inn. It has six rooms for lodging, and three acres of country landscaping. There’s also a lovely Victorian-styled garden for relaxation and rest.

L akeside Motor Lodge– You can choose from downtown Port Austin motel rooms and lakeside cabins.

Port Austin Vacation Rentals

You can choose from cabins and privately-owned rentals, both on the waterfront or in-town, to rent a vacation rental in Port Austin.

These links will help you find a Port Austin cabin to rent.

Airbnb
Dale’s Lakefront Cottages
VRBO

Explore nearby Caseville, MI

Caseville is located just down the M-25 highway from Port Austin. It’s a beautiful drive.

It’s easy to see the ocean from this coast drive, even though it is dotted with cottages and private homes. You can also pull into many roadside parks to enjoy a picnic or a little respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.