Things to Do in Frankfort Michigan – My Michigan Adventures

Visit Frankfort, MI: Perfect Lake Michigan Beach Town

Frankfort, MI is tucked away in the foothills at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the shores Lake Michigan.

It’s more than the windswept shores and turquoise-colored Lake Michigan that draw you in.

It’s the setting.

To reach Frankfort, take the M-22 down a hill. A picturesque village awaits you with the backdrop of sparkling Lake Michigan water.

The gently rolling hills will be visible as well as Betsie Lake, which is full of fishing boats and sailboats coming in from Lake Michigan.

Frankfort, MI is a small town that covers a little more than one square mile. But it will soon become a popular northern Michigan vacation spot.

Frankfort, MI.

This little Michigan beach town is surrounded water. There’s the wild, unpredictable Lake Michigan, and the beautiful Betsie Lake.

It is also nestled between Elberta Bluffs to the south and Sleeping Bear Dunes north.

Downtown Frankfort MI

Frankfort’s old-fashioned downtown is not the right place for you. It is progressive and well-informed. This is a cool spot in northern Michigan that boasts two major art centers.

Stormcloud Brewing Company, a well-known Benzie County craft brewery is located in Frankfort. The brewing company is located in Frankfort on Main Street, just a few blocks from Papanos Pizza, another favorite of My Michigan Beach.

Frankfort has everything you need for a memorable vacation. There are stunning beaches and bustling downtowns where you can find ice cream and fudge shops mixed with traditional drug stores, popular eateries and other attractions.

Continue reading to learn more about Frankfort, MI and Benzie County. Photo by Kathleen Smith/Frankfort moments

Frankfort, MI is well-known for…

Frankfort is the “Gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore”. It’s the ideal location to start exploring the dunes area.

Crystal Lake is the 9th largest inland lake in Michigan, and it’s one of the most stunning and beautiful.
The Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse’s spectacular sunsets are best captured from a comfortable bench on Lake Michigan’s Frankfort Beach
One of the best Michigan beaches towns. Charming downtown filled with cafes, gift shops and restaurants that are waiting to be discovered
The iconic Point Betsie Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country.
An active art community that celebrates and preserves the natural beauty of the region

Frankfort, MI Vacation

Charming Frankfort in Benzie County is a great place to vacation, as it’s located in some of the most beautiful parts of northern Michigan.

It is also near many of Michigan’s most popular spots, including Grand Traverse County; Manistee County and the Leelanau Peninsula.

Frankfort offers everything: amazing beaches, dunes, lighthouses and much more.

Families have made Frankfort’s beaches their vacation tradition for generations. They visit the lakefront beaches and rent cabins on Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake every year.

Frankfort is a great place to go if you are a lover of crystal clear water, soft sugar dunes, and small, charming towns.

Frankfort Weather

Frankfort, MI weather is typical for northern Michigan. It’s cold and snowy in winter but delightfully warm and sunny in summer. From June to September, temperatures will range between 70 F and 80 F.

The summer months can bring cooler mornings and evenings. Typically, the temperature is lower than 70-60 F. Photo by Kathleen Smith/Frankfort moments

Frankfort, MI Sunset

You haven’t seen a sunset like this until you see the sun set on Lake Michigan from Frankfort Beach.

Point Betsie’s stunning Lake Michigan sunsets are among the most spectacular in the world.

Take a seat at one of the benches along the shore and enjoy the spectacle as people walk along the pier towards the Frankfort north lighthouse. The sun is backlit from the sun.

You’ll never forget the moment you laid down on a blanket as the sun sets slowly in the deep waters of Lake Michigan. Photo by Kathleen Smith/Frankfort moments

Frankfort’s Vibrant Arts Community

Many artists have been inspired by Frankfort, a picturesque town on Lake Michigan’s shores.

There are many galleries and studios that you should check out, in addition to the annual arts and crafts fairs. These local artists can also be found online.

Gwen Frostic

Gwen Frostic, a local artist and naturalist, lived in the area from her death in 2001. Her work was influenced by her Benzie County surroundings.

Frostic’s stunning linoleum block art won her a place in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame as well as the hearts of art enthusiasts everywhere.

Oliver Art Center

The Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts, downtown Frankfort, promotes the advancement and promotion of the arts through workshops, classes, and exhibitions.

Ellie Harold Art Studio

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Ellie Harold will share her regional landscapes, still lives, and abstract oil paintings. Also, you can find note cards, calendars, and books in the studio.

Frankfort Moments

Visit Kathleen Smith, a local photographer from Frankfort Moments’ online store. Smith is a local photographer who has won numerous awards. Her work captures the beauty of this beautiful area.

Some of her photos of Point Betsie Lighthouse or the Lake Michigan shoreline may be familiar to you.

Best Beaches in Frankfort (MI)

Frankfort’s beaches are pure bliss. A perfect day on the beach is made possible by soft, sandy dunes and bluffs that cascade into Lake Michigan.

Frankfort’s Lake Michigan beaches are a great spot to enjoy a variety water sports, including kiteboarding and paddle boarding.

Below are more Frankfort beaches

Frankfort Beach (Anchor Road Beach)

Playground, Restrooms and Beach Swimming.

Elberta Beach

Swimming and Beaches, No Restrooms

Point Betsie Beach

Beach, Swimming, Lighthouse

Frankfort has dog-friendly beaches

Frankfort Beach

DOG RUN at the north end of the beach
231-352-7177

Elberta Beach

Beach Dogs are Allowed with Leashes
231-352-7201

Frankfort has ADA- and Wheelchair Accessible Beaches and Hiking Trails

Beach accessible for wheelchairs

Frankfort Beach is located in downtown Frankfort. It has a wonderful walkway that runs from the road to the pier.

Joy 2 Ride Benzie

The Betsie Valley Trail is one the most beautiful biking trails in Northwest Michigan.

Joy2Ride in Benzie County has launched “…, a groundbreaking program that allows individuals who are physically disabled to ride/pedal a bicycle to take part in our Betsie Valley Trail. It uses a wheelchair-friendly bike and volunteers to “pilot” the bike.

Things to do in Frankfort (MI)

Visitors have many activities to choose from, including a beach, dunes, and lighthouse that are all within walking distance of Frankfort’s bustling center.

Other areas of Benzie County also offer incredible opportunities for outdoor fun.

Point Betsie Lighthouse

The wild and beautiful Point Betsie with its stunning backdrop of Lake Michigan is one of America’s most photographed spots.

It’s not surprising: The wide, open beaches and waves of Lake Michigan provide a stunning backdrop to the Point Betsie Lighthouse.

Point Betsie is the Native American name for this area. The light, which is still operational and serves as a navigation aid, is a valuable landmark.

Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain, Michigan’s only alpine-sliding resort, is a top family resort.

This four-season, family-owned vacation spot is only 20 minutes away from Frankfort. It’s a great place to have fun in any season.

Crystal Mountain offers lodging, dining, cross-country and downhill skiing, two championship 18-hole courses, a splashpad, an outdoor pool, and a water playground.

Michigan Legacy Art Park

The Michigan Legacy Art Park was established in 1995 by David Barr. It is an outdoor sculpture park covering 30 acres located near Thompsonville, Michigan on the grounds Crystal Mountain Resort.

The immersive art experience includes 40 pieces of art and 1.6 miles worth of hiking trails.

Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake is Michigan’s ninth-largest inland lake. It gets its name because of its pristine water. The beach is located in Beulah, MI, and is mostly surrounded by private cottages. Learn more about Crystal Lake Public Beach.

[Image: Stormcloud Brewing Frankfort (MI)]

Frankfort Restaurants

Frankfort, MI offers a variety of dining options from casual to fine dining to fast casual. These are our top picks:

Birch and Maple
Crescent Bakery
Dinghys Bar and Restaurant
Frankz
Petals and Perks
Stormcloud Brewery
Fusion Restaurant
Port City Smokehouse

Frankfort Brewery – Stormcloud Brewing

Stormcloud Brewing, located in downtown Frankfort on Main Street, Michigan, is a casual spot that serves Belgian-style craft beer and flatbread pizza.

This is an enjoyable and delicious activity that should be included on every Frankfort trip.

Lodging in Frankfort (MI)

Lake Michigan Beach Rentals

You will find a variety of vacation rentals available in Frankfort and the surrounding Benzie County areas.

There are many vacation rentals available along the Crystal Lake shoreline. These include privately-owned rentals and at Chimney Corners which is a casual family resort.

These rentals are often located on the beach or have access to the beach. These links will help you find Frankfort cabin rentals.

Airbnb
Crystal Vacation Rentals
Flipkey
HolidayHomes
Hometogo
VRBO

Crystal Mountain Resort

The resort community offers a wide range of lodging options, including hotels, condominium units, vacation cottages, and homes.

This resort is located only 20 minutes from Frankfort and features beautiful grounds and wonderful amenities.

Find more Michigan Beaches and Beach Towns
Are you looking for information about other Michigan beaches or Michigan beach towns?

Michigan has many stunning spots to enjoy a Michigan beach vacation.

You can use the My Michigan Beach Map to find Michigan beaches and Michigan towns so that you can begin planning your Michigan vacation right away.