Michigan is surrounded by four of
the five Great Lakes (Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and
Lake Erie). This gives Michigan almost 3,300 miles of shoreline
(second in the United States after Alaska). As a result, you are
never more than two hours away from enjoying the beauty and
recreational activities of a Great Lake.
Because Michigan has so many
miles of shoreline, it has the most lighthouses than any other U.S.
state. Of the approximately 120 existing lighthouses, Michigan has
about 35 that are open to the public as museums or bed and breakfast
inns. So, I am thrilled to stay overnight at a lighthouse that has
been converted into a Bed & Breakfast.
What I love about Michigan’s
lighthouses is that they are not “cookie-cutter” lighthouses.
Michigan’s lighthouses vary in size, design, and shape making every
lighthouse unique … and each one has a story to tell. Yeah, some
stories are about haunted lighthouses … like the Big Bay
Lighthouse.
Big Bay Lighthouse B&B:
LOCATION: 3 Lighthouse Road, Big Bay, Michigan (USA)
(906) 345-9957
The light was first lit in 1894,
automated in 1941, and deactivated in 1961. It became a Bed &
Breakfast in 1986 and has
seven guest rooms.
We are greeted by Jeff (the
owner) who gives us a quick tour of the public spaces. We have
stayed here twice - both times between Christmas and New Years.
During our first visit (1993), we stayed in the Assistant Beamer Room
which has a view of Lake
Superior and the woods. During our second visit (2014), we stayed in the Helper Fleury room
with a
queen-size bed, private bath, and
a view of the woods/driveway.
Assistant Beamer Room
Helper Fleury Room
The keeper's
house consists of 14
rooms in a 52' x 52' two-story brick building. The
lighthouse was originally a duplex - a mirror image on each side. So
there are two stairways facing each other but the dividing wall has
been removed so guests can see both sets of stairs through “windows”.
Double Stairway
We eat our dinner (subs) in the
dining room and then retire to the living room where music is softly
playing. The Christmas tree is decorated with lighthouse ornaments
(how appropriate).
Dining Room
Living Room
Big Bay Lighthouse Christmas Tree Ornament
On
the second floor is the library (located in the tower). We curl up
on the couch and watch a DVD about Lake Michigan lighthouses - and
ghost stories. Big Bay Point Light is included. One ghost story
involves William
Prior (the first lighthouse keeper at Big Bay). He vanished in 1901
and his body was found almost a year and a half later hanging from a
tree about a mile from the lighthouse. Did he commit suicide or was
it murder? This red-haired ghost has been reported to be seen in
mirrors and doors have a tendency to bang in the middle of the night.
Later, Brad sees Jeff and asks him about the ghost story. He
flatly denies any of it saying it was the former owner's idea for
publicity.
Library
In the morning, we have a hot
gourmet breakfast. Before we leave the lighthouse, we make a quick
trip up the tower stairs to go outside on the widow's walk for a
blustery view of Lake Superior. The
60’ tall brick tower is 120 feet above the surface of Lake
Superior. The view is
great but the weather isn’t – it’s windy and so cold we can see
our breath. Our next visit here should be in warmer weather!
Tower View
SAND
HILLS LIGHTHOUSE:
LOCATION:
6029 Five Mile Point Road, Allouez/Ahmeek, Michigan, USA
(906)
337-1744
Located
on
the western shore in
the Keweenaw Peninsula of
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this Lake Superior lighthouse was built
in 1917 and was automated in 1939. It was sold at a government
auction in 1958. A few years later, Bill Frabotta purchased
the lighthouse and began the major undertaking of renovating it. It
was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 27,
1994. In 1995, the lighthouse opened as a Bed & Breakfast with eight
guest rooms. Each has a private bath and a queen or king size bed.
We
have stayed at this lighthouse four times. During our first (1998) and third (2017) visit,
we stayed in the cozy Southwest Quarters Room. During our second visit (2016),
we had the guest room on the main floor. It
has a queen-size bed, private bath, and
a
private/separate entrance (with
cement steps).
Also,
you should know that guests staying in this room must
go outside and
walk along the side of the lighthouse to the porch entrance in order
to enter into
the lighthouse’s living room/dining room. This
may be a little inconvenient during inclement weather. For us, it
wasn’t a concern. During our most recent visit (2018), we stayed int he Sir Laurence Olivier (aka King) Room on the second floor. This corner room has a canopy king size bed and a view of Lake Superior.
Southwest Quarters Room
Main Floor Guest Room
Sir Laurence Olivier Room
Upon
our arrival, we are greeted by Mary. She takes us to the top of the
lighthouse tower. Don’t forget to bring your camera! If you are
not afraid of heights, go out and walk around the widow’s walk for
an awesome view of Lake Superior (and for us the fall color!). Mary
shares some of the history about this beautiful yellow square brick
building.
On the Widow's Walk
Tower View - Lake Superior and Fall Color
Fresnel Lens - Similar to Original Lens is on Display
When we enter from the lakeside porch, we see, a beautiful staircase that separates the dining room and living room. It is here n the evening where guests can enjoy a yummy treat while Mary
plays the piano (she will take requests!). By the way, the paino has a remarkable story behind it!
Beautiful Wood Staircase
Living Room
The
delicious buffet breakfast is served in the dining room. With a full house, it can be a
bit crowded in the morning when guests gather for breakfast.
Fortunately, Mary has been doing this for a long time
and has a developed an orderly system that works.
WHITEFISH
POINT LIGHT – CREWS QUARTERS:
Crews Quarters
View from Tower
LOCATION:
18335 North Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, Michigan (USA).
(888)
492-3747
While
you are not staying in the lighthouse, you are on lighthouse
property. The lighthouse complex includes the original U.S. Coast
Guard building that was built in 1923. The building has been
restored and now serves as an informal Bed & Breakfast with five
guest rooms (one the first floor and the rest on the second floor). We stayed in the Assistant Chief Room #3 (second floor) with a view of Lake Superior and the lighthouse.
For
details on this lodging opportunity, I invite you to view my blog
post on “Whitefish Point – Light, Lodging, and Lake Superior" by clicking on the following link:
LOCATION:
38741 Jacobs
Street , Lake Linden, Michigan, (USA)
(906) 523-4137
This brick lighthouse was built in 1869. It is located on the eastern shore of
the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After it was decommissioned in 1958, it was sold as surplus property. Utlimately, Mike and Cheri bought the lighthouse and opened it as a B&B in 2005. Currently, there are two guest rooms (one on
the main floor and one on the second floor) each with a private bath. This is a place to relax and unwind from the day-to-day hassles.
When we arrive, we are given a warm welcome by the owners. Mike gives us a tour of the lighthouse and takes us to the top of the white tower (65 steps) for a great view of Lake Superior and the Jacobsville Pier Light.
Tower View
Jacobsville Pier Light
During our 2018 visit, we stayed in the main floor guest room. It has a queen-size bed, private bath, and a view of Keweenaw Bay from the bedroom and bathroom.
Main Floor Guest Room & View
The addition to the lighthouse is the dining/living room area.
It’s location is a bit “off the beaten
path” but I find that appealing. There is a lot to see and do in
“Copper Country” and this would be a quiet getaway.
Of course, Michigan isn't the only place to find Lighthouse B&B's. Here's a couple more...
LIGHTHOUSE
B&B:
Two Harbors Lighthouse
Fresnel Lens on Display
LOCATION:
1 Lighthouse Point, Two Harbors, Minnesota (USA)
(888)
832-5606
First
lit in 1892, the Two Harbors Lighthouse still serves as an active aid
to navigation providing safe passage from Lake Superior into Agate
Bay Harbor. In 1999, the ownership of the Two Harbors Light Station
was transferred to the Lake County Historical Society. During that
same year, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and opened as a Bed & Breakfast.
Inside
the lighthouse are three guest rooms with queen-size beds (all on the
second floor). These rooms share a common bathroom. The other
option is the Skiff House which is located near the lighthouse. It
has a queen-size bed and a private bathroom.
We
have stayed here twice (2012 and 2015). Both times we were in the
Harbor Room (someone else was staying in the Skiff House). The
Harbor Room has a partial view of Lake Superior as well as the ore
docks where freighters are often seen.
Harbor Room
Skiff House
Freighter at Ore Dock
No
stay at a lighthouse would be complete without climbing the tower
stairs. The stairway to the top has a variety of displays including
blueprints, photographs and other historic information. Since this
is an active light, we are not able to access the lantern room or the
widow’s walk.
Tower Stairway to the Top
Light in Tower
In the morning, we enjoy a hot
breakfast in the dining room with the friendly folks from the Skiff
House.
Dining Room
Living Room
Two Harbors
is located at Mile 24 of Minnesota’s beautiful North Shore Drive
making it a convenient location for visiting this area.
WEST
POINT LIGHTHOUSE B&B:
LOCATION: 364
Cedar Dunes Park Rd, O'Leary, Prince Edward Island C0B 1V0, Canada
(902) 859-3605
Built in 1875, this lovely
lighthouse is still active. It is also a designated Heritage Site.
It currently serves as a museum and a seasonal B&B (since 1987)
with 13 guest rooms. The rooms are furnished with queen or king
beds.
I’m sure a lot has changed
(like the bed sizes) since our overnight stay in 2000. We were in
the area photographing some of PEI’s many lighthouses. Near
sunset, we arrived at West Point Lighthouse. We noticed it was a
museum, restaurant, and Inn. On a whim by hubby inquired about
availability. They had one room left (Room #1). It had a double bed
(how romantic!) and a private bath. I regret not photographing the
interior of the lighthouse and its rooms but that was in the days of
film for us. Now, with digital images and high capacity memory cards
… well, I go crazy photographing everything!
During our overnight stay, there
was a full moon … look - two night lights!
West Point Light at Night
What
can I say? I am a lighthouse lover and a lighthouse is a perfect
place for a bed and breakfast.
Want
a unique vacation? Retired and looking for something to do? If
you are interested in a “hands-on” lighthouse experience, you might
consider the Lighthouse Keepers Program. It is described as:
“These
programs are a “pay to play” type of program where you are
charged a fee, just like staying at a hotel or extended stay
apartment, but your job is to stay and work at the lighthouse.
During your stay at a lighthouse, keeper(s) will be responsible for a
variety of duties, including greeting guests, providing information
about the history of the lighthouse, helping in the gift shop and
taking care of the various artifacts located in the lighthouse
museum. Training is usually provided on-site upon arrival. You will
learn a lot and get a small taste of what life was like for the light
keepers of yester-years. Typical
stays range from one week to three weeks.”
Enjoy
being a light keeper at places like Point Betsie or Old Mission Point
(both on Lake Michigan).
Point Betsie
Old Mission Point
For information on Michigan’s
Lighthouse Keepers Program, please visit the following link:
For
more information on lighthouse accommodations, please click on the
following link:
In
the meantime, there is a lighthouse keeping its light on just for
you.
Since
opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a
trusted travel source for current reviews.
