Lighthouse B&B's

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

Website:  Big Bay Lighthouse B&B

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

Website: Sand Hills Lighthouse B&B

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

Website: Whitefish Point Light - Crews Quarters

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:

Denice's Blog Post on Whitefish Point Light

JACOBSVILLE LIGHTHOUSE:

LOCATION: 38741 Jacobs Street , Lake Linden, Michigan, (USA)

(906) 523-4137

Website:  Jacobsville Lighthouse Inn

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

Website: Two Harbors Lighthouse B&B

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

Website:  West Point Light B&B - PEI 

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:

Michigan Lighthouse Keeper Program

For more information on lighthouse accommodations, please click on the following link:

Lighthouse Accommodations

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.