Manistee is a northern Michigan lake town with natural charm
With Victorian homes, waterside recreation and a downtown that comes to life in the summer, Manistee feels like a classic Michigan lake city. The population tends to double in the warmer months as tourists and vacation homeowners come to town. However, Manistee is still a small fishing town anchored by manufacturing businesses, smaller than nearby Ludington and far removed from the busyness of Traverse City . Leah Gannon, a Realtor with Lighthouse Realty and a city native for over 10 years, says that Manistee "feels like a hidden gem." She explains that although home prices tend to be lower, all the recreation of lakeside living is still available. "Our favorite thing is the fishing," Gannon says. "But there's also kayaking, and the kids like to play in the water. The beaches are great, and there are trails to hike — even just walking the riverwalk is so calming on a beautiful day."
Older homes have Victorian flavor and varied price points
Manistee was once home to lumber barons during the town's heyday in the late 1800s. Although some elaborate Victorian and Queen Anne architecture from that time remains, many older homes have simpler gabled roofs and front porches. Smaller bungalows and ranch-style homes were added in the years that followed, and a few modern lakeside condos are available. "There are still some houses getting built, but not a ton of new construction," Gannon says. "The majority of homes are from the 1980s or older."
Manistee's median home sale price is around $230,000, but prices can vary significantly. Investment properties start under $100,000, with move-in-ready homes going for $100,000 to $500,000. Above $500,000, houses typically have more space or waterside views, with some luxury properties selling for over $1 million.
Recreation is centered around water and Michigan's wilderness
Life in the city revolves around the water. The Manistee River is popular for kayaking and a pedestrian riverwalk, and Manistee Lake is a fishing destination with plenty of marinas for boat storage. On the Lake Michigan side, sandy beaches surround a historic lighthouse, and boaters can head out into open water. "A lot of the people who live here have boats," Gannon says. "And it's a fishing community for sure."
Within a 15-minute drive, locals can head into rural Michigan to reach more sandy beaches, hunting areas, campgrounds and nature preserves with giant sequoia trees. Public golfing options include the lakeside Manistee Golf & Country Club and Manistee National Golf & Resort, which has three courses to choose from.
Facilities at Manistee Area Public Schools have been renovated
Younger students may attend Manistee Elementary School, which opened in 2025 and is not yet graded by Niche. The Manistee Elementary building was fully renovated as part of a $30 million project to modernize facilities across the district. Older kids attend Manistee Middle/High School, rated B-minus. The middle school received a brand-new gymnasium during renovations.
Historic downtown with artsy attractions and upcoming plans
Downtown Manistee is lined with boutiques and restaurants, including the historic atmosphere at TJ's Pub or the upscale waterside dining at Bluefish Kitchen + Bar. After grabbing a bite to eat, locals can catch a show at The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts or the renovated Vogue Theatre, which still has original neon signage from 1938. Downtown is due for a $90 million renovation in the coming years, as the local Little River Band of Ottawa Indians invests in a new hotel, mixed-use commercial space and multifamily housing. For grocery shopping, the city's south side has a Family Fare Supermarket, and there's a Meijer about 3 miles north of the river.
Events include water skiing squirrels and sleigh rides with Santa
Like most Michigan lake towns, Manistee has a stacked summer lineup of events. There's live music, farmers markets and the five-day Manistee National Forest Festival, which has been going on for over 85 years. The festival includes a carnival, Fourth of July fireworks over Lake Michigan and performances from Twiggy, a well-known water-skiing squirrel.
According to Gannon, one of the town's biggest events happens after summer activity has died down. The holiday Victorian Sleighbell Parade feels like it's from another time, with people dressed in Victorian garb and no motorized vehicles allowed. As a finale, a team of draft horses pulls a sleigh with Santa and a large tree to light the downtown square. "It's very old-school Hallmark movie," Gannon says.
Hometown employers and a local airport connecting to Chicago
Lake Manistee is home to several large manufacturing companies and three salt production factories, including Morton Salt. Other major employers include the Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital, Little River Casino Resort and Oaks Correctional Facility.
Commuting workers can hop on U.S. Route 31 to leave town. It takes about 60 miles to reach Traverse City and under 120 miles to reach Grand Rapids. The local Manistee County Blacker Airport also has limited commercial flights to the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago . "You hop the lake for 60 bucks, and then you can go anywhere else from Chicago," Gannon says.
![Catherine Lashley]()
Written By
Catherine Lashley
