North Pier and Lighthouse; Tourist Park beach

Walking or biking south along First Street from downtown presents options for two little adventures, first to the pier and then across the Menominee River bridge. (See separate point of interest for Menekaunee.) You can veer left and stay along the lake, passing some houses with nifty gardens before turning left again at Tourist Park opposite Third Avenue, and heading out Harbor Drive to the North Pier Light, about a mile away from downtown. Once Ann Arbor Railroad carferries, sailing across Lake Michigan from Ludington, docked on what is now Tourist Park (906-863-7652). Here are a swimming beach (no lifeguards), picnic tables, and restrooms that are wheelchair-accessible.

Since 1877 there's been a north pier light at the harbor entrance to guide vessels into the Menominee River harbor. This 25-foot lighthouse is a 1925 replacement for the original. The catwalk out to the light has been removed. Anglers fish off the pier, and there's now easy pedestrian access, thanks to a grant.
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Return to Menominee and Marinette

MENOMINEE AND MARINETTE
POINTS OF INTEREST

Downtown Menominee on Green Bay. Menominee's historic waterfront downtown is a fine place to stroll and enjoy the architecture, specialty shops, antique mall, cafe, and park. ... more

Menominee County Historical Museum. See an animated miniature 1929 circus, old Menominee Indian dugout canoes, logging artifacts ... more

North Pier and Lighthouse; Tourist Park beach. A north pier light at the harbor entrance has guided boats to the Menominee River since 1877. There are picnic tables and a public beach here ... more

Michigan Welcome Center. This vintage log visitor information center for Michigan has many charming architectural details from 1938.
... more

Red Arrow Park. At the base of a long sandbar extending a mile out into the bay is this outstanding park, with beach, picnic area, playground, and a path to the protected bay where waterfowl nest ... more

Walking tour of downtown Marinette. See an island park, logging museum, the impressive homes of 19th-century lumber barons overlooking the big river ... more

Menekaunee taverns. This district across the river in Wisconsin was originally a squatters' village for millworkers, loggers, and fishermen. Today the old taverns here are a draw for people who want authentic, unfussed-over local color ... more

Henes Park. A 50-acre point extending out into Green Bay with wooded nature paths, a beach, fine views of the bay, a picturesque pond, and picnic area ... more

DeYoung Family Zoo. See endangered, often rescued big cats: leopards, tigers, lions, cougars, also wolves and bears in large fenced areas with ponds, and reptiles inside. Kids can feed, pet, and be photographed with some animals. ... more

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