Activities
In the Summer, the beach is the primary attraction and rightfully so. It is long, wide, clean and the water is crystal clear. The lake drops off gradually so it is perfect for children to enjoy. A neighborhood association maintains a private beach and its access off Lakeshore Road. There are no parking accommodations at the beach so you will need to walk the 120 steps from your cottage to the beach access. From there it is only another 100 yards to the water.Be prepared to descend some stairs to get to the beach.
There are no lifeguards on the beach. There is very little shade so you may want to consider bringing a beach umbrella (we provide 2/cottage), a hat and some sunscreen.
For activities on the beach, bring a volleyball and you can usually find enough people to get a game going.
The summer days are long in Lakeside. Watching the sunset is a major activity on the beach. Bring your beach chair (we provide portable chairs) and be prepared for a spectacular show.
You will not be disappointed with the rich variety of restaurant choices the Lakeside area has to offer. Diners can enjoy ambiance ranging from the charm of a country kitchen to a neighborhood tavern, a rustic roadhouse or a beautiful dining room. The area is fortunate in the number of truly fine chefs who have made Lakeside and the Harbor Country area home.
Fruit and produce picking is another fun, unusual activity for everyone. From April to December, the local produce farms offer everything from asparagus to zucchini.
If Golf is what lets you unwind, then you undoubtedly came to the right place. More golfers travel to play Michigan courses than those in any other Midwest state, according to a recent National Golf Foundation survey.
Don’t forget to go wine tasting. The local vineyards do a world class job of producing Michigan wines, from Michigan grapes.
Shopping and Antique hunting is worthwhile in the Lakeside area. Here you will discover many hidden treasures and a wide variety of places to shop, from the unusual and unique, to an upscale outlet shopping village.
Feeling lucky? Heart pounding casino excitement is only a 10 minute drive where you can roll, deal and spin your way to a possible fortune. visit FourWindsCasino.com for information.
Biking has never been more enjoyable. There are 12 self-guided tours on paved roads, with lengths from 5 to 60 miles. The routes follow through picturesque rolling hills and over rushing streams, patchwork farmland, and beautiful meadows, parks and forests. The annual Apple Cider Century Bike Tour in late September attracts over 6,000 cyclists traveling many of the same routes. For biking routes and information about the event, visit AppleCiderCentury.com
Do not forget about all the Fall and Winter activities too. A sure cure for cabin fever includes a weekend stay at The Beach House at Lakeside amidst Michigan’s beautiful fall colors or serene snow covered settings. Dipping into our outdoor spa would be a perfect way to relax after a day of outdoor activities.
There is tobogganing and cross-country skiing at Warren Dunes State Park just a few miles up the road or snowmobiling on a trail with plenty of inviting stopping places along the way.
If that’s not your thing, then a quiet walk along the frozen beach or a book in front of a cozy fireplace should soothe your senses. And of course, the shopping is a world away from the mobbed malls and packed parking lots.
What to Wear
Lakeside and the Harbor Country Area is very casual and traditional. Shorts for men and women. A cover-up to walk to the beach. There are a few dressier restaurants where a man would feel more comfortable in long pants and a woman in a skirt or pantsuit. Most restaurants are casual enough for shorts day or night. In the evening, the temperature drops slightly, and the mosquitoes come out. Bring light weight long pants and a sweater or sweatshirt. Pack an umbrella or rain poncho.