LUDINGTON, MI Longtime Ludington fans know to expect it, but it still catches first-time visitors by surprise: that sparkling expanse of Lake Michigan, lapping right at the edge of downtown.

Ludington is one of those true Michigan beach towns where everything is designed to take advantage of the water. The towns main thoroughfare leads right to it. Gorgeous beaches flank it, not only in the city, but just up the road where a gem of a state park is neatly sandwiched between the Great Lake and a popular inland lake - and its connecting river.

Add into that a downtown with lots of local shops and a handful of great restaurants and breweries, and its not a surprise some vacationers dont consider themselves having reached Northern Michigan until theyve landed in Ludington.

Thats kind of how we describe ourselves Were the front door to Up North, said Brandy Miller, executive director of the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

While summer and fall are the top tourist times, this spot has really become a four-season getaway. If youre hitting the road for Ludington, here are a few suggestions to round out your trip:

Dunegrass along Lake Michigan at Ludington State Park.

BEACHES

Stearns Park Beach: This one is right in town. Its got a half-mile of sandy beach, playground and concessions. Its a great gathering place to stay and play during the day, or stroll at the waters edge at sunset.

Buttersville Park Beach: Typically a quieter spot, this beach is located on the south side of the Pere Marquette River channel, and has a nearby campground.

Ludington State Park: This is the ultimate beach experience. The popular state park boasts several miles of shoreline and sandy beaches on both Lake Michigan and the inland Hamlin Lake. There are beachside playgrounds, picnic tables and concessions. You can follow the shoreline all the way to a lighthouse, or float down the Big Sable River until you reach Lake Michigan.

Hiking and biking trails abound in the Ludington area. Photo courtesy of the Ludington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

HIKING AND BIKING

Pack your comfortable walking shoes or day hikers and dont forget to load up your bike or plan to rent one from the bike shops in town. The Ludington area has miles of trails built for exploring. If youre headed to Ludington State Park, its got a bike trail connecting all three of its modern campgrounds, as well as a non-paved road out to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse that draws bikers. The state park offers a 4-mile canoe trail, 10 miles of cross-country skiing trails in the winter, and more than 25 miles of hiking trails that range from backdune to forest to marshland. Hint: the Lost Lake Trail is a favorite for kids, with its boardwalk, shady pathways and wildlife viewing spots.

Closer to town, try the Cartier Park Pathway, which offers trails for walking, road biking and a twisty, contoured, single-track mountain biking route called The Dragon. Cyclists say its as fun to ride as its name implies.

A stretch of beach in Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area.MLive.com

GET A LITTLE WILD

Want a little deeper back-to-nature experience? Check out Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. These 3,400 acres stretch along Lake Michigan, north of Ludington State Park. This national forest land offers hiking and rustic camping. The wilderness area is popular for hiking, camping, hunting, nature study and wildlife viewing, according to the U.S. Forest Service. There are approximately 10 miles of trail that can be accessed from two developed trailheads at the end of Nurnberg Road and Lake Michigan Recreation Area. It can be a day trip or a mini-vacation, depending on your timeline. For trail maps and details on camping regulations, check the Nordhouse Dunes website.

The S.S. Badger car ferry leaves Ludington to take passengers to Manitowoc, Wis.Ken Stevens | MLive.com file

S.S. BADGER

No trip to Ludington would be complete without seeing the S.S. Badger. This 600-passenger ship is a National Historic Landmark, and the last coal-fired car ferry operating on the Great Lakes. It currently makes one round-trip a day between its Ludington berth and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It can accommodate 180 vehicles for those who want to drive off and start an adventure on the other side of Lake Michigan. Its also full of interesting things to do and see (Hint: Check out the Badger Bingo game), and its top deck has plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the waterfront view for the four-hour trip. Private staterooms can also be reserved. For more information on travel times and amenities, check the Badgers website.

Big Sable Point Light pictured at sunset.MLive.com

LIGHTHOUSES

The Ludington area has two spots for lighthouse lovers. The biggest draw is Big Sable Point Lighthouse, a towering black-and-white column that is best accessed via a 2-mile trail in Ludington State Park. The point itself was named by French explorers, and the lighthouse was built in 1867. In the 1940s, it became the last Great Lakes lighthouse to get electricity. While the tower itself is not open for visitors during the 2020 season, the lighthouse gift shop is open for weekend visitors.

The North Breakwater Light is another popular spot, this one right in town at Stearns Park Beach. Its a great spot to walk out to see the sunset, or wave at the S.S. Badger as it heads across the lake, or is pulling into port.

HIDDEN GEM

If youve got kids in tow, make sure to try the citys Waterfront Park for a little down time. Its not only a great place to see the S.S. Badger, but it sits between two marinas, so theres plenty of boat-watching to be had. Theres a big playground for kids and a unique sculpture park that gives visitors a little history lesson about the area. The sculptures also have QR codes, allowing you to scan them for a little audio tour of the artwork and what they represent.

A longtime brewery in Ludington, check Jamesport's rotating brew roster to pick your favorite.

RESTAURANTS AND BREWERIES

Some are relatively new additions, while others are Ludington staples. Heres a rundown of some spots to check out when youre on the hunt for a meal or a craft beer and a snack. Some of these come with amazing rooftop or waterfront views.

House of Flavors Restaurant, 402 W. Ludington Ave. Now in its third generation of Neal family ownership, House of Flavors flagship location is a downtown magnet for ice cream and sundae lovers, and those seeking a bit of 50s diner-style nostalgia. Each year, the manufacturing side of the operation produces more than 30 million gallons of ice cream. Favorites include Strawberry, classic Chocolate, Blue Moon and Orange Pineapple. Up for a challenge or planning to bring friends? Order The Pigs Dinner and get a collector pin.

Old Hamlin: 122. W. Ludington Ave. A family-owned restaurant right downtown, this place is a staple. Its known for its big menu and Friday Fish Fry. To see its menu and specials, check its website and Facebook page.

Blu Moon Bistro: 125 S. James St. This eatery draws people in with an eclectic menu fusion, sushi, Americana with a twist, anyone? and delights them with a rooftop deck, one of two outdoor seating options. Find updates on their Facebook page and a menu on their website.

PM Steamers Restaurant: 502 W. Loomis St. A waterfront locale and a steak-and-seafood menu make this a spot for locals as well as vacationers. See the website for seating times and more details.

The Q Smokehouse: 225 S. James St. Slow-smoked meats are the hallmarks of this eatery. Currently, it offers online ordering and a convenient outside ordering/pickup system. You can do strictly take-out, or enjoy your food outside on tables. Find the menu on the website and see the Facebook page for updates.

Jamesport Brewing Company: 410 S. James St. More than a century ago, this spot was a saloon whose seats were filled by sailors and lumbermen. Now its a place for craft beer lovers who want a good meal served up alongside their brew of choice. Check their website for the latest beer list and their Facebook page for updates.

Ludington Bay Brewing Co.: 515 S. James St. With about 20 brews on tap daily, youll want to check this brewerys website for the latest seasonal lineup. Menu runs from solid pub food to an array of creative pizzas and a conversation-starter Adult Mac & Cheese entre, which you can load up with chicken, bacon or grilled fresh jalapenos.

For more information about planning your next trip to Ludington, go online to pureludington.com.

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Beaches, trails, waterfront eats make Ludington the front door to Up North - MLive.com