While the Hexagon House’s location in Pentwater, MI is a popular Michigan vacation destination for its many well-known attractions and activities, Oceana County is also home to quite a few truly wonderful hidden gems. Make plans to visit this beautiful Michigan vacation spot, and the friendly and knowledgeable innkeepers of the Hexagon House will be pleased to help you make plans to discover some these treasures…
Antique Barns
The Silver Lake area is home to two century-old barns that have
found new life as antique shops. More than just an opportunity to
shop for a treasured item from the past, these barns are so well
preserved and essentially unchanged, they are reason enough to drop
in. The Barn Antiques and Silver Hills Antique Mall both offer a
glimpse of what a working barn might have been like 100+ years ago.
Silver Hills has many educational displays throughout its barn to
help bring to life dairy farming from years ago - children can grind
corn, visitors can look into a 4-story silo and also see how hay was
moved through the barn to feed the cows. A trip to the Barn Antiques
is also sure to be filled with adventure - located off the beaten
path, past beautiful orchards and down a tree-lined country road -
its a hidden treasure just in the finding it. One can browse through
the original stalls and loft in this 130-year old barn. Visitors
will also be amused by the antics of the resident chickens, goat and
other family pets.
Cedar Point
Cedar Point is a great place for spending the afternoon at the
beach. The 3-acre park provides swimming, a picnic area and
restrooms. Spectacular multi-tiered wooden steps lead visitors from
the high bank bluff above, through the forest canopy, to the beach
below. If you are looking for a more secluded and intimate beach
location - this is it. Located along the shore of Lake Michigan
between Silver Lake and Pentwater off B-15.
Gale's Pond County Park
In an area dominated by one of Michigan's best known state parks
(Silver Lake Sand Dunes), Gales Pond stands out as a true hidden
jewel. It is a favorite haunt for those wishing to get away for an
hour or two to enjoy the sight of sandhill cranes, ducks and other
wildlife and the fresh scent of the woods that line the marked
nature trails. Facilities include bridges, boardwalks, marked
trails, and picnic tables. Located in Elbridge Township at Filmore
and 112th Avenue, 5 miles southeast of Hart.
Golden Township Park
A small parking lot is the only thing that holds this beach back
from being the #1 beach in the Silver Lake area. This huge beach
changes each year due to the Silver Creek Channel flowing out to
Lake Michigan. The warm-water channel satisfies the younger swimmers
while the Big Lake attracts the older, adventurous folks. Beach
walkers will also like the easy access to Little Sable Pt.
Lighthouse, just a short walk down the beach. Located off Silver
Lake Road 1/4 mile north of the Lighthouse.
Hart Historic District
The Hart Historic District has numerous old-time attractions and
historical buildings to appeal to all ages. Tour a restored 19th
century church, one room schoolhouse, log cabin and Chief Cobmoosa's
house (restoration in progress); also, an original grist and flour
mill, and windmill. In the mill, watch the fabulous animated doll
display in action. The church basement houses the extensive and
unique "Seymour Rider Indian Artifacts Collection", a must see for
antique, Indian and history buffs. Open hours are 12 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Wednesday afternoons, 9 A.M. - 12 P.M. Saturdays or by appointment made
through Hart City Hall (231-873-2448) during regular business hours.
Over Labor Day Weekend, the district hosts an Annual Heritage Days
Celebration. Located 3 blocks east of State St. in Hart at Lincoln &
Union Streets.
Mears Historic Park Complex
The Historic Park is a cluster of historical properties and features
the family home of Swift & Celia Lathers. Swift Lathers was the
editor of the Mears Newz, the world's smallest newspaper. The 1900
Boynton House, moved on-site in 1982, is one of the cabins from the
original colony at Little Point Sable. This unique structure houses
Little Sable Point Lighthouse memorabilia and related-artifacts.
Also on site is the Robinson building which rotates exhibits of
schools, vintage clothing, doctor and law office materials and much
more. The latest building to join the Park is the William Lathers
Transportation Building, which showcases exhibits of vintage autos,
trucks, dune buggies, antique tractors, snowmobiles and a collection
of signs relating to transportation in Oceana County. There are also
antique machinery and tools on display. The Historic Park is located
on the corner of Fox Rd. & Mears St., 2 blocks west of downtown
Mears.
Pentwater Pathways Trail
The Pentwater Pathways Trail can be enjoyed year-round, great for
hiking and mountain biking in spring/summer/fall and cross-country
skiing in the winter. The trail is located in the Pere Marquette
State Forest just south of Pentwater Lake. The Pathways trail system
includes four loops totaling 15 miles, with beginner to advanced
trails. The trails cover mostly soft rolling hills, are heavily
wooded and offer abundant wildlife (trails are marked). To get to
the parking area, take Long Bridge Rd to left on Wayne Rd. Follow
Wayne Rd. 2-3 miles until pavement ends. Parking area is on right.
Pirate's Paradise
The official playground of the Hart Public Schools, this park is the
one your kids will want to go back to time and time again. Built by
the community five years ago, this large play area has all the
swings, climbing areas, tunnels, activity centers and twisty slides
that kids crave! Great for children of all ages and facilities
include a picnic area and adjacent basketball court. Located off
Johnson Street, a few blocks west of State Street in downtown Hart.
Rodeo & Old West Town
A rodeo in Northern Michigan? Come to the Double JJ Ranch on Friday
nights from May - September and see the cowboys and bulls close up.
The show starts at 8pm and the whole family will be amazed at the
buckin' broncos, bulls, clowns, and guest competitions. The Back 40
Ranch was designed to look like an "Old West" town and is complete
with a general store, dining hall, swimmin' hole (with a water
slide, activity pools, and kids area), crafts shop, street shows,
wild west shows, petting farm and public riding stable. Located off
Water Rd. in Rothbury just 20-30 minutes south of the Hexagon House.
Stony Lake Oval
This is a favorite spot amongst locals and summer visitors. The
"Oval" is where the Stony Lake Channel joins Lake Michigan. Enjoy
the best of both worlds - shallow warm water swimming in the channel
and all the fun of the big lake. This is an excellent spot for families.
Take Garfield Rd. west off B-15 at Stony Lake.
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