Fifth Avenue Beach
Manistee, MI
Fifth Avenue Beach is Manistee's main family beach, at the end of Fifth Avenue a few blocks from downtown. It has a big playground, picnic areas, showers, and food vendors in summer. The sand is wide and soft, and the sunsets over Lake Michigan draw a crowd on warm evenings.
A great family beach close to town, though the lot fills fast on hot days.
How we score beachesCome after 5 on a July weekday. The day crowd heads home, parking opens up, and you still get the sunset.
A city lot at the end of Fifth Avenue fills quickly on hot July and August days.
The lot is close to the sand, with a playground and paved paths nearby.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day; leashed dogs are welcome the rest of the year.
Water usually reaches comfortable swimming temperatures in July. On calm fall days the beach is quiet and perfect for a long walk.
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