Overview
Frankfort lies on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Benzie County in the Grand Traverse Bay Area of Michigan.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Frankfort
The Point Betsie Lighthouse
Benzie County's most famous landmark, is located on the Lake Michigan shore of the county just south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and just north of Frankfort, Michigan. Point Betsie is the second most ph…
Frankfort Mineral Springs
The Frankfort Mineral Springs used to be advertised as an attraction of the area back in the days when the mineral-rich waters were thought to cure a number of ailments. Although some of the fanfare is gone today, the sp…
Frankfort-Elberta Beach-to-Beach Trail/ Betsie Valley Trail:
The 4.2-mile trail connecting the beaches of Elberta and Frankfort is paved from the Lake Michigan Beach in Frankfort to Elberta. There it connects to the 18-mile-long Betsie Valley Trail which goes past Rail Road Point …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Traverse City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TVC Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City — 33 mi away. Directions
- ESC Delta County Airport, Escanaba — 86 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 126 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Point Betsie Lighthouse, Frankfort Mineral Springs
- Lunch Papanos
- Afternoon Frankfort-Elberta Beach-to-Beach Trail/ Betsie Valley Trail:
- Dinner The Fusion Restaurant
- Evening Stormcloud Brewing Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The Frankfort and Elberta communities encompass beautiful Betsie Bay, a historic sailing harbor. Frankfort offers unique and friendly shops, restaurants, and accommodation. Seven full-service marinas line the harbor, providing over 400 slips.
Get in
See
See The Point Betsie Lighthouse
Benzie County's most famous landmark, is located on the Lake Michigan shore of the county just south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and just north of Frankfort, Michigan. Point Betsie is the second most photographed lighthouse in the USA, and likely the most visited attraction in Benzie County. Watching the sunsets from Point Betsie is a long-standing tradition.
- Beaches Frankfort and Elberta both have public beaches, and you can walk in either direction for as long as your legs hold-out. Start at Elberta Beach park and then walk south for access to lonely and beautiful beaches for miles.
See Frankfort Mineral Springs
The Frankfort Mineral Springs used to be advertised as an attraction of the area back in the days when the mineral-rich waters were thought to cure a number of ailments. Although some of the fanfare is gone today, the springs are still around providing cool, mineral-rich water to anyone looking to quench their thirst. A pair of nozzles under a small pavilion continuously provide a stream of water for free. The mineral content provides for a unique flavor.
Do
Do Frankfort-Elberta Beach-to-Beach Trail/ Betsie Valley Trail:
The 4.2-mile trail connecting the beaches of Elberta and Frankfort is paved from the Lake Michigan Beach in Frankfort to Elberta. There it connects to the 18-mile-long Betsie Valley Trail which goes past Rail Road Point on Crystal Lake, then to Beulah, and will eventually connect to Thompsonville. On the trail near Frankfort is fishing deck on Betsie Bay, and there are two fishing bridges on M-22 connecting Elberta to the Trail.
Buy
- Gwen Frostic Prints, 5140 River Rd, Benzonia, +1 231 882-5505, M-Sa 10AM-5PM. Featuring the artwork of Gwen Frostic. Located on River Road with art, library, duck pond, and lots of cool and inexpensive gifts.
Eat
Eat Papanos
Downtown Frankfort Offers pizza, subs, salads, chicken wings. Great Pizza, best for carryout. Open all year.
Eat The Fusion Restaurant
Fresh, flavorful East & West cuisine. Come taste the flavors of Asia in a cool, contemporary setting.
- Rhonda's Wharfside, Main St. (overlooking Betsie Bay) +1 231 352-5300. Casual fun dining. Specialties: pasta, steaks, seafood. Fresh whitefish daily. Open all year.
Eat Crescent Bakery
Northern Michigan's only full-service artisan bakery cafe, featuring award winning crusty breads, hand crafted pastries and cakes and a cafe menu that's sure to satisfy. Named two years in a row as one of the best places to eat Up North by the editors of Traverse Magazine.
Drink
Drink Dinghy's Restaurant & Bar
Great food, great service at a friendly "watering hole"! Best ribs "up north". Friday night fish fry and Sunday brunch.
- Cabbage Shed in Elberta.
- Roadhouse in Benzonia.
Drink Stormcloud Brewing Company
A great local brewery open since 2013. They have two locations: this one downtown and another taproom a little further away at 366 Parkview Ln.
Drink St. Ambrose Cellars
St. Ambrose offers a great range of drinks made at their farm in the countryside. They make mead, wine and beer, and their products are of great quality. There is plenty of outdoor seating and location is quite peaceful.
Drink Five Shores Brewing
Five Shores Brewing is a nice brewery with a number of beers, wines and ciders available in their modern styled location. The view over Crystal Lake at sunset is very beautiful too.
Sleep
Stay Betsie River Camp Site
RV and tent camping, flush toilets, and hot showers. Fish cleaning and freezing. Close to Lake Michigan, Crystal Lake, and golf. Cabin rentals. Open April 1st to October 1st.
Go next
- Spirit of the Woods Music Association, . An annual music festival, the Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival, held at the Dickson Township Park in Brethren, Michigan, the third Saturday in June. The festival features a day full of music on two stages, arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, great food, and a closing square dance.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore lies just to the north. It encompasses a 35-mi (60-km) stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena.
- Zetterberg Preserve at Point Betsie,
Point Betsie is a dynamic mosaic of shifting sand dunes, interdunal wetlands, boreal forest and sandy Lake Michigan beaches. Hike a path or volunteer to pick baby's breath (or just help out!) by emailing: [mailto:michigan@tnc.org]. Directions From Frankfort, Michigan: Point Betsie Preserve is located approximately 4.5 miles north of Frankfort off of M-22. At Point Betsie Road, turn left (west). Follow Point Betsie Road for 0.5 miles, to the wooden preserve sign on the south side of the road. You can park on the roadside by the sign, or drive to the end of the road near the lighthouse and walk back to the preserve sign. A trail starts near the sign.
Nearby
Arcadia
City / town · 10 listings · 10 mi away
Honor
City / town · 5 listings · 11 mi away
Bear Lake
City / town · 3 listings · 15 mi away
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Park · 12 listings · 22 mi away
Interlochen
City / town · 6 listings · 23 mi away
Manistee
City / town · 21 listings · 27 mi away
Traverse City
City / town · 137 listings · 31 mi away
Leland
City / town · 13 listings · 36 mi away
My experience
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