Mason County

Surrounded by the Huron Manistee National Forest on three sides and Lake Michigan on one, Mason County is a located half way up the Mitten, south of the Traverse City and north of Muskegon. Home to 9,070 residents, Ludington is Mason’s largest city and is a popular tourist destination. Mason offers lake access and features some of the best salmon fishing in Michigan, the famous Big Sable Point lighthouse, and the SS Badger, a car ferry that travels to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Manufacturing sector jobs employ the largest portion of the 30,000 residents of this lakeshore county.

Cities

Ludington is located on Lake Michigan and is both a popular tourist destination and the home of one third of the county’s residents. The city is known for water sports, lighthouse tours, and their annual New Year’s Eve ball drop.

Scottville was first established as a point along the Pere Marquette Railway eight miles from Lake Michigan. At the heart of Mason County, Scottville hugs the Pere Marquette River and enjoys access to Riverside Park.

Arts, Culture, Entertainment

Ludington Area Center for the Arts organizes events, exhibits, cultural collaboration opportunities and works to support local artists, and much more.

Sandcastles Children’s Museum

Historic White Pine Village allows visitors to travel back in time to see small town Michigan life as it was the late 1800s and early 1900s. Set on 13 beautiful acres overlooking Lake Michigan, visitors can visit more than 30 museums inside original buildings that depict Mason County’s history.

The Mitten Bar is a popular venue for live music and craft beer.

Western Michigan Fair is held every year at the Mason County Fairgrounds.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Freedom Festival Parade takes place around July 4th and features floats, bands, politicians, local residents, and the Scottville Clown Band. Thousands line Ludington Avenue to watch this hometown parade as it marches downtown from Madison Street to Lakeshore Drive.

Aglow on the Avenue lights up the streets every year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

Community Involvement

Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired serves adults and youth with low vision clinics, rehabilitation services, and support groups throughout 13 West Michigan counties.

Habitat for Humanity

Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters

Lakeshore Resource Network is an all-inclusive community assistance space for organizations like Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Michigan Works, TrueNorth Community Services, as well as many others; including the Lakeshore Food Club.

Multicultural Resources

Ludington Area Center for the Arts organizes events, exhibits, cultural collaboration opportunities and works to support local artists, and much more.

Tribal Service Area Map

Latina Network of West Michigan

Sports, Leisure, Water

Ludington State Park features 5,300 acres of sand dunes, hardwood forests, marshlands, and nearly seven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and offers opportunities to camp, hike, and bike and tour the Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

Ludington Recreation Department

West Shore Community College pool and ice arena

Baldwin Community Pool

Manistee National Forest

Lincoln Hills Golf Club

Lakeside Links Golf Club

Hemlock Golf Course

Did you know?

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