The complete Empire, Michigan travel guide: how to get here, things to do, where to eat, and where to stay in the gateway town of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The 15 best things to do in Empire, Michigan: Empire Beach, the Empire Bluff Trail, the Dune Climb, and day trips to Glen Arbor, Leland, and Point Betsie Lighthouse.
A local’s guide to restaurants in Empire, Michigan: Joe’s Friendly Tavern, Empire Village Inn pizza, coffee and chocolate shops, plus Glen Arbor and Leland dining nearby.
Compare hotels, inns, B&Bs, and campgrounds near Sleeping Bear Dunes. Empire vs Glen Arbor vs Traverse City, family suites with kitchens, and booking tips from a local inn.
Fall colors around Sleeping Bear Dunes usually peak the first half of October. Here is when to come, which drives and hikes deliver, and where to stay in Empire.
Parking, passes, difficulty, and tips for the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb, plus the 3.5-mile Dunes Trail hike to Lake Michigan explained by your neighbors in Empire.
