Lake Effect Living

Serving New Buffalo, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, South Haven, Fennville, Glenn, Douglas, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Muskegon

Unless otherwise indicated, all Lake Effect Living photographs
are the work and property of Sharon Pisacreta.

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk along the lake. -- Wallace Stevens

Those of us who spend time along the shores of Lake Michigan know there is such a thing as a ‘lake effect’. Whether heading south from Saugatuck-Douglas down the coast to Chicago, or turning north from Holland to Muskegon and points beyond, the lake is never far away. Even on the most hectic day, it is possible to tap into the sense of well-being and tranquility that seems to surround the vast clear lake that the Ojibwa called mishigami, or ‘great water’.

            
Hamster/Gerbil Race
photo: WinterfestMI.org Winterfest
Get ready for Grand Haven's Annual Winterfest, held this year January 22-25. Human Sled Race, Family Dog Pull, Cardboard Sled Race, Skiing, Snowboarding, Euchre Tournament, Kid’s Day, snow angel contest, winter luau, hamster/gerbil race, music venues and more!
             
'It Sounds Like Mozart', with Robert Swan, Arts Council of White Lake, 106 East Colby Street, Whitehall. January 27th, 2015 at 7pm. Retired violinist from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Robert Swan, speaks on the elements of music and what we mean when we say, "It sounds like Mozart." Complimentary beverages. Tickets: $5. Limited seating. Tickets are available at The Arts Council of White Lake, The Book Nook and Java Shop, 8726 Ferry Street, or online. See the links on our Calendar of Events page.     
            
photo: NOAA Lake Effect Snow
Lake effect snow is a common occurrence along the shores of the Great Lakes. Bands develop that can dump several inches of snow per hour and lake effect snowstorms can last for days. Learn the conditions that produce lake effect snow.
            
Activities and Attractions Along the Lake Michigan ShorelineThere's always something fun to do along the Lake Michigan shoreline, even on a rainy day. Museums, beaches, tours, lighthouses, theaters, nature centers and even a few World War II ships make up our list. We've arranged it geographically in order of the towns from south to north along the lake, so make sure to take a look at what's available just up the road.     
            
Antique Shops Near the Lake Michigan ShorelineAntiques appeal to collectors for various reasons. Some like the thrill of hunting down a rare item to fill out a specific collection. Others revel in the sense of history that handling an antique can give them. Many just enjoy the styles of a bygone era. Whatever your reason for loving antiques, use our listing of shops near the lakeshore to plan your next antiquing day. We've arranged the listing from south to north along the lake to make it easier to see what possibilities are just down the road in the next town. You'll never know what perfect item you may find, until you go and take a look.     
            
Art Galleries Along the Lake Michigan ShorelineFeed your aesthetic sense with a visit to one of the art galleries in the Lake Effect Guide.     
            
Wineries and Vineyards of the Lake Michigan ShorelineIt's always a great time of year to enjoy a fine wine from one of west Michigan's great wineries.     
            
Craft Breweries near the Lake Michigan ShorelineOld English proverb - Bread is the staff of life, but beer's life itself. Michigan is fifth in the nation for its number of breweries. The great quality of water and rich soil produces some of the best beer making ingredients. Our listing of brewpubs, microbreweries and breweries along the shoreline will help you plan your next hearty draft of life itself.

December days are short, but they begin to grow longer in January. Be on the beach at the right time to catch a beautiful southwest Michigan sunset. Like snowflakes, no two are alike. Use our Beaches and Sunset Times pages to make sure you don't miss out.

Don't forget to check out the Calendar of Events for December and January. There's always something happening on the lakeshore.

Hamster/Gerbil Racephoto: WinterfestMI.org	Winterfest Get ready for Grand Haven's Annual Winterfest, held this year January 22-25. Human Sled Race, Family Dog Pull, Cardboard Sled Race, Skiing, Snowboarding, Euchre Tournament, Kid’s Day, snow angel contest, winter luau, hamster/gerbil race, music venues and more!
	'It Sounds Like Mozart', with Robert Swan, Arts Council of White Lake, 106 East Colby Street, Whitehall. January 27th, 2015 at 7pm. Retired violinist from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Robert Swan, speaks on the elements of music and what we mean when we say, "It sounds like Mozart." Complimentary beverages. Tickets: $5. Limited seating. Tickets are available at The Arts Council of White Lake, The Book Nook and Java Shop, 8726 Ferry Street, or online. See the links on our Calendar of Events page.
photo: NOAA	Lake Effect Snow Lake effect snow is a common occurrence along the shores of the Great Lakes. Bands develop that can dump several inches of snow per hour and lake effect snowstorms can last for days. Learn the conditions that produce lake effect snow.
	Activities and Attractions Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline There's always something fun to do along the Lake Michigan shoreline, even on a rainy day. Museums, beaches, tours, lighthouses, theaters, nature centers and even a few World War II ships make up our list. We've arranged it geographically in order of the towns from south to north along the lake, so make sure to take a look at what's available just up the road.
	Antique Shops Near the Lake Michigan Shoreline Antiques appeal to collectors for various reasons. Some like the thrill of hunting down a rare item to fill out a specific collection. Others revel in the sense of history that handling an antique can give them. Many just enjoy the styles of a bygone era. Whatever your reason for loving antiques, use our listing of shops near the lakeshore to plan your next antiquing day. We've arranged the listing from south to north along the lake to make it easier to see what possibilities are just down the road in the next town. You'll never know what perfect item you may find, until you go and take a look.
	Art Galleries Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline Feed your aesthetic sense with a visit to one of the art galleries in the Lake Effect Guide.
	Wineries and Vineyards of the Lake Michigan Shoreline It's always a great time of year to enjoy a fine wine from one of west Michigan's great wineries.
	Craft Breweries near the Lake Michigan Shoreline Old English proverb - Bread is the staff of life, but beer's life itself. Michigan is fifth in the nation for its number of breweries. The great quality of water and rich soil produces some of the best beer making ingredients. Our listing of brewpubs, microbreweries and breweries along the shoreline will help you plan your next hearty draft of life itself.

Lake Effect Living

Life along the shore of Lake Michigan…