Port Austin Bed and Breakfast is an entirely renovated, restored and rebuilt mid-Nineteenth Century Victorian home, complete with a turret, wraparound porch and eyebrow window.
Located at the south end of Lake Street, our town’s main street, Port Austin Bed and Breakfast is just a short, two-block walk to shops, restaurants and the renowned farmer’s market. Another block further is Port Austin Harbor on Saginaw Bay.Our guests love to grab an ice cream at Blue Moon and walk to Veteran’s Park or out on the breakwall to watch the sunset. In the early mornings, some grab a coffee and head to the same spot to watch the sunrise.
Port Austin Bed and Breakfast operates in one of the oldest historic homes in Huron County.
The story of its 150+ years of history is told through the décor and furnishings in each of the five guest rooms. Each room offers a nod to the eras of the deeded owners beginning in 1880. While each room recognizes the past, all have modern amenities including a king- or queen-sized bed, ensuite custom-tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers, occupant-controlled heating and cooling, high-speed WIFI, and Roku TV.
Guests are treated each morning with a scratch-made, three-course complimentary breakfast, which includes a fruit course, a pastry or sweet bread course, and an entrée. Guests choose between the special of the day or a standard American breakfast. At Port Austin Bed and Breakfast, we strive to use local in-season produce and organic products whenever possible. As travelers ourselves who love to eat and try different cuisines, we bring those experiences to our breakfast table. While some of our guests are not familiar with some of the specials we offer, those who are adventurous are never disappointed.
Port Austin Bed and Breakfast is a welcoming and comfortable home away from home where guests enjoy the use of the parlors, wraparound porch and patios. We aim to be inclusive and accommodating for all our guests needs.
Unique Experiences at Port Austin Bed and Breakfast
Romance
Romance is an ongoing theme at Port Austin Bed and Breakfast. So many of our guests come to celebrate anniversaries -- from their first to their 55th in the inn’s first three months of operation. We also host honeymooners, wedding night stays, and people getting engaged. Ask the innkeepers how we can help you make your romantic getaway more special.
Lighthouses
Located at the tip of a peninsula within a peninsula there are 10 lighthouses along the 93-mile shoreline of Huron County. The Port Austin Reef Light sits on a shoal 2.5 miles north of Port Austin Harbor entrance. Built in 1878, the lighthouse played a vital role in the history and development of the thumb. Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse and Harbor Beach Lighthouse are both within a short drive from the inn. Tours are available for both the Port Austin Reef Light and the Harbor Beach on Saturdays throughout the summer season while Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse offers tours Thursdays thru Sundays.
Culture
The Port Austin area is home to an ever-growing and vibrant arts culture. Dozens of local artists’ works are displayed and sold at various locations, including The Cove Gallery and PAK’s Marketplace, both in Port Austin and the White Church Gallery in Grindstone City. In addition, many artists sell their creations at the Saturday farmers market each week as well as at the three-day Art in the Park event over Labor Day Weekend at Gallup Park.
Port Austin is also a music-loving town. Local musicians entertain shoppers at the Saturday Farmer’s Market as well as at some of the bars and restaurants in the area. The last Saturday in June brings the annual Porch Fest in Port Austin, where 30 or so musical acts play on porches all around town. It’s one of the most anticipated weekends of the summer and for the last three years we have welcomed acts to our covered porch.
Autumn
Autumn is a special time in the thumb. It seems temperatures stay a little warmer a little longer. The leaves take their time to change. It’s a perfect time to walk along the beach or the trails at the Port Crescent Day Park. Rent a bike at PAK’S Bike Garage and ride along the beach or out to the country side to enjoy the beauty of the local farm fields.
Foodie
Many of our guests who come to Port Austin Bed and Breakfast to celebrate a special event such as a birthday or anniversary choose the Farm Restaurant for their special meal. The Bank 1884 also is very popular; you can walk there from the inn.
One place our guests all agree they had a great meal was right here at Port Austin Bed and Breakfast. Our guests enjoy the creative and tasty fruit and pastry courses as well as having a choice of entrée. We love to give our guests the opportunity to be adventurous with a main course. No one has ever been disappointed.
Adventure
Port Austin State Harbor is just four blocks from Port Austin Bed and Breakfast. From there you can launch your boat or kayaks to start your day on the lake. If you don’t have your own watercraft, you can charter a boat or a kayak nearby. Canoe rentals are just a short drive away where you will put-in on the Pinnebog River and make your way to Saginaw Bay.
By far the Number 1 adventure that attracts people to Port Austin to kayak the seven-mile roundtrip from the harbor to Turnip Rock. Turnip Rock is the most famous of several small geological rock formations dotted along the shoreline. Accessible only by the water, it’s one of the top kayaking destinations in Michigan. Kayakers of all levels of experience have a personal goal of making the trip and hope that the weather and conditions are good.
Others find their adventure in visiting the number of beautiful beaches along the Port Austin Area shoreline. If you make your way to McGraw Park, you can walk right up to another geological formation known as “The Big Rock.” Visitors also can follow the Barn Art and Thumb Barn Quilt Trails as part of their day's adventure. Some charter a boat and spend the day fishing. Still others rent bikes and tool along the lake and out into the countryside.
There is adventure waiting for everyone and every ability in the Port Austin area, even if it is simply sitting on the beach for the entire day.
Historic Charm
The Port Austin Area History Center is the keeper of the town’s history. Many old and historic buildings have been relocated to the grounds of the History Center on Pointe Aux Barques Road. Visitors can walk through the buildings and get an idea of what it was like to live here in earlier times. The museum itself is a treasure trove of artifacts, maps, photographs and postcards that tell the story of the area.
The Port Austin Bed and Breakfast, being one of the oldest homes in town also tells the story of the history of the town. A walk through the house is actually like a little walk through time.
Natural Wonders
One of the best features of the Port Austin Area is all its natural beauty. Sitting at the tip of the Michigan’s Thumb, Port Austin sees beautiful sunrises and sunsets over Saginaw Bay all summer long. Nearby Port Crescent State Day Park is home to one of only six designated Dark Sky Preserves in Michigan. With virtually no light pollution, visitors can see an almost unobstructed 360-degree view of the night sky from the viewing platform.
