Overlooking the grandeur of East Grand Traverse Bay and nestled upon a breathtaking and entirely unique curve of land, The Spring Lighthouse offers a singular and unforgettable experience for those seeking peace and restoration. Surrounded by luminous natural beauty all year round, each room affords unforgettable views, peaceful and dramatic, while offering both nourishing amenities and unparalleled charm. Located just three blocks from the charming restaurants, shops, and festivities of downtown Elk Rapids.
All five guest rooms at The Spring Lighthouse provide a unique variety of tranquility, ample natural light, and panoramic views of the bay and Old Mission Peninsula across those lovely waters. Each offers an en suite bathroom with luxury shower and heated tile flooring, plush towels, luxury amenities, plus Nespresso coffee machine and Smart TV.
With private Lake Michigan shores right out your backdoor, you have an endless supply of adventure waiting. Walk to town and enjoy the Elk Rapids shops and festivals. Or swim to the cove and look for Petoskey stones.
The beauty of vacationing at The Spring Lighthouse is that our natural beauty is available year-round. Fall offers her beauty in the changing of the leaves. Warm days and cool nights...the perfect time for reflection. When you come to stay during winter, you can ski to town or warm yourself in front of our beautiful wood-burning fireplaces. Spring allows you to see the cherry and apple trees budding and beautiful.
Here you're not limited to six short weeks of possible vacation time; instead, you have 365 unique opportunities to enjoy Elk Rapids’ beauty.
Unique Experiences at The Spring Lighthouse
Wine Trail
There’s a saying among winemakers that “grapes love beautiful places.” The Traverse Wine Coast bears eloquent witness to its accuracy -- when the vineyards of the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas are surrounded by four seasons of nature’s beautiful displays and perched on hillsides with sweeping views of Grand Traverse Bay.
The region's wineries have gained an international reputation for the clean, elegant taste and bouquet of their wines. Many people love to visit the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail and the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula to sample the award-winning wines.
Take your own self-guided tour or visit during one of year-round wine trail events. Let someone else do the driving by engaging one of Traverse City’s wine-savvy tour operators to arrange a tour.
It's important to check ahead, because some wineries have limited winter hours -- but most are well-equipped to serve visitors year-round.
Romance
Whether you’ve been a couple for ages and need a break to reconnect or it’s your first weekend away together, The Spring Lighthouse B&B will set the mood with the most breathtaking views anywhere in the beautiful state of Michigan.
Come sit by the fire table and sip local wine, make memories and watch the sun set over the blues of Lake Michigan. We offer 300 feet of private frontage and quiet gardens to wander together.
If you are looking for the PERFECT place to propose to your beloved, we have that spot. Our intimate seating on a large rock overlooking the surf plus tablecloth, candles, wine and cheese are the makings of a moment you will always remember.
“I wanted to tell you that wherever I am, whatever happens, I’ll always think of you, and the time we spent together, as my happiest time. I’d do it all over again, if I had the choice. No regrets.”
— Boundless by Cynthia Hand
Craft Beer
Beer lovers will assure you that Traverse City’s reputation as a destination for craft brewing is entirely justified. You will undoubtedly find beers that you will want to drink more than once -- and in more than one season.
Open year-round, the microbreweries, brewpubs and taprooms host special events and plenty of options for sampling their craft beverages. In the summer and early fall, you can even explore the breweries on a Kayak, Bike and Brew Tour or jump on the TC Cycle Pub for street-side fun (and maybe a few shenanigans). In November, Traverse City Beer Week returns for seven days of beer-themed events, including an IPA Challenge and The Great Beerd Run.
You will undoubtedly find just the right brew for you!
Waterways
Not only do we offer the beauty and grandeur of the Grand Lady -- Lake Michigan -- but we also have intercoastal waterways.
The Chain of Lakes Water Trail System is found in northwest Michigan in Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties. It is made up of 12 interconnected lakes and four rivers which flow into East Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. The Chain is divided into the Upper Chain and Lower Chain, separated by a dam in the Village of Bellaire. The Upper Chain consists of smaller lakes while the Lower Chain is made up of larger lakes including Torch Lake, the second largest inland lake in Michigan. The area is a mixture of small but vibrant communities, many natural areas as well as cabins/homes. The waterways are diverse so there are beginner, intermediate, and advanced routes found along these water trails.
No matter what kind of water adventure you are wanting, you can find it here in Northern Michigan!
Culture
Culture in Traverse City means more things going on than you can count. Book early for festivals, include the National Cherry Festival and the Traverse City Film Festival, food and wine events such as Rosé Between the Bays on the Old Mission Peninsula or the Leland Wine & Food Festival. There are outdoor art shows like Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair and the Suttons Bay Art Festival, cultural happenings like the Port Oneida Fair and the Peshawbestown Traditional Pow Wow and athletic events like the six-week Great Lakes Equestrian Festival where thousands of the nation's best horses and riders compete in the International Olympic disciplines of dressage.
Summer is also the time for traditional village celebrations such as Bellaire’s Rubber Ducky Festival and Elk Rapids’ Harbor Days. Other favorites include the Northwestern Michigan Fair (a week of farm exhibits, 4H livestock shows, grandstand shows, great food and a carnival midway) and the Annual Buckley Old Engine Show, featuring antique gas and steam tractors, cars, trucks and a working 1923 steam locomotive.
If you are looking for cultural activities, look no further than the Traverse City area.
Autumn
In the fall, Michigan transforms from green forests and blue lakes to a cacophony of other vibrant colors — reds, yellows, oranges, even purples appear in the trees and reflect off the state's many lakes. And this is especially true in and around Traverse City.
One of the must-do attractions of fall, of course, is to take one or more drives to enjoy the area's fall foliage. You'll find some right downtown, but the innkeepers also recommend driving up into the Leelanau Peninsula around tiny towns like Cedar to see some of the best displays.
M-22 offers some spectacular panoramas as does the “Tunnel of Trees,” also known as M-119 north of Harbor Springs and ending near Cross Village not far from Mackinaw City.
Don’t miss the many farmers markets and roadside stands with their bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.