I Went to Whitehall

I went to Whitehall, Michigan last summer for one of my best friend’s weddings. I’ve been holding on to these photos for a while but I’m kind of on a Michigan kick, so I thought I would share. Whitehall is a magical place on the east side of Lake Michigan.

Whitehall is such a gem of a place, it feels like a little secret. Local and quaint, this lakeside town seems almost bashful about its beauty. Standing on the sandy shores, Lake Michigan stretches out before you as far as the eye can see. Sitting in my rustic room, alone for the first time since having the bebes, all I could hear was the sound of the waves hitting the shore and lots of kids at play on the hotel’s vast grounds- two of the greatest sounds in the world. Whitehall, you have won me over. My two days there felt long and restful even though they were action packed and full of fun wedding events.

A lake wedding that looks like a beach wedding- perfect. A few photos from Meghan and Britt’s big day:

The beautiful bride and I at cocktail hour:

I absolutely loved this lake wedding, not only because Meg is one of my best girls, but because I completely fell in love with Michigan again. No wonder Batali’s up there every summer.

If you go to Whitehall:

Stay:

Michillinda Lodge: this is where I stayed, it’s an old school family resort right on the lake with a dramatic staircase taking you down to the beaches. The rooms are rustic and just right, you wouldn’t want this place to be fancy. I loved it.

Lakeside Inn: this is where the wedding reception took place. Not right on the big lake, but on the smaller White Lake. Charming and local.

Rent a Cottage: this is what I would do next time. What’s better than waking up with your cup of coffee on your back deck overlooking that beautiful lake!

Eat: 

Pekadill’s: a sandwich shop and ice cream parlor with a pretty back garden. Exactly what it needs to be and good!

Shop:

Rexall Pitkin Drug and Gift Shop: seriously. This place is amazing, they have goods galore. A great place to pick up a souvenir or a really cute Whitehall sweatshirt. I loved this place.

Montague Vintage and Antique Shops: an impressive little row of antique stores in nearby Montague, MI.

See:

The World’s Largest Weathervane: this one’s for the Clark Griswald set- which I happily fall into. If you’re at all impressed or interested by things-world-largest- then, you kind of have to see this. A short drive from Whitehall in Montague.

There’s not a whole lot happening in Whitehall, but that’s why I love it. There is a quiet, local charm that reminds me of the simplicity of my childhood summers- riding around on my bike and playing with friends until the street lights came on. You don’t need much to have a great time and with that lake, those trees and that beach beauty, it’s a perfect retreat.

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