Fifth Avenue Beach

Fifth Avenue Beach is a wide sandy shoreline along Lake Michigan where waves are mild and the shoreline gently slopes into the water. The site includes a modern facility building with amenities, parking, picnic tables, grills, and courts for recreational games.

The City of Manistee purchased this beach area in 1912 and established it as a permanent recreational resource for residents. The site has evolved over time to meet the community's growing recreational needs and expectations.

The beach serves as a gathering place where locals spend summer days swimming, picnicking, and enjoying the open waterfront with family and friends. The casual atmosphere reflects how the community integrates this space into its seasonal rhythm.

The beach is easily accessible with ample parking located near the entrance to the area. Restrooms and drinking water stations are on site, making it straightforward to spend a full day here without worrying about basic necessities.

Just adjacent to the beach stands the North Pierhead Lighthouse, an active navigational beacon that still guides vessels on the lake. This working lighthouse creates an unexpected intersection between recreational space and active maritime operations.