Benzonia

Benzonia lies in the middle of Benzie County, on the south side of Crystal Lake and has beautiful swimming beaches and several small shops to visit. There’s also a Post Office, the Benzie County Visitor’s Center, outstanding fishing in the Betsie River, lodging including campgrounds, dining, a veterinarian and a shopping center that includes a pharmacy, dry cleaners, pet/hunting/fishing supply store, Radio Shack and Ace Hardware.

Housed in the historic Mills Community House, the Benzonia Public Library serves all residents of and visitors to Benzie County. Since 1925 the main floor of this building has been used as a public library. Before that time, the building served as a dormitory for the Benzonia Academy and boyhood home of Bruce Catton, Civil War historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author. Computers are available for the public to use. In addition, the wireless connection is available 24/7. Visitors may obtain a temporary card to borrow library materials. The collection includes the Benzie Record Patriot, a weekly local paper, dating back to 1888.

Benzie Area Historical Museum features artifacts and exhibits of Benzie County history (logging, agriculture, railroads); as well as displays of Pulitzer-Prize winner and Benzonian native, author Bruce Catton (1954 for his books on the Civil War); the Ann Arbor Car Ferries, a General Store and more.

The Roadhouse Mexican Bar & Grill serves fresh Mex with a cool cantina atmosphere, hip entertainment and patio dining. Serves lunch and dinner.

Gwen Frostic Prints…Tucked away on a wildlife sanctuary in northern Michigan is a shop built of native stones, glass, and wood. A building that brings the outdoors in and blends all nature in its structure. From the display room with its huge fireplace and natural fountain, one can watch as twelve Heidelberg presses print.

The Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm is a high quality small alpaca established in 2001. The farm is nestled on 145 acres, bordered by the Betsie River and near Lake Michigan with panoramic views of Crystal Lake. Established on the Nelson Family Farm in the Spring of 2012, the Nelson men refurbished one of the farm's old red barns into a beautiful store with Northern Michigan rustic appeal using wood they harvested from the family's property. The boutique carries a variety of alpaca products including hats, mittens, scarves, neck warmers, the famous alpaca socks, sweaters, stuffed animals and much more! The luxurious fleece of alpacas is warmer than wool, softer than cashmere and it doesn't itch. You can't be allergic to 100% alpaca either.