Empire Food scene
These are local favorites!
Really great breakfast and lunch sandwiches, including vegetarian options!
18 Einheimische empfehlen
Shipwreck Cafe
11691 S Lacore RdReally great breakfast and lunch sandwiches, including vegetarian options!
Empire Village Inn
11601 S Lacore RdExcellent pizza, fairly good beer selection
Joe's Friendly Tavern
11015 W Front StBar Burgers. Great Root Beer!
Tiffanys Cafe
10213 W Front StReally great ice cream. Cash only! Summer only.
The best truffles and dark chocolate fudgsicles! Many vegan options.
Next door, Grocer's Daughter offers amazing Gelato and Sorbet.
32 Einheimische empfehlen
Grocer's Daughter Chocolate
11590 S Lacore StThe best truffles and dark chocolate fudgsicles! Many vegan options.
Next door, Grocer's Daughter offers amazing Gelato and Sorbet.
Toy Rentals
Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak
10228 W Front StSUP and Kayak rentals.
Empire Outdoors
11690 South Lacore RoadBike Rentals
Pontoon and Powerboat rentals. Great service! They meet you at the Glen Lake Boat Launch.
Glen Lake Marine
5411 W Empire HwyPontoon and Powerboat rentals. Great service! They meet you at the Glen Lake Boat Launch.
Great place for bike rentals or bike repair. In winter, they rent fat tire bikes, XC skis, and snowshoes. If their staffing allows, you can often arrange for them to pick up your rented gear from the Blue House on your departure date.
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Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District
6249 River RdGreat place for bike rentals or bike repair. In winter, they rent fat tire bikes, XC skis, and snowshoes. If their staffing allows, you can often arrange for them to pick up your rented gear from the Blue House on your departure date.
Fishing
Watta Bite Charter Fishing
5705 S Lake StEmpire Outdoors
11690 South Lacore RoadBait and Tackle
Things to Do
Beautiful library right in town. They have an excellent section for kids!
Glen Lake Community Library
10115 W Front StBeautiful library right in town. They have an excellent section for kids!
Located in downtown Empire. Beautiful art collection. Many items from local artists.
Sleeping Bear Gallery
10085 W Front StLocated in downtown Empire. Beautiful art collection. Many items from local artists.
Located in downtown Empire ... a must visit for their eclectic collection of items.
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The Misers' Hoard
10126 W Front StLocated in downtown Empire ... a must visit for their eclectic collection of items.
Located in downtown Empire, near the Post Office. I love this store! A wide variety of items that you didn't realize you needed!
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Secret Garden
10206 W Front StLocated in downtown Empire, near the Post Office. I love this store! A wide variety of items that you didn't realize you needed!
Empire Outdoors
11690 South Lacore RoadNice selection of souvenirs!
Dunes' Golf Club
6489 W Empire HwyCasual golf course close to Empire. The Driving Range is across the street.
Groceries
In the lobby, they carry a surprising collection of grocery essentials.
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Empire Village Inn
11601 S Lacore RdIn the lobby, they carry a surprising collection of grocery essentials.
This is the closest full grocery store. Prices are a little high but they carry most everything.
20 Einheimische empfehlen
Anderson's Glen Arbor Market
6545 Western AveThis is the closest full grocery store. Prices are a little high but they carry most everything.
Nice, small-town local market with a great beer selection!
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Honor Family Market
10625 Main StNice, small-town local market with a great beer selection!
Tipps für Reisende
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Winter Guests
Sleds, Ice Skates, Snow Boots, Traction Cleats (YakTrax) are great things to pack to fully enjoy Empire Winters!
You can rent XC skis, snowshoes, and fat tire bikes from Crystal River Outfitters. https://crystalriveroutfitters.com/winter-rentals They are located in Glen Arbor (about 8 mi from Empire) and are great to work with. If their staffing allows, you can often arrange for them to pick up your rented gear from the Blue House on your departure date.
Good site for Heritage Trail Conditions: https://friendsofsleepingbear.org/sleeping-bear-heritage-trail/winter-trail-report
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Summer Guests
The Blue House has a Wagon and 2-beach chairs for your use at the beach. Bring your own beach towels, beach blankets, coolers, additional beach chairs, and beach toys.
In town, there are shops to rent bikes, ebikes, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks.
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Kitchen Amenities
Coffee Drinkers: There is a 10-cup Krupps drip coffee maker, filters, coffee grinder, whole bean coffee, powdered creamer, sugar.
Cooking Staples: There is mustard, ketchup, hot sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, salt/pepper, lots of herbs and spices.
Cookware: Lots of pots and pans, bakeware, measuring cups, cutting boards, utensils
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Travelling with Children
In the Blue House, you will find a Pak-n-Play with 2 sets of sheets, electrical outlet covers, night lights, 2 sets of toddler plates/utensils/bowls/sippy cups, high chair, step stools near the bathroom sinks, a child safety gate, Johnson's Baby Shampoo
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Travelling with Pets
In the Blue House you will find 2 bowls, a dog bed, and lots of treats! The lower deck is gated so your pet can enjoy time with you outside without being "tied up". The yard is not fenced. Bring a leash and your own Pet Waste bags for your hikes. If it is over 32 degrees, you can bet there will be ticks on the trails. Make sure your dog is up to date with its tick preventative.
And please make sure you clean up the yard of any pet waste before you depart.
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Laundry and Linens
Laundry: There is a Washer, Dryer, Detergent, Dryer Sheets, Iron and Ironing Board
Linens: There are blankets, sheets, extra blankets, extra pillows.
Towels: There are plenty of bath towels, hand towels, and wash cloths. Bring your own beach towels.
Note: Everything is washed prior to your arrival, including all blankets.
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Toiletries
Blue House amenities include: Shower Gel, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Lotion, Hand Soap and Hand Sanitizer. Hair Dryer and Blood Pressure Monitor.
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Games
Outside: The Blue House has Bocce Ball and Corn Hole sets for play on the lawn. There is also a basketball to play on the court at the beach.
Inside: Lots of board games and puzzles for young and old.
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Grocery Planning
Empire has very limited grocery options. Best to do your major food shopping en route. Near Empire, I would recommend either Meijer in Traverse City or Shop-N-Save in Benzonia.
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WiFi
The WiFi is excellent at Empire Blue House. It is Cable Internet: 100 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload.
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Bring your National Park Pass
If you have an Annual "America the Beautiful" or Senior Lifetime National Park Pass, bring it to your Empire getaway. It will provide access to the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore trails and sites. No worries if you don't have one. A 7-day pass can be purchased at the Visitor Center in Empire for $25.
Buche vor der Abreise
Receiving Mail/Packages
Deliveries via FedEx and UPS: 10342 W. Niagara, Empire, MI 49630
Deliveries via USPS: c/o Donna Haiderer, PO Box 147, Empire, MI 49630