Elk Rapids, Michigan: marina, recreation, downtown, dining, brewery

August 2021, 2-nights, weekdays

The weather was a bit stormy on our way to Elk Rapids

Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor marina slips 59 and 61

I was able to make a reservation over the telephone when we decided to visit this marina a couple of days before our stay. When we arrived, we were assigned slip 59. We were not crazy about the slip location when we saw it, as it is right next to the main walkway and seats under the gazebo. We decided to make the best of it; figuring we had been assigned this slip because we have a smaller boat. 

Entrance to Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor in Elk Rapids

After our first night, we asked if we could move. There were many open slips in the marina, and there were two reasons we did not want to sleep in this same spot again after the first night: There are very bright lights in the gazebo that are on all night. These shone directly into our boat, and we do not have curtains, like many larger boats have. We have a dark screen for our center hatch, but not the rest of the windows. And, there is an electrical transformer on the dock in front of this slip, which hums very loudly. We do not have A/C, so we sleep with all the windows open when it is hot out. The electrical box noise did not bother my husband much (who sleeps through just about anything), although it did keep me awake. We were able to move to slip 61 for our second night, and the evening was much more peaceful. 😊

Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor in Elk Rapids

This marina has showers, bathrooms, an inside boaters lounge, and an outside community area. The boaters lounge contains a TV, couch, table with chairs, coffeemaker, toaster, microwave, small sink, and a bathroom. Gas grills, picnic tables, and electrical outlets are available for use in the outside community area. The labeled photo above was taken from one of the outside picnic tables.  

Dam Beach in Elk Rapids north of the marina entrance

Recreation and downtown: beach/parks, walking, dining, brewery

Dam beach is north of the harbor entrance. This beach was mostly empty during our stay. We took our dinghy there, and there is a walkway on the other side of the Hydroelectric Dam, as well. Be aware of the water when visiting this area by boat; we drove over an old dock in our dinghy that did not look like it was very far under water. The structure was unmarked, and we had not seen any information about it on the maps, like the structure at the south end of Veteran's Park.

The beach in Veteran's Memorial Park in Elk Rapids

The beach in Veterans' Memorial Park is just across the river. It is easy to get to via a foot trail and bridge across the river by heading up the library drive from the marina, and then turning left/south when you get to the building. 

Southwest end of Veteran's Memorial Park in Elk Rapids

After you pass the beach in Veteran's Park the paved trail continues to the end of River Street. We observed signs about remnants of the old city dock. We did not see anything in the water when we went out in our dinghy, like we had at Dam Beach. The water away from the shore in this area is very rocky.

Water in Grand Traverse Bay south of Veteran's Memorial Park in Elk Rapids

It is an easy and pleasant walk to town from the marina. It is only a couple of blocks, if you walk straight up Cedar Street. We opted to walk along the river and through Zupin-Anderson Memorial Garden on Dexter Street.

Looking toward Dexter Street from riverwalk in Elk Rapids, MI (above)
Zupin-Anderson Memorial Garden (below)

We had pizza at American House Woodfired Pizza, which was excellent. We were surprised to see the restaurant so busy on a Tuesday, as the marina did not seem very busy. We arrived before 5PM, and were able to be seated right away. We observed people waiting when we left.

Short's Brewing in Elk Rapids

We visited Short's Brewing Company Pull Barn Tap, which is easy to walk to, as well. There is a walkway under US-31 on the trail along the river and Dexter/Ames Street. Short's was very busy in the afternoon. They have inside and outside seating. There was only one person working behind the bar during our visit. All beverages were served in plastic cups; even when seated inside.

View from marina; Veteran's Park beach on left

Misc. and overall

We loved the town of Elk Rapids and the marina. The water and beaches are beautiful. There are many benches and picnic tables along the water; inside the marina area, and in town. Since the bay was so rough, it would have been nice if we could have taken our dinghy up the Inland Waterway. Without a vehicle, we did not have a way to get it across the dam to the water. After our stay, I learned that a friend of ours had done exactly that by having marina staff drop their inflatable boat off for them. I wish we had thought to ask about that! We have traveled the Inland Waterway by boat before, although it has been more than 10 years since we did that trip.

View of water in front of Veteran's Park beach from the marina

Safe travels to all! Let me know if you have any questions.