Empire, MI

Travel Guide

A view from the top of the Dunes as you enter the Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive in  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore , Lake Michigan. This dune is 2,000 feet high. You are permitted to hike it. #blue #green
A view from the top of the Dunes as you enter the Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive in  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore , Lake Michigan. This dune is 2,000 feet high. You are permitted to hike it. #blue #green
This is the first glimpse of the Dunes as you enter the Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive. It's a short seven mile loop through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with several overlooks of the Dunes and Lake Michigan. #blue #green
A view of the hike back up the Dunes along the Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive in  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan. This dune is 2,000 feet high. Posted signs say it takes about two hours to hike up to the top. Needless to say, the beach is not very crowded. People sometimes have to be rescued on the climb up because it's so steep and the sand shifts so much they can't make the full climb. Then they get the bill in the mail! #blue #green #BeachTips #Perspectives
A view of Lake Michigan along the Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive in  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The water is such a beautiful blue, with greens and teals nearer the shore. You can hike the dunes to the beach below, but be forewarned, the dunes are 2,000 feet high. It takes hours to climb back up, and often people have to be rescued because they can’t make the climb. #blue #green #AquaTrove #BVSBlue #AboveItAll

Where to stay in Empire

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Downtown Mmpire

Though Downtown Mmpire might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Empire Bluff Trail and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

Downtown Mmpire
Empire Lakeshore Inn

Empire Lakeshore Inn

2.5 out of 5
11730 S. Lacore Rd Empire MI
The price is AED 492 per night from Jan 23 to Jan 24
AED 492
AED 521 total
23 Jan - 24 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach motel in Empire. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Spotless room comfortable bed great stay even in the dead of winter

Reviewed on 17 December 2025

Empire Lakeshore Inn
Immaculate home, perfect for 1 or 2 couples, close to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Immaculate home, perfect for 1 or 2 couples, close to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Empire MI
Stay at this vacation home in Empire. Enjoy a fitness center, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and ...
10/10 Exceptional! (122 reviews)
Comfy and clean home.

Reviewed on 19 October 2025

Immaculate home, perfect for 1 or 2 couples, close to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Delamar Traverse City

Delamar Traverse City

4 out of 5
615 E Front Street Traverse City MI
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Traverse City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,129 reviews)
This was our second stay at The Delamar. We have really enjoyed our stays. The rooms are always clean, they actually smell good and the bed is sooo comfy. The snack tray in the room is always full, the fridge was full and there were also options to buy alcohol in the room. The staff was accommodating ...

Reviewed on 18 January 2026

Delamar Traverse City
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Immaculate home, perfect for 1 or 2 couples, close to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Immaculate home, perfect for 1 or 2 couples, close to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Empire MI
Stay at this vacation home in Empire. Enjoy a fitness center, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and ...
10/10 Exceptional! (122 reviews)
Comfy and clean home.

Reviewed on 19 October 2025

Immaculate home, perfect for 1 or 2 couples, close to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Boardwalk Suites & Residences By Kasa

Boardwalk Suites & Residences By Kasa

2 out of 5
232 E State St Traverse City MI
Stay at this aparthotel in Traverse City. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions City Opera House and Old Town Playhouse ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (88 reviews)
Loved the size of the rental. Loved proximity to downtown.

Reviewed on 14 December 2025

Boardwalk Suites & Residences By Kasa
Pinestead Reef Resort

Pinestead Reef Resort

4 out of 5
1265 N US Highway 31 N Traverse City MI
Book a stay at this beach apartment in Traverse City. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a private beach. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (592 reviews)
I love having the beds in a separate room and having a kitchen and living room! Also beach front!!

Reviewed on 17 January 2026

Pinestead Reef Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Empire

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
25
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
29
4 - Good 47%
3 - Okay
7
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

A great place to visit for the natural beauty of the m22 area and fabulous wineries and of course the Sleeping Bear dunes. Although we didn't go to the dunes we have been there several times in the past. Just a beautiful area to be in!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love this beautiful area - full of nature and many available outdoor activities. Empire seems to be right in the center, between Traverse City and Northport Mi ! You can leave Empire for the day in any direction&you will find good food etc.

5/5 - Excellent

SB

I think it’s a great hotel to stay at if you want to do the Sleeping Bear Dunes, information center is right across the street

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Beautiful sunset on Lake Michigan, and nice beachfront. Town has limited restaurants, and the ice cream store closed early after Labor Day weekend.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

Very small, quiet town. Nice antique stores. Close to a very nice beach. Food choices very limited and all were horrible.

4/5 - Good

Jeff

Small town near a nature preserve, it's exactly what you are expecting. Few quaint shops for mom, chocolate shop, bar/pizzaria, cafe, gas station all within a block. 7 minutes away from Sleeping Bear Dunes is nice.