Mission Point Lighthouse in Traverse City, Michigan

Michigan boasts the most lighthouses in the US, with 129, and the one at Old Mission Peninsula offers a scenic experience. This lighthouse is situated on the 45th parallel, overlooking the stunning Grand Traverse Bay. The drive to the lighthouse along M-37 passes numerous vineyards, showcasing the region's renowned wine production. The peninsula's tip, previously a treacherous shoal, necessitated the lighthouse's construction after the Civil War. The white clapboard structure, though not tall, used a powerful fresnel lens to project a light beam. Visitors can now explore a self-guided tour honoring Sarah Lane, a rare female lightkeeper. The area invites exploration, including wading in the clear water and searching for Petoskey stones. Visitors often build rock towers, adding to the site's charm, marking its location halfway between the equator and the North Pole.