Summer is setting in across West Michigan, cooling down the small towns dotting the coast of Lake Michigan. Beaches are emptying, but those craving a small-town feel are drawn to the beachside places that make Michigan special. Ludington, Michigan, is one of them—with all roads leading to the beach.
Small ice cream shops, breweries, taverns, and coffee shops bring the town to life, lining the streets with havens that welcome beachgoers in from the beating sun. Red Rooster Coffee and Community and Hitch Hiker Coffee are just two of these places, both with welcoming energy that seeps into the downtown air alongside the crisp smell of coffee.
Red Rooster Coffee & Community
Red Rooster Coffee is considered a gathering place in Ludington, with a culture of community held at its core. The café began as a family business, welcoming seasoned Ludington residents alongside vacationers visiting the town for just a short time. Red Rooster draws small-town Michiganders in with the promise of family and coffee.
Ethically sourced and organic, Red Rooster Coffee’s Fair Trade coffee comes from Higher Grounds Coffee Company in Traverse City. The café’s traditional menu of coffee and espresso drinks is enhanced by frozen options like frappes and smoothies. Housemade syrup flavors, like hazelnut, white chocolate, and peppermint, add an extra element that makes any coffee drink seasonally delicious.
Just down the road is another fall favorite: Hitch Hiker Coffee. This mobile coffee shop operates from a trailer in a grassy lot, perfect for enjoying sunny mornings outside. Hitch Hiker Coffee is within view of one of Ludington’s waterfronts, the Pere Marquette River.
Using Uncommon Coffee Roasters in Saugatuck and Douglas, Hitch Hiker goes well past the usual “coffee-truck” offering. From seasonal fall drinks like the Pecan Pie Latte to refreshing spritzers and lemonade, alongside a variety of traditional coffee and espresso drinks. Food truck vendors often flock to the lot alongside Hitch Hiker Coffee, and the mobile coffee shop is within walking distance of some of Ludington’s local bakeries and restaurants as well.
Coffee, Community, & The Coast
While Ludington may draw visitors to its beaches, there is plenty to explore beyond the shoreline. Local coffee shops like Red Rooster Coffee and Community and Hitch Hiker Coffee offer another way to experience the town, whether you’re settling downtown with a cup of coffee or enjoying a sunny morning near the Pere Marquette River.
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