Philip A. Hart Visitor Center 9922 West Front Street, Empire, MI 49630
About the Business
The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center is a travel agency located at 9922 West Front Street in Empire, Michigan, United States. This institution serves as a gateway to the natural wonders of Sleeping Bear Dunes, including miles of sandy beaches, towering bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, and unique flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views from high dunes, visit an island lighthouse, explore US Life-Saving Service stations, coastal villages, and picturesque farmsteads that reflect the park's rich maritime, agricultural, and recreational history.
The Visitor Center offers opportunities for volunteering, ranger-led field trips, teacher-led field trips, distance learning programs, and more. Whether you're interested in hiking, birdwatching, history, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, Sleeping Bear Dunes has something for everyone. Plan your visit to the Lakeshore by exploring the resources available at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center.
Photos
Hours open
Monday:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday:
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Reviews
"Amazing visitors center. Includes a cool topography map of the Sleepy Bear Dunes. Push buttons to see the different locations in the National Park. nice displays of the flora and fauna of the area. Different animals that reside in the terrain is fascinating too. Be sure to look.in this big room. Special area is the auditorium that includes artwork on both sides. Look up close to see the different mediums such quilts, acrylic paint, watercolors, wood etc. Super clean bathrooms. At the front area you'll purchase your 7 day pass. Various types to purchase. If anyone is over 62 purchase a pass for $20 lasts 365 days (1 year) otherwise pass is $25. Yes gift items in lobby. Large parking area. Don't forget the beach about one mile away. Beach parking area to right (small lighthouse) to see if looking for lighthouses (tour). Worthy of photos. SUPPORT the national parks. In 2023 I watched an amazing video about this park. Which changes every few years."
"Lovely glacially derived dunes which are both stable and still migrating, well described on the Visitors Center."
"Watched for 25-min park introductory movie; it was great. Got to know more about the park: both its nature and culture. There are arts with local theme on the walls of the movie room. They are multi-medium; very interesting. There are display like a little nature museum; it's worth a look, especially for kids. There are also chances to shop for souvenirs. There are bottle refilled station and best bathroom for the whole park."
"It was super crowded when we went in the middle of the day, but there was still ample parking, and the line to pay moved quickly. Small selection of gifts and no food. Nice displays of the park area as well. Extremely helpful and nice staff that helped plan our day. The national lakeshore sign is also right out front if you want a picture of it"
"Beautiful National Lakeshore. Huge expanses of sand and shores. Trails that go on forever. It's like Dunes NP but more wild and clean and beautiful. All the little towns, like Empire, are cute little vacation towns. The folks at this particular VC were just great. They really enjoyed all the badges the kids have collected. They were very accommodating and we enjoyed the video in the theater. The displays were minimal as was the gift shop. I'm sure this place is absolutely jammed in the summer time. We loved it in April."
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