Play Outside Beach House

10/21/2023

North shore in autumn.

08/13/2023

Golden sunset, wind and waves on the Back Beach tonight!😍

05/24/2023

This year I’ve decided to share a few of our families all time favorite DVD’s with our guests for those rainy days.

Back in the day I thought it was pretty important that my kids be influenced by the likes of the professor and Macgyver, to name a few. One son named his cat MaryAnne… both spent hours “Macgyvering” things! Hope it doesn’t rain for my guests… but if it does…😀

05/24/2023

Gearing up for the summer season! Looking forward to welcoming back returning guests and some new ones, too! Super excited to share the new patio set we just set up along with a bathroom remodel and other updates and additions. Haven’t had time to update the website photos… I’ve been really trying to make time to “play outside” this past year too!!😁

04/23/2023

One week left in July, Friday, 7/21 - Friday 7/28 and some availability in June and August. Four blocks from downtown. Sandy north shore beach. You can make your reservation by visiting playoutsidebeachhouse.com

10/24/2022

I’d have to say we’re in the midst of our peak color for autumn!! Took the day off to play outside and the island didn’t disappoint! The smell of the leaves…the colors…the solitude…🥰

08/24/2022

Looking for a really good reason to adventure to Beaver Island in September? The Irish Feile is back after two years! The 2019 event was a blast! The bands are amazing and there are fun events for the whole family!

Play Outside is within walking distance to most of the venues and there will be a shuttle service available as well.

When your not at the Feile you can enjoy the gorgeous view and sandy beach at Play Outside. We have four adult bikes for exploring around town.

You might want to come early and stay and extra night so you can enjoy an evening relaxing on the beach with a bonfire and admiring Beaver Island’s dark starry sky.

Go to playoutsidebeachhouse.com to check for availability and make your reservation.

Emerald Isle Irish Feile Home Music Activities About Buy Tickets Sponsors Volunteer Menu Home Music Activities About Buy Tickets Sponsors Volunteer We're back Brand new bands, same great festival. Join us September 9-11, 2022, on Beaver Island for the second annual Emeral Isle Irish Feile 00Days 00H...

07/23/2022

Whiskey Point lighthouse sunset bike ride. Enjoying all the flowers in bloom everywhere!

07/16/2022

What a way to start the day! This is the first time in the six summers since we bought this house that we’ve had the opportunity to enjoy a “staycation” here! Wow!! I don’t want to leave!

I’ll probably need a nap (on the beach) later, but it was so cool to fall asleep under the stars in the hammock listening to the waves. Can’t say it was the best night’s sleep, but it was fun!

Waking up with the sun and walking down to the beach with my camera was the best! Wasn’t quick enough to get a good photo of the four deer running down the beach, but the flowers were easy to capture!

07/15/2022

Relaxing in the hammock and watching the sun set. Listening to the waves….🥰

05/12/2022

If rain is predicted during your vacation, don’t be disappointed, it could be an opportunity to witness something majestic and awe inspiring! …the wind picked up, lightning flashed across the water, the sky grew dark… and then the rain. 😍

05/08/2022

Spring is a great time of year for a bicycling adventure on the island!

Availability at Play Outside Beach House starting May 21 - June 2. Stay 10 nights and one night is on us! (5/21/22 - 6/2/22). Reserve now through the website. Three night minimum.

Is relaxing in the warm summer sun on your own sandy beach by day and stargazing the night away more your style? Summer days still available are July 11 - 21 and August 22 - 31.

Thinking of biking on Beaver? Please remember, this isn’t Mackinac Island, we have cars on our roads. Stay right and go single file so cars can comfortably pass your group. If your on a really narrow road it’s never a bad idea to just stop when a vehicle passes, especially if your bicycling with children. 🚴🏻🚴🏻🚴🏻🚴🏻

05/04/2022

The sunsets get prettier as summer draws closer!😍

05/01/2022

A cancellation at the end of May has opened up a great opportunity for dark sky enthusiasts, birders or anyone who loves to enjoy the island's abundant, natural beauty!

$250 - $340 savings.* Offer available May 21 - June 2

03/01/2022

Quick trip off the island today. I didn’t want to go… but it was worth it to see the ice on Lake Michigan! It’s been a great winter! Lots of snow! Lots of sledding! Lots of skiing! Lots of hiking along the frozen, icy beaches and atop the towering snowbanks lining the harbor! And… lots and lots of shoveling! We have at least twice as much snow as the mainland from what I could see.

02/09/2022

Sunrise at Gull Harbor.

01/25/2022

I’m having a blast painting the basement bedroom! The carpet is gone, the concrete floor has been ground smooth and polished. A few more glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. It’s just plain happy in here!! Not sure if I’ll post the closet or leave it a surprise for the guests?! Check out the awesome snowdrift outside the window! Previous guests know that all bedrooms have beautiful Lake Michigan views. On another note… we’ve had a July cancellation so check out the calendar on our website. See you in summer!

12/21/2021

Fa la la la lah… la la la lah! The Play Outside Christmas tree, at the end of Gallagher, is pointing toward the North Pole. I’ll bet Santa’s elves are busy today!!!

07/05/2021

This beautiful frog was probably enjoying a late night snack on the shore! I enjoyed a nighttime beach walk after some Independence Day fireworks last night. The most beautiful thing though, surprisingly, was the oodles of little white-green sparkles on the sand, illuminated in the light from my headlamp! Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t sparkly rocks but happy little spiders!

05/19/2021

Recharge on a rainy day. Watch the water fall through the rain chains, read a book, drink a cup of tea... or get out there and dance in it!

05/19/2021

This view...😍.

04/29/2021

Cute couple out enjoying an incredible sunset!

04/20/2021

This view is never dull...❤️ The wind is as wild as a December blizzard tonight ... but the light holds the promise of summertime just around the corner... 🌞

04/20/2021

“Can we go out to the sandbar?” Remembering when I was a kid, how much we loved going out to the sandbar... tippy-toeing in up-to-our-chins water... then all of a sudden the water was only up to our knees! Add in some waves...we wouldn’t come out until we were turning blue and our teeth were chattering! This spring the waves are breaking on what looks to be a pretty awesome sandbar out in front of Play Outside! The water’s still way too cold to go out there, but it sure is gorgeous to look at! Looking forward to a great summer on Beaver Island!

04/10/2021

...and some mornings the view is this...

Nothing could be more peaceful. The birds are singing in the trees. The coffee is perfect.

I have a question though.... I hung a clock up in the kitchen here, at Play Outside... and it makes this tick-tock sound. Tick-tock, tick-tock... I think it has to go.

Would you want to hear it on your vacation?

Not me. I like to see the time once in a while. Usually, I don’t even here the clock, I’m too busy. But, I think we’d all rather be on island time when we’re on vacation.

What do you think? Shall I pull the batteries and set the hands to 5:00? Let it tick-tock? Or make it disappear and hang a picture of ducks over the coffee pot?

04/09/2021

Cool weather vacations are...extremely cool! Have a blast exploring the island in the shoulder seasons! You don't have to be a pro cyclist to enjoy miles of gravel roads and some pretty awesome scenery. Celebrate your cycling success with s'mores at sunset!

Availability in May, early June, September and early October. Minimum three nights stay. Check the website for availability and rates.

playoutsidebeachhouse.com

04/08/2021

Availability Alert! Sunday, August 15 - Sunday, August 22. It doesn't happen often, but we've had a cancellation! Grab the opportunity to enjoy seven relaxing mid-summer days and nights on the north shore of Beaver Island. Four blocks from the ferry dock and the grocery store. Maximum occupancy is eight people. Please visit our website for rates, availability and booking information.

playoutsidebeachhouse.com

04/05/2021

Do you see a cat being followed by a squirrel? Or is my imagination running wild?!? Enjoyed a slow Easter drive and hiked a new trail yesterday.

03/31/2021

What started out as a dull, gray evening.... turned into this! 😍 North shore sunsets are amazing!

03/09/2021

It just might be a good year to get out and enjoy the birds on Beaver Island. Not to mention the wildflowers, sunrises, beaches...

The Beaver Island Birding Trail Memorial Weekend events are being structured around CDC recommendations at this point in time. Three presentations will be offered on May 29th and 30th by professors of biology in the Beaver Island Community Center (BICC) auditorium. Those will include Beaver Island Archipelago Bird Migration research, Orchids and Bog Plants of Beaver Island, and Monarchs, Milkweeds, Mimicry, and Migration: The Story of Co-evolution, an Endangered Biological Phenomenon, and the Decline of a Charismatic Butterfly. A very limited number of spaces are available on guided field trips. For more information about events follow the BIBT page, the Beaver Island Community Center, or check the BI Community Calendar at: https://biccenter.org/calendar/ All presentations at the BICC are free and open to the public-masks required and physical distancing.

The Beaver Island Birding Trail is designed to allow birders of all abilities access to maps, checklists, travel information, and much more for an exceptional self-guided experience year round. This information can be found at: www.beaverislandbirdingtrail.org The BIBT and events are managed by the Beaver Island Association. The Canada Warbler photo is courtesy of Darrell Lawson.