Luna Pier, Michigan

Luna Pier, Michigan, began as a quiet lakeside settlement in the late 1800s and blossomed into a vibrant summer resort by the 1920s, centered around its iconic wooden pier and over-water dance pavilion. The pier became a hotspot for music, hosting big bands like Guy Lombardo and Benny Goodman, drawing thousands of visitors who arrived by trolley from Toledo. Known for moonlit dances, fireworks, and waterfront charm, Luna Pier also saw Prohibition-era intrigue and the rise of neighboring cottage communities like Allen’s Cove. Though the original pier was lost to ice in the 1940s, Luna Pier’s legacy as a lakeside escape lives on in its resilient spirit, scenic shorelines, and rich small-town history.