Manistee County offers many recreational and cultural activities. The area attracts many tourists with its natural beauty, uniqueness and old-fashioned hometown feeling. Unique shops, rustic to luxury lodging, State and National Forests, excellent recreational facilities, sport fishing, lakes, rivers, museums and the Historic Ramsdell Theatre all make Manistee County a great place to visit. 

Tourism is a driving force behind Norther Michigan's economy.  The direct effect of tourism on Manistee County's employment is significant, yet difficult to quantify because the local population also uses many of the same goods and services.  Employment impact may therefore be more dependent on the multiplier effect base don an increase in spending by tourists.  

There has been very little recent research completed to understand much of this business and market segment.  The below information is from the year 2000 and was gathered by Michigan State University Extension.