Relax with the whole family (and then some!) at this secluded place to stay. Located minutes from Silver Lake Sand Dunes recreation area, it provides a relaxed place to gather with the family after a fun-filled day! Front yard activities, evening s'mores and fireflies, and enough space (3 acres!) for everyone to play sets the Rickard Homestead apart. Perfect for large families or multiple families with on-premise parking. The house is situated in the middle of about 3 acres with an attached garage. There is plenty of yard both in front and back of the house. As you enter from the garage, you step into the kitchen with an attached dining area. There is an open floor plan that includes living room space connected to a den, that then takes you out through a sliding glass door to the large covered back porch. Plenty of room for all guests to be together during meals and social time. Bedrooms: ~ first floor: master bedroom with master bathroom ~first floor: the TV room and nap nook can be used for sleeping (1-person in each) There are two separate stair cases to two separate second floor spaces. ~second floor bedrooms and half bath- right side of house: king bed (right door) and full bed (left door); ~second floor apartment with kitchenette and full bath, 2 bedrooms and bunk room (left side of house past the laundry room): king bed, single bed, and 2 sets of bunk beds . Guests have access to all of the house, the garage, and the connecting yard space. Local host is available should issues arise. Rickard Homestead is very close to the fun provided by Silver Lake State Park and Sand dunes, including Little Sable Light House, Craig's Cruisers, Val-Du lakes, Hart Brewery, Golden Sands Golf Course and Bucket Bar, and several other fun locations. State park stickers gain access to multiple locations in the area: the dunes, Little Sable Lighthouse, Silver Lake State Park beach, Charles Mears State Park (Pentwater). Hart is 6 miles away and has most amenities needed, as well as restaurants and local evening entertainment in the summer. Pentwater is 13 miles away, which is a quaint, unique town with a beach and tourist stops. Ludington is 26 miles away, which is a much larger town with a beach, lighthouse and a variety of tourist stops. And of course, the Sand Dunes....are only 2.9 miles away. Mears is primarily a rural area, with township roads that are easily traveled. The Silver Lake area is small, but hopping during peak tourist days in the summer. The primary Silver Lake roads have pedestrians, bicycles and dune vehicles cruising the area. There 2-lane and 4-lane travel options to other places north and south of the area and there are multiple restaurants and other family-friendly attractions in the general vicinity. Towns and cities located on Lake Michigan have piers, beaches, shopping, restaurants, and other sites to see. The Rickard Homestead has been the longtime home of the Dorothy and Willis Rickard Family. Built in 1932, the home was filled with 5 Rickard boys after Dorothy and Willis purchased it to farm apples and cherries. After being divided for a time amongst the five boys, the property and houses are now owned by two of Dorothy and Willis’s grandchildren. Rick and Tasha (Rickard) Werry are the owners of the houses, Rickard Homestead and Rickard Cottage. Michelle Riggs is the local host of both properties.