Although ambitiously named, Empire is more of a gateway to natural attractions than a sprawling metropolis. Outdoor adventurers stream through here in summers en route to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The dunes curve through the region, extremely close to the coastline. More than a dozen trails traverse the inland, giving visitors an inside glimpse at Michigan’s natural bounty. Empire Village Park is set along sandy beaches amidst rolling hills.

Although Empire may sound imposing, it remains a slow moving natural portal.