driving to Mackinac Island

[DoBug]

Hello
Not sure where to post this but seems the most variety here

We will drive from Indianapolis to Mackinac Island in mid-August. I do realize there is a short boat ride at the end.

We will stay in the Saugatuck/Douglas area on the way up and back so we will get to see some of the Lake Mich shoreline. My question is is it worthwhle to coontinue to drive up the west coast of Mich most of the way to Mackinac or just take the shorter inland route. I believe it is about 5 3/4 hr vs 4 1/2 hr. Is the scenery great or will we see enough with Saugatuck and Mackinac. We will stay 1 nite in Saug then 3 nites on Mack then 2 more nites in Saug.

thanks for any input!

And just to stay on message we are going to Disney in October!

 

[Mkebound]

My family just drove the lenght of MI to get the the UP last week.

We drove the Interstate the whole way and only stopped at a car museum in Flint for about 2 hours.

We made great time - speed limits on the Interstate in MI at 70 and we crusied at about 77, but there is NOTHING to see off the Interstate.

If you drive up the shore there are some nice small towns, and some pretty shoreline. The best views will be at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline, run by the National Park Service.

Enjoy your drive.

 

[mtfarlin]

take it from a native Michigander...DO the senic route!!!!! So many sights sounds and things to visit and explore...well worth the extra time

 

[Colleen27]

I think the shoreline route is worth the drive, it really is beautiful and there are some lovely places to stop to picnic along the way.

Personally, I'd consider stopping somewhere further up the coast for your one-night stop if it isn't too hard from a travel-time perspective, maybe up around around Ludington or thereabouts, to see a little of one of the many cute coastal towns on the Lake Michigan shore.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Do the scenic route and stop in Grand Haven for yummy sundae on the boardwalk

 

[DoBug]

thank you for your replies! I am leaning toward the scenic route but will have to confer with DH (aka Head Chauffeur). I thought a 7 day trip was enough but now I'm thinking it's not enough time! I haven't heard of Ludington so will take a look and at Sleeping Bear park. I thought that the Saugatuck area was pretty good for art galleries, music and theater?


Our Saugatuck stays are in a bed and breakfast and we are probably past their cancellation date so I am likely stuck with our itinerary. We hope to do a nice mix of outdoor stuff - biking, maybe boating, visiting the beach. some shopping and local music or town festivals and we are foodies (but have to also feed DS9 who is not quite a gourmet yet).

4HppyCamprs - do you mean South Haven or Grand Haven for the boardwalk? I have been to South Haven - worked near there as a camp counselor one summer.

thanks again!

 

[4HppyCamprs]

t
4HppyCamprs - do you mean South Haven or Grand Haven for the boardwalk? I have been to South Haven - worked near there as a camp counselor one summer.

thanks again!

Grand Haven It is right there on the coast, they host the Coast Guard Festival, have the boardwalk, musical light fountain. It is a lot of fun to visit.

http://grandhaven.org/

 

[cjnix29]

absolutely do the scenic route!!! Stop at Legs Inn north of Petoskey, Charlevoix, Boyne City has two of my favorite restaurants of all time, it is definitely worth the drive!!!!! We LOVE Western and Northern Michigan. We've only lived in Grand Rapids for about a year and a half, but we came up here every summer because it is fantastic!

 

[sharbear]

M-22 is one of the prettiest routes you will ever travel on. There is even a clothing line based on the highway. https://m22online.com/

There are so many places to see on the way to mackinaw. I love Glen Arbor, a cute little town in the middle of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Cherry Republic is a cute shop and cafe which is all things cherry. We vacation in the area every year if you want an idea of things to do in the area.

 

[ccdoster]

I live in Holland. Myself, I would take the quicker route but perhaps it's because I live on the lakeshore. Personally, I get annoyed driving through Grand Haven when it's Coast Guard Festival time.
A plug for Holland, our downtown is fantastic and Thursday nights we have live street performers.

 

[Fire14]

I'd do Scenic one way and short way the other. I love the lake View especially as you get closer to UP. I personally would take a trip to Holland one day of your trip in saughtuck it's not far. I love the island area.

 

[Fire14]

I live in Holland. Myself, I would take the quicker route but perhaps it's because I live on the lakeshore. Personally, I get annoyed driving through Grand Haven when it's Coast Guard Festival time.
A plug for Holland, our downtown is fantastic and Thursday nights we have live street performers.

I HATE Driving thru GH anyday.

 

[faith]

Research Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pierce Stocking Scenic drive, the towns of Empire, Glen Arbor, and Traverse City.
All beautiful areas.

 

[DoBug]

thank you for your replies. I am getting very excited about this trip and I have gotten DH on board about the little extra mileage. hmm thinking of our next trip to Michigan already - this may put a dent in our Disney vacation days/funds

We were thinking of hitting the South Haven blueberry festival on the way home. Anyone gone to that?

we will be at Mackinac Is. during the Festival of the Horse so I'm excited about that too. Any must sees? I know we will try to see the carriage parade

should I be prepared for crazy crowds everywhere?

 

[marius97]

we will be at Mackinac Is. during the Festival of the Horse so I'm excited about that too.

That is a scary thought to me. I was there on my honeymoon...90+ degrees in August so the smell was quite "ripe". I can't imagine what it smells like during the Festival of the Horse.

If you are just looking to drive straight from Saugatuk to Mackinac, then I would go the quick route. But if you don't mind stopping for the sights, then go the scenic route. I never found the scenic route to be that scenic. Definately look into Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Without a doubt, the most beautiful place I've ever been.

 

[DoBug]

I HATE Driving thru GH anyday.

is it anything like driving thru Dollywood/Gatlinburg on a Friday nite? never again!

 

[DoBug]

Grand Haven It is right there on the coast, they host the Coast Guard Festival, have the boardwalk, musical light fountain. It is a lot of fun to visit.

http://grandhaven.org/

haha I am geographically challenged. I was thinking of Grand Rapids

I will take a look at the website

 

[Fire14]

is it anything like driving thru Dollywood/Gatlinburg on a Friday nite? never again!

ever done that drive. but driving thru grand Haven is driving on 4 lane highway with traffic lights and not much else.

 

[DoBug]

That is a scary thought to me. I was there on my honeymoon...90+ degrees in August so the smell was quite "ripe". I can't imagine what it smells like during the Festival of the Horse.


If you are just looking to drive straight from Saugatuk to Mackinac, then I would go the quick route. But if you don't mind stopping for the sights, then go the scenic route. I never found the scenic route to be that scenic. Definately look into Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Without a doubt, the most beautiful place I've ever been.

what smells? fish? fudge factories? sweaty tourists? I thought their summer temps were much lower than that (maybe not this year??) was looking forward to getting away from the 95+ we've been having here in Indy.

 

[Fire14]

what smells? fish? fudge factories? sweaty tourists? I thought their summer temps were much lower than that (maybe not this year??) was looking forward to getting away from the 95+ we've been having here in Indy.

Horse manure, sweaty tourist. The fudge would smell ok but might be chocolate soup.