Road trip from Pittsburgh this summer

Frwinkley

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jan 10, 2016
Messages
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With our Alaskan cruise cancelled, we are considering driving somewhere this summer. We're not afraid of flying, but are concerned about flights being cut, etc. and having to scramble to get home. Driving seems like a good alternative.

We are considering the Great Lakes area of Michigan, but know very little about the area. We like the outdoors, hiking, beautiful scenery and are avid photographers. We like quaint, walkable downtowns.

Anyone with any experience or advice?
 
With our Alaskan cruise cancelled, we are considering driving somewhere this summer. We're not afraid of flying, but are concerned about flights being cut, etc. and having to scramble to get home. Driving seems like a good alternative.

We are considering the Great Lakes area of Michigan, but know very little about the area. We like the outdoors, hiking, beautiful scenery and are avid photographers. We like quaint, walkable downtowns.

Anyone with any experience or advice?
Maybe take a look at Traverse City/Petoskey. My parents live in Northern Michigan (May - September) and it's lovely.

ETA: I'm waiting for my Alaskan cruise to be cancelled. I'm debating visiting my folks, though. I'm nervous about possibly getting them sick since they are older and at least my mom is high risk. But I really want to get up there this summer because we're bored to tears and the weather is so much better.
 
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For a quick weekend trip from Pittsburgh. Try the Cuyahoga national forest around the Cleveland area for hikes and peninsula or Richfield for cute downtowns.
 

If the borders are open, Niagara on the Lake!
 
If you do come to Michigan, you must plan a day or two on Mackinaw Island. It is a car free island between the upper and lower peninsulas. Do a search on the Grand Hotel. It is a sight to behold.

From there, drive down the coast through the tunnel of trees to Harbor Springs, then visit Petosky and Traverse City. Tour the farms and wineries on Mission Point and the Leelanau Peninsula. See Sleeping Bear Dunes and drive the beautiful Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Continue south to Grand Haven if you wish.

Michigan is a beautiful state with cute towns and great hiking trails all along the coast of Lake Michigan. The lake level is higher than ever so there is damage along the coast, but the views from the sand dunes can’t be beat.
 














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