Vacation in Michigan?

[java]

We are struggling to come up with summer vacation ideas. We default to SC or FL. Trying to mix it up a bit and saw a commercial for Michigan. Never would have thought of that one.

So any ideas? Like where to stay or what to do? We don't golf, but we hike. Love water sports. And need accommodations for a family of 6! What areas should I research?

 

[momz]

Mackinaw Island. It's good for a couple days. Can't spend a whole week there. So, a couple days, then move on to somewhere else.

 

[akcire]

Greenfield Village is a good spot to visit. They have a great website. It's in Dearborn outside of Detroit. Not quite a destination but a not to be missed if in the area.

Tigers game in Detroit good fun.

 

[stitch'sgirl]

We are struggling to come up with summer vacation ideas. We default to SC or FL. Trying to mix it up a bit and saw a commercial for Michigan. Never would have thought of that one.

So any ideas? Like where to stay or what to do? We don't golf, but we hike. Love water sports. And need accommodations for a family of 6! What areas should I research?

Just curious where you are coming from. Michigan has wonderful places to visit and beautiful state parks. The west side of the state (Lake Michigan) has sandy beaches and sand dunes to climb. Traverse City and Charlevoix are destinations for sailing and shopping. Mackinac Island is a gem, but it's not the only thing we have to offer!

So happy you took notice of a Pure Michigan commercial. I think this is the first year they are run outside the state. Check out www.michigan.org for lots of vacation ideas.

 

[JanaDee]

Just curious where you are coming from. Michigan has wonderful places to visit and beautiful state parks. The west side of the state (Lake Michigan) has sandy beaches and sand dunes to climb. Traverse City and Charlevoix are destinations for sailing and shopping. Mackinac Island is a gem, but it's not the only thing we have to offer!

So happy you took notice of a Pure Michigan commercial. I think this is the first year they are run outside the state. Check out www.michigan.org for lots of vacation ideas.

They run here often (WI).

 

[Colleen27]

Since you mention hiking and water sports, I'm going to assume you're more interested in an "up north" vacation than exploring the Detroit area.

I highly recommend the Lake Michigan side of the state, around Ludington, Sleeping Bear, Traverse City areas. Fabulous beaches, wonderful state and national parks with a huge range of wildlife and scenery to explore, rivers with canoe/kayak liveries all over the place, and amazing fishing. There are also some lovely wineries with tasting rooms on the Leelenau Peninsula, if that's something that interests you.

Also, if you love hiking, the Upper Peninsula would probably be right up your alley. Beautiful, unspoiled forest as far as the eye can see. The shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point is really interesting, you can tour old copper mining sites at Houghton/Copper Harbour, and Isle Royale National Park is one of those places you have to see to appreciate.

Mackinac Island is fun but not a destination in itself, IMO. Great for a couple of days but not as the focus of a whole trip. But it is very easy to combine a couple days there with a few in the Traverse area or as an overnight stop on your way to the UP. Frankenmuth, on I75N is the same way - a nice place for an overnight or a short shopping-and-dinner stop to break up the drive, absolutely worth seeing (especially Bronners!) but not worth a trip to itself.

 

[Colleen27]

One more thought, re: accommodations for 6. Look into cabin rentals and campgrounds that have cabins or RV rentals available. We're a family of 5 and find that once you get off the beaten path it does get harder to find hotels that offer suites, but cabin/cottage resorts and campgrounds tend to be more large-family friendly. The KOA in St Ignace makes a nice home base for visiting Mackinac Island and is much more affordable than staying on the island.

 

[Turn the Page]

Good suggestions so far but keep in mind that we had a really rough winter and it is likely that the Great Lakes will remain colder than usual for a long time this summer. If you want to do a lot of swimming and water stuff like that you may want to look at visiting one of the smaller inland lakes where the water will be warmer.

 

[Geoff_M]

So any ideas? Like where to stay or what to do? We don't golf, but we hike. Love water sports. And need accommodations for a family of 6! What areas should I research?

Don't just look at the Lower Peninsula, we prefer the Upper Peninsula! Be if you like hiking in beautiful landscapes, be sure to give Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore a look. Also, we love the Keweenaw Peninsula. If you like mountain biking, Copper Harbor has some of the top rated trails in the country.

As for a place for six, there are lots of cabin rentals in the UP. If you go to the Keweenaw, here's a fantastic place where we love to stay.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Pictured Rocks in Upper Peninsula, Mackinaw Island, Traverse City, Frankenmuth, beaches and lighthouses along Lake Michigan, Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Castle Rock at St. Ignace. You can just Google them and see if those interest you.. Enjoy Michigan! It's beautiful up here during summer!

 

[TNDisneyNut]

Mackinaw Island. It's good for a couple days. Can't spend a whole week there. So, a couple days, then move on to somewhere else.

Spent four days here last year and absolutely loved it!

 

[amberg93]

Silver Lake area is super beautiful. They've got sand dune tours and of course the classing 'dune buggies' and lots of great activities, plus it's right near Lake Michigan which is always a great idea. If you can and you're into that sort of stuff, I'd recommend possibly checking out some light houses because the tours are fantastic (except if you're scared of heights, then don't do it).

Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island is a beautiful area too but very expensive. Just be warned. You'd be much better waiting to go after labor day up that way if you wouldn't mind waiting, because the prices drop super fast. My family used to take the trip up there every year the day after and hotel rates drop to like $60/night in the City.

Overall Michigan is a great choice for vacation, especially if you love the outdoors.

 

[marius97]

Good suggestions so far but keep in mind that we had a really rough winter and it is likely that the Great Lakes will remain colder than usual for a long time this summer. If you want to do a lot of swimming and water stuff like that you may want to look at visiting one of the smaller inland lakes where the water will be warmer.

I'll second that one. I'm at the southern tip of Lake Michigan and I have to watch the day to day water temps to decide if we go to the beach. Only on the very best of days will we go swimming. This year, I'm not counting on the water being swimmable until at least July.

That being said...Sleeping Bear Dunes...the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Mackinac...really cute place to visit for a few days (If you can get over the horse poo smell.) Detroit...Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village/Rouge Factory tour- all great, Detroit Institute of the Arts- world class, Michigan Science Center- great science museum for kids, Charles Wright Museum of African American History- great.

There are so many places to go and see. Southwestern Michigan has Warren Dunes (no sleeping Bear, but still pretty cool,) Saugatuk, South Haven, vineyards.

If it was me, I'd try to work in a few days in the Detroit area and few days around Traverse City (from there you can head to Sleeping Bear and Mackinac.)

 

[java]

Thank you all for the great ideas! I've been researching them all night. Mackinaw while beautiful seems to be out of our price range. And thanks for the water temp. Tip! Good point. More reasearching today.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Saint Joseph/Warren Dunes - Huge dune to climb and you can camp at warren dunes, if you're inclined. They also allow camping on the beach. Saint Joseph has a nice beach (pay to park, lifeguards) and then the area has several other beaches where you can park for free (no lifeguards, though). Rocky Gap is fun for finding rocks and indian beads. Jean Klock, too. Unless you're just going to wade, I'd stick to Silver Beach for swimming.

Saugatuk is really fun. It's a cool, artsy town.

Then you have the copper mines and locks up north. And, of course, Mackinaw Island.

 

[disneyelaine]

We like to stay at the Homestead. It is very nice, kinda reminds me of Disney in Michigan, well without Mickey or Rides. lol
www.thehomesteadresort.com

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thank you all for the great ideas! I've been researching them all night. Mackinaw while beautiful seems to be out of our price range. And thanks for the water temp. Tip! Good point. More reasearching today.

If you can.. please visit Mackinaw Island because it is a beautiful place, but don't stay on the island. We usually stay on St. Ignance, along the water. There's plenty of lodges there. If you've seen the movie, Somewhere In Time, that's where it was filmed, The Grand Hotel and the vicinity.

 

[cabanafrau]

Since you mention hiking and water sports, I'm going to assume you're more interested in an "up north" vacation than exploring the Detroit area.

I highly recommend the Lake Michigan side of the state, around Ludington, Sleeping Bear, Traverse City areas. Fabulous beaches, wonderful state and national parks with a huge range of wildlife and scenery to explore, rivers with canoe/kayak liveries all over the place, and amazing fishing. There are also some lovely wineries with tasting rooms on the Leelenau Peninsula, if that's something that interests you.

Also, if you love hiking, the Upper Peninsula would probably be right up your alley. Beautiful, unspoiled forest as far as the eye can see. The shipwreck museum at Whitefish Point is really interesting, you can tour old copper mining sites at Houghton/Copper Harbour, and Isle Royale National Park is one of those places you have to see to appreciate.

Mackinac Island is fun but not a destination in itself, IMO. Great for a couple of days but not as the focus of a whole trip. But it is very easy to combine a couple days there with a few in the Traverse area or as an overnight stop on your way to the UP. Frankenmuth, on I75N is the same way - a nice place for an overnight or a short shopping-and-dinner stop to break up the drive, absolutely worth seeing (especially Bronners!) but not worth a trip to itself.

As a lifelong Michigander, this is good information for those considering a Michigan vacation.

As far as Mackinac Island, you can do it as a day visit with cheaper accommodations on either end of the bridge at Mackinaw City in the lower and St. Ignace in the upper.

 

[Fire14]

Somebody wanna comer get me? I'm homesick

 

[scoutie]

So happy you took notice of a Pure Michigan commercial. I think this is the first year they are run outside the state.

They run here in Illinois often. It's one of the reasons why I thought to travel there last year!

My family and I went to South Haven, and had a great time! We stayed at a place called Sun N Sand Resort. It was inexpensive, and a quick five minute drive to the beach. There were lots of great restaurants and things for the kids to do.