Way OT: Summer vacation in Michigan
not sure what the rules are here so just gonna shoot my shot.
Been thinking of taking a family vacation in late Aug very first of Sept and perhaps making our way back to AA for the opener on the 2nd but I am having a hard time figuring out where to go with a 6 and 9 year old kid. Heard great things about Painted Rocks, Mackinaw Island, Traverse City etc. but have never been to any of them and just wondering what the wisdom of the crowd has to say.
Would prefer to not spend the whole week driving around in a rental car but I also realize some of the places I mentioned are 4+ hours apart. Any recommendations would be welcomed!
January 11th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
TC would be my recommendation with stops at charlevoix and Petoskey.
January 11th, 2023 at 10:55 AM ^
I would recommend TC, too. We went there last summer for the first time and really enjoyed it.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:25 AM ^
I say blow past TC and keep going to Glen Arbor, Suttons Bay or Northport. Quieter and better.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
I agree with this. Lots of short, scenic hikes / drives in Sleeping Bear Dunes (pyramid point, Pierce Stocking, dune climb). Kayaking down the Platte River to Lake Michigan is easy enough for a family. They usually hold the Port Oneida days the first or second weekend in August (this is a hands on re-creation of farm life in the area during the 19th c., great for kids). We have a place in Frankfort, great little beach town with lots of rentals if you’re looking for a place to kick back for a few days that is close to everything.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
Perfect. Leelanau County is a peninsula and the roads don't go anywhere, so there is less traffic. Besides that it is beautiful.
January 11th, 2023 at 5:05 PM ^
No it's ugly and no one should visit there or buy property to hike up values any more!
January 11th, 2023 at 12:16 PM ^
The raft float down the Platte is just awesome ... plan on some beach time at the end of it.
Agree on the whole TC/sleeping bear area as the top M family vaca. Some of the most beautiful parts of the state, plenty of outdoors stuff, hikes, bike rentals and decent restaurants in TC. The hotels on the strip can be a little pricey, but staying right on the one of the arms of the bay is worth it to us.
Plus, not an unreasonable to hit a long day trip, or two, to Mackinac island (note the correct spelling there OP). Love the island, worth the trip, but it's a small little tourist area and you'll see everything in one day. Don't recommend a long stay there.
January 11th, 2023 at 3:26 PM ^
I live in TC and while I love it here, Frankfort is a great idea. Beautiful town.
January 11th, 2023 at 3:34 PM ^
Hit Pierce Stocking scenic overlook #9 2 summers ago. It’s a windy little road through a park along a single lane. Don’t wait until almost sunset because it’s a drive to get there and the parking lot fills up. The walk from the lot to the overlook is about 1/8mile. Well worth the effort for the best sunset on Lake Michigan though.
January 11th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
And....Stormcloud Brewing in Frankfort. The Best.
January 11th, 2023 at 8:04 PM ^
every been to the Cabbage Shed? Might be my favorite bar in Michigan. Great bands on weekends. Old wooden spot that must have quite a history. some of my favorite memories with my father and brothers over the years in that place.
January 11th, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
When I was a kid we pretty much always stayed in Empire. Good times. Platte River at its mouth used to be more fun. It was shallow and rocky. They must have dredged it and deepened it. I mean, like over 15 years ago. Not totally sure why though.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:54 PM ^
TC is just too crowded during June, July and August.
January 11th, 2023 at 6:29 PM ^
1000%. Sleeping bear dunes is one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, in my opinion. I've been to California, Florida, and Hawaii, it's probably above all of them in terms of scenery and ease of access, but the water is a little cold (but it's fresh!). If you do choose to go to sleeping bear, my advice is to park at the maritime museum next to the park entrance - there's an access to the beach that you can walk down to the left from that gets you to a much more private section of the dunes that are right on the water. Obviously you can still climb the dunes if you want from there!
January 11th, 2023 at 11:28 AM ^
I was going to say Petoskey. Great little town. Makinac is also cool. Went every summer to Cedarville in the UP so spent time in all those little towns, most of them will have some interesting fun things to do.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:28 PM ^
I would say it really depends on what your kids are into. When my kids were that age, sitting around looking at scenery or just sitting around relaxing was not well received. If your kids are like mine, and they want to do stuff, then I would suggest the Traverse City area. I would also suggest booking a hotel right on the bay.
Doing so gives you beach access anytime. Most hotels there also have pools. Lots of places to rent boats and jet skis. Walking trails nearby. Downtown shopping, mini golf and go carts, can drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes, and other towns nearby like Elk Rapids, Leland, etc. But word of caution, it will be busy and with lots of other tourists If you want solitude, I would suggest the UP
January 11th, 2023 at 4:58 PM ^
That's my take ... we look at the entire area of sleeping bear/TC/Benzie county as one big playground. You can get to most all the smaller towns mentioned here in a 30 min drive at most.
January 11th, 2023 at 5:06 PM ^
Sleeping Bear Dunes, there really is nothing else like it, and your family will remember it forever.
If your kids want to do stuff in TC you may want to stay at Great Wolf Lodge. If the weather isn't agreeable for other things, the indoor waterpark is always fun.
January 11th, 2023 at 10:56 AM ^
It's Pictured Rocks, and it is amazing. We did that last summer, and be advised, it is a LONG way away. But it was one of the amazing things I have ever seen and the hiking and boat tours are amazing. And there are unlimited places to just stop and swim, side of the road style. It is well, well worth the trip, and a good trip for kids.
Hit the Mystery Spot on the way up, breaks up the drive. It is clearly a gimmick but kids don't know that and it is really cool for them.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:00 AM ^
I don't have any kids but I love a UP vacation. I always rent a cabin in Grand Marais.
I did Traverse City two years ago, it was OK, little commercial for my taste. I prefer UP.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
plenty great beach towns along Lake Michigan (Holland, Grand Haven, Ludington to name a few). Can't beat northern Michigan either (TC, Suttons Bay, Glen Arbor, Leland). Your kids would probably love Sleeping Bear dunes. Lots of great hikes and beaches up north.
XM can take it from here.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
agree with this; for younger kids water/sand are always good and the dunes and Lake Michigan are the logical choices. If you do Mackinac I'd do a day and NOT stay there given the $$$; but depending on your travelling companion the cost/benefit math may work out different.
we also found places that had go carts and put put tended to be crowd favorites. Depending on your family culture a "you pick" blueberry farm might be worth a few hours.
January 11th, 2023 at 5:01 PM ^
Agree on all of those ... went on a short visit to Ludington last year. Hadn't been there since I was a kid and it was pretty nice beach town.
January 11th, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
Agree on all of those ... went on a short visit to Ludington last year. Hadn't been there since I was a kid and it was pretty nice beach town.
January 11th, 2023 at 5:43 PM ^
you went twice?
January 11th, 2023 at 9:00 PM ^
Yes, all of these lake towns are great and I’d plug ours South Haven. That said, we had many awesome trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes with our kids and their cousins. They always loved it.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
Torch Lake
Boyne
Elk Rapids
January 11th, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
Boyne City is underrated. A nice dinner at Cafe Sante, a burger/bar food and Lake Street, or some Mexican at Red Mesa are all great options. Great views of Lake Charlevoix and a vibrant little bar scene - especially during Stroll the Streets on Friday nights, with live music - makes it a must-see small town stop...
January 11th, 2023 at 1:16 PM ^
Sounds great. All they need is a ski resort!
January 11th, 2023 at 3:01 PM ^
I agree. If you want to stay at Boyne I would recommend going to Cabellas. Towards the back of the store they try to sell you those BlueGreen Vacation timeshares. We stayed at Boyne right when the leaves were perfect. For 3 nights it was like $200 and I got that amount back in giftcards. Just need to sit through a timeshare presentation for a couple hours while you are there. Plus Avalanche Bay is pretty sweet, and has a bar.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
I feel like it's semi-OT season anyways with basketball just starting B1G play and somewhat mired in mediocrity at the moment.
I'd say it depends on what you're looking for and how much time you have. Are you and your family/kids interested more in nature-y, old fashioned play on the beach and roasting marshmallows kind of crowd or touristy, let's go in and out of candy shops kind of crowd? Both have their pros and cons. Hotels/Air BnBs are already filling up but I'm sure you can find something. You can kill a day in Mackinaw quite easily and makes for a nice one and done trip if staying in TC or Petoskey.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
Anything in the UP is worth it.. We have a cabin outside of Brimley on the water we go to every summer.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:07 AM ^
I recommend Leelenau County 100%, with trips to Sleeping Bear, TC, and other towns in the vicinity. Suttons Bay if you want to be on Grand Traverse Bay, Leland if you want to be on the Big Lake.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:32 PM ^
Co-sign on Leelanau County. I'm partial to Northport, which is smaller and quieter, but with kids you can have a great day in Leland too which has lots of little shops and of course Fishtown which is really unique. Not a lot of great public beaches in Leelanau, unfortunately, except for the beaches of Leelanau State Park, which are spectacular. It's at the top of the peninsula and it also has a great lighthouse museum.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
Let me put in a plug for Ludington.
First, it's right on Lake Michigan, with one of the prettiest public beach's you'll find. Stearns Park, the city beach, has a huge stretch of sand, so it's great for families with smaller kids. There's a pretty lighthouse to walk to along the breakwater, so you get out into the lake itself, and the Badger car ferry comes and goes from Wisconsin a couple of times a day. The sunsets are stunning.
There's also a great state park just up the road with both a Lake Michigan and smaller beach, access to inland Hamlin Lake, tons of great hiking paths, canoe rentals, and the like. My boys loved all of that stuff when they were your kids' ages, and still do.
The town is also wonderful. Great ice cream at House of Flavors, a small downtown with good restaurants, bars, and shops, and a great hands-on museum when it rains (Sandcastles).
Ludington is also far south of Traverse City, so you're more likely to have very comfortable water temps that time of year, and an easier drive back to Ann Arbor.
We love Ludington, and visit almost every year. (I grew up in Shelby, just south of there, and have a lot of family still in Ludington.)
January 11th, 2023 at 11:50 AM ^
I’m a Pentwater guy. Can walk everywhere you need to go and has all the necessities for a vacation. The only time I go to Ludington is on the first day, and it’s to go to Meijer’s and pick up groceries and things I forgot to bring.
I have family from Shelby. My last name is Blamer, but theirs are Dawson/Rusch
January 11th, 2023 at 12:59 PM ^
Use to camp with my family at Mears State Park in Pentwater. Great spot.
January 11th, 2023 at 2:32 PM ^
Pentwater is terrific, too, for many of the same reasons. I played football with a Dawson back in the day. I'd say "small world," but when you're talking about that part of the state, of course it is.
January 11th, 2023 at 1:51 PM ^
Epworth?
January 11th, 2023 at 2:33 PM ^
I don't know much about it except where it is, but it sure looks pretty.
January 11th, 2023 at 8:20 PM ^
Logged in to upvote Ludington!!!
January 11th, 2023 at 11:11 AM ^
If you want to get back to the home opener, then I would suggest something closer to Ann Arbor for ease. We generally vacationed around the Michigan west coast (South Haven, Grand Haven, Saugatuck, etc.) and around the Kalamazoo/Paw Paw area as it was easy for Chicago and Michigan family to get together. Those places are about 2 hours from AA, whereas TC is like 5 hours.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
The UP of course is beautiful that time of year, and Pictured Rocks would be nice, and you could add in Tahquamenon falls. We took a trip up there around the time of your kids ages and I remember having a great time wading / swimming around the lower falls. Maybe half your trip there and a few days around Mackinaw?
Or if you want to just have a single destination with less driving, Ludington has great beaches and an awesome state park with a lot of hiking trails, swimming, biking, etc. Plus the salmon fishing is usually top-notch that time of year and Ludington is a great port for that.
January 11th, 2023 at 3:44 PM ^
I’ve never been here but I hear but I hear Kitch-iti-kipi is worth seeing. I’ve recently seen some of these YouTube videos by Alexis Dahl and she does a good job of researching the topics around Michigan. And she wears a Maize & Blue Tuque in this one
January 11th, 2023 at 11:13 AM ^
We did South Haven in the summer of 2020 with three kids--12, 9, 5--and absolutely loved it.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
Where are you coming from?
January 11th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
New Jersey. Would be a first time for the family in Michigan.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:46 AM ^
Cool! Have your kids ever tried swimming in a freshwater lake?
My in-laws all grew-up on the Pacific Ocean. When my BIL moved to Chicago with his kids we took them to Lake Michigan and it was their first time jumping into a freshwater lake. It was a cool experience for them.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:34 PM ^
Traverse City would have some appeal because you can fly there and rent a car if you'd like. I think it's a wonderful place to take young kids because there's enough to do there--and it's "near" enough that you can use it as a home base for Sleeping Bear Dunes (40 mins) and excursions up to Charlevoix/Petoskey (60-90 mins away). Plenty of pretty areas to see & explore, ability to get out on the water, swimming, mini golf/family activities, Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark if the kids need to burn off some energy, Moomers (best ice cream parlor nationally in 2016), etc. Also a decent food scene there.
Lots of good options in Michigan, though.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:46 PM ^
TC's airport is a non-stop destination from an amazing number of domestic airports in the summer. LGA has been among them in the past.