OT: Summer vacationing in Michigan
Looking to the board for help planning a summer vacation up to Michigan. My folks live in Michigan and are now in their 70s. Rather than our usual visit which mostly involves me, my wife, and the kids sitting around my parents' home, I'd like to plan something a bit different this year.
My sister and her kids also have families, so am looking to find a large home or some place with enough room for up 14 people to stay for a weekend. Some place near the water, beach with lots of family friendly activities for young and old would be ideal. Ideally looking for very specific advice, a town, a place to rent, things we can do.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Really hard to go wrong in NW Michigan in the summer.
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We used to always go to Crystal Lake and rent a cabin for a couple weeks with all three sets of cousins.
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Great place to stay on Lake Michigan.
Mackinac
he'll NEVER find Mackinac Island looking in Lake Michigan.
Great place to stay on Lake Michigan.
Where is that? Somewhere near Charleyboy?
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follow the Lake Heron coastline northwet, continue on past Charleyboy, and there you are---Mackanaw!
follow the Lake Heron coastline northwet, continue on past Charleyboy, and there you are---Mackanaw!
Mackinack Inland?
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Very simplistic, but I've been saying to out-of-staters for a long time...Lake Huron if you want to chill, Lake Michigan if you want to party. Not saying you can't chill on the Michigan side or that Huron is devoid of people, just saying there are a lot more small resort towns that tend to be busy and may or may not have casinos on the west side (South Haven, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Pentwater, Ludington, Manistee, TC, Charlevoix, Boyne, Petoskey, etc) as opposed to the east. Although it's been years since I've been to Huron so it may have developed more. We typically go to my Dad's place at Higgins Lake to relax, or to somewhere on the Lake Michigan shore.
I actually agree with that though and I have told people similar things in the past. The Lake Huron side is great for plopping down a fishing pole and spending a day polishing off some beer or however you want to take it easy and relax. The Lake Michigan side is much more active and possibly the better side to be if you've got kids. As someone mentioned upthread, there is a nice selection of mini-golf in and around Traverse City and my kids and I have done that tour, but Sleeping Bear Dunes are over there, winery tours and numerous other activities.
A lot of it depends on what you want out of the time.
I'm a huge beach snob, but that is one thing I'm not a fan of regarding the east side / thumb - rocks everywhere!
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Homestead Resort or Grand Traverse Resort may be your best bets for this summer, given how many people you want to house. I have a big rental property on Crystal Lake that sleeps 10-12 but it's been booked for the entire summer since December. The resorts can split you up in 2-3 condos and you'll still be near each other.
If you are willing to drive further, I would suggest either Marquette or maybe Escanaba or Copper Harbor in the UP. It will be cheaper and far less crowded. Copper Harbor would also set you up to take a trip to Isle Royale.
Start in Munising and see the pictured rocks, then head over to Tahquamenon Falls, and end up at Whitefish Point to see the lighthouse. That's what I usually do when I'm up there. Then on the way back down, you can stop in Mackinaw City.
I hiked on Isle Royale and it isn't for the faint of heart. Also, it can be quite expensive, since you need to take ferry to it at around 130$ per person. The ride is about 3 to 4 hours long. If you don't like to Kayake or Hike, then it isn't for you.
Copper Harbor would be swell, but if you or your kids are into swimming, best look for something inland. I can't imagine grandparents or grandkids swimming in the Lake that they call Gitche Gumee. Isle Royale, for my money, is one of the most beautiful places I can imagine and I've made the trip 3x. That being said, getting 14 people including kids and grandparents up there would be a logistical nightmare and they had all better wear their man-pants (or woman-pants) becuase hiking there in the middle of summer with the heat, black flies, and having to filter and carry your water is gonna wear you out.
I don't have a specific place in mind, but Eminem has a gargantuan place on Torch Lake, I'd touch base with him to see if you could rent it.
Kayaking in Lake Superior is only for those who know what they're doing. Not for beginners.
This thread is from a week or two ago and will complement nicely what people say here...I personally like Traverse City and Torch Lake (Aden). You will need to drive between places, but SHorts, Old Mission Peninsula wineries, Traverse City, Petoskey, etc are all about 30 to 40 minutes from Aden on the south end of Torch lake.
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/ot-suggestions-vacation-ideas-northern-mich…
of course....spelling...Inn at Torch Lake is such a great BB. The south Torch Sandbar is so fun...but cold
is there a set hiking trail for that? That hikes sounds fun.
http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/upload/PRNL-Map-Guide-2010-Side2…
God I miss going up in the summers.
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