Chicago is about 6 hours from Minoqua if that is of any interest to you.

Here is a unique idea however: http://www.nobarnyarns.com/ is a Yarn and quilting in Reedsburg, WI that draws aficionados from states away. Small town place with a huge reputation. Reedsburg in very near WI Dells and would put you 3-4 hours from Minoqua.

What route were you planning to take from Lansing to Minocqua? I would chose a route and timing to be well past Chicago and Milwaukee by Friday afternoon.

You could take the Ludington/Manitowoc Car Ferry across Lake Michigan, and then over/up to Minocqua. You could spend Thursday night in Ludington MI which has a nice sandy dunes/beach & some good food. The car ferry lets you avoid Chicago. Not cheap, but very relaxing. Good luck.

Thank you for your help but I realize I wasn't clear about the way we are going. We are definitely not going the Chicago route - we are driving through the UP in order to avoid that traffic - we thought about the ferry but that is more than what we want to spend.

I was really just looking for advice on places to see, eat, stay on the way from Lansing to Minocqua on the route through UP. Thanks

Pam

Well not to be rude but that was a detail that would have been helpful and saved some effort.

I thought that in the original post when I mentioned staying near Grayling and mentioning visiting Petoskey that anyone familiar with MI would realize we were taking the UP route.

Pam

who cares if you left out a few details....no biggie...My husbands aunt is a huge knitter. She goes to this yarn shop in Lansing that is FANTASTIC. It is the state of the art. it is on Waverly Road, but do not know the name of it.

I am from Lansing. Not sure if you are staying in Lansing. It sounds liek you are not.

Actually I think the shop you are referring to is the one I plan on visiting - Threadbear Fiber Arts. I have read many wonderful things about it.

Pam

yes, that is the one. She says it is great.

"I thought that in the original post when I mentioned staying near Grayling and mentioning visiting Petoskey that anyone familiar with MI would realize we were taking the UP route. "

It was 100% clear, Pam.

After visiting Petoskey, go around Liitle Travrse Bay to Harbor Springs. Feed the deer in the park, then take M-119 along the bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and tunnnel of trees toward Cross Village.

Stop at Thorne Swift Nature Preservere and walk the boardwalked trails through the swamp to the dube observation platform.

Stop at Legg's Inn in Cross Village to see the folk art building and furniture.

Continue along the shore around Cecil Bay through the dunes, then go straight east to Carp Lake and Old US 31

At Carp Lake, stop at Goldie's Cafe for a nice simple meal on the deck over looking Lake Paradise. Take Old 31 around the lake and north to Mackinaw City.

Keith