I recommend visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes while in the area. Beautiful and unique.

Will defer to a local on where to have plank fish. I enjoyed while I was there and prepare frequently at home. A great local specialty.

If you are a Hemingway fan, when you leave Charlevoix on your way to Harbor Springs, consider a side trip to Horton Bay and stopping at the General Store. http://www.michigan.org/Places-to-Go/Tours-and-Trails/Detail.aspx?ContentId=7a644b96-8fdd-43b7-acbf-3f71c27e2a17 has more info on Hemingway's Michigan connections.

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Plan on a leisurely day starting on M119 north out of Harbor Springs. Turn off onto Lower Shore Drive and visit the nature center and hike the boardwalk and trails at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve.

Between Harbor and Cross Village, M119 will go through the trees along a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. It is a spectacular drive known as Emmet County Scenic Route Number 1, or the "tunnel of trees." Make a stop for snacks and postcards at the Good Hart General Store. http://www.goodhartstore.com/ There is also a neat old church and cemetery at Good Hart and they can give you directions down to it.

Fun stops in Cross Village include Legs Inn http://www.legsinn.com/ and the Museum of L'Arbre Croche History at Holy Cross Church (open only on Saturday afternoons.)

For a nice beach, continue north onto Lake Shore Drive. There is a beach, sand dunes and a township park.

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The Mackinac Island ferries have similar pricing and service. I usually take Sheplers, but there is no reason not to take one of the others. If you go from Mackinaw City to the Island, you will have much better views of the Straits of Mackinac and Mackinac Bridge than if you go from St. Ignace. Either way, I would include a drive over the Bridge during the visit.

You can purchase tickets in advance online, but there are no reservations for the regular service. In mid June, crowds are not an issue.

The 9 & 10 AM Sheplers departures from Mackinaw City, from June 11 through September 6, include a side trip under the Mackinac Bridge at no additional charge.

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I like Big Stone Bay Fishery, a mile south of Mackinaw City off US-23 for fresh fish, smoked fish, and whitefish spread.

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I am more of a broiled and firied fish fan my self, but the best planked whitefish I have had in the Harbor Springs area was at the Terrace Inn in Bay View. http://www.theterraceinn.com/dining.asp

Keith

My husband along with two friends are vacationing in Mackinaw City (Mackinac Island) September 18th - 23rd. We are currently booked to stay at the "Hamilton Inn". Anyone have any information about this hotel? Also, what other things are there to do around this area for day trips? It's our first time in this area. Thank you for any advice.

I have not stayed at the Hamilton, but it and many of the largest motels in town (all owned by the same people) have a reputation for poor service. I would recomend that you look at the Holiday Inn Express, Riviera, Parkside Inn, Lamplighter, Bridge View Motel Waterfront, Dearhead B&B, or Days Inn & Suites Bridgeview Lodge.

If available, the Riviera has a couple of end rooms with the very best view of the bridge that any have.

I liked the Bridge View Motel Waterfront the best of those I have been at for the combination of money and for the view. But it is the only one that I listed that is not within an short walk of restaurants and downtown.

Oh, Day trips!

The drive down past Cross Village that I already mentioned, Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks and a side visit to Canada at Sault Ste Marie, and Tahquamenon Falls & Great Lakes shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point.

Many others. You could easily fill a week adding even more things like going down toward Rogers City or across the UP to the Pictured Rocks and Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

Or do a lighthouse tour with Shepler's ferry service.

Keith, what a wealth of information you are!!

Canuckgal, one of the places we just loved in this area was Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City, It is so layed back, peaceful and fun to visit the wineries! There's even a gereral store that we stopped at for an ice-cream cone: http://www.oldmission.com/ Another place we loved for a lunch is Leland: http://www.lelandmi.com/

Ummmmmmm 'laid' back.

Opps, "Deerhead" B&B

You will want to spend some time in Petoskey, which is between Charlevoix and Harbor Springs (less than 10 miles from HS). Very nice town with lots of cute shops.

Book Marking

If you take the trip south to Traverse City, take a detour up to Elk Rapids. It is about 15 minutes from Traverse City. Cute town with some unique shops. The wine shop has some prepared food items that looked really good. They are frozen so that you could take them home to eat.

Thanks to everyone for helping me plan our trip to Mackinaw City and the Island. I appreciate you taking the time to assist. Sounds like we are going to have lots to do on our trip. Thanks again!!