mcmckissic

Can anyone tell me which is the better spot to visit for a last minute trip at end of August?? Two little ones, ages 4 and 18 months that enjoy the water/outdoors etc.... any hotel/motel rec's too would be appreciated!! Thanks, Carrie.

spartangirl

WIth 2 little ones I would personally go to Mackinac Island. I'm not sure where you are from or how much you know of the area. But as a mother of a 2.5 year old Mackinac has no automobiles on the island and very geared towards kids. I would stay at the Island House, but ask about which room you will be getting exactly as they all differ.

Now if you are truely choosing between Mackinaw City and Traverse City I might still go with Mackinaw as they have a very quaint shopping area that is for pedastrians only. I have stayed in town but cannot remember the name of the hotel unforunately. However we were right on the lake with a 2 block walk to the downtown area.

For Traverse City I recommend the Grand Traverse Resort which is geared towards families, but I think a bit pricey. I haven't been there since I was about 11 and I remember loving it.

JJ5

My son (38 years old)just returned from Mackinac/Northern MI vacation and had a great time. His kids are 10, 9, and 6 all 5 (wife/him) rented bikes and road to see the sights.

They stayed in a hotel on the main land side and he did say that it was CHEAP. He didn't care for it and would not rec. it. They took the ferry over and back with some high adventure as a storm hit right after the ferry departed on the return trip. All kept their stomaches, just.

He was all over the place and went into the Upper Peninsula (man is he antsy) and they did the suspension bridge and a swim in Lake Huron as well.

As much fun as Mackinac was, he liked some other areas better. He didn't go to Traverse City at all, which I happen to enjoy tremendously.

I'll ask him and post what places they particularly enjoyed or what hotel/motel rec's he has. Watch for the post.

Mackinac is pricey! He does not mind spending money and does frequently. He was turned off by the lodging costs of Mackinac big time considering what is there. That was his opinion, I have not been there in years.

mcmckissic

Thank you so much JJ5...very good info...we are from lower MI and have been to both but I have not been to Mackinac in years....Now, you said the hotel in Mackinac was cheap or pricey, couldn't figure that part out....yes, it would be great if you could let me know any other recomendations etc... Do you know if they did the ThunderFalls Waterpark in Mackinac City??? thanks again. Carrie.

mcmckissic

OK read it again JJ5, it was cheap, but not good correct?? we may want something in Mackinac City on the water if possible...looking around at some properties online and several come up. Thanks again for the info.

mikesmom

We like the Beach Condominums in Traverse City. We've been going there since our son was a toddler. One bedroom condos right on Grand Traverse Bay. Very nice beach. Full kitchen, washer and dryer, sofa bed, pool, etc. These have been recently renovated and are minutes from downtown Traverse City. Check out the reviews on tripadvisor.com

I don't know the website at the moment, but do if you're interested do a Google for Beach Condominums Traverse City and they will come up.

Have fun on your trip!

JJ5

The cheap motel was on the mainland very, very near to where you catch the ferry to Mackinac. He normally would never go just seredipity- but they did and this is the only motel he did NOT like. They were gone for 5 days and stayed several other places.

He didn't stay ON the island itself at all, just took the ferry there for the day. And he did think that the island resorts he saw were nice, but that the prices were high for what the island offered.

Quite honestly, he is a bit jaded as for those prices or less he has stayed on Sanibel, or inside one of the large water parks in the Dells etc. and liked them more, is how he put it. Everything is in perspective really or what you like to do. As they are constant jetski/ boaters and sand dune jeep lovers-the quaint shops etc. aren't probably what they are most into. And they live on a semi-farm so they've had their fill of horses, especially when they clean out the stall.

He would have paid the higher fees gladly if the resort had a water park, just knowing him. And he didn't mention the one at Mackinac City, but I will call and ask him. He mentioned several other places, but to tell you the truth, he was pulling me in the tube on his boat with my two granddaughters at the same time I was getting the story. This was last weekend on their way home (they stopped by me in Southern MI) at my lake place. My vetebrae are fine NOW.
At the time I was so busy concentrating that I didn't listen well, and the girls were screeching off and on.

Those little buggers don't even use the hand holds. Oh, have some fun with them when you can! I'll post here if I can get correct good recs. And soon.

Pat_in_Mich

I personally prefer Mackinac City to Traverse City. We like staying at Clearwater Lakeshore Motel. In fact I booked it again for Labor Day weekend. It's not fancy, but very clean and family run. We love the views from the balconies and it is quiet since it is at about the end of the motel strip along the water. They have a beach where you can have campfires at night (wood supplied) and an indoor pool. There is a small playground for the kids. Their website is http://www.mackinawcityclearwater.com/

TravelerGina

Besides taking one of the ferries to the Island, your kids would probably enjoy the laser light show that takes place at Mackinac Crossings in Mackinac City each evening.

As far as lodging goes, I agree with Pat_in_Mich, the Clearwater Lakeshore Motel is reasonable and a good choice with kids.

mcmckissic

Thank you thank you so much to all of you who posted for me...JJ5..we are on a lake in Southern Michigan to..in Fenton..would that not be too weird if we were nearby eachother. thanks again all...we will decide somehow between the two soon I hope.