My husband and I have decided to go to MI for our anniversary, I've always wanted to go, but we've always opted for the closer north shore in MN, not this year. Were driving from MN, now I want to go to Michigan mainly for the beautiful beaches that look like the ocean(since we don't want to go the airfare route) I also think the drive at least will be beautiful. So I've been looking at traverse city, staying at the Country Inn and suites, driving up on Wednesday August 27th, leaving Sunday, so 4 nights. Then my husband brought up picture rocks, and thinks maybe breaking up the drive and staying the first night in Mounsing(?) then driving to Traverse staying 2 nights, and then going back to picture rocks and staying one more night, then heading home.

Now I'm looking to explore, and see beautiful sights, but also wanting to relax, I don't want to go go go every hour, I want to spend some nice time reading a book on the beach, away from the kids, and I do in home childcare with 12 kids this summer everyday. So looking for help planning an itinerary sort of.

I also read South Haven was beautiful, Its a shorter drive by a couple hours getting there, but would go no where near picture rock.

Please help me, I need to get this figured out as its over labor day, and hotels are filling.

Thank you soooo much!!!!

www.harborcountry.org

enough said

Oh great, now I'm even more perplexed

BonnieMN, most of all (if not all) of the better resort area hotels and B&Bs will probably require 2-night minimum stays on weekends - and 3 night minimum stay on Labor Day weekend. Particularly those that are close to the lake and the closer you get to the Chicagoland area, the more likely it will become.

Just to alert you to this, as it appears you want to be doing overnighters from your comments. May just not be possible that weekend.

However, after Labor Day might fit your thoughts much better. You need to be aware, though, that seasonal resort areas may have some businesses only open until Labor Day (or shortly after).

I suggest that you look into a very specific area for Labor Day weekend and book ASAP.

pictured rocks area was allowing for 1 nighters, but again I would rather just spend my time in 1 spot, now I'm just getting more confused though. Traverse city, Mackinac island, harbor country, the more suggestions people give the more you feel like your booking the wrong spots.

Now I'm thinking of staying in St. Ignace, There I could get a hotel room right on the lake, in traverse City I can't, whats available is more than we want to spend, maybe that would make it easy to spend a day driving to sleeping bear dunes, the beaches probably aren't as pretty? What are the thoughts on st. ignace vs TC

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a wonderful place to see "ocean-y" lakeside. Almost due west of Traverse City, although motels aren't plentiful -- but a friend enjoyed the Homestead (Glen Arbor?). In any case, be sure SURE to have cherry pie while you're up that way (with chocolate sauce if you wish.....).

If you find that you don't like the beaches in Michigan, check out the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. http://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm

I have stayed in St Ignace and really prefer our stays in Mackinaw City or on Mackinac Island to staying in St Ignace. We also love Charlevoix and Harbor Springs and Traverse City. If going farther South we like South Haven or St Joseph, MI. Don't care for the areas below St Joseph heading to Chicago. Think the areas I mentioned have more to see and are nicer places to stay.
Have a great time.

Suggestions: Munising, Pictured Rocks. Mackinac Bridge. Mackinaw City (sandier beaches than St. Ignace, historic fort). Sleeping Bear Dunes, stay as long as you can with your book. Back to Munising via Tahquamenon Falls.

There is a very scenic drive along the shore from Mackinac City to Petoskey (119). A lot of driving, but the beautiful heart of northern Michigan. Labor Day is very busy with bridge walk, car shows, etc. so I would make reservations now.

I am a native Michigander. I would choose Traverse City to celebrate an anniversary. If you want to visit Mackinac Island, I would stay one night in Mackinaw City, I usually travel to Traverse City in Spring or Fall because the rates are lower, but summer in TC is beautiful! Lots of good restaurants, shopping, wineries, and a short drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes. We take day trips to Charlevoix, Peteoskey, Harbor Springs, Leland, and Suttons Bay (all very cute towns). I love Traverse City and try to get there at least once a year. Whatever you decide, I hope you have fun in our beautiful state.

Happy Anniversary!

Let me join the debate. I would do the nights you planed in Munising and two nights on Mackinac Island or one on Mackinac Island and one in Mackinaw City.

As already pointed out, you should book your rooms imediately.

At Munising, do at least the curise along Pictured Rocks and hike to some of the Waterfalls.

Between Munising and the Straits, go to Tahquamenon Falls and Whitefish Point with the Light Stationa and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.

Around Mackinaw City there are several musums and lighthouses, including Colonial Fort Michilimackinac and the 290' retired Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw.

Take Shepler's or Star Line ferry to the Island, taking one of the departures which includes a pass under the Mackinac Bridge. The Island is beautiful (originally the nation's second National Park). No automobiles are permitted on the Island. You travel by foot, bicycle, carriage or horseback. The Island has an amazing history. Also a fairly active nightlife. I can't imagine a better place to spend a wedding anniversary.

If you have never seen the movie Somewhere In Time with Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour, rent it to get a feel for Mackinac Island. They take some liberties (they used a handful of automobiles and disguised it being an Island), but it will give you a sense of some of what the Island is like.

I agree with Keith, although Mackinac Island is very pricy. You can see a lot in one day then spend two nights in Mackinaw City.

If you cut out Sleeping Bear Dunes, you will have more time to relax on the beach.

My girlfriends and I did an awesome trip through Michigan last year. We focused on two areas - Northwestern LP Michigan and Pictured Rocks in the UP.
Details about my trip to Northwestern LP are here: http://thefreelanceadventurer.blogsp...dventures.html
and include Beaches, Dunes, and Traverse City.
Details about my trip to the UP here: http://thefreelanceadventurer.blogsp...s-another.html
including a boat ride around Pictured Rocks, hiking, and lighthouses.

It was an AMAZING trip. Enjoy!

Take a look a Elk Rapids. It is between Traverse City and Charlevoix on Lake Michigan. There is a great beach, good restaurants, and you are close to to Torch Lake one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
I would check on Homeaway or Airbnb since there are not any motel/hotels in Elk Rapids. It will also be less expensive.

"I also read South Haven was beautiful, Its a shorter drive by a couple hours getting there, but would go no where near picture rock."

South Haven? that's south of Holland, halfway down lake michigan. both nice towns (i live here) but 6+ hours from Pictured Rocks/Munising. On a clear day you CAN'T see Milwaukee.

Do not forget the great northern part of Mi where you can do snowmobile: even if you do not like it , the panorama are very particular, you are "outside" the reality.