Boring couple planning trip around Lake Michigan
 

We are planning a trip around Lake Michigan in September. We like great scenery, quaint towns, art galleries, interesting shops, quite beaches to stroll or just sit and read. We also enjoy good food at casual restaurants.

We know the Wisconsin side quite well. In Door County we stay in a basic, clean, waterfront motel on the quiet side of the peninsula and wander the touristy side by day.

We are looking for something similar on the Michigan side. We're not crazy about big resorts and would prefer someplace small but will consider anything on the water or very near. We hope to keep it under $150 per night.

We've been to Mackinac area so this time we are looking for recommendations between there and Ludington.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Thank you for the subject line of the day. It helped me get to sleep.

HTTY

Great scenery, art gallary, quaint town, great beaches...check out Glen Arbor!

Yes, Glen Arbor. In town there is the Lakeshore Inn; simple , clean, in your price range. I have not stayed there but friends did in Sept of 2009 and said it was fine.

Petosky and Traverse City area are very nice. Only stayed in traditional motels so can't recommend lodging. Great scenery, wine tasting, nice shops, etc.

mdwest,
where do you stay in Door County that is basic, clean and waterfront? Sounds good.

I love Traverse City and Petoskey. In Traverse City, The Beach Condominiums fit your budget (In September) and they are right on Grand Traverse Bay. While in Traverse City, we like to visit Suttons Bay, Northport, Leland (eat at the Bluebird), Frankfort and Beulah. All quaint towns near Traverse City. Of course, downtown TC has lots of shops, as well.

Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs are also fun. I haven't stayed at The Bay View Inn (in Petoskey), but I've had lunch there and it is lovely (and delish).

Have fun!

From Mackinaw City, drive west on Central Avenue. It will T at the village limit. (If you turn right the road will take you a half mile to McGulpin Point Lighthouse and the shore with the Big Rock.)

Turn left on Wilderness State Park Drive. Follow it mostly along the lake shore and possibly stop at Cecil Bay Park at the mouth of Carp River.

Turn left at the river on to Cecil Bay Road and drive south 4 miles to Gill Road and turn right. After a mile and a half, Gill road forms a "Y." Take Lakeview Road to the right and it will take you through the south section of Wilderness State Park and to the water where it turns into Lake Shore Drive and goes south through sand dunes.

Stay on Lake Shore Drive until you reach Cross Village where you should check out the old church & Legs Inn with its folk art and Polish food.

Take M-119 out of Cross Village. It is known as the "tunnel of trees" and may be the highlight of your driving around Lake Michigan. It winds road through the woods and along a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.

Stop at the General Store/post office in Good Hart and drive down below the bluff there to visit St. Ignatius Church and its old cemetery. Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is another good stop with a nature center, trails and a boardwalk through the marsh and to the beach.

In Harbor Springs, be sure to check out the water front, particularly the beautiful old summer homes along the shore. The point on the west side of town is closed to cars and the public, the there is a neat area of homes along the east side of town. The Pier is a great place for fine dining on the water. Harbor Springs also has a small park with on the east side of town with whitetail deer.

The Petoskey area has many lodging options. For something different, look at the Terrace Inn in Bay View (edge of Petoskey).

Keith

From Petoskey start west on US-31 along the shore, but turn south at Burgess Road. Go south to Boyne City Road and turn left to drive to Hortons Bay, where Hemingway summered as a child. The 1878 General Store appeared in his writing and is worth a stop. Also the Red Fox Inn & Book Store across the road.

Stay on Boyne City Road around the east end of Lake Charlevoix to Boyne City. After checking out the town, drive west on Lakeshore Drive along the south side of the lake. It will turn into Ferry Drive.

Cross the south arm of Lake Charlevoix on the neat old Ironton Ferry. Turn right on M-66 which will take you to Charlevoix another nice lakefront town worth some of your time.

Keith

When in Traverse City, be sure and drive Old Mission Peninsula, I would even check out a B&B there. http://www.oldmission.com/

Whoa! I am overwhelmed with all of the wonderful responses and happy that I was able to help Happytrails get a good night's sleep.

Keith, the directions are exactly what I am looking for. It is so easy to bypass wonderful things if you don't know that they exist. My husband will really enjoy the polish food in Cross Village because his mother and aunts don't cook for him anymore. I love drooling over beautiful homes, too.

A big thanks to all of you for the lodging possibilities, hot spots and restaurants suggestions. I'll print this out and take it along as we explore. I am anxious to take this trip now that I have so many good suggestions.

~ mdwest

Lindagj, I almost forgot. In Door County we stay in Jacksonport at a place called the Square Rigger Lodge. It is right on Lake Michigan with a sandy beach. Just keep it a secret or there may not be rooms available for us next time!
http://squareriggerlodge.com/

Leland is scenic-an old fishing town