Driving up to Mackinaw area in Sept and looking for a Saturday night layover. We've stayed in Traverse City a few times but thought of trying something different. Good or bad idea?

Where are you driving from? Cadillac is not the easiest place to get to/from. In summer it has the lake and winter it has skiing, that's it.

...from Chicago area. Driving up US31 to US131. We are staying at a small lake just south of Mackinaw and really can't check in until 2:00 so we wanted to stay somewhere about 3 hrs away. I know the entire trip is only an 8 hr drive - but with the time zone change it makes for a long day. We'd rather arrive at the lake early afternoon and take advantage of the fishing & surroundings. Another thought was to stay in Manistee.

131 north of Cadillac can be a frustrating drive. When I go up that side of the state, I cross over to US 27 & I-75 at Cadillac or Reed City.

Have you considered staying in Houghton Lake?

Keith

I see that they have a Best Western in Houghton Lake. Anything else? Nice town?

I've never been there more than a couple of hours at a time, but found it charming.

Keith

Manistee is a charming little town, very Victorian, nice boardwalk, and just north of there is Frankfort, another cute little town. Cadillac is sorta "uck" I think...really just a "pass through" kinda town. (No offense to those who live in Cadillac!)
Charlevoix and Petoskey are spectacular places to stay, though a little farther north.

There is a nice hotel in Cadillac, right on the water, but can't remember the name sorry, and it has a good restaurant.

There is also a very good chinese restaurant, (waiter there used to work at a restaurant around the corner from my apartment here in NYC, small world), and a Bavarian Cafe.

Cadillac, is a cute town, with a few shops and a movie theatre. There are tons of antique shops all over the area.

I agree head up 131, not much to see between Grand Rapids and Cadillac.

You also might go over to Ludington, that's also a cute area, and several antique stores there as well.

Have a fun time.