mclhart

Hello, I have 5 kids ages 5 to 14, we've never been to Michigan but would like to go this summer. We need an area with lots of activities my bigger kids can do without mom and dad; they like to get on there bikes and go shopping or tour around towns (girls). We also need a close beach for the little ones. I'm open to big resorts with activities as long as the big kids have something to do. We do not want to have to drive everywhere, but wouldn't mind a little sight seeing--any advice?

mclhart

Obviously I should have proof read before posting my message. My older kids are the girls, they like getting on their bikes to shop and just goof around without us--need a safe place/town for them and a beachy area for the little ones.

gbhost

I think most people would recommend staying in the Northern lower peninsula. Traverse City is a great little resort town with shopping and restaurants and beaches and lots of sightseeing nearby. It seems as if it might best fit most of your criteria. Many would also recommend Mackinac Island, though you may feel a little trapped after a few days on this fantastic yet touristy car-free island.

There are many posts here about lots of things to do in the area including the beautiful Homestead reort in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (only about 45 minutes from Traverse City), and the other Northern towns of Leland, Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs. All are worth a visit and are within a relatively short drive from one and other as well as Traverse City and Mackinac Island.

LilMsFoodie

Homestead is a great resort and sounds just right for your group. LMF

Keith

Any of gbhost's suggestions are good.

I got a feeling from your post...take a long look at Harbor Springs, I think it would please you.

Keith

Mellyz

I wouldn't stay in Traverse City - it's crowded and terribly busy in the summer - a ZOO!! Leland and Glen Lake are beautiful, much more quiet and safe. I haven't stayed at the Homestead, but it has an excellent reputation, although it is probably too far for the kids to ride into town from there. Leelanau Vacation Properties and Harris Properties, both in Glen Arbor have lots of rentals on Glen Lake, Lake Michigan, The Homestead and Leland area. I've used both and highly recommend each. They have websites. Petoskey is a pretty little town, the Inn at Bay Harbor (a Boyne Resort also a Marriott Rennaissance property with rooms and condo suites) is right outside of town on Lake Michigan, with it's own marina and "town center" with restaurants and shops. There are pools, a beach, an outdoor lakeside firepit, a GREAT spa, golf priveleges at Bay Harbor and Crooked Tree and organized kids activities in the summer. Harbor Springs is also an excellent choice, but lodging is limited and it is pricier. Boyne City is a lovely little town on the southern shore of Lake Charlevoix. The Waterstreet Inn is a nice condo/hotel there - we often stayed there while skiing at Boyne Mountain before we purchased our cabin. No pool, but it's right on the lake, with a beach and walking distance to town.

dmkujat

The Petoskey-Harbor Springs area would be PERFECT for you! There is a wonderful, paved bike path that runs from one to the other and then on down the coast almost all the way to Charlevoix. It goes through the lovely Bay Harbor resort area also. The kids would have a wonderful time in both Petoskey and Harbor Springs...great little shops, restaurants, and lots of teenagers! There is plenty of boating, biking, golfing here is spectacular and the Petoskey State Park offers the areas most wonderful beach! There are also plenty of day trips by car one can take from here as a base. For lodging, there are plenty of hotels/motels nearby and also condos for rent. You can check petoskey.com for more info or I can recommend some if you can give me more info as to what you are looking for.

swalter518

Petosky is also close enough to Traverse City that you can easily go for dinner or an afternoon. Depending on where you are coming from, (its about 4-5 hours from Chicago, you may want to check out South Haven which is a great location too, shopping beaches, boating, biking, and not quite as crowded as TC.

tmh

My daughter and her family (husband and 4 kids) went to Luddington last summer. They avoided the crowded areas as noted by others. They rented a house/cabibn near alake and had a blast. The oldest 2 (girls) are 12 and 13 and the boys are 9 and 6.

They drove from Indy with gear in tow and hope to go again next year - if they can convince us to buy a house there!

miscrapper

We stayed at Homestead last summer and I think it would be the kind of place you could let your older 2 girls hang out at pools/beach together. They have many options - hotel rooms to condos. A condo would probably be best with your group. They have transportation within the resort area so your girls could hitch a ride down to beach and beachside pool.
It is an absolutely beautiful place!

TrishTravels

I'm from Michigan and have spent years spending time in Harbor Springs and Petosky. You will have plenty of options for your family there.
You can also take a day trip and drive up to catch the ferry to Mackinaw Island for the day. You will be glad you took the family there for a day. research it online before you go. Even the town of Mackinaw city is somewhere you and the girls can shop a little. Be sure and catch the places on and off of mainstreet. And the keyhole bar has the best whitefish basket in Michigan.
The cheaper rates for hotels will probably be in Charlevoix. And if you drive south of there, down the coast, you'll eventually see signs for a cherry/apple orchard (the name escapes me now) that you might find some goodies. Time it for their fireworks display and you won't be sorry. You can see both cities displays from either city. Good luck

Keith

Trish, I think the Whitefish is better at Darrow's.

I still miss the meals at Kenville's in the '60s & '70s. If I could choose my last meal it would be one of the Whitefish dinners from there with rhubarb pie alamode.

When the town was busy, folks would stand in the rain for an hour or more to get into Kenville's.

Keith

TrishTravels

Keith
You caught me at two places I haven't been, sorry to say. Hey, I'm easy to please. Chicken dinners at Bob's in Alanson made me happy.
Will try and hunt them down next time I'm up. Can't tell from your message if they're still in business, but the pie sounds worth the hunt! Had a pretty good meal at Douglas Lake Inn this fall.
Thanks.
PS-mclhart- there are plenty of good places to try. When you decide on the area, post another message and take a pole where to spend your food $$ then.

Keith

Tish, Kenville's has been gone for years, but was "the" place to eat in Mackinaw for many years.

Darrow's Family Restaurant, 301 Louvigny, is a block from the first exit coming off the bridge. The Darrows had the Anchor Restaurant near the foot of the State Dock, MANY years ago. The present restaurant started as a drive-in (with the same owners) nearly 50 years ago. It is open from Spring until late October.

Their pies (baked on the premises) are also good!

Keith

dmkujat

Hey Trish...my spinning instructor and her husband own the Douglas Lake Bar! They will be happy to hear the compliment!

kamo

Look into South Haven

greatlakestravel

Hi, if you are considering a trip to Michigan, look into the Port Huron area as a destination; across the bridge is Sarnia, Ont with its summer fun of concerts and water parks.

On the US side there is the water tour of the area with the "Huron Lady" or a tall ship excursion on the "Highlander Sea"; must restaurants on the US side is the Quay Street Brewery, the H.A.C., and of course quaint shops downtown.

On the Canadian side there are numerous restaurants including Salvatore's (menu is whatever the cook decides to make that evening); outdoor concerts; dinner and dancing cruises on the river and lake plus much more.

Hope you and your family enjoy wherever your travels take you.

gbhost

Gosh, I don't want to get into a flame war or anything, but I can't imagine why anyone would steer a first time Michigan traveler to the Port Huron/Sarnia area over the many world-class resort destinations in the Northern lower peninsula as mentioned above.

I've made many business trips through Port Huron and over the bridge through Sarnia and I can't see any special appeal of either town, at least from a travel destination standpoint. I've driven a bit around Port Huron and have had dinner there a few times, so admittedly I am no expert on the tourist attractions there, but I think the appeal of cities like Traverse City, Charlevoix and Harbor Springs are quite obvious as soon as you hit town...

Mellyz

As a Michigander who has seen it all, I second that.

Keith

I agree with both sides on this one.

Sarnia is a pleasent place to go for a weekend from southern Michigan. It isn't where I would pick for someone coming to see the region for a first time.

Keith