Cali

We got to Port Huron occasionally to visit friends and it is definitely not a place I would go on vacation if I didn't know people there. There are so many other wonderful places in Michigan which would be much more appealing to a first time Michigan visitor.

antmaril

I am a native Michigander and I can't imagine advising a first time visitor to Michigan to start with Port Huron. It just isn't a vacation destination. You have to trust us on this one.

Some of our favorites are Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Mackinac Island, Traverse City, The Homestead in Glen Arbor, Holland and Saugatuck.

I also understand "Harbor Country" is very nice. Haven't been there yet, but it's on my list. Harbor Country is in the southwest portion of the state.

Anything specific you would like to know, there are many of us who will try to help.

iceeu2

We are also going to the northern part of the lower penisula over Memorial Day week...Just the husband and I...Both of us are fly fishermen..Do we need to take our fly fishing gear...who knows a good outfitter/guide. We plan to check out Petoskey, Charlevoix, Traverse City, Mackinaw Island.....then, I guess the week will just about be over!
As far as the Sarnia bit..I used to work for a company that was headquartered in Sarnia...loved going, but along with others would not go for vacation. We still go about once a year to Sarnia and Corunna and have a wonderful time, but it's to visit our friends!

mclhart

Wow, thank you all very much for great replies. We still have not made final plans and but it looks like the Petosky, Charl. area fits the bill. However, we'll be driving from Kansas City, Harbor Country in SW Michigan sounds appealing and a lot closer, has anyone been there?

Keith

I have driven from KC to Michigan several times. The bad part of the drive is getting around Chicago. I recomend planing your departure times to avoid driving through that area from 7-10AM and 3-7PM.

Keith

marilynl

We live in the Chicago area and have always preferred Michigan to Wisconsin for vacations, even though coming from the north side and getting around Chicago into Michigan is harder.

"Harbor Country" is the generic term for the little towns basically from New Buffalo to St. Joseph. It's an easy hop from Chicago, gets lots of weekenders, has lots of good restaurants, antiquing, etc.

However, my recommendation would be Charlevoix. We've rented an in-town condo on the harbor--I think they call it Round Lake--that connects Lake Michigan with Lake Charlevoix. It was great--the older kids could rolerblade or bike in and around town, there were several nearby good beaches, and lots of "small town" type things to do. We enjoyed it more than a cottage in a more isolated area.