jaybedif

We are planning a long weekend trip in early August with our 3 20-year-old kids (20, 23 and 27) and their spouse/significant others. We are trying to stay 4-6 hours from Chicago, which we're thinking is likely Michigan for something fun and relaxing. We do not want a "Door County" feeling place as that's too quiet. (Great for young kids and empty-nesters, but not good for 20s.) My husband and I raised the kids in Wisconsin, so we've pretty much done Wisconsin. Looking for some new adventures!

Does anyone have any ideas of a town along the Lake Michigan coast (or elsewhere) that we could be on the water, near brew pubs, trails for hiking/biking, kayaking/boat rentals where we could rent a condo or house?

Our ideal trip would be heading to Nashville to hit the honky tonks, but with one 20 year old (oh so close to 21!) this may not be the year for that quite yet. Something along that line though, is what we're looking for.

Thanks in advance for your input!

Gretchen

National Park? Beach resort on Lake Michigan? Cleveland--good eating and rock and roll hall of fame?

Gretchen

Oh, and maybe a baseball game in Cleveland.

Cincinnati has some of the same attraction also. Plus maybe a tennis tournament.

Same for St. Louis.

Keith

Mackinac Island has everything you ask for but the brew pubs, but it has some cook bars and nightlife.

Keith

"good" bars. Wish I could edit.

tomfuller

The Amtrak "City of New Orleans" leaves Chicago at 8PM every night and is in Memphis early the next morning.
Across the street from the station is a restaurant that was an Elvis hangout.
It's not too far to Beale Street
If you decide you don't like Memphis, you can rent a van and head for Nashville.

exiledprincess

I believe that you still have to be 21 in Michigan to legally drink alcoholic beverages.

Wherever you go, you'll need to confirm that drinking age.

Ackislander

I kinda like Tom's idea of Memphis, though I would try to fly.

Lots of people I know who had to go to Memphis for family events wound up having a great time there.

lolotravel86

What about the Traverse City area? They have an impressive beer/food scene considering the size of the town. It's been years since I've been there personally but we have family with kids in their twenties who spend a lot of time up there.

jaybedif

Thanks everyone. These are great, keep 'em coming!

gardendiva

The drinking age in Michigan is 21 but most establishments will allow entrance at age 18, especially with a parent.

BumbleB6

Replying to this, so I can get updates on responses. My family and I are looking for a trip similar to this, in early June.

MargaretandTony

Hello jay -

Ludington is a nice town that is certainly within the 4 - 5 hour target distance. It has a number of great beaches that your 20-somethings should really like. There is also the 22.5-mile Hart-Montague trail, an old railroad bed that is paved the whole distance. You might want to look at a biking website that looks interesting that lists west Michigan bike trails - http://www.wmtrails.org/

There are other great towns along the Lake Michigan shore that have good beaches and good dining, but are quite a bit smaller – South Haven, Grand Haven, and Saugatuck. Saugatuck has a reputation for being something of an art colony. Since they are all relatively close to each other, there is the option of visiting more than one of the towns, at least for dining and drinking variety.

kelliebellie

You want either Traverse City, or the Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island/Petoskey area.

Traverse City gets you great wineries, breweries, food, and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Petoskey has a small, but great brewery, great restaurants, beautiful views of the bay.

http://petoskeybrewing.com

And great canoeing/rafting in Indian River:
http://www.bigbearadventures.com

And the UP will offer hiking and the Soo Locks.