Mackinaw City/Mackinajk Island Accomodations and General Michigan Tour Question
 

Will be touring Michigan for about a week in August and tentatively plan to check out Saugatuk, Mackinac Island and Traverse City on the way back to Chicago. Have never been further north than New Buffalo so I am looking for any suggestions you might have as to things to see and do; any alternate suggestions as to destinations? How about places to stay on Mackinac or Mackinaw City? Have done some internet searching and it seems that the hotels on the island are pretty upscale ... $$$ is less the issue than a desire to be comfortable and casual. Staying in Mackinaw City would do fine but would like to be close to the bridge. Any suggestions?

My suggestion would be to find a place to stay in Traverse City for the week and spend a day in Saugatuck on your way home. From TC, the Mackinac Bridge is only about two hours away so it's easily accessible for a day trip. On the way there, Charlevoix, Petoskey, & Harbor Springs are interesting towns to visit.

And while in Traverse City, you can travel up the Old Mission Peninsula and visit wineries, the lighthouse at the tip, or just check out the beautiful scenery.

On the west side of TC, head up the Leelanau Peninsula. More wineries, and also the charming towns of Suttons Bay, Leland Fish Town, and Northport. At the tip of the peninsula is the Grand Traverse Lighthouse and museum and it's well worth the drive.

Another day trip from TC is to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes and the surrounding area.

As for places to stay... I recently stayed in the Best Western in TC and would NOT recommend it. Overpriced, noisy and not even on the water. I had a $45 gift certificate, otherwise I wouldn't have even considered it. There have been other posts on places to stay in TC - do a search here and you should find lots of recommendations.

You could also try VRBO.com for a vacation rental. There are plenty in the Traverse area.

If you really want to stay by the bridge, you could also check out St. Ignace on the north side of the bridge. The Colonial House is nice. And on Mackinac island, the Inn on Mackinac, Murray Hotel, and the Island House are some of my favorites.

Saugatuck is a fun city, but could be toured in a day. I've never stayed there (too close to home) so I don't have any recommendations.

Good luck and welcome to my state!
Heidi

A day trip to Mackinaw Island isn't enough and would be too rushed. You have to get away from the busy downtown fudge shop area to really enjoy the island. I would definitely stay 2 nights to 1) rent a bike and go 8 miles around it, take the carriage tour with butterfly house tour ($24), visit Fort Mackinac $12, hike for free in the state park. We stayed at the Murray Hotel 7/5 & 7/6. This hotel is in the center of everything so it's very "busy". We had a double room w/balcony $210/night and a single $125 which was like a closet (small).

Sorry--getting used to a laptop.
The Murray had a really good breakfast (included w/room) and service was good, however, I'd pick a hotel away from the center as it's just too busy. Get up early for a walk and enjoy the beauty of the island without people! You need more than a day and the ferry is

Hello, the area has many places to stay at. In Mackinaw City, there are about 50 hotels and motels. if you want to stay directly on Mackinac Island there are a dozen or so different options, including less-expensive B&Bs, During the summer you probably make sleeping arrangments in advance. you can use this travel plan site for checking up hotels (just press the required attraction on the right side of the screen) http://www.tripcart.com/usa-regions/...Michigan.aspx#
have a great trip
N.

We stayed at the Iroquois Inn on Mackinac and loved it-it's right off the ferry stop and had a great restaurant.