Where should a family of 4 stay? We will be visiting Madeline Island this summer and also making stops in Ashland and Bayfield.

This is a first time visit and we are trying decide where to spend our 3 nights.

Looking to do some hiking and mountain biking.

Appreciate your help.

I have never stayed in Ashland, but have always admired the Hotel Chequamegon when passing through. Check it out at www.hotelc.com. In Bayfield, we love the Old Rittenhouse Inn, but it is a B&B not suitable for young children. If you have teens, it would be fine. Not sure if it's the kind of place you're looking for.
The Apostle Islands are beautiful. Enjoy!

We used to sail around Madeline Island and one year rented a house. It was wonderful. Up on a hill overlooking the bay. There are lots of cabins and condo rentals. That might be nice for a family of 4.

Does anyone from Madeline know if the little "fairy village" is still on the island?

As far as taking the ferry over from Bayfield for a day trip, we just didn't get it. There was hardly anything of a town. We expected cute shops, nice restaurants, entertainment and there was very little. Everyone got off the ferry and just wandered around like they were lost because there just wasn't anything there.

We were told not to bother driving around the island because all you could see was trees. Since that's all we had seen for days as we drove through lower and upper Michigan, we passed.

There is so much potential to be a small charming village that people would enjoy. There was a steady stream of people going over to the island.

It was such a let down.

The boat tour from Bayfield around the Apostle Islands was very nice, though and next time, we will take a kayaking tour.