Michigan Outdoor Destinations
 

I am thinking up travel ideas for next summer and am considering Michigan. I am looking at places like Traverse City and Munising. Perhaps going to both places. Theres the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore as well as Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I would have a week probably. We do some hiking but not long distance hikes. Boating is out of the question. So, that leaves sightseeing and driving around in addition to enjoying the beaches and shoreline. As well as restaurants and shopping. What are the towns of Traverse City and Munising like? Any other ideas?
Thanks-

I agree that Traverse and Sleeping Bear are must-do. You should add Charevoix, Harbor Springs and the trip to Mackinac Island for half a day.

If you don't do boats, then Pictured Rocks is not a good idea since they are best seen on a boat trip.

I would definitely stay in Traverse City for a few days. If you stay in that area, you can visit Sleeping Bear Dunes and if you enjoy shopping, there is Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Leland and Northport. All very nice towns with shops and restaurants. There are many wineries in the area and even a couple of casinos (if you like that). You might want to then drive North and stay in Mackinaw City. From there you can take a ferry to Mackinac Island or drive to Petoskey, Charlevioix and Harbor Springs. Again, all cute towns. You could drive over the Mackinac Bridge and explore the UP a little. Maybe the Soo Locks in Sault Saint Marie. I haven't been to the Pictured Rocks since I was a little girl, so I can't comment and I have never been to Munising.

These are just a few suggestions. You could stay in any of the towns mentioned. If you have a bigger budget, you might prefer to stay on Mackinac Island. Or, if you want to stay near Petoskey, you could stay at the Inn at Bay Harbor. There are lots of options. It just depends on what you are looking for and your budget.

I hope you enjoy your Michigan vacation.

Do you mean that private boating is out of the question, or any kind of being in a boat?

Munising could still be worth visiting without the fabulous boat tour, but without the boat tour, it would require significant hiking.

Mackinac Island can still be visited by airplane.

If you go into the Upper Peninsuala, I would add Tahquamenon Falls and Whitefish Point into the mix.

Thanks-

Yeah one of us has vertigo issues so any type of boating is out. I would like to goto the Upper Peninsula but would there be enough to do just touring by car? I see theres a road through the Pictured Rock national lakeshore? Of course from Maryland, the Upper Pennisula of MI is a pretty long drive even for two days. Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes is closer but still far but not too bad for two days. So that's something to take into consideration. But it would be nice to see some rocky coastline. How is Mu

The road does not go where the best parts of the National Lakeshore are. You can see a hint of it and I would do that if I was passing through on the way somewhere else. Without hiking or boating, I don't believe it is worth using the time in your brief visit to travel there.

But the eastern UP locations which I mentioned are well worth visiting and you can do them all without boating or long hikes.

There is a bit of walking at Tahquamenon Falls, but it is paved and easy. There are option long flights of stairs at the upper falls, but they can be appreciated without doing them. Here is what the falls are like: http://www.mightymac.org/tahquamenonfalls.htm

Ottawa County Parks have a system of about 45 parks, very nice for its size. Lots of hiking trails thru dunes, greenways, woods, etc; and yet close to urban areas. Check their website.