We are planning a trip to The Homestead Resort for July 4-6 and might spend the day in Mackinac Island on July 2 or 3.

We love the Harbor Springs/Charlevoix/ Petoskey areas. Any suggestions for a night or two in that area? We love nature -- not crowds!

Thanks for your help!

Pictured Rock or Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You will be near both while in Northern MI.

http://www.nps.gov/piro/

http://www.nps.gov/slbe/

Sleeping Bear is just down the road from the Homestead. Pictured Rocks is in the UP a good 3 hours away.

Realize that 4th of July week is one of the busiest times "up north". A possible day trip is the Manitou Islands out of Leland.

Good luck in your planning.

Yes, we plan to see the dunes for sure. Thanks for the tip about Manitou Island.

Any suggestions about places to stay in the Harbor Springs/Charlevoix/Petoskey areas?

Over 4 hours to Pictured Rocks from TC.

Shepler's has lighthouse cruises out of Mackinaw City on both the 2nd and 3rd. One of them might tie in with your visit to the Island.

Keith

There are many places to stay in those areas. Bay Harbor is nice in Petoskey, not sure how the beach looks these days however. The Westhervane in Charlevoix. Both these will be crowded though over the 4th of July holiday for sure. Stafford Inn is nice in Petoskey. Kids or no kids?? We love Glen Arbor, Leland and Suttons Bay area near the Homestead. T.City will be real crowded over the fourth.

Another thought concerning Traverse City, they will be gearing up for the Cherry Festival from the 7th-14th.

Are you interested in other places in the UP? A favorite for wildlife is Seney wildlife refugee. They have a boardwalk and a nice drive-thru area.

Sorry, I meant to write the Weathervane in Charlevoix. Also, in the UP but way up is the beautiful Two Hearted River area on the Lk. Superior shoreline.