N. Michigan Touring
 

Would like some recommendations for itinerary <BR>for a 1 week vacation in the northern mitt and/or upper peninsula area. Going around <BR>the 4th of July.

One week isn't very long! Distances in the UP are fairly long. I would start in the Traverse City area which is really lovely. Visit Harbor Springs & Petoskey. Take the ferry to Mackinac Island for 1-2 nights. The UP is more difficult. The western part of the UP -- Porcupine Mts. & Lake of the Clouds -- is very pretty but it takes an awfully long time to drive there and if you only have a week you may not want to go that far. Ditto with Copper Harbor way up at the tippy top -- it's a cute town and the copper sands are lovely, but quite a haul. I recommend the Pictured Rocks boat tour if you have an opportunity to do that. Lots of people like the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie but I'm not such a big fan, although I guess it's interesting. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention Tahquamenon Falls (sp) which are very pretty and definitely worth a visit!

You may want to check out Sleeping Bear Dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan, west of Traverse City. I know Traverse City has a cherry fesitival every year, but I'm sure when it is. On the 4th of July they have fireworks over Traverse Bay, but traffic is a mess so go early, or stay at a hotel in town that day.

If you are only going to be in Michigan <BR>for one week, I would just focus on the lower peninsula or around the border area. The UP is beautiful but this is hours of driving. I would spend two <BR>days Traverse Area hitting the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. One night in Petoskey/Harbor Springs, <BR>two nights Mackinaw City/or Island, one night at the "soo" Sault ste Marie, and one night at the Higgins Lake area or canoe or tube down the Au Sable in the Grayling area. Traverse City is very busy on the 4th. I would recommend staying in Harbour Springs or Petoskey. If you do not have reservations right now, I would start them really soon. The "shops" in Michigan close down for two weeks at this time of year and the <BR>Michiganders all vacation in the resorty areas at this time of year. Many families book the same place from year to year and they get booked a year ahead of time. Good Luck!

George, <BR>Try and make it to Torch Lake. Absolutely fabulous. Higgins Lake would be a good second choice.

Make reservations ahead. <BR>I wouldn't go to the UP until after August...the black flies and mosquitos will eat you alive!

Spent 10 days in Michigan last August with two kids. Have lots of great info; will you have children along? Get Hunt's Guide to the UP from Amazon if you plan to go; great info. Try Leland just north of Sleeping Bear Dunes; take the ferry to South Manitou for a day hike. Stay at Falling Waters Lodge in Leland; it's right on the Fishtown docks. Spend two days on Mackinaw Island; lots of fun bikeriding. We did UP all the way to Copper Harbor; saw all the sights along the way. Long drives on two-lane roads behind many very slow-moving moterhomes and trailers. You can't make good time. Best part was stay at Sand Hills Lighthouse, just south of Copper Harbor; its one of two lighthouses in Lake Superior you can stay in. Did the Soo and went north along L. Superior shore into Canada; it was beautiful. Probably wouldn't do UP again, but would stay in Petosky and perhaps go to Beaver Island for a day or two and spend more time on Mackinaw. Went to Paradise, Shipwreck Museum; T. Falls, Marquette, Grand Island and Shipwreck Tour. All fun, but lots of car time. <BR>

I highly recommend doing the Lake Superior Circle Tour. It is amazingly scenic and a week gives you plenty of time to see many sights. Lake Superior Provincial Park and Pukaskwa Nation Park are very beautiful and relaxing. Actually the whole drive in Northern Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan is very very scenic. Are you planning on camping or sticking to motels?

George, <BR>Spent 5 great days around Traverse City two years ago. Sleeping Bear Dunes is worth a visit but also try to check out some of the quieter spots like Old Mission Lighthouse. We stayed at Linden Lea b&b on Long Lake (Tel 616/943-9182). Only two rooms, great hosts, right on the lake. Have a great trip.

I disagree about skipping the U.P. It's too gorgeous to miss. I live close enough to be able to take the kids on day trips to some of the closer attractions. If you're looking for traffic congestion go to Traverse City. If you're looking for relaxation and serenity go to da U.P., eh! <BR> <BR>Some of my favorite U.P. spots: Tahquamenon Falls, Kitchitikipi Spring, Fayette, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (boat trip), Munising Falls, Wagner Falls, Cut River. These are all close enough for us to do in a day. Distances are great but there isn't any traffic to speak of. <BR> <BR>Can you see Michigan without visiting Mackinac Island? The ferry is a little steep, but that's because the island is a state park and most of the cost is your admission to said park. You can purchase tickets that include ferry, carriage tour and even the luncheon buffet at the Grand Hotel. <BR> <BR>Jut one person's humble opinion.

The Cherry Festival (http://www.cherryfestival.org/) starts in Traverse City the July 4th weekend. (July 1-8) The Blue Angels will be performing an air show to get things going. There are lots of events, free entertainment, lots of food and TONS of people. Our little town of 15,000 swells to 250,000 or more. It can be fun. I avoid as much as possible because the traffic requires patience. I do recommend you take a walk downtown perhaps starting with breakfast at the Omlette Shop on Cass Street. By lunch you can go 2 blocks West of downtown to North Peak Brewery for hanger steak or pretzel encusted whitefish. <BR> After the hussle of town, escape and do a "circle tour" of Leelanau county on M-22. At Empire, stop at the Visitor's Center of the National Lakeshore. Be sure to drive the Pierce Stocking Drive and explore the restored Life Saving Station in Glen Arbor. Leland is next on M-22. Fishtown at the harbor has a New England atmosphere and fresh fish and cute shops. Northport is the summer home of Tim Allen (Home Improvement). The gift shop in the marina is a good place to find a wide price range of gifts. And there are many other unique shops in town. A lighthouse north of town is on State Park land and is open to the public for a small fee. "Woody's" has good food if you are hungry. Suttons Bay is south of Northport and on your way back to TC. You will find a casino there for some action and headliner acts. Don't eat there though. The service and food is terrible. Boones Prime Time Pub on the south side of town is a better bet. For dessert, walk up the street for a soft serve cone 2 blocks north. You will see the red awning. <BR> Harbor Springs is picturesque and for the "landed gentry". This is how the other half lives. At Mackinaw Island you can see how they used to live before automobiles. Plan the whole day on the island and get there early. Rent a bike if you have time. Take a carrige tour at least for an entertaining lesson in history. The whole island is a State Park in a time warp. Prices are not. Mackinaw City has better rooms at more reasonable rates. There is lots here too and worth a day's stay as others have suggested. Feel free to email us if you have any questions. We live between Suttons Bay and TC and love to help. Summer is short here so July is peak season. Make room reservations as soon as possible.

Hi George, don't ignore the eastern UP. Drummond Island is cool - great lodgings, awesome golf.

Hi George, <BR> <BR>If you're interested here's my travelouge on our trip to the U.P. last year with lots of links. <BR> <BR>http://www.geocities.com/mathews_dalton/Mich.html