Need help with trip to Michigan in 2 weeks
May 20th, 2009, 11:05 AM
#1
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Need help with trip to Michigan in 2 weeks
I will be in Detroit for a wedding on Sunday 6/7. Am planning a trip through state. Do you think this is too much for 6 days:
Detroit to Grand Rapids for visiting Pres. Ford Museum. Then up the coast to Traverse City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, maybe Sleeping Bear Dunes. Then a day and maybe an overnight on Mackinac Island. Then to the UP to Marquette and return to Detroit. Is this too much driving and not a lot of touring and shopping, etc.? Thanks for any suggestions.
Detroit to Grand Rapids for visiting Pres. Ford Museum. Then up the coast to Traverse City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, maybe Sleeping Bear Dunes. Then a day and maybe an overnight on Mackinac Island. Then to the UP to Marquette and return to Detroit. Is this too much driving and not a lot of touring and shopping, etc.? Thanks for any suggestions.
May 20th, 2009, 06:10 PM
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Yikes, that is a lot of driving. I would definitely keep Sleeping Bear Dunes (you really only need to stop for an hour or less and just take it all in) and I would skip the UP.
I would add at least a partial drive up Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City.
I would add at least a partial drive up Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City.
May 20th, 2009, 07:30 PM
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I don't know if I would go up to the UP on a short trip - it is a long, long drive to Marquette. I think you will have plenty to do and see just going up to Mackinac. You will love Traverse City, Petosky & Harbor Springs. Save the UP for another trip. Have fun.
May 20th, 2009, 09:10 PM
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I agree, the UP is pretty but not much to do and not alot actually no shopping really up there.
Traverse City will be a fun stop, galleries, and lots of shopping and the views are spectacular.
If you have some time, you might stop in Cadillac on the way up to Traverse City. There is a little shopping there, a couple of good motel/hotels and a very cute Swiss Chalet/restaurant/B&B. There's also a good Chinese restaurant as well. (Had dinner there a few times and met one of the waiters who worked around the corner from me here in NYC, sure a SMALL world)
There are also lots of antique shops all along the coastal area of Michigan and you can get a guide to all of them in the area, just ask.
Have A GREAT TIME.
Traverse City will be a fun stop, galleries, and lots of shopping and the views are spectacular.
If you have some time, you might stop in Cadillac on the way up to Traverse City. There is a little shopping there, a couple of good motel/hotels and a very cute Swiss Chalet/restaurant/B&B. There's also a good Chinese restaurant as well. (Had dinner there a few times and met one of the waiters who worked around the corner from me here in NYC, sure a SMALL world)
There are also lots of antique shops all along the coastal area of Michigan and you can get a guide to all of them in the area, just ask.
Have A GREAT TIME.
May 20th, 2009, 09:23 PM
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Thanks for all the suggestions. Any thoughts on relatively inexpensive accommodations in Traverse City area. Thinking of taking tall ship sail out of Traverse City. Any thoughts on that? Anything we should definitely not miss as far as attractions go?
May 21st, 2009, 04:02 AM
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I think you should be able to find some reasonable accommodations in Traverse City right now. I would suggest staying on Grand Traverse Bay if you can. So beautiful. My son and his girlfriend are heading to TC next week and got a great deal at the Grand Beach Resort for $64 a night weekdays and $79 weekends. Let me tell you -- that is a great bargain. Their sister resort, Sugar Beach Resort, is offering the same deal ($79 on weekends). I'm not sure if these rates are good in June, but I would look into it.
I also like The Beach Condominiums and The Tamarack Lodge (Tamarack Lodge will be more expensive).
Google Traverse City, Michigan and you should find all the websites you need. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm going to TC myself on June 7th!
Have a great trip.
I also like The Beach Condominiums and The Tamarack Lodge (Tamarack Lodge will be more expensive).
Google Traverse City, Michigan and you should find all the websites you need. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'm going to TC myself on June 7th!
Have a great trip.
May 21st, 2009, 05:20 AM
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We love Mackinac Island, and if you do go to Marquette, go to Big Bay lighthouse and stay at one of the B&Bs up there rather than Marquette proper.
its Awesome.
btw: check city websites for events. Summer months include all kinds of unique festivals in MI
its Awesome.
btw: check city websites for events. Summer months include all kinds of unique festivals in MI
May 21st, 2009, 06:17 AM
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Frank is right. Summer time is festival time. All the festivals here are built around things that grow. Although you might fall right in between mushroom/asparagus and strawberry time. Oh, but you might hit lilac festival on Mackinac Island! If so, you should book that room now. Try the smaller b&b's for that.
Here is a list:
www.mackinac.com
Here is a list:
www.mackinac.com
May 21st, 2009, 09:39 AM
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I was very disappointed with our drive all the way across the UP--trees, trees, trees and not pretty forests but fairly new growth. You hardly ever see the water. I would have enjoyed more time in the Traverse City, Petrosky, Mackinac Island area.
May 21st, 2009, 10:00 AM
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May 21st, 2009, 10:37 PM
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I would get my reservations right away as we have had trouble getting rooms in the popular tourist spots in MI in the summer. We really learned after trying to find rooms during the Cherry Festival a few years ago - I thought we would have to drive all the way back to Detroit just to get a room. The whole West Side of Michigan was celebrating the Cherry Festival. We never travel without reservations made in advance now.
May 23rd, 2009, 11:59 AM
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I have a suggestion for a great way to spend one day during the time you are based in Traverse City. It combines a scenic drive, visits to 2 or 3 small towns with great shops/galleries, and Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes.
Head north out of TC on M-22 -- you'll be following the west side of Grand Traverse Bay. Follow M-22 until you get to Suttons Bay, and take a little time to explore this pretty town.
Then cut west on 204, reconnect with M-22 and take a right (north) to Leland. Lots of cute galleries here and a waterfront area called Fishtown. There's a restaurant called The Cove on a deck overlooking Fishtown...average food but a lovely place to sit and have a drink.
Then head west (actually sort of southwest) on M-22 to Glen Arbor. I think the M-22 drive between Leland and Glen Arbor is soooo pretty. Glen Arbor is full of shops and art galleries. Don't miss the Cherry Republic.
http://www.cherryrepublic.com/
Most of the restaurants in Glen Arbor are sort of average IMO. Good Harbor Grill is the best. BooneDocks has a great deck for drinks. For a great burger and good bar food go to Art's Bar.
Head west out of Glen Arbor on 109 to get to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Take the drive called Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and get out at all the scenic overlooks. I think the best time to be here is a couple of hours before sunset...the color and shadows are amazing.
On your way back to TC you can take a more direct route, east on M-72. If you get a good map of the area you should have no trouble following this route.
I also love the wineries in this area....there are 6 of them near M-22 between TC and Suttons Bay. But the route I'm suggesting could take a full day so I'm not sure if you'll have time for wine tasting. But just in case, here's a site that tells you all you need to know:
http://www.lpwines.com/winemap/
Have a wonderful trip! You will love this part of Michigan!
Head north out of TC on M-22 -- you'll be following the west side of Grand Traverse Bay. Follow M-22 until you get to Suttons Bay, and take a little time to explore this pretty town.
Then cut west on 204, reconnect with M-22 and take a right (north) to Leland. Lots of cute galleries here and a waterfront area called Fishtown. There's a restaurant called The Cove on a deck overlooking Fishtown...average food but a lovely place to sit and have a drink.
Then head west (actually sort of southwest) on M-22 to Glen Arbor. I think the M-22 drive between Leland and Glen Arbor is soooo pretty. Glen Arbor is full of shops and art galleries. Don't miss the Cherry Republic.
http://www.cherryrepublic.com/
Most of the restaurants in Glen Arbor are sort of average IMO. Good Harbor Grill is the best. BooneDocks has a great deck for drinks. For a great burger and good bar food go to Art's Bar.
Head west out of Glen Arbor on 109 to get to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Take the drive called Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and get out at all the scenic overlooks. I think the best time to be here is a couple of hours before sunset...the color and shadows are amazing.
On your way back to TC you can take a more direct route, east on M-72. If you get a good map of the area you should have no trouble following this route.
I also love the wineries in this area....there are 6 of them near M-22 between TC and Suttons Bay. But the route I'm suggesting could take a full day so I'm not sure if you'll have time for wine tasting. But just in case, here's a site that tells you all you need to know:
http://www.lpwines.com/winemap/
Have a wonderful trip! You will love this part of Michigan!
