Northwest Michigan Vacation In September
 

My husband and I will be going to the northwest area of Michigan in Sept. We would like to vacation around the Traverse City area. A couple of years ago we went to Petoskey/Harbor Springs area and loved it. We like to stay at B&B's, could you suggest any. What area would you recommend us staying at, Traverse City, Old Mission, Suttons Bay, Leland, Northport, Omena. Any other suggestions on things to do/see besides "Sleeping Bear Dunes", visiting wineries, and Light Houses. We are planning on taking our bikes, are there any bike trails in any of those particular areas. Also, would you recommend any restraurants or some really good wineries to visit. As a woman I like to shop.....isn't that suprising! I like to visit quaint shops not malls/outlet centers!! Could you suggest a few towns that I mentioned above that would fit my style of shopping! One more thing, we would like to rent a waverunner for part of a day, to actually be in the water, what body of water would you recommend doing that? Thanks for all of your help! I was a little windy!!
Tede

Did a similar trip 2 years ago the week-end after Labor Day. We stayed at a resort on the east bay in Traverse City. We were able to rent a wave runner right by our resort. Downtown Traverse City and Glen Arbor have a nice assortment of small shops. A favorite restaurant is Bowers Harbor Inn on the Mission Penisula.

I like to stay right in Traverse City when I visit "Up North." I enjoy the city itself, appreciate how easy it is to hit the other towns and areas you mention; and I guess it sort of feels like home as I have been going there almost every summer since I was a child with my family. (You wouldn't believe the changes!)

My favorite places to stay include The Pinestead Reef - a timeshare type of place that could rent to you by the night/week, and also the lovely Beach Haus. Both places sit pretty much right across from the state park, and are on East Bay. It is really beautiful to see the sunset over the bay, and certainly exciting to watch the water appear as smooth as a sheet-of-glass in calmness during the sunrise. The Pinestead Reef has the seperate bedroom, kitchen, etc. The Beach Haus is a small spotless hotel, serves very nice breakfasts, and is quiet and well-appointed. The rooms are on the small side, but I really appreciate how well they run their business.

There is a fantastic bike trail through Traverse City and beyond. Bike rentals are easily had at one of two rental places. Sorry I forget their business names, but they are easy to find. The trail itself runs along the railroad tracks right behind the state park. It is one of my favorite bike trails. It has parts that will take you through the historic home areas, along the beachfront, and througout miles of (seemingly) wilderness.

SuzieTrue gave some great recommendations with getting to Glen Arbor, and her restaurant choice of Bower's Harbor Inn. The Harbor Inn is a bit formal, but they have another large restaurant alongside the original "house" called The Bowrey. I actually prefer The Bowrey, and remember their Fried Perch Dinner to be one of the best ever!

Other restaurants I enjoy that I can think of off-hand would include:
Reflections (near the hotels mentioned above)
Mabels or The Omlette Shoppe for breakfasts
Streeters for local bar food
My parents like Gordie Howe's
310 Restaurant (Great Food!)

(...sorry - hit the post button by mistake before I was finished)

Poppycocks (Great food - including exceptional vegetarian)
Bubba's (For their fish tacos to go)
Windows
Across the street is Freshwater Lodge
Scott's Harbor Grill
Apache Trout (Probably one of the most popular this year - great for outdoor dining and is next door to Scott's)

Also - Tapawingo is about a 45-minute drive and has been listed by many critics to be one of the best fine dining restaurants in the country (it is good!).

Hope this helps. Oh, and you can certainly rent jet-skis from many spots along both East & West Bays - including the hotels I mentioned above. You might find it easy to park and rent from the Holiday Inn as well.

Have fun and let me know if you'd like any more information.

Paul

{also, by mistake in first reply I mentioned Streeters - Should have been Sleders)

We always stay at The Beach Condominums when we are in Traverse City. We will be there next month for a few days. These are one bedroom condos right on the Bay with full kitchens, jacuzzi tubs in the big bathroom, washer & dryer, etc. I like these condos best (we have stayed at a variety of places in Traverse City over the years before we found The Beach Condos) because they are very light and airy inside.

Lots of nice shops in Traverse City, Leland and Suttons Bay.

You have received good recommendations for dining.

Enjoy your trip!

My husband and I are going to the same area, but in early October. Love all the suggestions, so far! We had made reservations at the Days Inn in T. City--how is it? But will look into the condos you mentioned, if they will rent for just the two nights we'll be there! We also like to bike. Think it will be too chilly that first week in October--it'll be the 5th and 6th when we are in that area. Thanks, Ellen (We are from La.--it's 95 or so here now with full humidity! A little cold air would feel good at this point!)

Hi Ellen,

I looked up the Days Inn on the internet and saw the one that I remembered. It is sort of tucked away near the hospital. It's in a quiet location, yet not too far off the beaten track. It has always appeared from the outside to be very well maintained.

For some reason I seem to remember a 2nd Days Inn - right on US 31. It is about a 5-year-old property. But they didn't list that particular hotel on their website, so I must be getting it confused with another popular chain.

US 31 is the main drag that runs along both East and West Bay. If there is a Days Inn on US 31, it is on the side of the road that is not bayside.

Being as you are traveling to T.C. in October, which is certainly an off-season, I would imagine you could get a pretty good deal to stay right on the water on either East or West Bay. {However, it is considered leaf "color change" season.} Waterfront would certainly be my first choice - even if it is too cool outside to swim. It is just so calm and peaceful.

Have fun!

I agree that waterfront would be my first choice. It is a nice view and as the other poster said, very relaxing.

Thanks for the info on the Day's Inn. I would like to stay on the water--guess I'll do a bit more research. We'll be there on a fri and Sat., so rates are a bit higher everywhere!
I love reading all the info from the Michigan locals, as well as the other travelers! I'm taking tons of notes!
What other places would ya'll recommend for lodging in TC?
Anybody a football fan up there is Michigan? We at LSU are certainly enjoying our transplant from Mich State!
Thanks again, Ellen

We've stayed at the Bayshore Resort - very nice. We are trying Cherry Tree Inn this year. (I think waverunner rentals are right next door). Both have good reviews on tripadvisor.com and are both on the water. For B&B Country Inn(?) gets great reviews. Looking forward to trying Freshwater Lodge for dinner.

Cherry Tree Inn is lovely, I think you'll like it. I also like the "Drive Inn" down the street, it's been there since the 50's (can't think of the full name). It has the best hamburger's, onion rings, and choc shakes I've ever had.

Does anyone remember where "Bakers Acres" use to be? We use to go to Traverse City as kids and we would stay there. Now all my brothers and sisters are spread all over the country but we went back to Travese City on a family renunion for the memories two years ago and we couldn't figure out where Bakers Acres was situated. Does anyone remember? We are going to all meet up there again next summer for my parents 50th anniversary. I miss those days of cottages on the beach?

The drive-inn you remember is Don's. They still have curbside service during the summer and remain a favorite of locals too.

Bakers Acres was located slightly east and across the street on the bay side. That area is now a motel/restaurant called the Waterfront Inn.

this posting is a year old.