September trip to Michigan
 

We are traveling from Iowa to Detroit in Sept for a wedding and would like to spend 2-3 extra days in Michigan. We've done Mackinac Island and the upper peninsula already and don't really want to drive that far north this time. Our direct driving route to the wedding will be along I-94.

We are looking for ideas? We've been looking at Michigan's 'western shore'. In addition to enjoying the outdoors and scenery we like towns with concentrated areas of eclectic, unique shops and local artists/crafts people and some restaurants to enjoy.

The Leelanau Peninsula is about 100 miles farther south, beautiful, and has several neat little communities with with what your are looking for, plus wineries. Nearby you have Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Old Mission Peninsula and Traverse City.

Keith: you mean 200 miles farther north (from I-94).

The South Haven-Saugatuck area might appeal; South Haven is maybe 25 minutes north of I-94, and Saugatuck/Douglas another 10 minutes more. The latter has some artsy places, and some restaurants I could recommend.

Farther south than Mackinac Island. johkar didn't really want to drive that far north this time.

There are several nice towns along I-94. You could stop in Ann Arbor shop in downtown and walk around U of M's campus, the Arboretum or the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Marshall also has several historic buildings in its downtown that built in the hope that the city would become the state capital.

Another option may be to take I-94 to Detroit and then take I-96 back to the west coast of Michigan. I-96 hits the coast around Saugatuck with close access to Holland. You would pass Grand Rapids on the way. Meijer Gardens is in Grand Rapids.

You would drive south along the coast and hit I-94 to be on your way home.

We explored the area Keith describes in late September one year and found it very nice. The pace was slow, the scenery attractive, and the food good.

Thank you, this is very helpful!

Another vote for the Saugatuck/Douglas/Holland area. We are usually there in August, but September is often nicer, IMO.

I agree with the Saugatuck/Douglas area. However, I would not include Holland in that mix. Instead, when I go to Saugatuck, I prefer a side trip to Fennville. I usually stop in at Crane's Pie Pantry (associated with Crane's Orchards) and Fenn Valley Winery. At the time of year you are going, these might be a nice option for you.

Please keep in mind that these locations which are being mentioned are summer resort towns. After Labor Day, and particularly if you are traveling mid-week, some or many of the businesses may not be open, as it is out-of-season.

Fennville is a great suggestion. The winery offers tours (by reservation) until October, I think.

Thanks for all the replies. After much thought and research, we have settled on going on up to Traverse City for a couple of days and then down to Holland. Hope to see Saugatuk/Douglas during our Holland stay.

Now down to details, we do like good food and wine. Any restaurant recommendations for either area? Winery recommendations in the TC area?

Just did a Wine Tour Weekend in the Traverse City area. We toured wineries in the Leelanau Peninsula one day, then those in the Old Mission Peninsula the second day. Lots of wineries! Hard to pick a favorite, but I love Black Star Farms and 45 North. Check out www.michiganwines.com for lots of info.

Chateau Chantal, on the Old Mission Peninsula, has wonderful views of both arms of the bay--although there are great views from most of the wineries.

We didn't get fancy for our restaurants (brought picnic lunches and had Mexican and diner food for dinner), so I don't have any restaurant recommendations.

Just a second to Old Mission Peninsula. We loved the views!