Sleeping Bear Dunes, UP Mich, Rt 22
 

We are looking to travel to Sleeping Bear Dunes, then do the Rt 22 loop around the bay, heading up to the Upper Pensinula and over to Wisc. What are must sees around here? I understand there is a general store, lighthouses what are others along this route? We are then heading up to St Ignace and over to Wisconsin continuning to head West toward North Dakota.

> What are must sees around here?

Unless we know what YOU want to experience during your travel, nobody can give you any meaningful advice -- although I'm sure many will try. The problem is, something I might consider a "must-see" would bore you to tears -- and vice versa. So we will give you MUCH more useful advice if we knew-
1) when you'll making this trip (since you're going to North Dakota, I'm assuming it's in the summer, but I've learned that assuming can be a dangerous habit).
2) the ages of the people making this trip.
3) the interests of these people.

> I understand there [are] ... lighthouses
As someone who has made an effort to photograph lighthouses for over 25 years, I have repeatedly found that simply because a lighthouse is present, it does not mean a visit is worthwhile. Some are impossible to view from public roads, some are too far off-shore to see, some are dilapidated, some have been moved from a glorious background, and some were never that photogenic to start with. Check out this pdf
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ms...p_358163_7.pdf
to find out which lighthouses are near to where you'll be traveling,
and then use this URL
http://www.lighthousefriends.com/pul...e.asp?state=MI
to determine which ones are worth visiting.

I think the ride up the west coast of the thumb (or whatever they call it) is a wonderful trip in its own right if you drive through the towns along the way, many of which are upscale and most of which are attractive. We did the MI 22 drive, then US 31 from Traverse City to Petoskey and really loved it. Coming from the East, we had no idea how attractive places like Elk Lake would be. Stop frequently to eat pie.

We haven't been to the UP.

From TC take US31 north, than turn off on M-119 after you pass through Petoskey. It may be the most spectacular drive on your trip. Between Harbor Springs and Cross Village, it gwinds through a tunnel of trees and a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.

Thre are two lighthouses that are open to the public in Mackinaw City and there are also lighthouse cruises taking you by many more. The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association is based in Mackinaw.

In the Upper Peninsula, I would get away from the Lake Michigan shore for a while. and visit Whitefish point with the Great Lkaes Shipwreck Museum, Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured ROcks National Lakeshore.

If your schedule permits, I would also daytrip to Mackinac Island.

As Keith says, try to find time for a day trip to the Island. It's worth it. Pictured Rocks and Tahquamenon Falls are great visits. If you go to Whitefish Point, a good idea, do by way of Sault St. Marie and the Soo Locks.

Like the others said, Mackinac Island is a must see, it is absolutely beautiful. You can rent bicycles and travel around the island or travel around the island by horse and buggy. Lots of shopping to do and places to eat. The smoked whitefish dip is a must if you like whitefish. If you like scenery, the whole island is gorgeous, lots of beautiful Victorian homes, the Grand hotel, beautiful flowers everywhere, arch rock, etc. I believe Fort Mackinac does civil war reenactments (that was about 8 years ago I did that). Also Mackinac City (this is before you ferry boat to the island), has a lot of shops and places to eat.

As far as the UP, Tahquamenon Falls (upper and lower) are gorgeous, the soo locks tour is also nice, not too exciting, but it is a part of history and good learning experience if you have kids with you, I think it was worth the time. I enjoyed the pictured rocks boat tour, I believe it was about 3 hours long, the scenery was breathtaking (bring sunscreen, you are in the sun the whole time), I also saw people kayaking around the rocks, so that also is an option, plenty of places to stop off at your leisure and just enjoy the beauty. The coast of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are beautiful to drive along and there are plenty of points to stop off at and enjoy the water. You really cannot have a bad time up there. Try to hit Whitefish Point and Paradise if time permits. Have fun.

Civil War reenactments? Revolutionary, maybe.

War of 1812 was the only one with warfare on the Island. Though it did little but house a few Confederate prisoners, yes they sometimes have Civil War reenactors at Fort Mackinac.

American Revolution reenactors tend to do things at Fort Michilimackinac on the mainland.

Glen Arbor, Leland and Suttons Bay are all cute little M-22 towns with lots of shops and restaurants, each worth a couple hours or more of wandering. Don't miss Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor.

Depending on how much time you have (and if you have any interest in wine) there are several excellent wineries in the Leelanau Peninsula.

Check out lpwines.com

And you could easily spend a couple of days in Traverse City.

As Ackislander said, just driving around is a pleasure in itself.

They always do War of 1812, but I remember when I was there a decade or so ago, they did do some civil war thing, maybe it was a special event.

Sorry, I should have been more clear :)