SUMMER DRIVES IN MICHIGAN
 

I AM PLANNING A FAMILY SUMMER CAR TRIP WHICH WILL BRING US THRU MICHIGAN (FROM THE WEST-MONTANA).LOOKING FOR AN INTERESTING ROUTE & IDEAS FOR 2-3 DAYS.TRAVELING WITH EXPERIENCED CHILDREN TRAVELERS,AGES 4-14.ANY THOUGHTS. ALSO PASSING THRU CHICAGO ON WAY HOME.

We had a wonderful family trip to the Holland, Michigan area. There are lovely beaches, try Tunnel Park in Holland or Grand Haven, dunes, state parks,
miles of bike or rollerblade trails, and touristy things like wooden shoe factories, miniature golf,
and dune rides. It is only a few hours north of Chicago.

I would enter Michigan through the Upper Penninsula. The view is spectacular from Brockway Mt. Drive in Copper Harbor. Mackinaw Island is definately worth seeing, as are Harbor Spings, Petosky, Charlevoix and the Leenenau Penninsula in the upper Lower Penninsula. Hope you have a great trip.

Hi, I live in Ludington, MI which is about where you would picture the top of the pinky finger on the mitten map of Michigan. We live on the lake and it is a beautiful area. Most all of the drive along the lake from Holland -which 90 mile south of us, up to the Mackinaw bridge, is a beatiful area. The sand is soft and silky, and I've never come across any like it in any other state. There are beaches everywhere, and tons of lakefront restaurants and lodging. The trip over the bridge up north is fun too. Mackinaw city is a fun place for kids to explore with tons of shops. We are a tourist town, and our population triples from May through Sept. Our location is where the Lake Michigan carferry boards for the trip over to Manitowac, Wisconsin. It is about a four hour boat ride across the lake. I would be happy to answer any other questions you may have if you wish to email me at [email protected].
Have a great trip!

I am from Kalamazoo, and while there is not really a lot to do in that town, there are some great historical things to do in the area. For starters, there are a lot of Underground Railroad sites in southwest MI, including the grave of Sojourner Truth in Battle Creek (east of Kalamazoo on I-94). Battle Creek is a pretty ugly city, but it is also the home of Fort Custer, which has a park, and it's the cereal capital of the world, and Tony the Tiger gives tours of Kellogg's factory. Holland is a great place to visit, as someone already mentioned, and the areas north of there (especially if you drive 131 north) are beautiful. My favorite is South Haven, however--there is a great restaurant called Clemetine's which has good fish specials, and lots of beach, pretty houses, and a pier with lighthouse. There is a great ice cream place just outside the town--homeade and delicious! Also good to check out is St. Joseph, just south of South Haven and also on the lake shore.

I think the most beautiful and most fun places in Michigan are all along the Western coast. If you are coming from the north through the upper peninsula, don't miss Mackinac Island. You will want to spend at least a day here. There are no cars allowed, but many ferries will take you there (20 minute ride). There are many hotels, bicycle and horse rentals, fudge shops, souvenir shops, trails and a fort and other historical sites. We go there every year and have a great time. On your way south, take highway 31 and you will see many resort towns with beautiful beaches along lake Michigan as well as other smaller lakes. Traverse City is a large resort town with many hotels and a lot to do.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National lakeshore is also beautiful. Ludington is another resort town with beautiful parks and beaches. If you will be staying anywhere over a holiday weekend, I recommend for you to have reservations. There are many campgrounds and hotels all over West Michigan. As long as it's not the 4th of July you shouldn't have problems finding a place.