Where in Western MI with 3 tweens/teens

dodge guy wrote:
Ok, hmm.
What about sleeping bear dunes?

Another vote for Sleeping Bear area. We just spent four nights there a few weeks ago. It's a gorgeous area and it's close to other destinations that were already mentioned here for day trips (Petosky, Fishtown, etc.).

There's a great bike trail from Empire that goes north past the dunes. It's a gorgeous ride. You can rent bikes up there if you don't bring your own.

How about a boat trip thru the Soo Locks. Holland MI beach.
Also do a Google search for `______ tourism' and put the state, town or area in the blank space.
Good luck finding something to do for teens for 8 days anywhere at anytime.

Stay at Holiday Park Campground South of Traverse City in July, a Top 100 National Campground. Get reservations by phone asap in January. An excellent jumping off point to numerous places within an hour or so.

Grab some Moomer’s Ice Cream at the real deal location, and eat while watching the cows that some say provide the milk for the scoops.

Take a canoe trip down the Platte River from Riverside. Bring lunch and watch other people tip over at the fish weir. Or go to Ranch Rudolph to canoe or ride horses around the Boardman River.

Drive up Old Mission Peninsula and look for Petoskey Stones in West Bay on your way to the tip, stopping at Old Mission Store for a cone on the way back.

Visit Elk Rapids and wade in the creek, then play pickleball at the City Park, finishing up at Chef Charles for pizza.

Bike the Betsie Valley Trail, go into Frankfurt and eat at Dinghys, then head over to Gwen Frostics on the return for an art infusion.

Walk, drive or bike around the Crystal Lake Area and get sandwiches at L’Chaim Deli. Eat in the City Park, while wishing that you had money to live there all year long.

Go to Charlevoix during festival time and walk around the “Hobbit” stone houses. Then, travel to Petoskey and buy some Art. Eat at Cormack’s Deli.

Travel to Manistee and view the Painted Ladies Victorian Homes. Get some donuts and eat them at Orchard Beach State Park North of town. Drive up to Portage Point and hang out with some of the 1%.

Do Crystal mountain in one way, shape or form.

Drive to 7 Bridges for a hike on your way to Alden for shopping. Hang out at the sand bar on Torch Lake.

Wander to Suttons Bay for a look see, then head over to Lake Leelenau to ogle the natural beauty. Go North to Glen Arbor for a stop at Cherry Republic or an Art’s burger. Drive over to the Homestead and see how you wish you could do vacation.

Bike around “One of the most beautiful lakes in the world”, Big Glen Lake.

Work your way over to Empire and plant yourself at the Lake Michigan beach in town, or the warm water area across the parking lot on South Bar Lake. Don’t miss the Empire lookout. Get a burger at Joe’s Friendly Tavern and digest it up the road at the Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear. Drive up M-22 and find someplace to get a sticker for your car.

Go to Interlochen for a concert or just walk the campus for the musical vibe. Do pizza at the Karlin Inn, while playing pool.

Head up to Leland’s Fishtown for some smoked chubs at Carlsons, then eat at the Cove.

Go into Traverse City, if you don’t mind traffic.

Another nice, large Mi state park is Interlochen. It has just over 500 sites and is across the road from Interlochen Music Camp. Makes a short drive to Leelanau Peninsula, Sleeping bear Dunes and Old Mission Peninsula. Someone mentioned Leelanau State Park be advised that's rustic only and a long ways from most anything

hatchhanlon wrote:
Stay at Holiday Park Campground South of Traverse City in July, a Top 100 National Campground. Get reservations by phone asap in January. An excellent jumping off point to numerous places within an hour or so.

Grab some Moomer’s Ice Cream at the real deal location, and eat...

Our own personal tour guide! Lol.

Seriously - thanks. Good info to consider.