How to Get the Most Out of Time in Michigan
My wife and I are planning a trip to the Midwest from the Seattle area next June. The purpose is primarily to visit family in central Illinois and see sites going and coming. However, we also want to ...
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Any of the state parks along west lower Michigan are beautiful but in high demand.
Definitely Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore - Platte River Campground (volunteered there so we're partial) for a must stop. Reserve as soon as they accept reservations. It's a VERY popular park. Part of the park is South Manitou Island and you can take a day ferry from Leland and get a tour of the island and the lighthouse. (We've given the tours. It's a beautiful place.)
From Sleeping Bear you can explore the Leelanau Peninsula with quaint little towns, wineries and beautiful beaches. Make a circle from Sleeping Bear up to Northport and down to Traverse City and back again. If you like symphonies, get reservations for a World Youth Symphony performance at Interlocken State Park - very professional.
Then head up Hwy 31 to Petoskey - another wonderful, scenic area and on to Mackinac Island, for sure. Two to three nights at Mackinaw City area is plenty with one full day on the island.
Then once you cross the Mighty Mac bridge head up to Paradise - really! Tahquamanon Falls State Park is nice with a visit to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point.
Then work your way on Hwy 28 to Munising for Pictured Rocks Nat'l Park. Take the boat cruise late afternoon for the best color.
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park at Copper Harbor would be my choice rather than McLain. It's a great place to stay. From there to the Wisconsin border you will be in waterfall country. Pick up a waterfall tour map from any of the little towns. Most are easy to walk or drive to.
You could easily spend your whole time in Michigan! Have a good trip.
Definitely Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore - Platte River Campground (volunteered there so we're partial) for a must stop. Reserve as soon as they accept reservations. It's a VERY popular park. Part of the park is South Manitou Island and you can take a day ferry from Leland and get a tour of the island and the lighthouse. (We've given the tours. It's a beautiful place.)
From Sleeping Bear you can explore the Leelanau Peninsula with quaint little towns, wineries and beautiful beaches. Make a circle from Sleeping Bear up to Northport and down to Traverse City and back again. If you like symphonies, get reservations for a World Youth Symphony performance at Interlocken State Park - very professional.
Then head up Hwy 31 to Petoskey - another wonderful, scenic area and on to Mackinac Island, for sure. Two to three nights at Mackinaw City area is plenty with one full day on the island.
Then once you cross the Mighty Mac bridge head up to Paradise - really! Tahquamanon Falls State Park is nice with a visit to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point.
Then work your way on Hwy 28 to Munising for Pictured Rocks Nat'l Park. Take the boat cruise late afternoon for the best color.
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park at Copper Harbor would be my choice rather than McLain. It's a great place to stay. From there to the Wisconsin border you will be in waterfall country. Pick up a waterfall tour map from any of the little towns. Most are easy to walk or drive to.
You could easily spend your whole time in Michigan! Have a good trip.
