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Where in Western MI with 3 tweens/teens

Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Explorer
We're looking at an 8-9 day loop from SE WI to western MI for next summer. We will spend part of our time in Mackinac, but are looking for a good second destination on the west side of the state. Our kids will be 15, 14 and 11. Where would you go? Traverse City? Petoskey? Grand Haven? South Haven? Somewhere else?

Both regions and specific campground recommendations (we will want full hook-ups) would be welcome. Thanks!
15 REPLIES 15

Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Explorer
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 Moomerโ€™s Ice Cream at the real deal location, and eat...


Our own personal tour guide! Lol.

Seriously - thanks. Good info to consider.

hornet28
Explorer
Explorer
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
Explorer
Explorer
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 Moomerโ€™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 Lโ€™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 โ€œHobbitโ€ stone houses. Then, travel to Petoskey and buy some Art. Eat at Cormackโ€™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 Artโ€™s burger. Drive over to the Homestead and see how you wish you could do vacation.

Bike around โ€œOne of the most beautiful lakes in the worldโ€, 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. Donโ€™t miss the Empire lookout. Get a burger at Joeโ€™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 Lelandโ€™s Fishtown for some smoked chubs at Carlsons, then eat at the Cove.

Go into Traverse City, if you donโ€™t mind traffic.

Dick_B
Explorer
Explorer
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.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two electric bikes (both Currie Tech Path+ models)

dedmiston
Moderator
Moderator
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.

2014 RAM 3500 Diesel 4x4 Dually long bed. B&W RVK3600 hitch โ€ข 2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead Toy Hauler ("The Taj Mahauler") โ€ข <\br >Toys:

  • 18 Can Am Maverick x3
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theoldwizard1
Explorer
Explorer
One of the largest State Campgrounds is in Ludington. Much to do/see there.

Mfan
Explorer
Explorer
Across the street from Michigan adventure is a nice campground. Amusement park across the street. Silver lake for sand dunes about a 40 minute drive. Lake Michigan about 20 minutes. Grand Rapids has minor league baseball about 1 hr away.

Dick_B
Explorer
Explorer
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.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two electric bikes (both Currie Tech Path+ models)

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
At that age? Any amusement park is a sure winner!

You need to determine the intent of your trip. Is the main focus of the trip for the kids "enjoyment and fun", or is it because you want them engaged in historical experiences, like Civil War reenactments or pioneer villages?

When our kids turned 15, they no longer camped with us. No matter what we planned, EVERYTHING we did was just plain dumb and lame. At ages 16 and 17 (boy and girl), the ONLY trip we had in over 10 years prior was our LasVegas trip. We let the kids run free as long as they stayed together. The both ended up (somehow) watching a topless floor show in a motel (it was a long story). They said, that was the best vacation they ever, ever had with us! Imagine that!

Bottom line: figure out what excites the kids and plan that way, if you want the kids to have a somewhat meaning trip with you. Whatever YOU pick, guaranteed, they won't like it.

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Ok, hmm.
What about sleeping bear dunes?
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Explorer
dodge guy wrote:
Silver Lake sand dunes! Meads MI. Right on Lake MI. Perfect for your kids! Lots to see and do.


Yep, we've done Silver Lake a couple of times and enjoy it. Likely to try something else this time - but a very good recommendation.

Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Explorer
Mfan wrote:
What do you want to do? If you are state parking, reservations start 6 months from your arrival


Should have mentioned - mixed tourism would be ideal. We love a blend of things from hikes to amusement parks, and everything in between. We do want things to 'do,' however. Sitting at the beach all day is not our style.

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Silver Lake sand dunes! Meads MI. Right on Lake MI. Perfect for your kids! Lots to see and do.





And if you donโ€™t have 4WD then you can go to the other side of the state park and take the dune vehicles and they take you on dune excursions. Or you can rent a Jeep and drive it. Also part of the state park is designated for foot traffic only. So you can hike the dunes out to the lake and not worry about vehicles.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

Mfan
Explorer
Explorer
What do you want to do? If you are state parking, reservations start 6 months from your arrival