Hello ~ My hubby & I have a few vacation days we are wanting to use & go somewhere. We want our money to stay in Michigan, so we want to go somewhere, outside of the greater Detroit area, in the Lower Peninsula, and we've already done Mackinaw City/Island 2 yrs ago.
We're looking to go somewhere for 4 or 5 days, but we don't have a lot of money either, so we can't do anything like Great Wolf Lodge, that is WAY too expensive for us.
I'm looking for suggestions, because I'm kind of stumped as to where to go, because we'll have our 3 yr old with us, so I want to be able to do some activities that will entertain her too.
Hi C.,
About 2 1/2 hrs from here is Lake Luddington (beautiful, tons of fun for kids too), Sagatuck (?), Holland/Grand Rapids area. The beaches out there are much nicer than Traverse City in my opionion and way closer (and less expensive). Hope that helps. *C. (WAHM, 3 1/2 yr old son and 26 month old daughter).
You would absolutely love South Haven, Michigan. It is right on Lake Michigan and it is gorgeous! There are lighthouses, a small town with shops and restaurants, and beautiful beaches and water. We will be going back every year. This is the resort we stayed at:
http://www.lakebluffinnandsuites.com/
go to Michigans Adventure it is on the west side of the state an amusement park and waterpark combined it costs about $25 to get in and your 3 year old will be able to ride most of the rides.....then about 15 min north there is a horseback riding stable where your whole family will be able to go on a trail ride.........then about 20 min south of the park there is a musical lighted fountain that plays at dusk everynight right on the river front and that is free.....on the way there from Detroit area you can stop in Kalamazoo and see the AirZoo......my kids and I have done the Michigan's Adventure trip the last couple years and they LOVE it (my daughter turns 8 and my son turns 4 this year).............. http://www.miadventure.com ..........thre is a trip planning tap that will take you to the websights of the surrounding areas......we usually stay in Whitehall... here is the fountain http://www.wmta.org/index.php?member_id=1947&catid=45... ........... this is the horseback riding http://www.rainbowranch-inc.com/Welcome.php if you have more wuestions feel free to contact me
Traverse City/Sleeping Bear Dunes/Leelanau Peninsula all very nice. We got a place on Glen Lake 1 year that was excellent when we had just our oldest at about 2-3 years old. Also a place called Maple Tree Resort (?) that was very family oriented. Had a bonfire pit, swingset, etc so you can put baby to bed and enjoy some time with others. Close to a beach, too.
Well, we're about to go on our first overnight stay away from our one-year-old daughter this weekend to celebrate our 5-year anniversary. We are going to Traverse City and staying at Cherry Tree Inn & Suites. The cost seems pretty reasonable and I think it's on the water or close to it. They have refrigerators and microwaves in the rooms, an indoor pool and jacuzzi, and their website says that they have babysitting.
Since we are going sans child, I haven't researched what to do with a toddler up there. If it were me, I'd probably look into renting a small cottage on a lake that had beach front access. I'd want to BBQ, be able to have my daughter splash around in the water and play in the sand, watch movies, go out for breakfast (cheapest meal of the day to eat out). Maybe fly a kite, run through the sand dunes, look into petting zoos (I think one of the wineries has one), bring board games to play, see if there are any orchards where your daughter can pick her own berries or apples, etc. Also, you can go to the travel Michigan website to see if there are any fun festivals coming up in the area when you want to go.
The scenery in the Traverse City area (including Leelanau and Mission Peninsulas) is beautiful and it would be relaxing to soak it all in. This will be our third trip to the area.
Good luck planning your trip!
Hi C.,
You should consider going to the west side of the state on Lake Michigan, such as Saugatuck, Holland or South Haven. My family & I have stayed in Saugatuck for the last 3 years. It is great because it isn't too far of a drive from the metro Detroit area and that area has lots of nice beaches for the little ones to enjoy. Saugatuck has nice shops and restaurants as well and I think the other towns do as well. Another suggestion to you would be to check out the Pure Michigan website which is Michigan's official tourism site.
Enjoy your vacation wherever you go!
J.
We have a condo at Trout Creek in Harbor Springs. It has 3 pools, a tennis court, 2 play areas and other features. There are also some great surrounding beaches(free) at Good Hart and Harbor Springs public beach. The sand dunes at Petoskey State park are also fun to climb and see (not sure the daily rate for a state park).
Also with a condo you can take your own food and save on those meals out. Contact me if you would like some more information. Have fun wherever you go!
I saw both Traverse City area and South Haven mentioned - my husband and I did these when my daughter was just over a year old. Traverse City also has a children's museum which my daughter loved even at a young age. There are probably more "things" to do in Traverse City (since it's bigger) but S Haven is VERY nice as well (it has better beaches).
Growing up, my family spent a week during the summer in Mears, MIchigan, on Silver Lake. There are sand dunes on the lake, cute, touristy shops, and lots of fun stuff to do during the day. I have great memories of going there. You can stay at a motel on the "strip" or rent a cottage near or on the lake. We used to stay at Flora-Dale resort, but since that resort is no longer there, you can rent the cabins individually. Good luck and have fun!
we got a book called Michigan Circle Tours last year. Also the AAA tour book is good. Last year we went up the right side of the state and down the West coast. WE don't ever make reservations, and always have good luck. Our kids especially loved the dunes (one and three years last summer). We stopped in little roadside beaches. Other highlights. The Cross in the Woods, Lighthouses, Traverse City (cute little train in the city part). Great that your money is staying in Michigan.
