My husband and I are planning a trip to this area in June - We live in New England and would probably fly into Detroit - We are looking for interesting sights and locations to stop on our way from Detroit to Mackinac Island. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Our schedule is very flexible and time is not a factor. (or would we see alot more if we were to fly into Chicago?) Places to stay along the way would also be much appreciated. We are not at all familiar with this area. Sound like Frankenmuth is an almost must stop.
Mackinac Island and area
Definitely stop in Frankenmuth if you fly into Detroit.
How many days do you have? That is what I need to know first! I know you said flexible and time not a factor, but how far off the straight path do you want to veer?
Naw-skip Chicago....lol.
Mackinac Island and area
Thanks for your quick reply - - Time wise we have anywhere from 10 days to 2 weeks or more if there is enough places to see and things to do - And we are open to however far off the straight path we need to travel to see things. As long as we are a distance from home we would like to take advantage and see as much as we can of this part of the US - Some suggestions I have seen on TA are: Hartwick Pines State Park, Gaylor and of course Frankenmoth (and Indian River) We know nothing about these areas so suggestions would be welcome. Thnaks
In the hopes of not cutting too much time away from the island, I have a few suggestions:
The Henry Ford (http://www.thehenryford.org) museum and village in Dearborn is near Detroit and worth a visit.
A stop in Traverse City (http://www.visittraversecity.com/) and nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes results in a nice ride up Hwy. 31 to Mackinaw City and the bridge.
Finally, a trip to the UP and to Sault St. Marie to visit the Soo Locks (http://www.soolocks.com) might also be of interest.
Have a great trip!
I would fly into Detroit or Flint. Rent your car. Drive up I-75 to US 23 and that will take you up to Frankenmuth. 2 days there is enough. Shopping, eating a famous chicken dinner, maybe a visit to the military or history museum, and of course, Bronner%26#39;s-the famous, huge Christmas store. There are other things to do there, but those are the main attractions. There is also a paddlewheel boat ride you can take, but I%26#39;d pass-I feel it is a waste of money, personally. There are countless festivals that occur here also, so you might want to check out their website before coming and see if there is anything going on you might like to take part in. They also have horse and carriage rides, but since you are bound for MIsland, well, skip that....!
I would then take a drive up to US 23 and drive along Lake Huron. There are a few small, cute towns to explore, lighthouses, state parks, marinas to walk around, ice cream stops, etc. You can do this in about a 5 or 6 hour leisurely drive and get to Mackinaw City late in the day. Tawas is a good stop for a hour or two-lighthouse, great beaches, a little shopping.
If you choose not to go that way, then head due north on I-75. Grayling is where Hartwick Pines State Park is. It is a great nature/historical park, that introduces the visitor to the logging industry that was such a large part of our history. There are lumberman buildings to explore, a nice little chapel, and a walkway thru the virgin pine forest. A nice nature center. $7 to enter or you can buy a MI state park annual pass, but at this time of the new year, I am not sure how much they will be, maybe $25.
Gaylord is a nice stop for either a meal, or an ice cream, or to stretch your legs or to load up on supplies if needed. There is a Walmart and other such stores.
Indian River. I am not real familiar with Indian River, and I will let someone else help you with that. The Cross in the Woods is a nice stop, but it has been years since we have been there, and so I won%26#39;t make it a suggestion. Maybe someone else can help with that if there are other reasons to stop in this nice little town.
Mackinac Island: horse and carriage tour; Fort Mackinac; fudge; biking around the island if interested; tour the Grand Hotel ($15) and its gardens; dine; sit on a beach and stare at the beautiful waters; watch the huge ore boats go by; check out the back deck of the local library; golf/horseback ride if interested; skip stones; walk and walk; visit the cemetery (yeah, I know but do so); butterfly house; personal tour with horse and carriage (takes you to different areas that normal tours do not go); Arch Rock on your own power-bike or walk, that way you can stay as long as you like, as well as see some of the inner island on your own time. Want more info, ask. LOL.
I will be back.
If your schedule allows (or forces) a day in the Detroit area, then the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village is a great place to spend the time. You can learn more about the history of Detroit and our nation%26#39;s industrial revolution there, than at any other place I know of.
I would then either head up into the UP and see the Soo Locks (Sault Ste. Marie), then drive over to Tahqaumenon Falls State Park and view the waterfalls, take a short hike, eat at the restaurant there. Head to Whitefish Point to the Great Lake Shipwreck Museum, THIS is a wonderful, small museum, very touching. There are also beaches here and trails to explore, as well as a lighthouse. If still want to see more of UP, head over tO Munising and take a cruise out on Lake Superior with a boat ride that goes past the Pictured Rocks. Beautiful.
I%26#39;d then drive south and back to Mackinaw City via US 2, which will take you along Lake Michigan. This is a beautiful drive with lots of stopping points-just pull over to the shoulder and go for a walk along the beaches.
Absolutely head down to Harbor Springs, M-119, Petoskey and Charlevoix. All offer beautiful viewS of Lake Michigan, shopping, dining, beaches, parks, museums, boat watching, fishing, swimming-all are worth a stop. This could be done in a day, better to break it up and see them for a couple days.
Traverse City: well, you must go. Access Old Mission Peninsula; Leelanau Peninsula; wineries; golf; fishing; beaches; little towns that have wonderful dining and shopping; boat rides; art museums or galleries; parks; lighthouses; Music Museum for something a bit different; Sleeping Bear Dunes (a national lakeshore); harbors; great picnic spots; cherry farms/apple farms/fruit markets; rocky shores; Pierce Stocking Drive with fabulous views (part of Sleeping Bear); canoeing.....what do you like to do? LOL.
From there, you could drive down the entire length of Michigan and see more small towns; more sand dunes and wonderful beaches. However, I would think with your time frame, I%26#39;d head to Chicago! Visit for 3 days or so ( or more) and then drive back to Detroit to catch your flight home. Don%26#39;t know if it is all feasible for you, but if it is, I don%26#39;t think you will be disappointed. If you want more detailed info on any city: hotels, restaurants, parks, attractions, be sure and ask us!!
HAVE FUN!!
Yes, if you like history at all, I%26#39;d stay in Detroit upon arrival for one night and take in The Henry Ford as RedRox suggests. Wonderful place.
Thanks for all the great info - we have booked our air flight from 5/30 to 6/9 (to/from Detroit)We will probably head straight to MI or MC for our 1st night and plan to stay 3-4 nights (?) in this area - Then we will head to Traverse City for 2 nights (?) to see sleeping Bear and other points of interest in this area - We also want to spend a night or 2 in Frankenmuth are before heading home - I%26#39;m unsure about booking lodging because we don%26#39;t know how much time will be needed in any particular area - Any ideas or suggestions from anyone as to how much time we will need in any location for optima sightseeing??? Looking for lots of advice as to what to see during our stay. Thanks
I would spend at least 2 days on the Island, 2 days in Traverse City, another day in the general Traverse City area checking out some of the pretty towns along Lake Michigan, then head over to Frankenmuth. You can easily see the best of Michigan%26#39;s little Bavaria in just a day or so.
But I would also add a trip up to the Soo and the Whitefish Point/Taquamenan Falls area. It really is spectacular country, very scenic with a great deal of history. A day in the Soo will give you a feel for how Michigan (and Chicago!) came into being. There isn%26#39;t much to see in the way of attractions there (beyond the Locks) but spend some time chatting with the locals (go to Antlers and Frank%26#39;s Place). You won%26#39;t meet a nicer bunch of people (no, I don%26#39;t know any of them personally). They certainly carry on the pioneer spirit that founded Michigan when it was wild and untamed. Any time you can spend in the UP is quality time. It really is one of the last, best wildernesses once you%26#39;re away from the tourist spots.
