South Haven and Lake Michigan

South Haven is one of many lakeside towns in Lake Michigan. Additionally, heading north there is also Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, Ludington, Empire and Glen Arbor.

We had a large group and chose to stay in South Haven, but look at accommodations in each area and pick one that suits your budget and group size as it is not too hard to get around the coast. 

Holland’s Nelis’ Dutch Village

We took one day to drive north to the town of Holland to visit Nelis’ Dutch Village. They have scheduled shows including traditional Dutch dancing in wooden shoes.

Additionally, there are numerous fair-style rides and play areas for the kids. There is a carousel, a Ferris wheel, swings, slides and a petting zoo.

We spent about 3 hours here and is probably best suited to younger kids to tweens. Also, there are a fair amount of shops where you can buy anything from cheese to wooden shoes.

Traverse City

Traverse City was a really fun town, I wish we had more time than the 3 days we spent here. It is in close proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes and had some nice restaurants. Also, it is quite a bit larger than some of the previously mentioned beach towns.

In addition to the beach, Traverse City also has a children’s museum and Old Mission Point peninsula, which has numerous vineyards and wineries.

If you are in town in early July, make sure to check out the cherry festival!

Sleeping Bear Dunes & Glen Arbor

I’m not sure why Sleeping Bear Dunes is not a national park yet, but it is a national lakeshore. Unquestionably, the massive size of the dunes are impressive to behold.

Kids will have fun running up and down the dune. Be aware that hiking to the top takes a while and it is tiring to hike through the sand. However, you do not have to go all the way up to have a great time at the dunes. Additionally, there are beautiful views of the lake all over the area.

Furthermore, there is a hike and bike trail that connects the dunes to the town of Glen Arbor. Whether you hike, bike or drive over, Glen Arbor is a fun stop. Additionally, the town has some nice restaurants as well as numerous stores selling cherry-based jams, foods and drinks.

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is an island retreat for Michigan’s wealthy, including the state governor’s mansion. For the rest of us, you can stay at the impressive Grand Hotel or stay at one of the many smaller hotels on main street. We stayed at the Lilac Tree Hotel.

To get to Mackinac Island, you will take a ferry from the mainland. There are two ferry providers, Star Line and Shepler’s.

If you are looking for an easy tour of the main part of the island, consider a horse carriage tour. No cars are permitted on the island, so you are either walking, biking or horse-powered to your destination.

Additionally, I’d recommend a visit to Fort Mackinac. In addition to it’s historic significance, it also has nice views overlooking Lake Michigan.

Also, consider the hike/bike trail that treks the perimeter of the island. It is 8.2 miles roundtrip and has numerous stops to see a rock arch and beaches. We brought our own bikes and bike trailer, but you can also rent them on the island.

Another popular stop in town is the Mackinac Butterfly House. The kids enjoyed stopping in to see the large collection of insects and butterflies.

Lastly, fudge shops are everywhere, so if you are a fudge fan, make sure to try the different shops while you are on the island.

for Next Time

We just made it up to the Mackinac Bridge, which spans the straights of Mackinac dividing mainland Michigan from the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). We’ve not yet been to the UP, but would love to go and also visit Isle Royale National Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

ALSO CONSIDER VISITING THESE NEARBY AREAS

Check out some of the other sights in the Midwest Region, like Indiana Dunes National Park, Detroit, and Chicago.