Northern Michigan Vacation Destinations

Northern Michigan vacation choices are so many with such a
varied style of living and budget considerations there must be one
perfect vacation spot for you and your family to enjoy!

 

Marcia and Kathy are sure that one of our favorites will be just perfect
for your next vacation.

If you and your family love the great outdoors
with a more simplified life style and enjoy each season – spring,
summer, fall and winter – than a northern Michigan vacation is a
fantastic choice.

 

 

Here’s Our 8 Favorite  Northern Michigan Vacation Towns
(in alphabetical order)

• #1. Bay Harbor, Michigan
  is on the shores of Little Traverse Bay between Petoskey and Charlevoix.
  Bay Harbor is a luxurious resort community with a small village for
  shopping and dining, a beautiful fresh water yacht club and marina, an
  equestrian facility plus golf courses that are absolutely the best that
  northern Michigan offers. It’s open year round and is a four season
  resort for your family to enjoy.
• #2. Boyne City
  is a small village but with spectacular outdoor activities. It’s on the
  shores of Lake Charlevoix which has direct boating access to Lake
  Michigan. It’s also near beautiful Walloon Lake which offers exquisite
  Michigan lake living to the max. Great fishing, world class golf courses
  and is home to Boyne Mountain which is one of the best downhill ski
  resorts in the Midwest.
• #3. Charlevoix
  is known for its drawbridge that is right in the center of this
  thriving summer community. The bridge goes up on the hour to allow large
  yachts and sail boats to cross from Lake Charlevoix to Lake Michigan.
  If you love boats this is the place! The Beaver Island ferry also is
  stationed from the marina. The active downtown shops and restaurants, as
  well as, all the community events make this a great place to vacation.
  In the winter months it’s pretty quiet so its best to choose it during
  the spring, summer or fall.

• #4. Harbor Springs
  is between Petoskey and Mackinaw City on Route 119. The harbor is
  absolutely beautiful and the community itself has “Norman Rockwell”
  charm throughout. There aren’t many hotels but there are wonderful
  opportunities to rent a summer home or cabin on the bluff overlooking
  Lake Michigan or in the many near by resort communities. Nubs Nob and
  Boyne Highlands are great 4 season resorts just outside of Harbor
  Springs.
• #5. Hessel
  is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and if you are looking for
  remoteness plus beauty then this is the best northern Michigan spot for
  you. Its located in the beautiful
  Les Cheneaux Islands
  near Drummond Island and the Saint Mary’s River which is on the shores
  of the U.S. and Canada. Great fishing, fantastic kayaking and a chance
  to either camp or choose small quaint cabins for your lodging. Of
  course, you can find vacation homes to rent too.
• #6. Mackinac Island
  is one of the most unique and charming northern Michigan vacation
  destinations. It was given AOL Travel Award for 2010
  as one of America’s 10 Best Islands. History
  is everywhere on this Island and also the loving warmth of a community
  who devote their lives to keep the Island’s way of life preserved for
  future generations. AOL Travel has awarded Mackinac Island
  as one of the “America’s 10 Best Islands which is a very prestigious honor.
  The
  Iroquois Hotel
  is designated as one of the best small hotels in the U.S. and also the historic
  Grand Hotel
  is a chosen resort for people world-wide. And, of course, Mackinac Island is Marcia and Kathy’s first choice
  for their northern Michigan vacation destination!

• #6. Mackinaw City
  is a great choice if you love history and want to enjoy all the terrific
  Mackinaw City attractions with your family.
  It’s the best northern Michigan vacation location if you are planning to
  visit Mackinac Island on a day trip rather than extended stay. All
  three
  ferry lines are located in Mackinaw City, as well as St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula.
  There are many
  national chain hotels to stay at and most have very economical rates.
  There are some great campgrounds near Mackinaw City if you enjoy
  camping.
• #7. Petoskey
  is the community where most northern Michigan vacationers visit for at
  least a day or longer. Located high on a bluff overlooking Little
  Traverse Bay makes it a joy in all seasons to watch the Bay’s changing
  colors and conditions. In fact, it’s such a wonderful community to enjoy
  year round, Kathy and her husband chose it when they recently retired
  and moved from Washington DC. Great fishing, great shopping, great
  beaches, great boating, great golf makes just one big great place to
  live or to vacation! Its smack in the middle of Mackinac Island and
  Traverse City. It has many choices of lodging as well numerous small
  Michigan lakes to vacation on.
• #8.Traverse City
  is the “big” northern Michigan city to visit if you want some night
  time action spring, summer, fall or winter. Located on the Grand
  Traverse Bay which is 32 miles long and in some places 620 feet deep
  makes the Bay a focal point for this town. It’s known as the Cherry
  Capital in the Midwest with a large Cherry Festival each year. It’s an
  active community with many festivals, cycling & running events,
  fantastic golf courses and is becoming known for its wonderful culinary
  restaurants too. Many national hotels are along the Grand Traverse Bay
  which makes it a popular destination spot for your northern Michigan
  vacation.

Marcia and Kathy’s Insider Tip: Choosing a Northern Michigan vacation is a great way to build family memories and family fun all year round.  There are outdoor activities in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter! Come and Enjoy! Many people find they want to retire in northern Michigan when their children leave the nest. That’s what Kathy & Todd have done.