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Planning a trip to Michigan (1 Viewer)

Shaft41

Shaft41

Footballguy
My wife and I have talked about going up to Michigan for a few days with our kids for a couple of years now and we've never done it. But this year we want to do it. I've been perusing sites, but it's a bit overwhelming with all the possible towns and options.

Here's our situation:

- My kids are 5, 3 and 1, so we need a family-friendly area.

- We want somewhere along the Lake Michigan coast, as we would like to spend a day or two at the beach.

- I've looked into hotels and cottages/rentals. It would be nice to at least have a kitchenette to make a lunch in.

- I've been looking at Holland/Grand Haven area. Good call?

- I went to the dunes as a kid. Are there multiple dune area, or just one? Which is best?

Any and all tips are very much appreciated.

 
Shaft41 said:
My wife and I have talked about going up to Michigan for a few days with our kids for a couple of years now and we've never done it. But this year we want to do it. I've been perusing sites, but it's a bit overwhelming with all the possible towns and options.

Here's our situation:

- My kids are 5, 3 and 1, so we need a family-friendly area.

- We want somewhere along the Lake Michigan coast, as we would like to spend a day or two at the beach.

- I've looked into hotels and cottages/rentals. It would be nice to at least have a kitchenette to make a lunch in.

- I've been looking at Holland/Grand Haven area. Good call?

- I went to the dunes as a kid. Are there multiple dune area, or just one? Which is best?

Any and all tips are very much appreciated.
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I'm about 45 minutes north of Holland..right on Lake Michigan. PM me if you have any specific details you'd like.Grand Haven is very nice....

As far as dunes go...anywhere along Lake Michigan will have "dunes" but nothing like Sleeping Bear Dunes

Plenty of houses to rent on or near Lake Michigan

 
My family goes every year. We drive right through Holland on our way to Ludington. We stay at this little place that has a bunch of cabins that don't even have AC. Don't need it. About 35 of us go. Seriously. We rent 6 or 7 three bedroom cabins. Each cabin has a grill. We line them up side by side and grill for everyone just about every night. A couple of nights we break up into smaller groups and go into town for dinner.

My uncle brings his boat up. We fish every day, twice a day. A couple of nights we feed everyone from the salmon we have caught. Freshest salmon you will ever taste.

The place we stay is right next to lake Hamlin which is right next to Lake Michigan. The beach is about a 4 minute drive. We are on the bluffs over lake Hamlin and it is beautiful.

Basically it goes something like this. Get up, go to the beach or the pool or both, head back to the cabin a little burnt, take a nap, get up around 5, crack open a labatts and start organizing dinner for everyone. Cook dinner and start the poker tourneys. And repeat.

Oh, and while you can go to the beach and the pool during the day you have to wear a sweatshirt at night. And this is the 3rd week of July. Not a single mosquito. It's not a real touristy place but there is a place in town that has mini golf and go carts. We go and have a huge family mini golf tourney and then take over the go cart track and play bumper cars out there.

To me it's heaven on earth, well the second heaven on earth. My wife's family goes to Hilton Head Island every year the exact same week. So we go to HHI island every other year and Michigan every other year. Michigan is this year. Both are incredible for very different reasons. HHI is all about fine dining, upscale shopping (that was painful when the wife showed me the bill last year), great wine, phenomenal golf, etc. Michigan is about being laid back and relaxing.

We can go down to the dunes and light off fireworks into the lake. Rent Kayaks off lake Hamlin. Rent ski boats or wave runners. The town has some pretty cool shopping (so not commercial or chain stores or anything). Hit House of Flavors. Hit the micro brewery on the cove. Play Bocce ball at the cabins or sand volley ball. Check out the sunset over lake Hamlin or over Lake Michigan. Check out the light house on Lake Michigan. Beach football. Keep away in the pool (except we play like big men in the NBA fighting for a rebound - usually a couple of injuries). Couple of good golf courses. Etc.

If you need anymore info shoot me a PM.

 
If you have the time, work your way up the coast...

Holland/Saugatuck - Can hit the beach at the Holland State Park or Tunnel Beach. Saugatuck is a nice little town to get some food and drinks and to shop (and find a male partner if you wish NTTAWWT :scared: ).

Silver Lake Dunes - Went there as a kid and still remember it. Just awesome sand dunes. If you go, a must do is to take the family on a dune buggy ride!

Ludington - Very nice... read TheFanatic's post.

Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes - Very cool as mentioned above.

Traverse City

 
I live in the very bottom corner of the state (New Buffalo/St Joseph Area). Warren Dunes State Park is the best in the state, with huge sand dunes and located on Lake Michigan. St Joe has Silver Beach that is very busy in the summer. St Joe also has a Children's Museum that is very popular. South Haven (30 minutes north) can fill up fast too.

Most places you would have to rent out by the weekend, minimum.

PM me if you want more info. I can help you from the Indiana border up to Grand Haven.

 
Those questioning vacationing to Michigan have no clue what they are talking about.

Apparently visiting Michigan is confused with downtown Detroit like always.

For those of you who don't know and don't care to know, Michigan is beautiful.

Funny that a guy from Minnesota jokes about it. Minnesota!!

 
Payne said:
Those questioning vacationing to Michigan have no clue what they are talking about.Apparently visiting Michigan is confused with downtown Detroit like always.For those of you who don't know and don't care to know, Michigan is beautiful.Funny that a guy from Minnesota jokes about it. Minnesota!!
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Michigan and Minnesota are very similar places so I have no idea why a Minnesotan or whatever they are called would dog Michigan. You have lakes, trees, and Michigan actually has Great Lakes you can swim in without turtling. Also downtown Detroit is nice, it's the places beyond downtown that aren't so good.
 
Payne said:
Those questioning vacationing to Michigan have no clue what they are talking about.Apparently visiting Michigan is confused with downtown Detroit like always.For those of you who don't know and don't care to know, Michigan is beautiful.Funny that a guy from Minnesota jokes about it. Minnesota!!
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:hifive:
 
Do not confuse Detroit with Michigan overall.......

With the lakes, fishing, etc, Michigan is one of the nicer/relaxing places to go. Also, there are only a few places in the entire country that have more golf courses :unsure:

 
Johnny Detroit said:
Do not confuse Detroit with Michigan overall.......

With the lakes, fishing, etc, Michigan is one of the nicer/relaxing places to go. Also, there are only a few places in the entire country that have more golf courses :eek:
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Actually I love that people don't think of Michigan as a nice place to vacation. Check out this picture from Memorial Day weekend at Lake Michigan. (15 minutes from my house) :eek:

 
Al Czervik said:
If you have the time, work your way up the coast...Holland/Saugatuck - Can hit the beach at the Holland State Park or Tunnel Beach. Saugatuck is a nice little town to get some food and drinks and to shop (and find a male partner if you wish NTTAWWT :eek: ).Silver Lake Dunes - Went there as a kid and still remember it. Just awesome sand dunes. If you go, a must do is to take the family on a dune buggy ride!Ludington - Very nice... read TheFanatic's post.Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes - Very cool as mentioned above.Traverse City
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:eek: Although Grand Haven is my favorite of all west coast towns/beaches... hit that one too!
 
Keerock said:
Al Czervik said:
If you have the time, work your way up the coast...Holland/Saugatuck - Can hit the beach at the Holland State Park or Tunnel Beach. Saugatuck is a nice little town to get some food and drinks and to shop (and find a male partner if you wish NTTAWWT :unsure: ).Silver Lake Dunes - Went there as a kid and still remember it. Just awesome sand dunes. If you go, a must do is to take the family on a dune buggy ride!Ludington - Very nice... read TheFanatic's post.Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes - Very cool as mentioned above.Traverse City
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:( Although Grand Haven is my favorite of all west coast towns/beaches... hit that one too!
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My daughters take dance classes in Grand Haven, three night a week. Back in the day (when I was young and single) that's where we would cruise on the weekends trying to pick up chicks on vacation.We were successful on occasion...not Crimes successful, but enough. :D
 
I really like houghton lake friends of mine have a little cabin on the lake.

Also lexington on Lake Huron is a nice little town it's about 1/2 hour or so north of port huron.

Traverse City is excellent as well and is (was?) a booming area.

 
Thanks for all the tips. Looks like we're going to end up in the Grand Haven area, but we'll definitely be driving up and down the coast some, and will check out some of these places.

 
There are some nice wineries along the west coast that usually have good sweet wines if that is your thing.

Great golf up north (Acadia Bluffs, The Bear, Shanty Creek)

Several casinos along the coast as well.

 
Doctor Detroit said:
Payne said:
Those questioning vacationing to Michigan have no clue what they are talking about.Apparently visiting Michigan is confused with downtown Detroit like always.For those of you who don't know and don't care to know, Michigan is beautiful.Funny that a guy from Minnesota jokes about it. Minnesota!!
Click to expand...
Michigan and Minnesota are very similar places so I have no idea why a Minnesotan or whatever they are called would dog Michigan. You have lakes, trees, and Michigan actually has Great Lakes you can swim in without turtling. Also downtown Detroit is nice, it's the places beyond downtown that aren't so good.
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You know what I meant.
 
So I just got back from visiting my in-laws in Michigan.....they live in the rural areas East of Grand Rapids.

Anyway, we did a day at the Silver Lake Dunes and holy crap was it great. Rented a buggy for 2 hours and had a blast scaring the crap out of my kids, nephews and nieces driving that thing straight down sandy dropoffs. Most fun I've had since the last time I went snow skiing.

We also had a great time just hanging out on the beach of Lake Michigan. Weather was in the mid-80's and a light breeze made it perfect. The water was a touch cold, but it was bearable for about an hour straight between warm up breaks. It was like a gulf beach in Florida without the salt in the water. Beautiful place. We will probably make this an annual deal.

 
Jayrod said:
So I just got back from visiting my in-laws in Michigan.....they live in the rural areas East of Grand Rapids.

Anyway, we did a day at the Silver Lake Dunes and holy crap was it great. Rented a buggy for 2 hours and had a blast scaring the crap out of my kids, nephews and nieces driving that thing straight down sandy dropoffs. Most fun I've had since the last time I went snow skiing.

We also had a great time just hanging out on the beach of Lake Michigan. Weather was in the mid-80's and a light breeze made it perfect. The water was a touch cold, but it was bearable for about an hour straight between warm up breaks. It was like a gulf beach in Florida without the salt in the water. Beautiful place. We will probably make this an annual deal.
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Glad you enjoyed yourself. Michigan is really underrated. There aren't many places better for a family vacation.

 
We go to Grand Haven for July 4th every year. My wife grew up in Grand Rapids and her family has a small cottage that looks out over the lake. No TV, internet, or cell reception - We are about 2 miles south of GH. I grew up on the east coast and am always amazed at the size of Lake Michigan and the quality of the beaches on the Michigan side.

A typical day is waking up at 6:30 am, 18 holes of golf and home by 11am, a little lunch, then down to the beach, drink beer, paddleboard, swim, windsurf, kayaks, frisbee, throw football, bocce, sit around and BS, etc.. Dinner, then sunset, play some cards, then to bed around 10pm. So relaxing. I wish I was there now.

 
Mookie said:
We go to Grand Haven for July 4th every year. My wife grew up in Grand Rapids and her family has a small cottage that looks out over the lake. No TV, internet, or cell reception - We are about 2 miles south of GH. I grew up on the east coast and am always amazed at the size of Lake Michigan and the quality of the beaches on the Michigan side.

A typical day is waking up at 6:30 am, 18 holes of golf and home by 11am, a little lunch, then down to the beach, drink beer, paddleboard, swim, windsurf, kayaks, frisbee, throw football, bocce, sit around and BS, etc.. Dinner, then sunset, play some cards, then to bed around 10pm. So relaxing. I wish I was there now.
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Sounds like every other weekend for me in the Summer :)
 
playin4beer said:
Mookie said:
We go to Grand Haven for July 4th every year. My wife grew up in Grand Rapids and her family has a small cottage that looks out over the lake. No TV, internet, or cell reception - We are about 2 miles south of GH. I grew up on the east coast and am always amazed at the size of Lake Michigan and the quality of the beaches on the Michigan side.

A typical day is waking up at 6:30 am, 18 holes of golf and home by 11am, a little lunch, then down to the beach, drink beer, paddleboard, swim, windsurf, kayaks, frisbee, throw football, bocce, sit around and BS, etc.. Dinner, then sunset, play some cards, then to bed around 10pm. So relaxing. I wish I was there now.
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Sounds like every other weekend for me in the Summer :)
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:thumbup: The left coast of Michigan is so incredibly underrated. Absolutely love the South Haven, Holland, Grand Haven stretch. Great beaches, quaint towns, lots to do.

 
Keerock said:
playin4beer said:
Mookie said:
We go to Grand Haven for July 4th every year. My wife grew up in Grand Rapids and her family has a small cottage that looks out over the lake. No TV, internet, or cell reception - We are about 2 miles south of GH. I grew up on the east coast and am always amazed at the size of Lake Michigan and the quality of the beaches on the Michigan side.

A typical day is waking up at 6:30 am, 18 holes of golf and home by 11am, a little lunch, then down to the beach, drink beer, paddleboard, swim, windsurf, kayaks, frisbee, throw football, bocce, sit around and BS, etc.. Dinner, then sunset, play some cards, then to bed around 10pm. So relaxing. I wish I was there now.
Click to expand...
Sounds like every other weekend for me in the Summer :)
Click to expand...
:thumbup: The left coast of Michigan is so incredibly underrated. Absolutely love the South Haven, Holland, Grand Haven stretch. Great beaches, quaint towns, lots to do.
Click to expand...
Totally agree. My sister and mother lived in Holland for years and it's a beautiful town and lakeside. Having grown up an east coaster myself the one thing I could never wrap my mind around was looking out over that vast lake and not smelling the salt!

 
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