Enormous sparkling lakes, rolling green farmland and bustling small cities make Michigan a popular vacation destination for families, adventure seekers and couples in search of a romantic getaway. Because of its cool, pleasant summers and crisp, snowy winters, Michigan is a perfect four-season vacation spot, and the state has been a popular tourist destination since Victorian times.
In Petoskey, which is picturesquely nestled on Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay, it's hard to find a spot that doesn't boast a gorgeous view. The town has held firmly to its Victorian roots, and exploring the neighborhood streets feels like an architectural treasure hunt. If you're looking for outdoor fun, you'll find more than 20 golf courses, meandering nature trails and plenty of beaches for sailing, swimming, fishing and lounging. If art's your thing, check out the schedule at the Crooked Tree Arts Center, where you'll find local and traveling art exhibits as well as theater and musical performances throughout the year. Kids will love the water parks, pick-your-own orchards and fisheries, while grown-ups will appreciate the luxurious spas, acclaimed restaurants and Odawa Casino.
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
401 East Mitchell St.
Petoskey, MI 49770
231-348-2755
petoskeyarea.com
Make your home base a cabin with a private boat on Manistique Lake, where you might spot deer, ducks, turtles or other wildlife wandering through your front yard, and where you can have fun exploring the unspoiled wilderness of the Great Waters in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Hike to Tahquamenon Falls, the second-tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, with a water flow of more than 50,000 gallons per second. If you visit in the summer, make sure to spend a night in the restored 1923 Coast Guard quarters at Whitefish Point Light Station, the site of the oldest active lighthouse on Lake Superior and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, which chronicles the fascinating history of Lake Superior's infamous Shipwreck Coast. Make time to watch the action at Soo Locks, the largest waterway system in the United States. If you're looking for outdoor adventure on your vacation, it would be hard to find a more fun destination than the Great Waters region.
Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association
P.O. Box 400
Iron Mountain, MI 49801
800-562-7134
uptravel.com
For an old-fashioned family vacation experience, plan a trip to Frankenmuth in eastern Michigan. Driving into Frankenmuth, nicknamed Little Bavaria, is a bit like driving back in time: You'll be instantly charmed by the horse-drawn carriages, covered bridges and authentic Bavarian architecture. The little city offers up plenty of fun, from impromptu glockenspiel dance sessions downtown to the world's largest Christmas store to riverboat tours along the Cass River. At dinnertime, gather the clan for a chicken dinner with all the trimmings at one of Frankenmuth's two family restaurants dating to the mid-1800s. The town really cranks up the Bavarian charm for Oktoberfest every fall, but it maintains a busy calendar of activities and attractions all year.
Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau
635 S. Main St.
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
800-FUN-TOWN
frankenmuth.org
