Michigan getaway (1 Viewer)

[ShawnF]

The wife and I need a few days to ourselves (had our first child last September). We were thinking of driving to Michigan from Chicago.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably-priced town to just unwind? We don't mind staying at a hotel chain (as opposed to a B&B).

 

[Jefferson]

Don't know about price, but Ann Arbor is a cool place.

 

[Jay H]

Not sure what you're interested in but I've always heard that Isle Royale is a great undiscovered place. Nice bike rides, good hiking, and very scenic.

Can't help you with the logistics though, besides probably being quite a long drive from Chicago..

Jay

 

[Scott Merryfield]

There are a lot of nice areas on the western part of the state that are an easy drive from Chicago. Ludington has a beautiful state park, and farther north the Traverse City area has lots to do, including Sleep Bear Dunes, wineries and casinos. Even closer to Chicago, Holland can be fun. I am not sure what time of year they have the tulip festival.

Mackinac Island is also a great place to visit. There are many independently owned hotels and bed & breakfasts on the island. No motor vehicles are allowed -- you can take your own bicyles over on the ferry, or rent them there. It's about a 5 hour drive from the Detroit area, so I would imagine that it's not more than 6-7 from Chicago.

If you like to golf, northern Michigan has become a summertime golf resort destination similar to Myrtle Beach. There are many great golf resorts with some wonderful courses built by top architects.

 

[Dave Poehlman]

I've got my "St. Joseph, Mich." coffee mug right here. Cute town.
Take a drive down the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. there's plenty of places to stop and views of the lake along the way. Um... except for Gary, IN.

 

[Michael Warner]

Most Chicagoans I know frequent Saugatuck and South Haven. Both are very nice communities with an artistic bent and great beaches and are within an easy drive of Chicago.

 

[MikePeroni]

Let me second the Ludington suggestion!! My family has been going up for years and years and its great! Probably Michigans finest state park, miles of beautiful sand dunes, great little downtown, parks....Its an awesome place, definitely a beautiful little city to check out...