any good vacation spots in Michigan
 

I just moved to michigan recently and dont know too much about the place. Can anyone suggest some nice get away vacation spots in or around the michigan area?

Michigan's a big state--you might want to be more specific.

Personally, when I was there, I found Saugatuck to be particularly beautiful. It's SW of Grand Rapids, on Lake Michigan.

I live here, but as onesnowyowl said, it helps to know where you are in the state.

Generally, the area known as "up north" is the best place to vacation.

On the west side, go up M31 through Holland, Muskegon, Silver Lake (great sand dunes), and Traverse City.

On the east side, go up US23 through Pinconning, Tawas and Alpena.

PM me if you want some good ideas.

Hey, I'm gonna be in Lansing next week on business.
Is there anything interesting in that area?

I live in Farmington Hills, its a suburb of Detroit. I've heard about Saugatuck and its seems like a really nice place to visit. I dont really mind a 7-8 hr drive at all so i guess any place in michigan will do.

Years ago I went up to Mackinac Island on vacation. That was a very nice area, and a good place to go to relax and be away from everything. You can either stay on the Island, or stay on the mainland and take a ferry across. It's not a bad place to spend a long weekend if you are looking for a change of pace. :)

please delete this post

I grew up in MI, lived there 23 years. If you're into camping all the state parks are great. There is one right across the Mack. bridge and you can see the bridge lit up at night from the beach. I prefer the smaller beach towns and are less "touristy". Arcadia is where I spent my summers growing up it's on lake MI about an hour or so south of traverse city (as a true Michigander I'd say it's on the pinky finger). Also there's a state park a couple of miles south of south haven but I can't remember the name. If you're up for a big drive there's the porkupine mountains way up in the UP. Also interesting iron mines and stuff up there.

Interesting things in Lansing... try old town, they are working to revitalize it... I think cool art gallerys and such. If you're into the bar scene hit East Lansing where MSU is.

You must go to the UP at least once as a Michigander. The area is beautiful, the people are a class of their own, strange but very helpful and friendly if you engage them and... did I mention its absolutley gerogous?

Stop at Mackinaw Island on your way up, which is nice but kind of a tourist trap. Some must sees are Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and if you can make it Isle Royle.

The summer my family spent camping around the UP and upper LP was one of the best

Just to chime in here, I agree that the UP is a beautiful area. Very friendly people, though somewhat unique. Silver Lake / Big Bear Dunes is awesome. Go way north to Whitefish Point and/or Sioux St. Marie. Lake Superior is GORGEOUS, albeit colder than any other water I've ever touched... even in the summer. It's fun to hunt for Petosky stones, which happen to be the state rock of Michigan. Camping and fishing is plentiful throughout all of central and northen Michigan. SE Michigan is mostly about the Detroit 'burbs (I grew up there). It's a city, and it's not BIG on night life, but places like Ann Arbor and Royal Oak tend to have a lot more going on than other towns. Lansing is okay... E. Lansing certainly has some party action almost every night of the week. Traverse City is a nice vacation spot in the summer. It gets a bit crowded but the water is pretty nice. The beaches are usable, and also have some very rustic areas of non-commercial beachfront. It's fun to hike around those areas. Also, if you are into light houses, Michigan has some fantastic historical one scattered about the state (two peninsulas, so six sides fo water... *g* I know, flawed math). Enjoy!

In the winter the best place to go in Michigan is south :lol:
When it's warm.... it is amazing
race tracks:
MIS http://www.mispeedway.com/
131 motor sports park http://www.us131motorsportspark.com/

Sleeping bear dunes is a must see
http://www.nps.gov/slbe/
any of the national parks are great

Michigan is a great state to "Just go"
one of my favorite things to do is
to pick a direction and drive
don't worry about getting lost
all roads are on a grid
eventually you will hit a major road or highway.

Gotta stop in Hell and take a picture
in front of the welcome sign.
it's frozen over right now.

Frankenmuth if you are into christmas
http://www.frankenmuth.org/

Some great zoo's too!
I went to the Detriot zoo when I was a kid.
Binder park in Battle creek is very nice.

You will have to learn how to
hold your hand up and,
point to where you are from
on the "map"