Michigan Travel Excitement

June 24, 2007 9:28 PM

We’re heading up to the northern shore area of MI from Chicago mid-July and want to know about any exciting (safe) adventures like jet boat rides, dune buggy rides, zip lines, etc. that are memorable and “not to miss” while in the area. In the past, we have found some of these experiences are not mentioned AAA books or online travel sites. Thanks!
posted by thebarron to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

There are several dune ride places and they are fun. Muskegon and Ludington have the most amazing state parks you will ever see anywhere. The flyfishing in Baldwin is some of the absolute best in the entire country. Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of the most awesome places on the planet. Lake Michigan between Charlevoix and Harbor Springs is not to be missed. This is a really, really cool area of the country.
posted by caddis at 9:47 PM on June 24, 2007

Ooooh, dune rides are cool. They have them in Shelby, but that's not quite NoMI... I'd suspect most of the dune areas have some company that runs them. Worth at least one go in your lifetime!

Traverse City is neat, by the way. I think you may be hitting around the Cherry Festival time.
posted by rhoticity at 9:54 PM on June 24, 2007

Also there is a superior Italian restaurant in Ludington. It's on the Main Street. From the outside, it looks like a low-end beer and pizza joint. But step inside -- and Momma Mia -- the dishes are wonderful and it won't break your budget. (Sorry, I can't remember its name.) Sunset watching from the pier at Ludington is also spectacular.
posted by peace_love_hope at 4:35 AM on June 25, 2007

When I lived in Traverse City, rolling down Sleeping Bear Dunes was fun! No machinery necessary.
posted by Carol Anne at 5:25 AM on June 25, 2007

Ha! I'm in Muskegon right now, visiting relatives. This time of year it's all about boating. I don't think it would be terribly expensive to charter a small power boat or sail boat if you have the skills.

There are tons of state parks along the coast and swimming up here is safe and clean. Also, there are tons of small canoe liveries along the rivers. My family always gets a day of canoeing in when I come up here.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 6:34 AM on June 25, 2007

Response by poster: I love Italian food! Bonus points for anybody who knows the name of the restaurant mentioned in Ludington. We love the little, off the radar-type, killer food places to eat that aren't mentioned in the AAA guidebooks along with lots of $$$$ signs.
posted by thebarron at 7:35 AM on June 25, 2007

West Michigan is not exactly known for its fine dining. However, there are some places which will surprise you, like Hermann's European Cafe in Cadillac.
posted by caddis at 7:52 AM on June 25, 2007

Cadillac is not on the coast and if you go there, you'd be missing out on the beauty of the drive along the west side.

And if it's not above the 45th parallel it's not "Northern Michigan." (Having lived there for 16 years, I think I'm qualified to make that statement.)

Check out Charlevoix for Venetian Festival. The Weathervane in Charlevoix has lovely food, and there are several diners in town that are nice. Check out a City Band concert in the shell downtown. There's an excellent art gallery, Koosky gallery (spelled differently) as well as some nice clothing shops that aren't full of tourist shit. There are tourist shit stores as well.

Camp Daggett is a great week long summer camp experience for any kid. Walloon Lake Country Club has amazing views, fine dining, and great food, but might be members only (though I don't think so.) Walloon Lake is a nice spot to stop as well, considering Hemingway liked it too.

There are some beautiful country churches if you're into that thing in Harbor Springs.
posted by santojulieta at 7:01 AM on June 26, 2007

And for fun go to Beaver Island.
posted by santojulieta at 7:02 AM on June 26, 2007