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Lake Michigan - What’s some good summer beach towns to hang out a few days?
Posted on 10/25/25 at 2:06 pm
Posted on 10/25/25 at 2:06 pm
Good dining, sightseeing, access to water and activities, and walk ability preferred….
10
Posted on 10/25/25 at 3:04 pm to xBirdx
Door county, wisconsin is real nice. Just south of green bay.
Posted on 10/25/25 at 3:28 pm to xBirdx
Traverse city
Posted on 10/25/25 at 11:12 pm to xBirdx
Holland, New Haven, New Buffalo are all pretty popular. I've been to New Haven, its fun for a few days.
Sagatauk is fun for a day visit, never spent the night.
Neer been to Mackinac Island, its way up there. Supposed to be pretty cool.
Sagatauk is fun for a day visit, never spent the night.
Neer been to Mackinac Island, its way up there. Supposed to be pretty cool.
Posted on 10/26/25 at 12:06 am to xBirdx
I would key in anywhere between Empire and Charlevoix you can't go wrong. Mission Point Peninsula is great. Do a little research on what the "rock hounds" look for washing up from the lake.
Posted on 10/26/25 at 7:59 am to xBirdx
Good Article
We go up in that area once per year. SO many choices.
Traverse City
I'd say overall Traverse City is great. Sits on Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay and offers a blend of scenic nature, small-town atmosphere, and exceptional food. Highlights include Sleeping Bear Dunes, local wineries, the National Cherry Festival, clean beaches, and lively downtown dining and shops. Some great local wineries in the area as well. In season, lots of tubing and kayaking options on the Platte River. So much fun.
Drive up about 30 minutes to Leland and have lunch at The Cove and get a "Chubby Mary"!
Frankfort
Wide sandy beaches, the iconic Point Betsie Lighthouse, and a walkable downtown.
Loved the cabins we stayed in at the Wayfarer Lodgings!
Nearby, but not directly on the Lake, but not too far, and near Crystal Lake is the Betsie River Resort. We stayed there a few months ago. Old iconic cabins that's very popular for salmon fishing. We kayaked the Betside. Had a great time!
Haven't stayed at the next two but have done day trips there many times:
Petoskey
A lakeside gem on Little Traverse Bay that blends natural beauty, history, and small-town charm. Several good wineries in the area. Shop the historic Gaslight District’s boutiques and cafés. Several great trails nearby along the lake.
Harbor Springs
A very "High End Old Michigan Money" kind of town. You can take a scenic drive through the legendary Tunnel of Trees, then soak up the sun and Lake Michigan views at Zorn Park Beach. Round out your day with local flavors and fun at Pond Hill Farm, where wine, cider, and farm-fresh eats.
We go up in that area once per year. SO many choices.
Traverse City
I'd say overall Traverse City is great. Sits on Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay and offers a blend of scenic nature, small-town atmosphere, and exceptional food. Highlights include Sleeping Bear Dunes, local wineries, the National Cherry Festival, clean beaches, and lively downtown dining and shops. Some great local wineries in the area as well. In season, lots of tubing and kayaking options on the Platte River. So much fun.
Drive up about 30 minutes to Leland and have lunch at The Cove and get a "Chubby Mary"!
Frankfort
Wide sandy beaches, the iconic Point Betsie Lighthouse, and a walkable downtown.
Loved the cabins we stayed in at the Wayfarer Lodgings!
Nearby, but not directly on the Lake, but not too far, and near Crystal Lake is the Betsie River Resort. We stayed there a few months ago. Old iconic cabins that's very popular for salmon fishing. We kayaked the Betside. Had a great time!
Haven't stayed at the next two but have done day trips there many times:
Petoskey
A lakeside gem on Little Traverse Bay that blends natural beauty, history, and small-town charm. Several good wineries in the area. Shop the historic Gaslight District’s boutiques and cafés. Several great trails nearby along the lake.
Harbor Springs
A very "High End Old Michigan Money" kind of town. You can take a scenic drive through the legendary Tunnel of Trees, then soak up the sun and Lake Michigan views at Zorn Park Beach. Round out your day with local flavors and fun at Pond Hill Farm, where wine, cider, and farm-fresh eats.
Posted on 10/26/25 at 2:14 pm to xBirdx
Where are you coming from? The best ones are up north. Frankfort, Glen Arbor, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey. I’m partial to being close to Sleeping Bear Dunes
Posted on 10/26/25 at 2:19 pm to keakdasneak
Not really sure. Could fly into Chicago or Detroit pretty easily.
Hang out in the city a few days and then looking for somewhere for 3-4 days .
Hang out in the city a few days and then looking for somewhere for 3-4 days .
Posted on 10/26/25 at 3:44 pm to xBirdx
If you’re flying in, you might be able to get a flight to Traverse City. Otherwise I’d fly to Detroit or even Flint and go north from there. Getting out of Chicago adds annoying time
Posted on 10/27/25 at 8:13 am to keakdasneak
The replies above are correct.
Fly into Traverse City or Pellston (TVC has directs from IAH and DFW in the summer).
Pick a town on the lake, it will be great.
Fly into Traverse City or Pellston (TVC has directs from IAH and DFW in the summer).
Pick a town on the lake, it will be great.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 11:54 am to xBirdx
We stay in Harbor Springs every October. Close to Petosky and Charlevoix. Check out Pond Hill Farm in the fall if you get a chance.
Posted on 10/27/25 at 7:45 pm to texas tortilla
quote:It is NORTH East of GB. Make sure to spend some time in Washington Island. Great food and a microbrew that uses ingredients that are grown right on the island.
Door county, wisconsin is real nice. Just south of green bay.
Posted on 10/29/25 at 8:57 pm to MSUDawg98
More options on the Michigan side but if you wanna do Door County and Michigan you can take the ferry across but it’s expensive.
Posted on 10/30/25 at 8:55 am to xBirdx
Chicago people mostly go to Door County and Berrien County. Detroit people go way up north to Traverse and Petoskey. Grand Rapids people go to Holland and Grand Haven. Milwaukee people venture up the lake but also seem to love those little lakes to their west.
Maybe figure where you have some friends that can meet you? Also keep in mind summer traffic coming out of any of those big cities to the beach is a MF.
Maybe figure where you have some friends that can meet you? Also keep in mind summer traffic coming out of any of those big cities to the beach is a MF.
Posted on 10/30/25 at 10:34 am to tadman
I just finished a 2 month RV tour of the UP and visited all the places mentioned.
St. Ignace is my favorite, an easy trip to Canada if you want. A short ferry ride to Mackinac Island
St. Ignace is my favorite, an easy trip to Canada if you want. A short ferry ride to Mackinac Island
This post was edited on 10/30/25 at 10:39 am
Posted on 10/30/25 at 11:58 am to tadman
quote:
Chicago people mostly go to Door County and Berrien County.
Eh, don't forget Fox Lake and Lake Geneva. Huge summer gateways for Chicagoland population because of proximity to the city, especially for those on the north side.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 10:14 pm to xBirdx
Dining-nah not here. Maybe TC.
Sightseeing-depends on what you mean by that. Activities I would go to St. Joe, South Haven, & TC.
Access to H2O-The water is cold. South Haven, St. Joe is best. Middle of summer, TC bay/rivers are tolerable.
Walkability-all of the above depending on where you stay.
Most vineyards/wineries in TC are better than SW Michigan.
Mid-summer in MI is great.
Sightseeing-depends on what you mean by that. Activities I would go to St. Joe, South Haven, & TC.
Access to H2O-The water is cold. South Haven, St. Joe is best. Middle of summer, TC bay/rivers are tolerable.
Walkability-all of the above depending on where you stay.
Most vineyards/wineries in TC are better than SW Michigan.
Mid-summer in MI is great.
Posted on 11/3/25 at 10:14 pm to xBirdx
Dining-nah not here. Maybe TC.
Sightseeing-depends on what you mean by that. Activities I would go to St. Joe, South Haven, & TC.
Access to H2O-The water is cold. South Haven, St. Joe is best. Middle of summer, TC bay/rivers are tolerable.
Walkability-all of the above depending on where you stay.
Most vineyards/wineries in TC are better than SW Michigan.
Mid-summer in MI is great.
Sightseeing-depends on what you mean by that. Activities I would go to St. Joe, South Haven, & TC.
Access to H2O-The water is cold. South Haven, St. Joe is best. Middle of summer, TC bay/rivers are tolerable.
Walkability-all of the above depending on where you stay.
Most vineyards/wineries in TC are better than SW Michigan.
Mid-summer in MI is great.
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