We are thinking about renting an RV this summer to take the kids on vacation. One destination we are kicking around is Michigan (we are in Nebraska). One of my favorite magazines (family fun) has included several Michigan Beach towns as great places to vacation. Does anyone have any suggestions places we should see, nice campgrounds we could stay at etc?

By Cat on Sunday, June 5, 2005 - 07:41 pm:

The UP is always nice. One place I've camped at in the lower pen is Pentwater. It's right on the coast of Lake Michigan, about half way up. The kids and I are going to MI the 16th and we plan on heading to the island and a couple other places up by the bridge. Really, if given the choice of anywhere in MI I'd head to the UP. There's so many places to camp (with RV's) and so much to see up there.

By Rayelle on Sunday, June 5, 2005 - 10:19 pm:

I don't know how to post a link, but www.michigan.gov/dnr has a ton of great camping info and you could even make a reservaiton online. You could also get brochures. Most of the parks on the west coast do not hold sites back for camping, you'd have to have a reservation. State forests are all first come first serve. Ludington is one of the most popular, I've seen pictures that look like the ocean. Grand Haven is popular, but all the campsites there are paved.

By Sue3 on Monday, June 6, 2005 - 04:27 pm:

Yes,the UP ( upper pennisula ) is beautiful.I was going to suggest Grand Haven and Ludington also.Anything along the lake would be nice I think.
We went to Copper Harbor a couple years ago
and the kids still talk about that vacation.We went to Drummond Island too and that was nice also.The UP is so rural and pristine , I could live up there if I could talk DH in to it.
There are many natural waterfalls and I have never been anywhere else where your dog is very welcome.We are leaving to camp this Thursday !
Can`t wait ! We are going to Gun Lake camp ground ,not to far from our home.
My camping reservation say`s Michigan.gov Home
Like Rayelle mentioned.
Have fun what ever you do !!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Cat ,I bet you are excited to get back home this summer. Hope you have fun in the UP too !!!

By Peggy13 on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 04:04 pm:

I grew up in Stevensville Michigan near the town of St. Joseph - it is about 1 1/2 hours north of Chicago and attracts lots of tourists in the summer - beautiful beaches. About 1 hour north is Saugutuck - a very quaint beach town and also is Holland Michigan. The UP is nice too, but a far drive.

By Mommyof4 on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 05:54 pm:

Thanks for all the input!! I have been looking at the Michigan website Rayelle provided and it looks like there are a lot of State Parks along the coast. Would I be correct in assuming that just about any of them would be OK to stay at? I have read about Ludington in Family Fun but unfortunatley they were full during the time we are planning on going. I am looking at Muskegon State Park, Traverse City State Park and a State Park near Mackinaw City.

By Cat on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 06:11 pm:

Traverse City is one of my favorite cities in MI. My pastor growing up had a cabin on the lake there and the youth group would vacation there almost every summer. It's especially beautiful in the fall with the leaves changing summer, but that's beside the point since you won't be there at that time anyway. Muskegon has Michigan Adventure Park. It's an Amusement/Water park. We used to go there in high school when it was MUCH smaller. We're contemplating going there while were in MI, but it is kind of expensive. My mom heard there's a new water park opening this Saturday up by the bridge so we might go there instead, since we'll be up there anyway. Muskegon is only about 1 1/2 hours from my mom's. Anything near Mackinaw City would be nice. There are SO many attractions up there. I can't remember the name of the fort by the canal. It's really a neat place to visit. We plan on going to the island while there. The boys would love that. There really is a lot to see in MI, especially near the bridge. You'll have a good time no matter where you go.

By Wandilu on Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 02:14 pm:

You've got to go to MACKINAW ISLAND !!It is awesome!! I used to live in Trenton,Mi.We took a trip to Mack.Is. and I've never forgotten it.I'm not sure if that is the same place as Mackinaw City.But you have to take a ferry to get to it.But it is well worth it.Also,back then there was an amusement park on a small island by itself called Bob-lo Island.But I don't know if it's still there.

By Bemerry84 on Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 04:04 pm:

Wandilu - Bob-Lo Island is long gone!!! as Ernie Harwell would say. Been closed about 10 years now. My parents met on the Caterpillar ride way back when and we went every year, good memories. When did you live in Trenton, my DH grew up there and graduated in 1974, we live nearby in Flat Rock. Mackinaw Island is still a great place to visit, and you do take the ferry from Mackinaw City to get there. Michigan is a good vacation place my DH won't go anywhere else. We have to stay in the Sate.

By Jilly on Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 08:59 pm:

We lived in Petoskey for two years - and DH worked in Charlevoix, about 20 minutes away (Chx is about 50 minutes north of Traverse City). Both towns are SUPER quaint and beautiful.

Speaking of Traverse City - it's the "Cherry" capital of the world - and has its own Cherry Festival: http://www.cherryfestival.org/

But I would definitely suggest you check out Mackinac Island! The Lilac Festival should be happening soon up there! Check out: http://www.mackinacisland.org/visitor.php. We got to the Lilac Festival in 2003 and I fell in love with the island! I swear it's #1 on the places I want to retire (if only it didn't snow 100+ inches each winter!).

Have a great trip!