Coming your way

[livinfree]

Hi from Indiana,

My hubby and I are thinking of riding around Lake Michigan this summer. Was wondering if you had any Have to see, Have to stay, or hints how to travel your state. We are, of course, doing this on a modest budget. :) Thanks for any suggestions.

Melinda

[EZ Rydar]

Hi Melinda,
Which way were you planning on going around Lake Michigan? Will you be coming into MI from the U.P. or up from IN? Were you planning on staying a night, or a couple of nights? Motel or camping? Are you just interested in seeing some sights while cruising, or are you willing to park and explore a little? The answers to these questions will allow you to see and do the most in a given amount of time, without missing a whole lot.
My suggestions will include: Silver Lake sand dunes; Sleeping Bear sand dunes; a number of lighthouses; a few coastal cities, a few different beaches, a couple of dining spots, etc...

[livinfree]

Hi, We have just started planning so not set in any ideas yet. We were thinking of riding the Wisconsin side first since it is shorter and then across the bridge into Michigan. We are a little under 200 miles south of the Wisconsin border. We will have 5 days to do the trip and want to see and experience as much as we can in that time. We usually stay cheaper most nights and then splurge one night on a nice place with scenery.

I love it when we get to get off and explore some, especially if it comes at a time my back side needs a break :)

Oh, and my husbands idea of roughing it is staying in a Red Roof. He does not like camping when we are on long rides. He wants a shower and soft bed :) He says when he can afford a VTX 1800 or a Gold Wing he may break down and buy one of those pop up trailer thingys.

I appreciate the assistance. We always enjoy our rides more when locals have advised us. Let me know if you need more answers. We really are very flexible.

Melinda

[EZ Rydar]

I've traveled a lot in MI and know of some great things to see here. I've ridden across the country and a few of my journeys can be found here: http://www.mixriders.com/X_Forum/viewto ... f=9&t=3311 (http://www.mixriders.com/X_Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3311)

If you want additional info on the U.P. just ask, but I'll deal mostly with the lower peninsula. After crossing the mighty Mac head south on I-75 to Indian River and check out The Cross In The Woods, here's one link: http://www.crossinthewoods.com/

After that take Hwy 68 west to 31. Follow that toward Traverse City. If you get the chance, ride out to the ends of both peninsulas north of Traverse City. When done, follow 22 south along the coast. Check out Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes and go thru Empire & Frankfort. Follow 22 until it runs into 31. Follow 31 south. Head into Ludington and stop at the city park (free) and enjoy the beach and possibly walk out to the lighthouse. Follow 31 south and go into Pentwater for lunch at one of the outdoor cafes. Check out Mears State Park (sugar sand) on the north side of town. Heading south out of Pentwater, turn right on "Longbridge Rd" (B15) and follow it to Silver Lake Sand Dunes. If you feel like walking the dunes, park at the State Park. Take off your shoes and climb the stairs to the dunes, and check out Lake MI, its beautiful. Walk down to Silver Lake if you have time. Follow B15 down to Montague & Whitehall. Continue south on 31. Check out Grand Haven, Saugatuck (for lunch if possible) and South Haven. Great lighthouses and quaint little villages. If you ever get a chance to ride the rest of the state, let me know and I'll try to point you in the right direction! Any questions, let me know.

[livinfree]

Thanks EZ Ryder. This is awesome. I am really looking forward to this trip, especially right now while it is so stinkin cold :) Pretty cold up your way too, I bet?

Melinda

[EZ Rydar]

Yeah it's pretty cold here too. If you guys are going to ride through the U.P. anyway, and you have time, you might want to consider checking out: Porcupine Mountains; Copper Harbor, Houghton and then down to Baraga (Keweenaw Peninsula); take 28 over to Munising and check out Munising Falls; (although out of the way somewhat, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is beautiful, but I can't remember exactly what the roads are like); the Soo Locks are pretty cool to see in Sault Ste. Marie. Then take I-75 south over the Mighty Mac. A lot of people swear that the "tunnel of trees" is a "must see", so if you want, take I-75 south to C66 and head west to Cross Village, but I still stick by my original recommendation in my prior post, but that's up to you. Enjoy the ride!

[EZ Rydar]

Man, I can't believe I left out Tahquamenon Falls in the U.P.! Whitefish Point is due north of there too, that's where the Edmund Fitzgerald museum is.

Do some internet searches on "Michigan Lighthouses", (Here's a quick link to some MI Lighthouses: http://www.michiganlighthouse.org/newmap.html)
"Porcupine Mountains", "Houghton, MI", "Copper Harbor, MI", "Munising Falls", "Tahquamenon Falls", "Edmund Fitzgerald Museum", "Soo Locks", "Tunnel of Trees" (Cross Village, MI), "The Cross In The Woods" (Indian River, MI), "Suttons Bay, MI", "Leelanau Peninsula", "Traverse City, MI Cherry Festival", "Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes", "Frankfort, MI", "Ludington, MI", "Pentwater, MI", "Silver Lake Sand Dunes", "Grand Haven, MI", "Holland, MI", "Saugatuck, MI", and "South Haven, MI". There, that should get you started on the MI leg of your trip. The only problem is, "Which sights will you have to miss because of your time limits?" Best of luck!

[caswensk]

Lake Michigan itself is a short ride for 5 days... 1000 miles-ish. You'll definitely need to do some off shoot riding to fill the days, or before you know it you'll be done. Personally, there ain't nothing to see rounding Lake Michigan compared to Superior. From where you're at, rounding the real BIG lake is an easy 5 day trip. You can't even compare the two rides... and if you do it right, you can do both lakes in one trip. Roughly 1800 miles, or 350mi/day.

If you're content with Lake Michigan, spend as much time in northern Wisconsin and the UP before crossing the bridge back into the LP as possible. The roads, eats, scenery above the bridge can't be beat by anything in the LP.... just my $0.02.

[livinfree]

Thanks for the input guys. This is the part of the trip planning where I am so excited I am almost overwhelmed. :) I usually pick the places and things I want to see and then have to let my hubby route it out. I do love lighthouses, and waterfalls, and everything beautiful .....

Melinda

[caswensk]

Follow 31 south and go into Pentwater for lunch at one of the outdoor cafes.

Screw the outdoors, the BROWN BEAR has the absolute best burgers you'll ever taste in your life at a price that'll surprise you... and I guess they do have an upstairs porch if the outside thing means much to ya.....

... plus, the Bear burger is the size of your hubby's melon...

[caswensk]

One more note… you’ll be within a few miles of my doorstep as you pass between Muskegon and Grand Haven if you choose to take US-31. And while I’d never wish bad luck on anyone, it happens on occasion. PM me if another cell number in your phone would give you that warm and toasty feeling inside. Provides at least a hundred miles where you know if you break down another X-er’ll be there to help out how and if he can…

[Sniper666]

If your near Frankfort around dinner time, take State Highway 22 south for about ten minutes and stop at Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course their club house over looks Lake Michigan and they have a nice resturant. Check out some of the photos from their site. The back porch has an awesome view.
http://www.arcadiabluffs.com/

[livinfree]

If your near Frankfort around dinner time, take State Highway 22 south for about ten minutes and stop at Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course their club house over looks Lake Michigan and they have a nice resturant. Check out some of the photos from their site. The back porch has an awesome view.
http://www.arcadiabluffs.com/

Beautiful view. Thanks. Any suggestions for places to stay?

Melinda

[livinfree]

"PM me if another cell number in your phone would give you that warm and toasty feeling inside. Provides at least a hundred miles where you know if you break down another X-er’ll be there to help out how and if he can…"

Thanks PM sent. I appreciate it.

Melinda

[livinfree]

After looking at the map and reading your alls post we have decided to explore the UP also and see Superior too. Thanks for the input and if you have suggestions on a place to stay up there let me know.

Melinda

[Sniper666]

Manistee, MI which is a little bit south of Arcadia Bluffs has a few of the chain hotel / motels. Theres a nice light house and beach in Manistee.
Also the Coast Guard station is there.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h199/CruznVTX/ManisteeSunset.jpg

[EZ Rydar]

Here's a previous link with some good info. http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=166298

Houghton, Marquette and Munising are great places to stop for the night.

[livinfree]

Here's a previous link with some good info. http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=166298

Houghton, Marquette and Munising are great places to stop for the night.

Thanks this thread was very helpful. I got my maps today from Wisconsin, now waiting on my Michigan stuff. I hope to get to play with it all this weekend.

Melinda