Traveling to Michigan - need advice
 

Hi,

My husband and I are planning our big trip to Michigan for the month of June :) It's been one of our dream trips for the past few years. We will be rving. We are planning to go to the Henry Ford Museum and then head for the Upper Peninsula and down the west side. My question for you "in the know" are there any places you would suggest a tourist shouldn't miss and any that are advertised that aren't worth the time? Are there any quilting shops or craft areas that are must sees? This is our one shot to see the great things that Michigan has, we hope to see as much as possible :) Thank you for your help.

It's been several years since we visited Michigan but the Henry Ford Museum was our favorite. There is so much to see in the Museum, and then the Village outside. You can spend 2 days easy here. They did have a cafeteria there that served home-style cooking.

If you can time it right, the Soo Locks have Engineer's Day on the last weekend of June. They open the buildings to the public and have demos and activities. There is a campground on the water called Anne Osburn (I think) but to get a reservation for that weekend you have to mail a check in early January.

We LOVED this spot! From there, we drove up to the Shipwreck Museum for a day trip - very interesting!

Don't know about any quilt shops, but I am sure someone else will...

Welcome to our state. Just a few of our favorite places. Hartwick Pines is just off I-75' a great place to camp and shows Michigan's logging history. Tahaquamenon Falls in the UP is a beautiful site. Of course Mackinaw Island is a neat place to visit.
Palms Book State Park in the UP is not as well known, but worth the stop. I would suggest that you do some research on our State Parks. Sleeping Bear Dunes is a National Park on Lake Michigan.

There are some great quilt shops in the UP. Tahaquamenon Fall was mentioned and about 12 miles from the falls is a great quilt shop, Village Quilt Shop, just outside of Paradise, MI. If you visit the Soo Locks, there are two quilt shops in Sault St. Marie. There are a number of great shops in Upper and Lower Michigan. I don't RV, so I'm not sure how they are located in regard to parking an RV. I'm sure you will enjoy all the sites of Michigan.

Friends just returned from Isle Royale and really enjoyed it. Not sure you are planning to travel that far north and west.

We were in the UP in the beginning of June, and there was still ice on Lake Superior!

If you've never been there, Bronner's Christmas store in Frankenmuth is worth a short stop. I have friends who would go there every year, but once was enough for me. Glad I did it, but don't need to return.

I live in West Michigan, in Muskegon. The whole west side of the state is loaded with state parks. Muskegon has 3 state parks and a couple county parks that all are great for camping. Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, Silver Lake Sand Dunes, are a few good ones. And I think we have some of the best sunsets!

Many of the places I would suggest have already been mentioned but here are some more. If you are going up I75 on the East side of the state then Frankenmuth is a a nice stop. Bronners that was mentioned earlier is there but there are also a lot of other places to visit in the quaint town. Zenders is the place to eat there with their signature chicken dinner family style.
SW Michigan has a world class car museum - Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners MI near Kalamazoo. You don't have to be a car nut to enjoy the many buildings set up like a village and the incredible one of a kind cars.
SW Michigan near the Indiana border is also Amish country. Shipshewanna which is just across the border into Indiana has Yoder's department store with a to die for fabric collection and other unusual things. E&S grocery there is a unique shopping experience but they only take check or cash. There are several good Amish restaurants there as well.
I lived many years in various parts of Michigan. It is a beautiful state but also a large state with both peninsulas. Fortunately the scenery is nice along the way. June can still be chilly in the UP so be prepared. I hope you have a wonderful time in the Great Lake State.

I agree that Frankenmuth is a fun place to visit. Bronner's Christmas World is an experience in itself, make sure you go at night so you can see the light display. We always eat at the Bavarian Inn there, Zender's is right across the road. We generally stay at the Springhill Suites and then you can just walk around the town. We took the canal ride last year which was really nice. There is a quilt shop in Frankenmuth also. Have a great time!

Welcome to Michigan. As a Michigander, I have been to most of the places listed. If you like wine, there are a number of wineries near Traverse City, on Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula. We took a wine tasting trip up Leelanau Peninsula. Traverse City is the "Cherry Capitol of the World". Had a great sparkling cherry wine. Mackinaw Island is a must see. Take a day trip to the island. Tour the fort and other buildings. Eat the best fudge ever.

Welcome to Michigan , our Great Lakes state.. The U.P. is definitely less populated but very beautiful. But I'm more familiar with the lower. I would suggest must see stops in Frankenmuth ( a German style town built on hospitality to visitors) a quint and unusual village. Most weekends ( year round) they have activities to keep young & old content. A more modern spot just about 30- 40 minutes away ( expressway) is the charm of Bay City. It is located right on the water and it's too boasts activities year around. In Bay City there is a must stop fabric store named Fabric Fair. A wee bit further down the road in Pinconning is quilt shop (quite unique & outstanding selection) named Bittersweet which is housed in an former church. Stopping in these places will not be out of your way, but instead just another leg of your journey into the U.P. To help know when you want to be where, visit the websites of : www.michigan.org ,http://www.frankenmuth.org/ & www.baycity.org . If I can help in any other ways, please PM me. Enjoy your travels......and comeback often

I agree with all the other posts. One thing to know, is this state was built on tourism, and there are many treasure waiting for all the come , see & enjoy.

The quilt shop in Paradise, MI (upper peninsula, near Taquamenon Falls) is a wonderful shop--huge, filled with Up-North type fabrics. If you go to the other end of the UP, in Ironwood, there is a great shop there, Fabric Patch. But the UP is 300 miles long. A long but beautiful trip. Pictured Rocks in Munising, along Lake Superior shore, is beautiful, and Marquette is a neat town. There is a lot to see in the UP. In the lower peninsula, Traverse City, Petoskey, and Charlevoix are beautiful towns along the Lake Michigan shoreline. And the Mackinac Bridge is so magnificent, too.
Have fun on your trip! Carolyn

Michigan is a BEAUTIFUL state....so lush in SPRING with new growth and sunshine, daffodils and tulips blooming away.
SUMMER is filled with warm days and time spent on Lake Michigan or Lake Huron or just one of the zillion small lakes that we have. One can visit many lighthouses along the shoreline (Grand Traverse lighthouse on the tip of the Lelaneau Peninsula is awesome).
Followed by the amazing FALL season with fallen leaves crunching under your feet and your choice of apples, cider, and cider doughnuts at all of the orchards around.
Then there is the crisp cold WINTER with bright white snow squeaking under your boots because the temperature has dropped----better bundle up and get your snow blower tuned up.

I cannot think of a better place to live!!!!!!!!!!!

I am speaking of Western Michigan although the Eastern side of the state is great also...but we found a slower pace here and the snow there did not compare to the lake effect snows we get on the West. Snow comes across the lake and DUMPS on us...so beautiful and lots of shoveling.

I have found many quilt stores but cannot think of one in particular---I somehow manage to spend money at all of them.

As others have mentioned...Mackinaw Island, Mackinaw bridge, Saulte Ste. Marie, Traverse City. We MIchiganders seem to enjoy the Great Lakes a bunch. We are so blessed to live near these great bodies of water.

Have a WONDERFUL time.
Feel free to pm me with questions if you want.

Agree with everything said about MI. Traverse City and surrounding areas can't be beat for sightseeing, things to do, great restaurants (low-key, casual). The Sleeping Bear Dunes were rated by one of the morning tv shows as the most beautiful of sites in the US, or something like that. They are spectacular. There are at least 3 wonderful quilt shops in the TC area: Interquilten in Interlochen (on Facebook), Renee's, and Quilt 'n' Bee. Enjoy!

Mackinac Island. It is by the UP. Google it. Fabulous. You would have to leave the RV behind to go to the island though. No vehicles are allowed there. Beautiful victorian town. The Grand Hotel has the longest veranda in the world.

Have a great time whatever you do!
peace

[QUOTE=ube quilting;6911598]Mackinac Island. It is by the UP. Google it. Fabulous. You would have to leave the RV behind to go to the island though. No vehicles are allowed there. Beautiful victorian town. The Grand Hotel has the longest veranda in the world.

Have a great time whatever you do!
peace[/QUOTE

Besides the places mentioned, I'd say Sleeping Bear Dunes Park makes for a nice stop and check out the quilt shop in Williamsburg (near Traverse City)--fabric that you don't see everywhere. Love Charlevoix-

Welcome to the "Mitten" state! A trip down the western side of the state should include a trip to Traverse City. If your husband is into golf they have several great courses--one of which was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Traverse City is also known for some of the best cherries in the USA. The views of the Grand Traverse Bay are great too.

Michigan is known for its wine and we have many great wineries. The best IMHO is in southwest Michigan is St Julian's Winery in Paw Paw. Paw Paw is approximately 25 miles from Kalamazoo, yes there really is a Kalamazoo Michigan. Kalamazoo features a wonderful Air Museum, which contains numerous items related to the history of airplanes and flight. If you like antique and vintage automobiles the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners is a must see.

If your enjoy museums and historic homes, a visit to Historic Charlton Park in Hastings will not disappoint. It's like a mini-Greenfield Village--featuring a museum surrounded by many buildings from the 1800s that guests can tour. The Parks has a church, barber shop, blacksmith shop, general store, hardware store, an Inn, etc.

June is also a great time to sample Michigan Strawberries. If we have a good winter they will be plentiful. We have many u-pick strawberry farms in southwest Michigan and many restaurants feature fresh strawberry shortcake. There are many local strawberry festivals in June, too.

I would also recommend spending a day on the Lake Michigan shore. South Haven is located on Lake Michigan and has a film festival every June. South Haven also has a 1872 lighthouse that is really neat.

I'm kind of partial but our Local Quilt Shop "Quilt-N-Go" just south of Battle Creek is a great place to shop.

Hope this gives you a few ideas and that you have a great time while you are in Michigan!

I grew up in MI (greetings fellow CMU grads!) and am surprised no one has mentioned Holland, MI on the lower west side. The Tulip festival is (or was) in early May, but it's a great stop to see the Dutch influence in that area. If you're going into Amish country in northern Indiana and you're football fans you have to stop in South Bend to see the most beautiful university campus there is- Notre Dame! Yes, I know U of M and MSU are great- but you can't beat the sun glinting off the Golden Dome and the multi-storied mosaic of Christ. The campus is at it's most breathtaking in the fall, but so beautiful any time of year. Enjoy your travels!

Welcome to Michigan....our state has some much to offer. Originating your journey at Henry Ford and Greenfield Village is a great place begin. Since you will be RVing I would suggest to stay at Harbor Town Campgrounds in Monroe. Very nice and clean. We went camping along the coast of Michigan, we stopped at the many lighthouses (we have 247) along the way. You can drive along the coast line all through our state. We drove to Port Huron and up the coast to the tip of the thumb. Down around to Bay City (don't miss Frankenmuth...(definitely a day trip). Then continue up the coast and stop in East Tawas, Oscoda and Harrisville. Heading north up the coast you will reach Cheboygan and the Upper Pennisula. Mackinac Island (another day trip) and Mackinaw City . I have not been in the UP except for St Ignace but I hear there are wonderful Quilt Shops. Sault Ste. Marie I hear is another day trip. Heading back down the West coast you will find wonderful cities like Charlevoix, and Traverse City and so many it's hard to name them all. But don't miss the Dunes north of Empire. Continuing down the sunset side of our state you will find Muskegon, Holland, South Haven and Saugatuck where the beaches are wonderful! Don't forget to visit all the local quilt shops as you travel, we had over 80 shops in the "Row by Row Experience" shop hop. If you are lucky maybe they will start the shop hop in June instead of July.
Then comeback to our great state and check out the middle of our state....plenty to do there too!

Enjoy your trip!
Barb

My family is from Muskegon as well!! I think the musical fountain is a must do... http://www.grandhaven.org/visitors/musical-fountain/

Hope you are spending lots of time in Michigan as there is so much to see. Once you get into Michigan, where ever you stop keep an eye out for a free news paper called "The Country Register". I think it comes out quarterly and is 43 pages of shops to( mostly quilting) visit as you travel. Stores that advertise in is have free copies. On I75 about 5 miles into the state is a rest area with a great travel information center. There is free info about tons of stuff to see and do in Michigan. I am born and raised a Michigander and love my state. Not sure if I could pick a favorite place to visit, but what ever you do, do not miss Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. And be sure to see a Lake Michigan sun set if possible. I have read the other posts and think they have hit a lot of the great places to visit while here. Enjoy your visit. Email me if I can be of any help while you are here.

I would make sure I visited Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey(Bay Harbor in Petoskey has a beautiful RV park), and Harbor Springs...all along the north west corner of the lower peninsula...gorgeous!

Getting late for this year. Next year, I must go one more time to where my taproot is buried, the UP and you haven't seen a sunset till you see one on Lake Superior.

Welcome you got lots of advice for lower Michigan. When u get to UP go to tequaminan falls, beautiful, Marquette is gorgeous but I'm partial! If you get this far. If you do go toIshpeming to the tourist trap, not quilting but very unique tourist place! Makes funnines about hunters in Marquette LQS is alley Kats! Staff is great! Have fun! See y'all around the roads eh :)

Thank you to everyone who has offered such wonderful suggestions for our trip to Michigan. We are sooo very excited to visit this wonderful State. And from the posts, meet the wonderful people who call Michigan their home. I am so very excited !!

I'm sure if you Google Michigan or Pure Michigan you will find lots of things to see. As I have homes in Midland and Cheboygan, those are top on my list. Lots of good suggestions here. When you go through St. Ignace, make sure you make a stop at Java Joe's for a meal. A very neat little restaurant/coffee shop- colorful character for the owner and he has cookie jars, teapots, and teacups on shelves on efery wall there. Pick up one for a souvenir of your trip. State Street Coffee in Cheboygan is our favorite in that city. There is lots to see and do in Michigan.

Michigan is surrounded by three great lakes. Michigan , Huron and Superior and if you come to Mi from the south east you can see Lake Erie. All the Great Lakes are beautiful. Anywhere you would go to a shore of one of the lakes it is beautiful. Another fact about Mi is that no matter where you go you are never more then 5 miles from a body of water, a pond, lake, creek, stream, or river. Hope you enjoy visit to our state and don't be afraid to get off the beaten path you may find Michigan is a great state.

We were there this Aug and there is a cute quilt shop in Interlocken (sp) Just out of Traverse City(sp) Check out the old houses , cant think of the name before you get to Traverse on the west side.I did the Row by Row and did 23 quilt shops I n and around MI