Mackinaw City, MI or bust...

[juggler]

We've decided where to go on our annual anniversary trip. We're heading to Mackinaw City, MI. We should be there from Monday Sept 29th to Friday October 3rd.

 

So far we've planned to go and not much else. We're going to stay in Mackinaw City and take day trips to various places and sights in Northern MI. I know we plan to see Sleeping Bear Dunes. I haven't been there since I was a kid and my wife has never been there. I know we'll also be stopping in Petoskey, MI. My mother used to spend summers up there as a kid and I kinda want to see the place.

 

Other than that we have no plans. October 2nd is our anniversary so that day I suppose I should find something special to do. We are both water rats. We love being on the water so if there are tour boats in the area, I'm sure we'll be on one. I kinda want to run down the Lake Huron lake front a bit. Huron is the only lake of the Great Lakes that I have not been on and I've only see it once back in 1998.

 

Also, if anyone is in the area then we'd like to meet ya one afternoon. A meet and eat for sure.

 

So, what's in the Northern Michigan area that is a must see or must do?

 

Cheers and Michigan here we come!

Edited August 18, 2008 by juggler

[starcruiser]

Take the road from Mack. along the lake(I think it was 119) to Harbor Springs and Petoskey. Follow 31 from Petoskey to Charlevoix. Go over the bridge in Char. and turn right toward the lake. Beautiful huge houses and nice scenery. Also stop at Bay Harbor to look around,(between Pet and Char). I'd never seen a yacht dealer before! Must be tied to income level somehow! Some trees were starting to turn colors already, so by then it should be colorful. Happy Anniversary!!!!!!

 

Mark

[Steve S]

If you get up to the U.P. the National Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point is a must see. They have the bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald on display there. I made it in spring 05 and it was well worth the trip.

[Jethroish]

Also, from Whitefish Point I believe, you can take glass bottom boat tours of some of the shallower shipwrecks of Superior. If you are up that way, Tequamenon Falls should be seen.

It is also only about 1 hour across the Mac Bridge to Sault Ste Marie and the Soo Locks. You can take boat tours through the locks.

After Labor Day, touristy things begin to shut down

Don't forget some warm clothes. You will definitely need them in the evenings and night.

[Guest Boomerbiker]

Congratulations on the anniversary. You will travel across the Mighty Mac on the trip to Mackinaw City. To your left will be Mackinac Island and, if you look carefully, you will see the Grand Hotel. I would strongly encourage you to visit the island - the ferry runs quite regularly and it is just a great experience.

[MiCarl]

Tahquamenon Falls is a must do! Well worth the side trip.

 

 

http://www.gowaterfalling.com/waterfalls/tahquamenon.shtml

 

Despite what this article says I enjoyed the lower falls more. There is a rowboat rental and you can go to a small island that bisects the falls. The rapids are suitable for wading (take water shoes).

[BradT]

If you went North you could cross into Canada at the Sault. The ride North on the Transcanada is a nice ride. They also have the Agawa canyon tour (TrainRide)

 

The UP only has Casinos every few miles

 

Have a great trip.

 

BRad

[FJR Rider]

Enjoy...I grew up in Petoskey and my wife in Oden, so enjoy the area. Make sure you visit Harbor Springs and see the "cottages" along the lake...ride the "Tunnel of Trees" between Harbor Springs and Cross Village!

 

From Mackinaw City/St Ignace, the Soo is an easy day ride, as are Paradise/Whitefish Point/TQ Falls...all UP. South, Cross Village, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix are all easy day rides. If you're in Petoskey late afternoon/early evening, make sure you stop at Sunset Park (overlooking the bay); a great place for pictures of sunsets (and your bike if you want).

 

 

Here's a few pictures from our vacation two weeks ago ...

 

Curt

[99silver]

I agree with FJRRider Route 119 if your going south would be between Cross Village and Harbor Springs, Best ride in the State IMHO.

Enjoy,

Gary

[FutureVentures]

We've decided where to go on our annual anniversary trip. We're heading to Mackinaw City, MI. We should be there from Monday Sept 2th to Friday October 3rd.

 

So far we've planned to go and not much else. We're going to stay in Mackinaw City and take day trips to various places and sights in Northern MI....

 

Hey, 4 or 5 of us will be heading to Mackinaw City on Sept. 6th, staying at the Super 8 in the shadow of the bridge, great location. 500 plus mile day too!

 

We'll get in late afternoon, maybe 5ish. Cherry Red Goldwing, Black Valkrie, couple of Harleys and my 2k MM RSV, of course.

 

I agree, the locks are a great thing to see. Beautiful time of year to be up there.............heated vest sure helps.

 

Cheers and we'll look for ya.

[juggler]

Hey, 4 or 5 of us will be heading to Mackinaw City on Sept. 6th, staying at the Super 8 in the shadow of the bridge, great location. 500 plus mile day too!

 

We'll get in late afternoon, maybe 5ish. Cherry Red Goldwing, Black Valkrie, couple of Harleys and my 2k MM RSV, of course.

 

I agree, the locks are a great thing to see. Beautiful time of year to be up there.............heated vest sure helps.

 

Cheers and we'll look for ya.

 

Uh, I typoed in my post - We're there from Sept 29th to October 3rd.

[FutureVentures]

Uh, I typoed in my post - We're there from Sept 29th to October 3rd.

 

 

Yeah, I thought that was a really long vacation!

Yup, bring your heated vest, it's cold up there by then.

[Gentleman George]

Mackinaw Island is listed as one off the top 10 places to visit in the world.. also if you get to the Soo give me a call would be great to take a ride with you's yea. George..

[BuckShot]

Like everyone says,great rideing area. Just came from a trip there 2 weeks ago. From Mac. city follow Rt. 31 south to Levering. Go west on Levering rd. (co rd 66) to Cross Village. Make sure you stop at Legs Inn and eat. From there follow Rt 119 south (tunnel of trees) to Harbor Springs. Must stop town with lots of shops. Stop in and say Hi at Boyer Glass Works. (He's my cousin) From there continue on 119 to 31 again on to Petoskey,Charlevoix,and on to Traverse City.From there follow 37 to Old Mission Lighthouse and then back down to Trav. City and then follow Rt.22 to North Point and back down to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Continue south on 22 to 31 again to Manistee and Ludington Lots of nice towns with shops. Ludington has some very nice hotels in town towards the habor. Not the big chain hotels. Mac. Island is a great place to visit. We stayed a the Super 8 there in Mac. city also. Ground floor beach front.You can get firewood there and have a fire on the beach in there fire ring. In Trav. city we stayed at Comfort Inn on 31,Nice small resturant next door with good food. We took our time on this trip with not worrying about how many miles we rode in a day. King bed with jacusee tub almost every night. First trip without the kids in how many years for us. Both collage age now. Have a wonderful trip and time.

[juggler]

Many good ideas. We're getting closer to a plan at least for the trip out and back. Two short riding days each way.

 

Also, we're from MN. We are used to the cold, we'll be fine as long as it don't snow . A few years ago we did our Anniversary trip to Door county. We also took the SS Badger across to Ludington and back on that trip. The weather was the best part.

 

It's the heat that gets us.

[FutureVentures]

Mackinaw Island is listed as one off the top 10 places to visit in the world.. also if you get to the Soo give me a call would be great to take a ride with you's yea. George..

 

We'll be in your neck of the woods this Sat., Mackinaw city, the on to the SOO area, maybe Canada for a few hours too, who knows.

 

Say, isn't it mackinaC, not mackinaW island?

[Jethroish]

Say, isn't it mackinaC, not mackinaW island?

 

 

Go ahead and say MackinaC and see the strange looks you get. LOL

[FutureVentures]

Go ahead and say MackinaC and see the strange looks you get. LOL

 

 

Yeah, I keep hearing that. Weird.

 

Kinda like Oregon. Pronouced, Oregun. Quite fitting actually.

 

Then there's this stupid state I live in: Illinois, pronouced Illinoi, where the politicians are quite Illannoying!

[FJR Rider]

We'll be in your neck of the woods this Sat., Mackinaw city, the on to the SOO area, maybe Canada for a few hours too, who knows.

 

Say, isn't it mackinaC, not mackinaW island?

 

It is Mackinac Island......"c" north of the Straits, "w" south of the Straits...but both pronounced "..naw" Yoopers can't spell anyway But they sure know how to live life!

 

Curt

[juggler]

Well, the trip is a go and my wife has made al the reservations.

 

We'll be taking two days to get there and two to get back. We're leaving on Saturday September 27th and arriving in Mackinaw, MI on the 28th. On the way out we will stop in Iron Mountain, MI. We will be leaving on October 3rd and we'll be staying in Marinette, WI.

 

The rest of the time we'll be staying in Mackinaw City itself doing day trips and sight seeing.

[juggler]

We'll be in Mackinaw City Sunday evening.

Let the vacation begin!!!

 

 

[Squidley]

Be safe Wil and you and Beth have a good time

[juggler]

Mackinaw City has been rainy and cold. We did make it up to Whitefish Point and Tahquamenon Falls yesterday.

 

But today we're off to the island. Too much rain at Sleeping Bear dunes for them to be any fun.

[juggler]

Enjoy...I grew up in Petoskey and my wife in Oden, so enjoy the area. Make sure you visit Harbor Springs and see the "cottages" along the lake...ride the "Tunnel of Trees" between Harbor Springs and Cross Village!

 

From Mackinaw City/St Ignace, the Soo is an easy day ride, as are Paradise/Whitefish Point/TQ Falls...all UP. South, Cross Village, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix are all easy day rides. If you're in Petoskey late afternoon/early evening, make sure you stop at Sunset Park (overlooking the bay); a great place for pictures of sunsets (and your bike if you want).

 

 

Here's a few pictures from our vacation two weeks ago ...

 

Curt

 

We did make it to Petoskey and I even found a Petoskey stone on a beach, but it was raining so much we didn't stick around long. We did make it down to Charlevoix where we had lunch and Elisabeth photographed the harbor light house. On Tuesday we tried to get over to Cross Village, but again the rain and cold ended up be too much.

 

Later

[FJR Rider]

I feel bad the weather hasn't cooperated for your trip...that area has so much to offer and enjoy. Like mentioned earlier, I grew up in Petoskey and like most teens/young adults I took it for granted then...haven't lived there for now over 33 years, but today I savior every visit back home.