[detwahDJ]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

I am looking for all of the above - in seven days or so. I am open to daytrips out of Traverse city but not willing to head up to the UP, for example.

A day trip out of T.C. would be the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, a straight shot out M-72 to Empire and the visitor's center where you can get all the info you need - especially to find out what's open for business. Check out the towns of Empire, Glen Arbor, and Leland, then north to the lighthouse. Museum (opens Memorial Day apparently) and Lake Michigan beach at Glen Haven. Doesn't sound like you'll have time for hiking the many trails, but the Pierce-Stocking scenic drive off of M-109 is a highlight. The dunes' ecosystem itself is interesting.

Google Maps

Here's an itinerary I would favor (assuming all are open):
West to Empire, check it's park and beach, the Philip Hart visitor's center. Find out what is open for business, get maps and info.
South to Lake Michigan Road which follows the Platte River, it's kayaking, fish-stocking weir, neat little park at the end. This "side trip" is pleasant but out of the way and will eat up valuable time.
North to M-109 and Pierce-Stocking. * Make at least the last two stopoffs for views of Lake Michigan.
North to Glen Haven for maritime museum and cannery boathouse (if open) and Lake Michigan beach.

Maritime Museum - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

To Glen Arbor for supplies and coffee.
* To Leland and Fishtown shops.
To Northport (groceries and pleasant waterfront, a small museum).
* To lighthouse at Leelanau State Park.
Return trip through Suttons Bay to T.C.

Throughout the Sleeping Bear area you will come across old unoccupied buildings preserved for their scenic value - nice if you're into photography.

[cosmicrowbar]

I think detwahDJ has the right idea for a day trip out of Traverse City. For all the great things within day-trip distance from TC you can't do better than Leelanau County. One caution...Pierce Stocking Drive is closed until after the holiday weekend, and this drive is a highlight of a visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes, but there's still plenty to see in and around the Dunes park. Beyond the park, and the reason I think Leelanau is much more interesting that Old Mission Peninsula, is that the wedge shaped county, surrounded by Lake Michigan on 3 sides, is ringed by cool little coastal villages like Empire, Glen Arbor, LELAND & Fishtown, Northport (go up to the lighthouse), Omena and Suttons Bay, all of which have nice restaurants in all price ranges, unique shops, galleries, harbors (especially Leland and Historic Fishtown) and very nice walking-around surroundings.
All of that takes you "around the horn" and headed back to Traverse City south of Suttons Bay. The road you'll spend most of your time on is M-22, a designated scenic highway (for good reason). Exercise some discretion, but there are wineries North and South of Leland, South of Northport, and many South of Suttons Bay. Leelanau is truely Michigan Wine Country and all the wineries are distinguished by delicious wines, nice people, and, very often, beautiful views.
www.lpwines.com
www.Lelandmi.com
www.fishtownmi.org/
www.leelanauchamber.com

[jlawrence01]

Folks,

I want to tell you that I had a great time and actually made nearly every town mentioned in each of your posts. As for the Pierce Stocking Road, it was NOT opened on Monday when we went to Sleeping Bear Dunes. However, we did make it there on Thursday which was a cold and blustery day. Walking up the dunes on Thursday when the air temperature was 38F and the winds off the lake were 30-40 mph was one of the most unpleasant weather conditions I have encountered in a long time. And to think I was in shorts and a t-shirt three days earlier.

Several observations:

1) The good part of going to the area before Memorial Day is that the rates are low and prices are better. The disadvantage is that a lot of the museums and attractions are closed.
2) The area is one of the friendliest that I have ever visited. EVERYONE talks to you as you walk down the street. If you look confused, people will ask you if you need help. That is not JUST Traverse City but Western Michigan as a whole.
3) There are a lot of great food places. The pit beef sandwich at Ham Bonz is the most flavorful sandwich that I have ever had. The buffet at the Turtle Creek Casino actually was excellent and had several Native American dishes. The bakeries were also good. We did miss out of some places that were not open yet.
4) The Music Box Museum and the Dennos Museum were excellent and well worth a visit.

Thanks for all your help.

[detwahDJ]

Too bad about that weather. You must have hit that "window" where i noted it seemed more like November than May. My favorite time to visit "the Bear" is just after Labor Day. Hope you get a chance to try again. You can spend an entire vacation there, and many do.


Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - YouTube

Pyramid Point - YouTube

Lots more fun in nice weather.



Climbing Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI - YouTube


Under the Radar! - Michigan - Glen Arbor / St. Ignace - YouTube

[jlawrence01]

detwahDJ,

We had an absolute blast ... we will do it again in a couple of years. It will be before Memorial Day or after Labor Day as I would not like to see the huge crowds during the summer months.

[cosmicrowbar]

Jl, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to NW MI and hope you'll return again.
When out-of-town friends ask when they should come visit my first choice for them is the last week of August or the first week or two of September, excluding Labor Day weekend. Shops and restaurants are open and "hopen" for business, the summer crowds are greatly reduced, and BONUS the water of Lake Michigan and inland lakes is warm and very swimmable.
Give it a try on your next vay cay....