[trmaoy]

Try the Boyne Mountain area. They have the Avalanche Bay indoor waterpark. You can get info on it online. Your son would love that if he likes water. And it is a warm 84 degrees all year round. Boyne has skiing and snow activities in the winter and golf in the summer. Not far from there is Petoskey/Harbor Springs/Bay Harbor. They have plenty of hotels and Petoskey has a nice downtown. The view of the Bay is beautiful. There is also a beach for the summer. I took my first trip up to that area last year for work and really fell in love with it. I can't wait to go in the summer so I can enjoy the water.

I don't know where you are in Michigan, but from the metro Detroit area it is the same distance to Petoskey as it is to Mackinaw.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by theboysmom

I haven't been up north for a few years now. My last visits were in college and well, I don't think I can do the same things with a husband and a three year old,lol.

We used to go when I was little but I can't even remember what we used to do.

Any tips/ideas for a fun family vacation up north? It's terrible but I haven't even taken my husband up there yet, even after all the great stories I've told him abou how pretty it is.

We'd probably have a week to stay and we're always up for anything. Dh can take time off whenever he likes so suggestions for different times of the year to visit are good too.

Thanks in advance!

The Cherry Festival in Traverse City would be great fun for a 3 year old with the parades and activities they have. The Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Clinch Park Zoo and train ride, tubing down a river, canoeing.

[Michigansnowflake]

I believe they closed the zoo in TC

[Wrinkle]

If you are coming from the Detroit area, take a stop as suggested before at Michiigan Adventure, nice amusement park just a few miles North of Muskegon.

Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park


I am not sure when they open but you could check the web under Michigan Adventure. If you want to ride the dunes, Silver Lake and Mac Dunes ride is North of the Amusement park, maybe 20 miles. There is also J & J Resort close to Silver Lake with indoor watersports and hotel and horse back riding. Or You could then spend a night in Ludington MI or the Manistee area, both nice towns. If you want to drop a few nickels, the Little River Casino and resort is about 5 miles North of Manistte, nice rooms and excercise rooms, etc.


If you want to go further head up to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Really beautiful dune formations and scenary. Another trip further up might land you in the samll town of Leland its a nice New England style fishing village. Some nice shops along the boardwalk laced with fishing boats.

Leland Michigan Chamber of Commerce :: Fishtown, Lake Michigan & Sleeping Bear Dunes

The JJ Resort in July suppose to have a major music festival, first year, some 70 bands are suppose to perform. They say it might put this little town on the music map in the future.

Double JJ, home of the ROTHBURY Festival, a Michigan Golf Resort and Indoor Water Park Resort with Horseback Riding Vacations

Hope this helps

[Rapunzll]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

Yes, you can play on the dunes and take a dune tour in a dune buggy, and/or rent your own and take a ride. Bet your son would love that!

It must have been a long time since you were at the dunes. The closest place to Sleeping Bear to go for dune buggy rides is down at Mears near Muskegon. SBD is a national lakeshore and dune buggies are not allowed.

[Rapunzll]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

I believe they closed the zoo in TC

Yup! The last year for the zoo was 2006. Most of us were hoping they would just move the animals to another place in town, such as over on the state hospital grounds, but it didn't happen.

The zoo train however is still running in the summer. City of Traverse City Services

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Michigansnowflake

I believe they closed the zoo in TC

Why did they do that? I always thought that was a very nice zoo especially for young kids and a nice assortment of mostly Michigan animals. Right on the beach and downtown. Well -- there goes one summer plan.....

[Rapunzll]

It may have been the local animal rights people. They thought the animals were really disturbed by the noise in that location, especially when the Blue Angels were performing. Of course, they wouldn't have been happy if the zoo was in the back of beyond!

It was a disappointment that they didn't move the zoo instead of totally getting rid of it.

[Bydand]

That is too bad to hear about the zoo. I have gone to that for years, and my kids loved the place. I was looking forward to going up to TC this year and taking the boys back through it. My Cousin and his wife ALWAYS bought the season family pass because they live right in TC and used to take their kids out there on summer days for lunch at the zoo.

[theboysmom]

Thanks so much everyone. You've given me some great ideas to get my google going.

I like the idea of staying in a couple of places, hopping around up there to see a little of everything.

I am *so* ready for another vacation. But, I always am,lol.