[arbor_bound]

Wow, absolutely amazing! The more I see of Michigan the more I seem to be falling in love.

[stanman13]

Thank you to everyone for posting such great pics! I needed that.

[phenry57]

All the pictures are so beautiful and I have decided that our family should take our summer vacation there next summer. Now comes the hard part...chosing where we want to go. Your state is blessed with so much, it will be hard to make a decision! Maybe some of you could offer up some ideas. As far as what we like....well, we love small quaint towns to visit for a day of antique shopping and shop browsing. We will probably rent a house or cottage either on or near the water. We would like a sandy beach suitable for kids. I am thinking one of the smaller lakes inland but yet not too far from the beach. This will be our first visit so we will probably take our time and meander up from southern Indiana and take in as much as we can. We love being in or near the woods in a peaceful setting. I don't think we will make it all the way up north because of time restraints. Possibly something in the central west part. This might be a silly request since it appears that one could not go wrong with any choice of locations! I just thought maybe there are some lesser known places off the beaten path that might appeal to us. Thanks for any ideas!

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by phenry57

All the pictures are so beautiful and I have decided that our family should take our summer vacation there next summer. Now comes the hard part...chosing where we want to go. Your state is blessed with so much, it will be hard to make a decision! Maybe some of you could offer up some ideas. As far as what we like....well, we love small quaint towns to visit for a day of antique shopping and shop browsing. We will probably rent a house or cottage either on or near the water. We would like a sandy beach suitable for kids. I am thinking one of the smaller lakes inland but yet not too far from the beach. This will be our first visit so we will probably take our time and meander up from southern Indiana and take in as much as we can. We love being in or near the woods in a peaceful setting. I don't think we will make it all the way up north because of time restraints. Possibly something in the central west part. This might be a silly request since it appears that one could not go wrong with any choice of locations! I just thought maybe there are some lesser known places off the beaten path that might appeal to us. Thanks for any ideas!

You could try Cadillac in NW MI.(Wexford County)Cadillac, Michigan Travel Guide: Cadillac Area Vacation Travel. It's a small town surrounded by 2 lake, "Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell" and woodland. A canal runs through the middle of town connect both lakes together. Cottages can be found around the shoreline of both lakes.
The link above has most of the information you need.
http://www.cadillacmichigan.com/user...hure_web_1.pdf

http://www.cadillac.web.aplus.net/pa...thern+Michigan

[nessatar]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

You could try Cadillac in NW MI.(Wexford County)Cadillac, Michigan Travel Guide: Cadillac Area Vacation Travel. It's a small town surrounded by 2 lake, "Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell" and woodland. A canal runs through the middle of town connect both lakes together. Cottages can be found around the shoreline of both lakes.
The link above has most of the information you need.
http://www.cadillacmichigan.com/user...hure_web_1.pdf

http://www.cadillac.web.aplus.net/pa...thern+Michigan

My sister lives in Cadillac and honestly, if I were to send someone to one place in MI, it would not be Cadillac. Just my personal opinion of course.

I know you (OP) wanted an inland lake, but given what you are looking for, I would suggest you drive up the Lake Michigan coast and hit cities like Saugatuck and Ludington.

[mkfarnam]

Why not let "phenry57" make that dicision.
With you being from Chicago, your reasons for opting out, are most likely much different. It sounds like he's looking for less of a "downtown /city" vacation.

[nessatar]

Originally Posted by mkfarnam

Why not let "phenry57" make that dicision.
With you being from Chicago, your reasons for opting out, are most likely much different. It sounds like he's looking for less of a "downtown /city" vacation.

I certainly wasn't telling him where to go, nor was I criticizing you. And yes, I moved to to Chicago from Michigan all of one month ago after 30 years of living there. I think I am still qualified to post about MI.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by nessatar

I certainly wasn't telling him where to go, nor was I criticizing you. And yes, I moved to to Chicago from Michigan all of one month ago after 30 years of living there. I think I am still qualified to post about MI.

Then why not post some infomation on the areas you'd suggest phenry57 visit.

[nessatar]

I did. I suggested Saugatuck and Ludington. They are both good for shopping and not as far north. Not inland, but still on the water and near enough to woods. I've never been to Holland, although I have heard very nice things about it and have always wanted to take a day trip there.

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by phenry57

All the pictures are so beautiful and I have decided that our family should take our summer vacation there next summer. Now comes the hard part...chosing where we want to go. Your state is blessed with so much, it will be hard to make a decision! Maybe some of you could offer up some ideas. As far as what we like....well, we love small quaint towns to visit for a day of antique shopping and shop browsing. We will probably rent a house or cottage either on or near the water. We would like a sandy beach suitable for kids. I am thinking one of the smaller lakes inland but yet not too far from the beach. This will be our first visit so we will probably take our time and meander up from southern Indiana and take in as much as we can. We love being in or near the woods in a peaceful setting. I don't think we will make it all the way up north because of time restraints. Possibly something in the central west part. This might be a silly request since it appears that one could not go wrong with any choice of locations! I just thought maybe there are some lesser known places off the beaten path that might appeal to us. Thanks for any ideas!

Ludington Area. Close to Lake Michigan and central to the West side of the state. Home to the last coal fired carferry on the Great Lakes. Miles of sugar sand beach on Lake Michigan and there are a number of resorts on Hamlin Lake (Hamlin Lake - HamlinLake-lodging, resorts, cabins, cottages). Hamlin Lake is 5000+ acres and has some very good fishing. Several of the resorts listed in the link provided also rent boats and motors for use on the lake. Barnhart's has been around a LONG time. With one of there boats it is a very short ride across "The Narrows" on Hamlin Lake to the dunes for some great Summer swimming. Across the Lake is the Ludington State park and all it has to offer as well. Take a boat across the lake and spend an afternoon poking around (even a hike to a 112' lighthouse that is open for tours.)