[Haydens Mum]

Check out Allegan, lots of historical homes. Last Sunday of the month they have a flea market. There also is a flea market every weekend in the town Paw Paw, which is only about 20-25 minutes away. About that too to Holland and S.Haven and Saugatuck is beautiful and quaint. Lots of nice shops too.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by mofromcheboygankalamazoo

i'm 98% sure that they are not alcohol free...i used to work at a state park and i've camped in state parks-not alcohol free when i aws there....some have restrictions about what you can have on the beach-but your campsite is your campsite as long as it is legal.........just look at the state parks website of where you are going

Unfortunately (loving a beer or two) most of the state park campgrounds I've ever visited are alcohol free during the tourist months (Memorial Day -> Labor Day).

Here's the low-down
DNR - Alcohol Limits in State Parks and at Boating Access Sites

Most notably Holland and Grand Haven state parks are year-round no alcohol, and Muskegon and Hoffmaster (two other gems) are no alcohol in the campground during any of the normal camping months.

All that said, we have young kids and it makes for a much more peaceful weekend... nobody's up late yelling and everyone gets a good night's sleep.

[Mi_Mom]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

Traverse City is wonderful, but you might also want to check out Elk Rapids, Leland, Suttons Bay and Glen Arbor.

I love Elk Rapids too. Love their little downtown. I agree with the above about just walking the old Traverse City neighborhoods. I used to love that.

I love Chelsea for those exact qualities. Lovely architecture, great history. Some of the homes have been well preserved and I loved to go walking and just looking at houses/gardens etc. The downtown blocks are wonderful too. Art galleries, little shops, sandwich/coffee spots etc. The Common Grill and the Purple Rose theater add a destination feel to it as well. The Chocolate Cafe just a bit further down now has a history museum that tells the history of the area. I miss it a lot.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Originally Posted by suydam

Unfortunately (loving a beer or two) most of the state park campgrounds I've ever visited are alcohol free during the tourist months (Memorial Day -> Labor Day).

Here's the low-down
DNR - Alcohol Limits in State Parks and at Boating Access Sites

Most notably Holland and Grand Haven state parks are year-round no alcohol, and Muskegon and Hoffmaster (two other gems) are no alcohol in the campground during any of the normal camping months.

All that said, we have young kids and it makes for a much more peaceful weekend... nobody's up late yelling and everyone gets a good night's sleep.

oh well, the campgrounds i have frequented are not alcohol free-and many of those on the list are the day use areas...not where you camp.......

so it is a good thing in some areas

[Iggs]

So many great towns so little time : )

I am a big fan of Frankfort, Suttons Bay, and Grand Haven. All are quaint towns that are worthy of a visit. We just got back from the most beautiful weekend in Northern Michigan. I think half of Indiana and Illinois were there too!!!! Enjoy your travels. : )

[mackinac81]

I just got back from Whitehall/Montague, about twenty miles north of Muskegon. It's on the shore of White lake, which empties into lake Michigan. It definitely met my "quaint" criteria.

[cardwellave]

I've never noticed any bans on alcohol in the Mackinac Island State Park (the first state park) since the boundaries are a little vague and lots of restaurants in and around town serve liquor.

[Wayland Woman]

Originally Posted by suydam

I will second Holland as a must-see.
The homes around Hope College are absolutely gorgeous.
The downtown is one of my favorites in Michigan and you have water nearby too.

Saugatuck is high on my list for many of the same reasons.

Grand Haven too has its share of really pretty victorian homes, a great little downtown and incomparable views of Lake Michigan.

You could string all three of those towns into a weekend (stay in Holland as your home base) and never run out of fun stuff to look at.

If the lakeshore's not your thing I think Rockford and East Grand Rapids might also be of interest to you. Rockford has a great downtown for strolling, right on a nice river.

Based on your description, I'd high-tail it to the Lakeshore though. Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven should be a perfect fit for you.

I agree with everything written in this post. Especially the last line. Allegan is nice, too, if you get down that far and they have a huge antique market once a month at their fair grounds.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Wayland Woman

I agree with everything written in this post. Especially the last line. Allegan is nice, too, if you get down that far and they have a huge antique market once a month at their fair grounds.

Allegan is a drug town. I think they have lost some business however , as , some went overseas. I lived only 20 miles from there , by back roads. Nice downtown area, that is being restored. Not much in the way of things to see and , do , mostly a farming community, very rural part of the state. Some nice homes on the river, which is damed up to form a lake.... has had polluted water, not good for swimming , or fishing. lake front property was a bargin , for that reason.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by darstar

Allegan is a drug town.

To clarify, Allegan is home to a large manufacturer of generic pharmaceutical products.