[ShadowCaver]

Hey there... greetings from a Missouri Ozarkian living in NE Indiana. Am contemplating taking a vacation up US31, tickling the area of Sault Ste. Marie [so can say that been to Canada {yes, I've a passport}], and then back down US23 to Saginaw area, then buggle west to come south on US127 to the OH border to wrangle back to the Ft Wayne-ish area.

Outdoors, good local cooked vittles, out-of-the way unique places, scenery, waterfalls, beaches, special buildings, backwoods, etc. are types of areas that would love to see.

Have not spent any time in MI, only been to St. Joseph for work-related visit, and the Detroit airport . Do go to the Dunes in northern Indiana just about every year, so am familiar with that area, and type of shoreline - and is much enjoyed. So, any suggestions, places to avoid, things to be aware of [major construction, etc.], local places to eat [primarily pizza, seafood, steaks], awesome sites, and the such - let me know. Won't be able to see/do everything, but would like to get a good feel in the ~7-10 days that would have for this.

Thanks!

ps: yea, I've been going through the photos of MI thread, but some interesting areas not sure of, either not labeled at all, or not detailed enough for a 'foreigner'...

[Wulf67]

I have the Hunts' Guide to Michigan book with lots of interesting places to see and many things to do. They also have some good information online:
Hunts' Guide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula

[Bydand]

If/when you pass through the Ludington Area and are in the mood for Pizza, one word: Chuckwagon.

A couple of neat things in this area are 2 Lighthouse tours, one for the Ludington North Light at the end of the Breakwall right in Ludington, and the other is the Big Sauble Light in the Ludington State Park. The one in the park is a nice long walk either through woods/dunes to get to the light on a very decent road, or a nice long walk along the beach. White Pine Village is South of Ludington and is a collection of important buildings from the area that have been moved and restored to their hay-day glory.

[MICoastieMom]

If you are going to the Soo, stop in and see the Valley Camp, a retired freighter that is now a floating maritime museum. They have an interesting display on the Edmund Fitzgerald, and as an added bonus, at least the last time we were there a couple of years ago, the director is the (retired, of course) USCG captain who lead the search for the Fitz.

Don't miss Taquamenon Falls and the land that Wadsworth described as the Land of Hiawatha. It is an area much beloved by Hemmingway and Henry Ford as well.

If you get a chance to go to Mackinaw Island for some fudge and a bike tour, and don't miss Historic Fort Michilimackinaw or Old Mill Historic Park. The later is beleived to be the site of the sawmill where the lumber was sawn that was used to build the first buildings on the island. You can't leave Michigan without a pasty (pronounced 'past-tee', don't be a tourist and call them 'paste-ees', ain't no one going to strip for you!). There isd a very good shop in Machinaw City just a couple blocks over from the Fort, but I can never think of the name. Someone else here will know.

If you are going down 127, you should go through near Jackson. You might want to check out the Air and Space Museum, it is quite interesting. Of course, by avoiding Detroit, you are going to miss my favorite museum, The Henry Ford, aka Greenfield Village. You can easily spend a couple of days there.

I forgot to mention that the Valley Camp has a very good gift shop, with lots of books about the Great Lakes, if you like that sort of thing. Also check out the thread about Michigan books, many of them are set in Michigan in areas you are planning to visit. Hemmingway did a wonderful collection of short stories set in NW Michigan.

[bluebird39]

I agree with T Falls. We camped at Brimley State Park, near Sault St Marie, and it has a beautiful beach, especially at sunset. If you take the road that hugs the Superior Coast from Brimley to Paradise, it's beautiful! The locks are a must too.

I'd leave 131 at Kalkaska, head over to Traverse City to see that place... beautiful, lots of places to eat, visit, then take 31 along the Lake Michigan coast to at least Petoskey, another really nice town.

On the way back, I'm partial to Gaylord's downtown area, because I live near there, and N Higgins Lake State Park has one of the nicest inland lake beaches that I've ever seen. Tawas State Park may be a bit out of the way, but that's my pick for Lake Huron as far as beaches go.

Enjoy!

[michmoldman]

If you can check out the Au-Sable river area I would highly recommend it. From there, Oscoda, Tawas and north all the way to anywhere in the U.P and back down the west side of the state. Have fun!!

[YAZ]

Originally Posted by bluebird39

I agree with T Falls. We camped at Brimley State Park, near Sault St Marie, and it has a beautiful beach, especially at sunset. If you take the road that hugs the Superior Coast from Brimley to Paradise, it's beautiful! The locks are a must too.



Enjoy!

Agreed.

Try Monacle Lake just west of Brimley, Soldier Lake at Strong's Corners and take old U.S. 23 south along Lake Huron. Ossineke is on the south end of Thunder Bay and a great place to have a picnic on the beach....

[bc008]

Sleeping bear sand dunes are pretty awesome.. Buggy up and down huge dunes and see great views of the lake.. plus you are close to Michigans Adventure! West Branch has a very good "Victorian Art Fair" (glorified craft show) in August

[malamute]

Originally Posted by ShadowCaver

Hey there... greetings from a Missouri Ozarkian living in NE Indiana. Am contemplating taking a vacation up US31, tickling the area of Sault Ste. Marie [so can say that been to Canada {yes, I've a passport}], and then back down US23 to Saginaw area, then buggle west to come south on US127 to the OH border to wrangle back to the Ft Wayne-ish area.

If you're into the outdoors, I would suggest you spend some time in the UP along Lake Superior and checking out some of the waterfalls. The camping is great. Northern Lower Michigan has some hills and woods that will remind you a bit of your state.

[ShadowCaver]

Everyone of yas... thanks much for the suggestions, very much appreciated.