Michigan and Wisconsin in Late July/August

[Big Dude]

Hi All – We are heading north this summer and will be making our primary stops in MI in the Leelanau Pennsula, Machinaw City, & Sault St Marie, and in Door County, WI. All of our campground reservations are made and I have been doing lots of research on things to do, places to visit, and places to eat. But I’m afraid I’ll come home and find that we missed something special. We are not very active physically (no biking or hiking other than a mile or so walks) but otherwise are open to most everything. I would appreciate your list of must-do’s, must-see’s, must-shops, and must-eats even if I may already know about them, plus anything else you think I should know (weather, bugs, etc). Thanks in advance.

[Cooperhawk]

Over the last twenty years we have been to Door County probably fifteen times. Here's some things you may have already thought of, but if not...........

Ride the Ferry out to Washington Island and explore the Island for a day. Lots to see.

For sure have a fish boil at Peletiers. Best on the Peninsula. Quite a good show as well.

Visit the Winerys and so the taste testing. Also some have their own cheese to taste.

Spend an evening at the Peninsula Players Playhouse. Fully enclosed but not heated or cooled. Right on the Bay they will have a big bon fire with cocktails at intermission.

Lots of small shops and museums.

Have fun.

[Cooperhawk]

We have done Michigan a few years ago but not as familiar. The UP is very scenic and if you get off the main drag there is a lot to see.

The bridge is scenic.

[Waterview202]

We enjoy upper mich, in houghton, city rv camping is very nice,ontonagon,porcupine mts ls very nice,munising, to see pictured rocks lake shore,enjoy

[TurboDaveTX]

Been at Hearthside Grove in Petosky, MI last two weeks. Traver City is nice as is Petrosky. Going to Mackinac Island tomorrow. Highs in past week have been hi 60’s and lows in mid 40’s. Sault St. Marie Soo locks were interesting. Crossed into Canada and it was not as I hoped. All we did was stop at Walmart. Lots of tourist stuff around Mackinac Island. Great trip overall. Beats 100 degree days in Texas!

[VACHZHD]

In the UP:

The Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point;
Taquamenon Falls;
Big Spring (Kitchtikippi)
Pictured Rocks Cruise out of Munising

Those would be my picks for highlights...

Have a great trip!

[CampFire Junkies]

We went around Lake Michigan last June and loved everything!

Door County - we like to take a tour of the area first and then revisit interesting stops. Trolley Tour was excellent!
Agree with previous statement of fish boil. We also had fun at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant (goats eat the grass on the roof)... Sweetie Pies(made fresh) are good for your sweet tooth!
Wife fell in love with lighthouse’s, so we tried to see them all. I played golf at the Peninsula SP course and had a great time with scenic views. Winery tours are fun and DW got souvenir wine bottles of lighthouse’s of course.

Michigan UP - we went to Talquamenon Falls and is unique! Soo locks in Sault Ste. Marie is worth a look. We ate at Antlers Restaurant on the USA side. Really cool place and great food with stuffed animals and miniature train going around the place.

Mackinaw City & Mackinac Island - two different spellings with same pronunciation. The bridge is magnificent especially at night. When you take the ferry over to the island try to get on the timeframe that ferry goes under the bridge. We took a horse driven carriage ride around the island first. Then spent time at the Grand Hotel($10 to get on the grounds, but worth it). Sat on the porch and ordered a $18 margarita with complimentary nuts! LOL... we had the very tasty White Fish at Goodfellows. Make sure you taste test what you want at every different Fudge shop and then pick what you deemed best! Quite the treat... souvenirs galore all around.
We ate at two very good places in the City. The Keyhole Bar & Grill(rib special on Sunday) and Darrow’s Family Restaurant(chicken and dumplings special, but they have a different name for dumplings) great homemade cooking! Lighthouse tours of course!

Petoskey SP - beautiful shoreline with epic Petoskey Stone’s. DW bought tons of jewelry here! More lighthouses.

Sleeping Bear Dunes NP(Leelanau Peninsula) - the dunes are amazing! We took Pierce Stocking scenic drive... we had a delicious steak at Boone’s in Sutton Bay... make sure and stop in Fishtown for a still productive fish market. Winery’s and lighthouses!

Ludington SP - beautiful beach! Had fish fry at Old Hamlin Restaurant. Took Mac Woods dune buggy ride in Silver Lake and was really cool! Good sandwich and ice cream at Silver Scoops. More lighthouses...

We ended our trip at our son’s house in Round Lake Beach, Illinois. Took us to Chicago and got on River Cruise at the Navy Pier. Also went up the Willis Tower, saw The Bean at Millennium Park and had Chicago style pizza at several well known places.

Hope this book of a post helps you in your safe travels!

[RV735]

CampFire Junkies, Great ideas you presented. I have added to our trip itinerary. Will be traveling to Mackinaw Island the end of June. Thanks for the info.

Safe Travels and THE JOY IS IN THE RIDE

[oakcreekeric]

While in Mackinaw City - May I suggest a ride down 119 to Cross Village and have lunch at Legg's Inn -

119 is also known as Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route.. it's very popular with motorcyclist like ourselves.. It is a beautiful ride along the Lake Michigan coast line.. I think you'd enjoy it..

While in Door County - I'll suggest the following.. They're some of our favorites..

Egg Harbor -
Macready Bakery - Great place to get some bread or have lunch
Casey's BBQ & Smokehouse - Awesome BBQ
Fat Louie's Olive Oil Co - has wine, olive oil and hot sauces

In between Egg Harbor and Fish Creek is a place called Wood Orchard Market - This is an ABSOLUTE must stop - they have the BEST Cherry Strudel in the WORLD !! and the apple donuts aren't too bad either.. Definitely worth your time

Fish Creek -
Wild Tomato Wood Fired Pizza & Grill - very good pizza
Peninsula Park - worth the price of admission !!

Ephraim -
Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor - old school ice cream parlor

Sister Bay -
Chop - another neat place to eat
Al Johnson's - as Cooperhawk mentioned
JJ's LaPuerta of Sister Bay - If you're in the mood for Mexican

In between Sister Bay and Ellison Bay is a place called Seaquist Orchards Farm Market - again, very much like Wood Orchard Market, we very much like stopping here too..

Ellison Bay -
Mink River Basin - neat little bar/restaurant
Viking Grill - another good place to eat

Gills Rock -
Check out Deaths Door Maritime Museum

Finally, there is a stretch of Hwy 42 between Gills Rock and Northport that is the most photographed road in WI.. you'll figure it out by all the people who will be on the side of the road with their camera's..

Sorry.. it appears my advice is how to eat your way around.. I know Cooperhawk hit most of the highlights.. but Door County is such a beautiful area to explore !!


Enjoy !!

[Big Dude]

Thanks much for taking the time to offer these great ideas.

[a44v589]

Michigan:Tahquamenon Falls state park is amazing. It involves some short, very easy hiking, like 500-1000 yards or so, think a couple of city blocks, but it's super pretty. The Soo Locks are neat, you can stand there and watch boats go up and down. It's nifty. The road down to Wisconsin is just beautiful. I was driving it and was like "Why aren't there multi-million dollar mansions blocking this incredible view" and then "oh, why are there 9 foot high flags on all the fire hydrants" and then you realize the answer to both questions is 8 feet of snow.

Wisconsin: If you have time and like aircraft and history, the EAA museum in Oshkosh has stuff you can't see in the Smithsonian. It's amazing. If you like cheese, find a small cheese making shop and get a tour and some cheese. BRICK CHEESE IS AWESOME. You should get some. It's fantastic.

[oakcreekeric]

Originally Posted by a44v589

If you like cheese, find a small cheese making shop and get a tour and some cheese. BRICK CHEESE IS AWESOME. You should get some. It's fantastic.

Or... Cheese curds that squeak !!

[tmw188]

Try this place if staying around Baileys Harbor they are just north of there maybe 8 mi.

$2 FISH TACOS $3 GORDON LODGE MARGARITAS CHIPS ..... 3026 County E • Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 920.839.9192.
Monday evenings.

[Cooperhawk]

Also in Baileys harbor, "Harbor Fish Market and Grill". Not a cheap place but the food is really good.

http://www.harborfishmarket-grille.com

We have been to several fish boils in Door County but Peletiers is by far the best. The show they put on is really fun to watch.