Summer Family vacation

We live on the west side of Cleveland, OH and I am trying to figure out a family vacation for next summer. I am looking in Michigan, but I would like to stay put and not drive around alot. I don%26#39;t mind having a base and driving an hour, but I just don%26#39;t want to sleep a different place each night. My kids are 9, 7, and 2. I would like to do the dunes, thinking that would be fun, but is there enough other stuff to do on the west side of the state? I will take any suggestions.

Summer Family vacation

There is more than enough to do on the west side of the state. If you want to stay put, then I%26#39;d suggest Traverse City as your base. The dunes are about a half an hour drive. There are many lakes in the area, thus beaches, parks and playgrounds. There are little towns that are just fun to walk around in and get ice cream. There is a bike trail if you%26#39;d be bringing bikes. Wineries. Museums. History. Large variety of restaurants. Putt-putt. Much more.

What do you like to do as a family?

I%26#39;d also look into the Holland/Grand Haven area. Lots of beautiful beaches and parks. Let me know what you are into!

Summer Family vacation

I like Tyme%26#39;s ideas. We stay in Charlevoix and that brings Mackinac Island into the one distance.

Sorry one hour distance. I need an edit button. :(

Like Rono, I love staying in Charlevoix in the Summer. It offers the best of all worlds. Lake Michigan, Lake Charlevoix with its inland lake beaches, great little towns and access to Petoskey, Traverse City, Mackinac Island and Harbor Springs. It is a nearly perfect vacation locale...alright maybe perfect! Look at vacation rentals or some of the hotels referenced on the Charlevoix Chamber of Commerce website. Nice shopping and restaurants located in town. I love Boyne City that is nearby at the other end of the lake. My gang had fun rafting down the Jordan River in East Jordan, another town on the lake. There are also a number of condos for rent in Boyne City (cute shopping and restaurants...you get the picture.)

If you want to stay in a full-service resort, there are three that I can recommend as I have stayed in each of them. Unfortunately, none are in Charlevoix but all provide access to numerous sites within an hours drive:

1. The Homestead on the Leelanau Peninsula: The sunsets on Lake Michigan are gorgeous. Close to the quaint towns of Leland, Glen Arbor, the public climb at Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Buelah and Traverse City. Three hours to Mackinac Island.

2. Grand Traverse Resort: Stay in one of the condos on Grand Traverse Bay. Love the waterfront there. Very close to Traverse City and its very cool Front Street (shopping, restaurants, etc.) Less than one hour to Charlevoix, Petoskey, Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Leland. Two hours to Mackinac Island.

3. Boyne Mountain Resort: A wonderful resort with an indoor waterpark. World class spa onsite and fantastic facilities. 1/2 an hour to Boyne City, Charlevoix, Petoskey. An hour to Traverse City, Harbor Springs. An hour and a half to Mackinac Island. Main disadvantages are its not on a large lake and it is not located in a quaint town.

Have a great time planning your trip. I have taken my kids to Northern Michigan every summer since they were born (my oldest was born 15 years ago today!) It is now in their psyche that summer means Charlevoix! I couldn%26#39;t be happier! Moms

You%26#39;ve gotten some great suggestions so far, but if it were me, I%26#39;d look for a rental cottage on Burt or Mullett Lakes in Indian River. For what you%26#39;d spend on a hotel in any of the previously listed areas, you can have your own cottage directly on the lake! You%26#39;ll be a 1/2 hour drive from: Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Gaylord, Mackinaw City...an hour to an hour and a half (depending on where you are and where you%26#39;re going) from Traverse City, great dunes, etc. There are boats and jet skis to rent (though many cottages will come with a small rowboat) tons of great attractions and best of all, especially for the kids, you%26#39;ll be right on some of the best water in the midwest...absolutely gorgeous swimming and boating! Let me know if you%26#39;re interested, I%26#39;d be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

OMG! Thank you. You have all provided so much info it will take me a while to research it. Deadheadcouple I would definitely like any other suggestions of places to stay, thank you.