Northern Michigan honeymoon help

Submitted by Shoelaces_Pfft on
Hello mgopeeps! I'm Getting married in the fall and we are looking to take a trip up north for our honeymoon. Have no idea where to even begin looking. Can anyone recommend places by the water? Looking mostly to relax and site see.

jbr12

June 24th, 2015 at 11:34 PM ^

If you want something low key and more relaxing, check out Boyne City and Young State Park. The State Park has a GREAT beach on Lake Charlevoix and is only 2 miles from town. Depending on when you are there, the downtown area generally has events all summer and there are some good restaurants (Red Mesa, Sante). Petoskey and Charlevoix are 10 mile east and west of there. Can't really beat the sunset from that eastern lakeshore of lake charlevoix.

xtramelanin

June 24th, 2015 at 10:50 PM ^

`Link: http://www.grandhotel.com/galleries/the-hotel/

my grandparents honeymooned there in 1925.  their hotel bill was up at the cottage forever, and the bar and room service bill was larger than the room charges.

my parents honeymooned there in 1953.  my dad made friends with one of the guys in the hotel who had a plane.  dad had been a P-51 pilot and the guy let my dad take the plane up and show mom all around via air.

Ray

June 24th, 2015 at 11:55 PM ^

I sense a book in your dad's stories.  Thanks for posting them--he sounds like a great guy.

The Big Mac is part of one of my earliest memories, and as a pilot I've always wanted to fly over it.  As it turns out, my wife and I are invited to a party on Mackinac in October.  So we'll be flying the Mooney back there, and barring world class instrument conditions (which are always possible in Michigan) we'll get to see that. 

We won't be staying at the Grand Hotel (we've found a place, ahem, a bit less pricey) but I can guarantee you we'll be having drinks there!

xtramelanin

June 25th, 2015 at 5:48 AM ^

so that might help our mgofriend and you might still want to check into the grand with your mgowife.  i am planning on taking my own mgowife there for an anniversary trip one of these years.  a bit hard to leave the farm in the summer, but as the kids get older that gets more feasible. 

the mooney is a very cool plane.  but to put into perspective, can you imagine lending it to a guy you met on mackinac island to take his wife for a sight-seeing flight?   no mackinac bridge back then, still about 3 years away if i remember my yooper history correctly. 

naters113

June 24th, 2015 at 10:52 PM ^

Worked there for years, not a better place in my mind, just don't expect a lot from the rooms. On Lake Michigan, bar on the beach, pool & hot tub as well as one good restaurant and glen arbor amenities. If you do book there give me a shout and I can recommend some great restaurants for you as well as romantic trips, naters113@gmail.com

LSAClassOf2000

June 24th, 2015 at 10:53 PM ^

By the water and somewhat centrally located for some fun excursions - if that's what you want, Traverse City or that general area might not be a bad candidate. You're not too far (by northern Michigan standards) from decent beaches as well as Sleeping Bear Dunes, not to mention wine tours and some pretty good dining. There is quite a bit to do on the NW corner of the lower peninsula. 

Brady Elliott

June 25th, 2015 at 12:22 AM ^

If you are looking for a relaxing time with a small town feel...please investigate Frankfurt. Beautiful harbor and within a short drive of sleeping bear dunes and traverse city. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of traverse city but it's relaxing and authentic. If you want the attractions of traverse city you could easily stay in both places.

sheepman

June 24th, 2015 at 10:58 PM ^

Just got back from Northern Michigan.

Mackinac Island would be great. Stay at the Grand. Bike around the island very cool.  

Had a horrible experience in the UP. More mosquitos than I have ever seen in my life. Also freaked out about ticks, got lost in the woods--not enjoyable.

Really enjoyed camping in Mackinaw City too. If you are thinking about camping Mill Creek Camp ground was awesome.

The Dark Park left a little to be desired. Actually had a better view from Mill Creek.

If you want to go west, Luddington is amazing.

Mabel Pines

June 25th, 2015 at 9:04 AM ^

but as I tell my children "to each their own". Exactly how people will feel about this comment: I prefer the Chippewa to the Grand. Get a harbor view suite. You are right down town, outdoor hot tub is great, as is the pink pony. Try a donut at the Murray hotel. delicious.

jmdblue

June 25th, 2015 at 1:00 PM ^

Look at a map of the UP and then Wikipedia a couple of the towns.  You'll find that Marquette is the biggest town with a population smaller than most suburbs of Detroit.  I'd guess there are 20 combined McDonalds/Burger Kings/ Wendys in the entire place.  So, if you don't like the woods you probably don't like the UP.  Also, hitting the place in June is deadly for mosquitos and the black flies should be around pretty thick about now as well.

 I'd say head back up in late August.  The bugs will be gone.  Hike the shoreline trail at Pictured Rocks.  You can't get lost as long as you remember which side L. Superior was on when you started.  Pick a gallon of blueberries in a couple hours then make pancakes on a camp stove.  Eat some smoked whitefish or chubs with red onions and a little cream cheese on triscuits for lunch.  Have a pastie from Lehto's or from the little bar in Germfask.  Drink some bourbon by a campfire in a real campground with pit toilets and a hand pump. Read a couple of Hemingway's Nick Adams stories or a little Jim Harrison before you leave.  Maybe Traver's Laughing Whitefish or some Tom McGuane.  Take a fly fishing lesson before you leave and fish the Fox R. on the way home.  

I love the U.P. 

wigeon

June 24th, 2015 at 11:02 PM ^

And close to cool spots like Legs Inn in Cross Village, Dam Site Inn in Pellston and the Douglas Lake Bar. All worthy in their own right.

Just an idea...

JohnnyV123

June 24th, 2015 at 11:06 PM ^

We did Mackinac for our honeymoon last year in July. We stayed in St. Ignace and were really happy with our decision to stay off the island and felt we had more freedom.

Traverse City is also an excellent choice if you are into wine tasting.

Ron Utah

June 24th, 2015 at 11:15 PM ^

Hard to go wrong on NW lower Michigan. I believe the Leelanau Peninsula is the best... Homestead or Glen Arbor area are amazing and right next to the dunes. Leland is a great little town. Traverse City if you want a more urban feel. Even Suttons Bay and Northport are great. Empire is another underrated spot. Basically, find a spot you like on M22.




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dRich

June 24th, 2015 at 11:28 PM ^

That would be pretty rustic and outdoorsy for a Honeymoon... But it's pretty romantic being on an island practically alone for a weekend. Boat leaves you on Friday and returns Sunday with 15-30 other passengers. I've gone a couple times and it's a great place to star gaze and skinny dip.

dRich

June 25th, 2015 at 6:30 AM ^

Doesn't the other island have restrooms and what not? I mean come on they have to learn to poop with the door open to be a successful marriage anyhow... Why not break that barrier with squating over a hole doing the morning biz.