Page 51 - Michigan RV and Campgrounds

Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds
A Traveler’s Delight
10 Michigan Destinations You Shouldn’t Miss
Upper Peninsula
1. Les Cheneaux Islands
Pronounced “Lay-Shen-O,” the 36 islands in this chain are located along the northern shore of Lake Huron. There’s something to do every season of the year. You can find solitude and quiet by kayaking through sheltered channels or hiking through restive woods. You can find community by visiting some of the larger port towns and marinas that contain unique shops and exceptional waterfront views. You can find adventure by hiring a guide or racing an ATV on the trail system. Best of all, there are some RV-friendly places to park your trailer or rig: Cedarville RV Park & Campground, Loons Point Campground, and Kewadin Campgrounds await to welcome RVers. Make your reservation as soon as possible as they book quickly.
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Since you’re in the area... Take a day trip to Sault Ste. Marie, a 40-mile drive north. The Soo Locks have been a popular destination since opening in 1934. Nearly 5,000 vessels go through the Locks every year, traversing the 21-foot drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. There are a variety of sightseeing tours and cruises, but it may be just as well to go straight to an observation platform to watch boats and freighters pass through and see the Locks in action. They are truly an engineering marvel.
2. Munising
The gateway to the Pictured
Rocks National Lakeshore,
Munising sits on the shores of
Lake Superior. And “gateway”
is the perfect word to describe
the town. It’s the ideal home
base from which to explore the
Pictured Rocks and its beaches,
trails, rock formations, and
waterfalls. You can’t get more
immersed in the natural beauty
of the state than in the UP and
at the Pictured Rocks. About
seven miles east is Miners Castle.
One of the most-photographed
formations in the Pictured Rocks
National Lakeshore, there is a
visitor’s platform just a short walk from the parking area. A few miles more and you can see the Chapel Rock formation. An 80-foot waterfall, Chapel Falls, is nearby, as well as a dozen other waterfalls. If you’re into fishing, the area offers some of the best spots to cast your line. There is also an impressive selection of historic lighthouses, some still in operation, for tours, photography, and a panoramic glimpse of the largest of the Great Lakes.
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Since you’re in the area... Go on a kayak tour or cruise to really see all that the national lakeshore has to show off.
Northwest
3. Frankfort
If you want to enjoy beach life “up north,” Frankfort is your spot. It isn’t as touristy as many of the other towns in northern Michigan, and it offers visitors beauty, scenery, and local flavor. Grab a pint at Stormcloud Brewing, visit the Point Betsie Lighthouse and the Frankfort Light, and slow down for a day at Frankfort Beach. There are
hiking trails to walk, and lakes and
waterways to paddle. On Saturday
mornings, visit the Farmers Market,
open all year round, for fresh produce
and locally made crafts.
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Since you’re in the area...
Do something very few people do:
go surfing on a fresh water lake.
What? You won’t see waves and swells like Hawaii, but the winds around Frankfort offer very favorable conditions for riding a board on Lake Michigan. If you don’t have your own gear, rent it from Beach Nut, located on Main Street (www.beachnutsurfshop.com).
4. Traverse City
Petoskey stones, the state stone of Michigan, are known for their presence in the northwestern part of the Lower Peninsula. They are more prevalent at the 45th parallel because of the glacier movements millions of years ago. This means the best spots for them are on the shores of Lake Michigan and West and East Grand Traverse Bays. Choose Traverse City as your home base for the best access to these bodies of water and the northern Michigan towns settled alongside them. When dry, these stones look similar to an ordinary piece of limestone. When polished, their distinct hexagonal pattern is clearly recognizable. Their exclusive pattern is what makes them a sought-after treasure by beach goers and rock collectors, and it’s so beautiful and distinct that they are typically made into decorations and jewelry. If you find one, you’ll have a piece of Michigan to take with you everywhere you go.
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Since you’re in the area... Wet your whistle after your time outdoors at one of the area’s wineries or breweries. It’ll be tough to choose! If you want alcohol-free, stop at Northpeak in downtown Traverse City for a mug of their house-made Root Beer..
Northeast
MichiganRVandCampgrounds.org 2017 MICHIGAN RV & CAMPGROUNDS 49
5. Mackinaw City
A lot of people just use Mackinaw City to get to the fairytale destination of Mackinac Island, but the city has many spots worth visiting.
For one, it’s the town on the Lower Peninsula side that
connects to the Mackinac Bridge, which opened in 1957.
For a full history of the bridge’s construction, and some delicious pizza, go into the little downtown to Mama Mia’s Pizza. The upstairs has a museum and a small theater with