Prepare for your summer getaway in Northern Michigan

While some families pass down cherished recipes, mine hands down canoes and sandy shores.

For every summer since my grandmother was young, my family has journeyed to a quaint lake cottage in Northern Michigan. Our days are filled with biking and swimming, long walks collecting rocks, and hikes up the sand dunes, topped off with ice cream from town. Evenings are spent by beach bonfires, marveling at the sky as the sun paints it with vibrant colors.

It's a scene of pure bliss, untouched by time. This cherished tradition has taught me to look forward to my week of unwinding. I plan my dinner outfits throughout the year. I used to share Michigan tales like some recount band camp adventures in a certain film. It transforms into more than just a beach week; it's a pivotal moment to reset, realign, and reconnect with the parts of myself I hold dear and the people who love me unconditionally.

Creating your own version of this doesn't require a family legacy. Dedicating a week (or longer) to unplug from hectic routines and immerse yourself in activities that bring you joy is an experience anyone can design. Here are my top tips to help you achieve this.

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Step 1: Select your home base

Northern Michigan is perfect for a road trip. With charming villages to explore, parks to camp in, and endless adventures waiting, it’s ideal for a leisurely, connected, and enjoyable vacation. To truly embrace this, I suggest finding a cottage, bed and breakfast, or small motel to serve as your base for the week. Day trips are plentiful if you seek variety (though we seldom do). Here are some of the top places to stay.

Frankfort

Vibes: A blend of surf town spirit and Americana charm. Frankfort boasts a vibrant main street that culminates in a stunning white sand beach. A mix of ice cream parlors, charming boutiques, and numerous t-shirt shops makes for a delightful stroll.

Do: Rent paddle boards and bikes from Crystal Lake Adventures Sports for an exciting day on the water and exploring the fantastic bike trails in the area.

Eat: Storm Cloud Brewery is the local microbrewery featuring a tasting room at one end of town (alongside food trucks) and a restaurant at the opposite end. I also love Goody’s Seafood Shack, perfect for grabbing calamari while the kids enjoy the nearby playground by the harbor. Don’t miss Port City Smokehouse for takeaway fish sandwiches, trout dips for cocktail hour, and fresh cuts to prepare at home.

Stay: Harbor Lights Resort is located right on Frankfort Beach, offering simple, comfortable rooms and condos—ideal after a day of beach fun. Alternatively, consider renting a home on Crystal Lake, which is perfect for boating and swimming.

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Glen Arbor

Vibes: A blend of art galleries and waterfront dining within an outdoor adventure paradise. Nestled along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore, Glen Arbor offers expansive beaches and is surrounded by smaller lakes, making it an ideal spot for renting a cozy cottage.

Do: Rent a canoe or kayak to drift along the Crystal River. The river winds through lush forests and serene eddies, creating a truly enchanting experience. Don’t forget to pack a picnic and plenty of water for the day.

Eat: Cherry’s Public House delights in local cherries, crafting jams and pies, and even seasoning their fries with a hint of cherry. The highlight is their inviting outdoor seating both in the front and back of the restaurant.

Stay: This is the place to choose a lake and discover a cottage. The Glen Lakes offer numerous vacation rentals listed on all the usual platforms.

Petoskey

Vibes: A blend of upscale charm in a cozy beach town, ideal for a romantic escape or a weekend with friends. Petoskey serves as the central hub for resort-goers staying in nearby areas like Bay Harbor, Bay View, and Harbor Springs. The town features fantastic shopping, a summer concert series, and outdoor movies for evening entertainment.

Do: Visit Lavender Hill Farm. Inland Northern Michigan is dotted with stunning farms, and Lavender Hill is as picturesque as it sounds, plus it offers a delightful fragrance.

Eat: If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, make your way to Walloon Lake Inn, located about 10 miles outside of town, where you can savor local wines paired with freshly sourced fish.

Stay: The small lakes surrounding Petoskey offer ideal summer vacation rentals. A highlight is Stafford’s Bay View Inn, a charming Victorian inn and resort that evokes the days when travelers arrived by ferry with their steamer trunks for an entire summer. Its wrap-around porch invites you to enjoy slow mornings, and the lawn chairs await sunset views with a glass of wine.

Step 2: Secure your accommodations

Search for cottages in the nearby towns and make your reservations early. Ideally, start your search in January, but there are always last-minute options available. Honestly, you can't go wrong heading Up North. Keep in mind that the main thing is to have a place to rest your head at night. You’ll spend 99.9% of your time outdoors, so decor isn’t a priority. However, many cottages have been family-owned for generations and might show their age. Expect some bugs, critters, and drafts. There are also plenty of luxurious, remodeled options, but the nostalgic sounds of a slamming screen door or a creaking rocking chair can sometimes be more valuable than high ratings.

Step 3: Organize the top activities for your days in Northern Michigan

Explore some fantastic day trip options

• Mackinac Island makes for an excellent day trip. While staying there can be expensive and a bit kitschy, crossing the bridge for a day lets you soak in the island's charming, car-free atmosphere.

• For a more sophisticated vibe, visit Traverse. This lovely city is quickly gaining popularity while maintaining its charm and comfort. Enjoy fabulous shopping and a variety of delightful restaurants along the waterfront. I especially loved spending an afternoon at the Little Fleet Food Truck park.

• Venture up the Leelanau Peninsula. Fishtown, near Leland, is a captivating stop. The fishing shanties that line the Leeland River have been in operation since the 1800s and most have been transformed into charming shops. It's a delight to stroll along the boardwalk. Continue up the peninsula, taking in the stunning coastline and ancient forests until you reach Northport. Stop here to eat and explore this quaint little village.

Conquer the dunes

Hiking through Sleeping Bear Dunes is an exhilarating experience. Running down the dunes is especially joyous, offering a childlike thrill that makes you forget your age. Just remember, the trek back up is a workout, so take your time and enjoy the journey.

Search for Petoskey stones

Stroll along the pristine white sand beaches and sift through the grains for a unique rock found only in Northern Michigan and Florida. The sunburst patterns on these stones shimmer beautifully underwater. We love collecting our finds and displaying them in a bowl at the cottage before returning them to the lake at the week's end.

Enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest

What activities do you enjoy? Golf, tennis, kayaking, hiking, swimming—perhaps all of them? Fantastic! Everything is within reach. Bring your bikes or rent some to explore the scenic country roads. Spend your days diving into the refreshing, clear lakes, letting your worries drift away. There are numerous hiking trails nearby, with the Empire Bluff hike being my favorite. Alternatively, grab a good book (or pick one up from a local bookstore), find a cozy Adirondack chair, and simply unwind. Remember, less is often more—don’t over-schedule, and trust yourself to discover joy.

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Step 4: Discover and savor the finest local produce

Seek out grocery stores and markets. Throughout the summer, farmer's markets in Frankfort and Glen Arbor are prime spots for fresh local produce. The surrounding farms yield a bounty—strawberries in early summer, blueberries in June, and, of course, the famous cherries. There are also numerous u-pick farms! Farm stands line the highways, offering fresh eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Stop by to gather your supplies for the week. Plan a few nights for dining out, but cooking at home allows for longer days and more relaxed evenings. In every small town, you'll find specialty food shops featuring cheeses, bread, dips, and other treats for your cheese board. Local grocery stores also stock wine, beer, and liquor, so don’t forget to grab s’more ingredients for your stay!

Step 5: Determine your travel arrangements

We always take a road trip. Our journey used to start in Colorado, taking two days to reach Chicago, where we’d stay with our grandparents before heading up the mitten to M-22. The benefits of driving are that you can pack your car with everything you need—bikes, paddle boards, and plenty of sand toys. However, if you’re short on time or prefer not to drive, you can fly into Traverse City and rent a car.

Step 6: Get your bags ready

I’ll be honest: I never pack lightly for Michigan. I typically change outfits at least three times a day. I prefer a cozy but cute outfit for breakfast in the morning, along with hiking and biking gear. I bring ALL my swimsuits, sundresses paired with a light wrap or cardigan for dinner, and jeans and sweatshirts for the cooler evenings. You can decide what to bring, but layers are essential since mornings and evenings can be brisk, and rain is always a possibility—it rarely gets too hot. Men should consider collared golf shirts or button-downs for nicer dinners, while sundresses are ideal for women. Don't forget sturdy shoes for river adventures and dune hikes—Tevas or Chacos are perfect alternatives to flip-flops.