Summer Vacation in Michigan or Wisconsin

**Sonnenwende** · 04-10-2008, 09:18 AM

I am thinking about taking a vacation up to either around upper Michigan or Wisconsin this summer. There will be 2-4 adults and 1 small child. Besides the beaches, what else should we see in either of those states? I am open to most any suggestions.

**LexTysMommy** · 04-10-2008, 10:12 AM

Wisconsin Dells is waterpark town. Door County is fun for all ages.

I am from Wisconsin and these are two places i try to go every year. Have fun!

**forHISglory** · 04-10-2008, 10:23 AM

There is an area of southern Wisconsin known as Little Switzerland. It is awesome! We stayed in a chalet there and enjoyed a Swiss fondue supper. The area had life size fiberglass cows all over, each painted differently, and it was quite the game to discover all the cows. We got to go thru dairy farms and cheese factories and see how all this is made. The scenery is beautiful. They also have festivals at various times of the year with polka dancing on the street. We enjoyed it to the hilt and would go back in a heartbeat.

**Sonnenwende** · 04-10-2008, 11:15 AM

What is there to see in Door County? I read about this resturant with goats on the roof?

The Little Switzerland idea sounds like fun!

Keep the ideas coming!

**mmy2grls** · 04-10-2008, 11:18 AM

In Michigan, seeing the Mackinac bridge is a cool thing, Slt St Marie is a touristy type thing. There's beaches, they used to have boat rides through the locks

**LexTysMommy** · 04-10-2008, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Sonnenwende

What is there to see in Door County? I read about this resturant with goats on the roof?

The Little Switzerland idea sounds like fun!

Keep the ideas coming!

http://www.doorcounty.com/

There is the goats on roof restaurant..its yummy! There is site seeing, water activites, shopping, local artists, museums, etc. Its good for weekend away!

**EarthGirl517** · 04-18-2008, 09:50 PM

Where in Wisconsin would you vacation? There is so much to see and do in many area of my beautiful state. If you narrow down the area, I may be able to give you some ideas.

**coffeechick** · 04-18-2008, 10:10 PM

I've lived in Michigan most of my life, and I went to college over on the west side of the state. The Sleeping Bear Dunes are wonderful- the nearest town of any size is Ludington. I've been camping there a number of times with friends from college and it's a blast.

If you go during July, there's the Cherry Festival in Traverse City, with all things cherry. Very tasty, I might add.

Can't advise you much on Mackinac Island- I think I'm the only Michigander who has never been there!

Good luck and have fun!

**MACMOM6** · 04-21-2008, 03:10 PM

I am originally from Wisconsin and we used to take alot of trips to the Wisconsin Dells, Door County, we would also go to Milwaukee, they have an awesome zoo and they have festivals all summer long. I am actually planning a trip back with my children and we are just going to rent a house on a lake and spend our days doing whatever we feel like.

Good Luck with your trip. I would love to hear what you do.

P.S. oh yeah, there is an awesome Circus museum in Baraboo which is very close to the Dells.

**MACMOM6** · 04-21-2008, 03:11 PM

Oh one more thing...I know very little about Michigan but a few years back a friend from our church let us use their condo at Boyne Mountain. It was wonderful. We didn't go during skiing time but we took our bikes and the little towns nearby are so quaint.

**erstbrmom** · 04-21-2008, 03:43 PM

We have had many vacations in Hayward, WI. If you like fishing and outdoor stuff there are tons of resorts on lakes. I bring lots of paperback books and hang out by the lake while my boys fish. We're headed there again this summer after a five year absence. Can't wait!
As the previous poster mentioned, Ludington is a beautiful town. There's a wonderful state park and it's also on Lake Michigan. My inlaws had a place in Pentwater for years. Nice area.
I've eaten at the restaurant with the goats. It's pretty funny to see!

**acidcookie** · 04-21-2008, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by coffeechick

I've lived in Michigan most of my life, and I went to college over on the west side of the state. The Sleeping Bear Dunes are wonderful- the nearest town of any size is Ludington. I've been camping there a number of times with friends from college and it's a blast.

If you go during July, there's the Cherry Festival in Traverse City, with all things cherry. Very tasty, I might add.

Two summers ago I visited Traverse City with a friend who grew up there and I LOVED it. The lake is beautiful as is the peninsula. Loved the Sleeping Bear Dunes as well, and all the wineries. It's just so charming!

**MACMOM6** · 04-22-2008, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by erstbrmom

We have had many vacations in Hayward, WI. If you like fishing and outdoor stuff there are tons of resorts on lakes. I bring lots of paperback books and hang out by the lake while my boys fish. We're headed there again this summer after a five year absence. Can't wait!
As the previous poster mentioned, Ludington is a beautiful town. There's a wonderful state park and it's also on Lake Michigan. My inlaws had a place in Pentwater for years. Nice area.
I've eaten at the restaurant with the goats. It's pretty funny to see!

Is Hayward the place with the giant fish you can walk into?? I have seen pictures of it and a few friends have been there. I think my boys would LOVE that..

I too have seen the place in Door County with the goats, it was very different and cool.

I also went to Washington Island for a day trip with my high school sweetheart, that was fun too.

I am thinking I need to make a trip back to Door County and Hayward...LOL

**foxxyroxie** · 04-22-2008, 09:36 PM

I was born, raised and up until 2 months ago resident of lower Western Michigan (Grand Rapids).

The places to hit are:

Southern Lower Peninsula

Holland - Windmill Island, Wooden Shoe Factory
Holland/Grand Haven/Pentwater - beaches of Lake Michigan
Grand Rapids - Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Ford's burial site, VanAndel Museum (founders of Amway), Frederick Meyer Gardens

Northern Lower Peninsula

Traverse City - check online for stuff but Grand Traverse Bay is very pretty
Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Bridge and Mackinaw Island

Upper Peninsula

St. Ignace (across bridge from Mackinaw City)
Sault Ste. Marie and Soo Locks
Taquamenon (sp) Falls in Newberry (and there are other beautiful falls throughout the UP especially near Munising
Picture Rocks
Copper Harbor
Fayette State Park - old 'abandoned' mining town - camping and at one time they were restoring the old town

**G'MaDebbie** · 04-22-2008, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by foxxyroxie

I was born, raised and up until 2 months ago resident of lower Western Michigan (Grand Rapids).

The places to hit are:

Southern Lower Peninsula

Holland - Windmill Island, Wooden Shoe Factory
Holland/Grand Haven/Pentwater - beaches of Lake Michigan
Grand Rapids - Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Ford's burial site, VanAndel Museum (founders of Amway), Frederick Meyer Gardens

Northern Lower Peninsula

Traverse City - check online for stuff but Grand Traverse Bay is very pretty
Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Bridge and Mackinaw Island

Upper Peninsula

St. Ignace (across bridge from Mackinaw City)
Sault Ste. Marie and Soo Locks
Taquamenon (sp) Falls in Newberry (and there are other beautiful falls throughout the UP especially near Munising
Picture Rocks
Copper Harbor
Fayette State Park - old 'abandoned' mining town - camping and at one time they were restoring the old town

Don't forget Muskegon...we have Michigan's Adventure!!