Positively Michigan:
Vacationing in Our Own Back Yard

As the largest freshwater lake in the United States, Lake Michigan will lead you and your family to thousands of exciting destinations and help you create just as many memories.  Lake Michigan will refresh you with clean, clear water and wow you with world-class beaches and stunning sand dunes.  A trip to a Lake Michigan location offers ideal beaches for swimming, boating, and other water activities without some of the oceans' inconveniences, like salt water and sharks.  Travelers from all over the world come to experience the natural beauty and serenity of Lake Michigan, yet those of us living in Michigan often take the natural wonder that surrounds us for granted.

With all that Lake Michigan has to offer it can be difficult to narrow down a destination spot, but wherever you choose to go you will not be able to escape the natural beauty that a Lake Michigan retreat has to offer.  Camping is one of the best ways to experience nature, and there is certainly no shortage of beautiful locations to set up camp around Lake Michigan.  The Manistee National Forest is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy activities such as camping, hiking, boating, and watching wildlife.  There are more than 20 campgrounds to choose from within the Manistee National Forest, but the Lake Michigan Recreation Area is a favorite because of its proximity to Lake Michigan and the Nordhouse Dunes.  This recreation area has scenic campsites, a beautiful Lake Michigan beach, and plenty of trails for hiking and bicycle trips.  The recreation area adjoins the Nordhouse Dunes, situated on the east shore of Lake Michigan.  The dunes are scattered with woody vegetation such as juniper, jack pine, and hemlock, and is an ideal spot for watching the sunset over Lake Michigan.

Take a trip to the "Little Finger" of Michigan, specifically near Traverse City and you will find the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  The National Lakeshore stretches across 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and features enormous sand dunes reaching as high as 460 feet above the lake.  For a glimpse of maritime life in the 1800's, complete with authentically dressed workers, antique boating equipment, and daily rescue demonstrations, visit the Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Stations and Maritime Museum located in the middle of the park.  Take a short car ride on the 7.5 mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive which overlooks the lakeshore and the sand dunes.  There are several stops along the drive to take pictures, have a picnic, or just enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.  If you prefer to take in the sights on foot, there are dozens of hiking trails that lead to dunes and other points of interest.  You may choose to plan your own hike, or take a ranger-led nature walk on Cottonwood trail.

If you are craving more Lake Michigan sand dunes, then your next stop should be the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  Mount Baldy is a "living" sand dune located on the eastern end of the National Lakeshore, the sand dune actually moves at a rate of four to five feet per year.  After a short hike up Mount Baldy, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, and on a clear day you will even see Chicago's skyline.  North of Mount Baldy is a swimming beach perfect for cooling off after climbing the dune.

Natural beauty is not all that a Lake Michigan retreat has to offer, the lake will also lead you to some of the best cities in the Midwest.  From quaint beach villages, to the third largest city in the nation, Chicago, the beauty and economic advantage of Lake Michigan has played an important role in the success of these cities.

Take a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan's second largest city, and enjoy family-oriented attractions and a thriving art scene.  There are a number of interesting museums to choose from including the Gerald R. Ford Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, and the Grand Rapid Children's Museum.  Every day of every month, Grand Rapids has entertainment and special events to pique your interest.  Indulge your passion in a city that never stops moving.

Just a short drive from Grand Rapids is the city of Holland.  Once there enjoy downtown which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  Be sure to visit the 240-year-old windmill and the Holland Harbor Lighthouse. Holland State Park is one of the most visited parks in Michigan and is a prime spot for swimming and camping around Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa.

Smaller towns in Michigan often have unique lodging options like log cabins, historic houses, and family run establishments.  Enjoy public beaches, resort cottages and antique shops in New Buffalo.  Benton Harbor is ranked among the best golf cities in the nation and hosts the Western Amateur tournament every year.  The Saugatuck-Douglas area is known for art galleries, bed and breakfasts, and shopping.

Travel from Milwaukee back to Michigan in record time on the Lake Express ferry.  The ride offers beautiful views of Lake Michigan, and will take you from Milwaukee to Muskegon in just two-and-a-half hours!  Once you arrive in Muskegon you will not be able to leave without visiting the beaches, parks, and attractions that have made this town a popular tourist destination.  Pere Marquette Beach is one of the cleanest beaches in the nation and has miles of sandy shore, playgrounds, sand dunes, and great views of the Muskegon Lighthouse. Just north of Muskegon you will find Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park, this park boasts the worlds largest wooden roller coaster in addition to 60 other great rides and a water park.

In a matter of hours, you could be sinking your feet into the white sand, breathing in the fresh air, and feeling the cool water splash against your skin.  Don't let another year go by without taking advantage of all that a Lake Michigan vacation has to offer!

Chelsea R. Seramur graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in English.  She currently works in Chicago as a Researcher and Freelance Writer.
First published in Extraordinary Living Magazine http://www.extraordinarylivingmagazine.com/articles/julaug08/retreats.html