The Terrace Grille at the Bay Pointe Inn

Just 30 minutes from Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, the Bay Pointe Inn on Gun Lake is Dianna Stampfler’s perfect getaway from the frenzy of the holidays.

Trying to cram work, holiday get-togethers and last-minute shopping into the already hectic life of a single mom creates undue stress around what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of year. By the time I settle into a lakeside deluxe suite, I am ready to relax. The soft nautical blues and greens of the room are peaceful and calming, which sets the tone for my night away. Equipped with a stack of magazines, I draw a bath in the oversized whirlpool tub, light the fireplace and settle in for an afternoon of me-time.

Tempura Asparagus at the Terrace Grille

As it turns out, lounging makes you hungry. Luckily, I don’t have to go far—the Terrace Grille is downstairs. A glass of Michigan Riesling kicks off an amazing meal. The sweet baked Brie and crispy tempura asparagus are delicious. The entree, The Original Bay Pointe Beef Wellington, is a tribute to the former landmark restaurant. The property has welcomed travelers as a resort, summer home, campground and restaurant since the 1880s. The beef Wellington is a delicate blend of flakey pastry crust and a filet so tender that I barely need a knife.

Because I’m on a mini vacation, I don’t feel guilty about ordering dessert. I take the ultimate indulgence—chocolate lava cake—to my suite to enjoy. It seems almost a shame to call it a night so early, but the plush king-size bed lures me under the covers. I am thankful for the solitude and banish all thoughts of work, household chores, parental responsibilities and, yes, even sugarplums.

The sun filters into the room, and I wake eager to start the day. Refreshed and recharged, I want to make the most of the morning. I snag a yogurt and banana from the Continental breakfast buffet and drive about 15 minutes to Yankee Springs State Recreation area for a hike through the forest. One of six hiking trails, the 2-mile Hall Lake trail winds through the woods. I don’t encounter anyone else on the hike—I am alone with my thoughts.

Facing the New Year doesn’t seem all that daunting, having recharged mind, body and spirit without overcharging my budget.

Dianna Stampfler loves Michigan so much that she’s made a career out of it! Her marketing consultant company, Promote Michigan, is just one of the many ways this fourth-generation Michigan resident shows her appreciation for the Great Lakes State.

With the crisp autumn air and rolling landscapes through the scenic countryside, fall is a great time to visit some of the more than 80 Michigan wineries across the state.

Whether it’s touring individual wineries, hitting one of the Michigan wine trails, checking out an upcoming tasting event or staying at one of the winery bed & breakfast inns in the Grand Traverse Region, there are plenty of activities to make every wine lover feel right at home in Pure Michigan.

Taste

• Join Heather Dean, sommelier for Andiamo restaurants in the Detroit metropolitan area, as she introduces selections available for sampling at the Michigan Wine Tasting on October 27 at Lorenzo Cultural Center at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township.
• Try delicious appetizers and desserts from 13 local restaurants that complement Michigan wines and other international sips to be poured at A Taste for the Holidays, on November 2 at Bordine Nursery in Clarkston.
• Sample food, wine, beer, and spirits and enjoy gastronomic workshops, seminars and cooking demos at the 4^th annual Grand Rapids International Wine & Food Festivalat DeVos Place on the Grand River, November 17-18.
• Feast on a Fall Harvest Dinner of country ham, scalloped potatoes, applesauce streusel and wines of Wolcott Winery in Mt. Morris on October 29.
• Savor the delicacies of two chefs who will create different 5-course menus served with appropriate wines for the November 5 and November 12 Fall Harvest Dinners at Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville.

Tour

• Sip and tour the winery while sampling food and wine pairings at the Brys Estate Annual Harvest Tour, on October 29 on the Old Mission Peninsula.
• Join the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association for the Toast the Season on the weekends of November 5-6 and November 12-13 and visit your choice of 8 of the 18 member wineries each day for a self-guided tour to sample wine and gourmet food pairings geared toward the holidays.

Stay

Extend your visit with an overnight stay at wineries that also offer Bed & Breakfast accommodations. Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay has an inn with 8 guest rooms. Overlooking Grand Traverse Bay is Chateau Grand Traverse with its 6 guest rooms, and the 11-room Chateau Chantal. While not a winery, The Grey Hare Inn Vineyard Bed & Breakfast grows grapes and is conveniently located to the wineries of Old Mission and the Grand Traverse region.

Tucker poses beneath the Days Inn & Suites sign

Kath Usitalo, a contributing writer for Michigan Travel Ideas, gives in to her husband’s plea and allows Tucker, the family dog, to be part of a mini getaway.

Traveling with a dog is overrated. Don’t get me wrong—we love Tucker, but his blend of Australian shepherd and terrier translates into lots of energy. His last road trip (one week with two teenagers) convinced my husband, TJ, and I that Tucker and trips just don’t mix.

With the kids in college, however, we decide to give Tucker another try—just a side trip—in what became affectionately known as our Dog Days Inn trip.

On our way home from our cottage in the Upper Peninsula, we detoured to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. After researching the Grand Traverse area, we decide on the Days Inn & Suites. With the 10 percent discount from their ad in Michigan Travel Ideas, we partially recover the $15 fee for Tucker.

We park outside our door, which makes it easy to unload our gear and Tucker. It’s a standard room with simple decor. The room includes a mini fridge, microwave and safe (for Tucker’s treats?). We drop off our bags and set out to find a dog-friendly eatery.

A restaurant meal with our dog is a first for us, but many Traverse City outdoor cafes welcome pups. We sit under an umbrella at a table on the deck at Folgarelli’s, a gourmet market, and tackle fabulous, made-to-order sandwiches. Two of us (sorry, Tucker) share The Mobster, a tower of Italian meat and cheese. It’s so filling that we decide we’ll have to try the luscious smoked salmon sandwich at lunch the next day. Tucker licks a classic vanilla cone from Dairy Lodge.

Too worried about leaving Tucker alone in the hotel, we skip the indoor pool. Next time, maybe. We like the flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Did I mention the convenient dog run? Before hitting the road the next morning, we take turns walking Tucker and enjoying the complimentary breakfast bar.

To take Tucker’s mind off food, we head to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to enjoy the Sleeping Bear Dunes views. Well, TJ and I enjoy the panoramas of water and sand; Tucker barely glances up from the nearest shrub.

D.O.G. Bakery makes yogurt-frosted cookies in dozens of shapes, including the Michigan mitten

After the drive, Tucker gets free samples of WoofWhomper Dog Cookies at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor. While nibbling on cherry cobbler on the deck, we strike up a conversation with a couple who fall for Tucker. Of course, Tucker gives them the look hoping to score a head rub or more treats. In Traverse City, we can’t pass up the all-natural dog snacks from D.O.G. Bakery, a bright inviting shop.

All in all, we had a good weekend. We may give this Dog Days Inn thing another try; the chain has hotels throughout the state.

Kath Usitalo is a freelance magazine writer who is bi-peninsular. She is at home in the Detroit area and at her family’s Lake Michigan getaway, Blue Skies, in the UP. She travels and writes about Michigan—usually without her dog—for a variety of outlets, including Michigan Travel Ideas and her Great Lakes Gazette blog.

Thank you to Kari Shimmel for bringing us along on her first Mackinac Island Trip.

I have lived in Michigan now for almost 10 years and have heard of this magical place known as Mackinac Island but I had never been there. So this summer, my husband and I planned to hop a ferry and experience a place set back in time for a perfect weekend getaway.

We boarded the boat and sat on the upper deck as we crossed the Straits of Mackinac. I had heard that there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the island, and we were greeted at the docks by a hotel porter who stacked our suitcases on his bicycle and balanced with athletic precision as he made his way down Main Street to our hotel. I can’t say I am a huge fan of crowds or touristy places, so at first, I found Mackinac to be overwhelming. It was a bustling Saturday and the streets were filled with carriage tours, bicycles and shoppers. So, to avoid the craziness, we grabbed a map (which you can get in about every shop for free), and we started walking toward the Grand Hotel.

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island

The reputation of the Grand Hotel’s porch was calling me. The idea of relaxing in one of the white rocking chairs with the lake breeze on my face motivated a very pregnant me to walk from downtown with a mission in mind. Rock, relax and enjoy the freedom of vacation. We spent a beautiful afternoon admiring the view and vowed to return to experience their 5 course dinner on our next trip to this magnificent resort.

A Downtown Mackinac Island Trip

For dinner we headed back to Main Street and found a supper with a view of the harbor at the Pink Pony. After a relaxing meal, we noticed that the day crowds had boarded the ferry and we experienced a calm and nostalgic island evening. We walked toward Mission Point and found some lovely Adirondack chairs by the water and watched the sunset with the lighthouse in the distance. It was a perfect crisp Michigan summer night and day to remember.

The next morning we explored our options for the day and decided that biking would be a bit too ambitious this year (being 8 months pregnant) – so we figured the next best way to discover Mackinac was through the fudge shops. We planned our “Great Mackinac Fudge Review” over breakfast at the Chuckwagon and narrowed our scope to the following shops: Ryba’s Fudge Shop, Murdicks Fudge, Joann’s Fudge and May’s Candy Shop. To fairly evaluate our favorite, we purchased plain chocolate and also a specialty flavor recommended by each shop. Before I get into the results, let me say that each shop had their own approach to making this candy and that they were all amazing!

Mackinac Island Fudge Shops

Our Great Mackinac Fudge Review:

• Joann’s Fudge: Our favorite for their smooth, rich texture. Every bite was sweet (but not too sweet and had a velvety finish) and their peanut butter fudge will be the only motivation we need to be back next year!

• Ryba’s Fudge Shop: This fudge has a rich, velvety texture but didn’t taste quite as sweet as some of the others. Maybe my favorite thing was their branding – this place loves the color pink.

• Murdicks Fudge: This fudge reminded me of a recipe my mom made growing up, Texas sheet cake. They had a vanilla flavor to the chocolate that provided a pleasant finish. Since 1887 they have provided vacationers’ candy and they definitely have the recipe down to an art form.

• May’s Candy Shop: A sugary texture, May’s fudge was delicious with a slightly bittersweet chocolate flavor. We preferred the smoother finish for the plain chocolate but loved their maple nut fudge.

After a sufficient sugar high, we headed for home taking the scenic route along Lake Huron. We used the Pure Michigan site as our guide, stopping by some beautiful lighthouses along the way. We loved our Mackinac experience and can’t wait to get back next year. We already have some activities highlighted for our itinerary: touring Fort Mackinac, a dinner at the Grand Hotel, hiking to arch rock and biking around the island. Do you have a place or activity on island we need to add to this list?

Kari Shimmel is a wife, (soon-to-be mom), friend, traveler, creative director, designer and blogger. Kari and her husband Doug love to explore new places and plan trips that can last for a few hours to a few weeks. They live  right outside of Detroit and have two long haired miniature dachshunds, Cole and Chloe, who often accompany them on their adventures. Their daughter Maggie is expected in mid-October and can’t wait to share their love of travel with her. When she is not traveling, she is a creative director at DBA Worldwide, an ad agency in Rochester. You can contact Kari through her Twitter account or her blog.

Traverse City outdoorsman Mike Norton is glad that the rest of the country considers the Sleeping Bear Dunes the “Most Beautiful Place in America” – but he thinks they’d love it even more if they came in the autumn, or even in winter.

Up here in Traverse City, we like to tell people that we weren’t surprised when more than 100,000 viewers of “Good Morning America” voted for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as the Most Beautiful Place in America.

“Of course,” we say. “We knew it all the time.”

But the truth is, we were surprised. It’s not that we don’t love Sleeping Bear ourselves – we really do – but it came as a shock that so many other people love it just as passionately, even though most of them don’t know it the way we do.

After all, even though millions of visitors throng to the Dunes every summer to prowl its miles of sandy beaches, climb its towering 400-foot dunes and swim in the jewel-bright waters of Lake Michigan, only a few travelers think to visit in the other three seasons of the year. And those are the times when the place is really amazing.

Sleeping Bear Hikers in Fall Season

Fall clothes the hills with brilliant color; spring carpets the coastal forests with cheerful wildflowers. And winter? Well, Sleeping Bear’s glacier-scoured landscape of ridges, bluffs, lakes, and islands is uniquely appealing clothed in snow: a wild and primeval setting for skiers, snowshoe hikers, and anglers.

“In winter, there are large stretches of the park that you can have pretty much to yourself,” says Park Service interpreter Susan Schmidt. “There’s lots of wildlife and lots of good views. You can see the backbone of the land this time of year, the marks of the glaciers.”

Although it’s barely 20 minutes west of Traverse City, the park operates at an undeniably slower pace in the off-season. There are few rangers in evidence, and in winter some roads (including the popular Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive) are closed to traffic because they can’t be reliably kept clear of blowing snow and sand.

But the lack of crowds can make an off-season trip to the dunes particularly rewarding – and much more comfortable than one might think. (One example: since Lake Michigan’s waters can take a long time to cool down in the fall, swimming is often delightful well into October.)

Many of the park’s attractions and amenities remain open all year round – including the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, where rangers and interpreters can give you a quick rundown on what’s happening. They know where the wildflowers and morel mushrooms can be found in spring, and where the best fall color is likely to be showing.

Sleeping Bear Sunset

The visitor center is also the place where you can join one of the park’s most enjoyable winter group activities: guided snowshoe hikes. On Saturdays and Sundays in January and February, park rangers lead groups in leisurely trips to some of Sleeping Bear’s most interesting winter features. (They even provide free snowshoes for those who don’t have their own.)

But the best part about using snowshoes at Sleeping Bear is that you’re free to leave the trail system pretty much whenever you want. Because the park’s soils and vegetation are easily harmed, rangers are fairly strict with hikers during most of the year — but in winter the rules are much more relaxed, and snowshoeing is allowed on all snow-covered dunes, fields, and forests.

Cross-country skiing is probably the most popular winter sport in the Lakeshore, and the park has designated several trails for Nordic skiers, from relatively flat routes like Platte Plains, Windy Moraine, Good Harbor Bay and Bay View to challenging routes like the Old Indian and Alligator Hill trails. And although the Stocking Scenic Drive is closed to auto traffic for the winter, it’s open to skiers and snowshoe hikers alike during the winter.

Sleeping Bear in the Off Season

Fishing is permitted year-round at Sleeping Bear, and many anglers prefer to fish in fall, winter and spring. In fact, all kinds of creatures — deer, coyote, fox, porcupines and otters – become more active and are more easily spotted once the crowds thin out and the weather cools.

That’s also true, strangely, of shipwrecks. Between 1835 and 1960 more than 50 ships sank offshore in the narrow strait known as the Manitou Passage; thanks to strong winds, many pieces of those long-ago wrecks wash ashore during the winter and spring. Many beachcombers look for relics along what’s called the Shipwreck Trail, between the ghost port of Glen Haven and the shore south of Sleeping Bear Point.

An even more thrilling winter experience can be sampled at the famous Dune Climb near Glen Haven, where the Park Service allows sledding on the 260-foot face of the dune. It’s the only dune where such activities are allowed. (But bring your second-best sled — the combination of snow and windblown sand can be pretty gritty!)

Visitors can even camp overnight if they desire: the full-service Platte River Campground at the park’s southern end is open, and camping is also permitted at the White Pine and Valley View background campgrounds – but you’ll have to ski or snowshoe to those sites because they can’t be reached by car.

Mike Norton, a native of Grand Rapids, spent 25 years as newspaper writer and columnist before starting a second career as media relations director at the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau. An avid hiker and cyclist, he lives in the village of Old Mission.

Pure Michigan 400 Trophy

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Pure Michigan 400 race at Michigan International Speedway has come and gone. But we’re not ready to say goodbye just yet.

We took a look at the #PureMI400 hashtag on Twitter to see what fans were saying about their experience at the race and to relive the excitement one more time.

Read the curated story on Storify.

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It’s an Autopalooza Weekend

Driving to Ludington

Thank you to today’s guest blogger, JillAnn Norcross for sharing her love of cottage living “up north,” and a very important list of must-bring staples on any cottage vacation.

You can tell when you’re getting closer to the Lake, and getting further north – whether you’re the one driving or curled up in the back seat watching the trees and fields change through the window. You might pass a fruit orchard or two, instead of cow pastures or corn fields. The trees turn into pines and airy aspens. The air gets that moist, sandy, windswept smell that helps you to picture the dunes in your mind.

Perfect spot for a book or a rod & reel

I’ve made the trek every year of my life. Observing from a nest of books and pillows in the back seat-surrounded by the coolers and linens every family brings for a week up at “the Lake”- I used to memorize the changes as way of marking how close we were getting to freedom. Nowadays, it’s from the drivers’ seat, next to my husband, and doing my best to not speed in my excitement to arrive. My family has been coming to Ludington since my grandfather was young, and though we are now lucky enough to have a small cottage of our own on the shores of Hamlin Lake, my family has rented cottages in Ludington for generations.

Big Sable Point Lighthouse

There’s no place I’d rather be in August (or anytime, really) than at our traditional spot on the sand dunes with my bottom in a chair, my feet in the sand, and a cold drink in my hand, while looking out at the boats and waves. We wait all year for this! We spend our days in the sun on the water, our evenings at big family cookouts, and our nights around campfires or tables playing games.

In Ludington, there are river floats, kayaking, trips to the state park, sailing, hikes out to the light houses, jet skis to rent, fantastic fishing, great vistas, and the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. And that’s only on the Lake! Downtown, there’s a collection of restaurants, breweries, miniature golf courses & arcades, the coast guard & marina, shopping, and in my staunch opinion, the best ice cream parlor in the state. If you haven’t been to the House of Flavors, it’s worth a trip.

Jumping off the boat at Hamlin Lake

Like most of the towns on the coast and up north in this beautiful state, business in Ludington is strongly seasonal – and summer is a high-traffic time. However, out on Hamlin Lake, or down at the Ludington State Park, it’s not at all hard to have your quiet retreat. The best of both worlds is available to you at nearly every town that is spotted along any of our lakeshores.

I prefer renting a cottage to a motel or even a bed and breakfast, just for the autonomy of it. The key to finding a good renting location, as a first timer, is to check it out in person. Head up to the area you’re interested in for a weekend or a day trip; and take the time to scope out prospective cottages or resorts.

The truly brave dune surfing in Ludington

Recommendations from a trusted friend are highly valuable, or internet research (Pure Michigan actually has a wonderfully complete site for researching places to rent from every region) works as well.

No matter which city, Lake, ski resort, or campground you pick; if you’re renting a cottage – there are a few staples:

1. Linens & towels: many owners provide the beds and pillows, and often blankets, but you’re on your own for sheets & pillow cases. The same goes for outfitting the bathroom – unless you want to use a sandy beach towel when finishing a shower!
2. Coolers: a big one with all the fridge necessities (condiments, meats, milk, bread, etc), and a smaller one to take with you to the beach for beverages.
3. Beach gear (during warm weather): simple is better! A chair or two, perhaps an umbrella or blanket, and several towels. Don’t forget bug spray, sunscreen and (inevitably) aloe.
4. Clothes: I do not care if the weatherman says that it will be 90 degrees hotter than the Sahara. In Michigan, the nights get cool. Bring a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, and some tennis shoes; pack some layers and a rain jacket. In twenty-five years, there wasn’t a week I where I wasn’t thankful I’d brought them.
5. Basic kitchen/clean up gear: ask what kind of gear is made available to you in the cottage. Some provide a full set of pots & pans, others only the oven. Of course, there is always eating out as an option! Remember, there’s no maid service in a cottage. A pack of Clorox wipes and some paper towels make all the difference.
6. Books for beach reading and board games: I highly recommend!

One of the thousands of beautiful sunsets I've seen on the Lake

I don’t mean to only emphasize the benefits of a summer getaway either. I have enjoyed escaping to a cottage year round, and it is an unmatched experience for cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, or tubing down the icy dunes in the winter. Now there’s a sport best saved for the most adventurous!

No matter the season or the reason, the experience you get from renting your own cottage in Michigan will be completely unique to you and absolutely unforgettable.

JillAnn Norcross is a born & bred Michigan girl – and proud of it! She grew up in a small town near East Lansing, then moved to Grand Rapids, and loves every second. If you would like to contact Jill, you can email her, or send her a message via Twitter @JillABeaN25

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Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Guest blogger Lauren Hess and her family recently took a trip to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, and had an exhilarating ride on the dunes – the only dunes in Michigan where you are allowed to ride dune buggies.

Who would have thought that one of the most fun-filled and exciting weekend getaways I’ve ever been on would be just a three hour drive from Metro Detroit? On little more than a whim, I recently booked a long weekend stay in Silver Lake, on the west side of the state. It’s an extremely unique and underpublicized area that I will now be sure to recommend to friends, and return to again next summer.

Dune Buggy Ride

There is just one spot in the entire state of Michigan where you are allowed to take a dune buggy, ATV, or any vehicle of your choice, and freely drive them all over the dunes! This spot is the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, one of the nuttiest, most exciting places in Michigan. What an exhilarating experience!  I later found out that these are actually the only dunes east of Utah where you are allowed to drive a private motorized vehicle up and down the hills of sand.

When we booked our weekend at Silver Lake, we scheduled the usual fun Michigan summer activities that we love to do year in and year out: kayaking, golfing, swimming, tubing… you know, all the basics. But we wanted more this time, so we scheduled an off-road Dune Tour with a place called Razor J’s Adventure Tours. We didn’t know what to expect when we showed up and met Razor J himself (full name Jordon) who dared to cut us loose with two crazy looking off-road vehicles. (He did require a professional guide – and thank God for Torry! We needed her!). My 10-year old Steven and I climbed into vehicle number one. My husband and 12-year old son David belted themselves into vehicle number two. After two minutes of instruction on how to drive the things (yep, that’s it, two minutes), we followed Torry out onto the dunes for over an hour of thrilling and fast-paced “follow-the-leader.”

Torry led us up over hills, on crazy figure-eights, diving down dune after dune and sporting air on the way back up – she had us cruisin’ like pros after just 10 minutes! We all agreed that it was just enough excitement to put us on the edge of scared and more! The best way to put it… it was just enough to feel the rush, but not so much that you ever felt in danger—an important mix, especially when you factor in young kids. It was so nice that there was no age limit and we were able to take our 10 year old out for the thrill of his life. Steven later declared it, “the most fun I‘ve ever had in my life!”

Silver Lake is clearly a mecca for campers and serious outdoorsmen. These are two things that I am not. We stayed at the nicest place in town, the Sierra Sands Resort, and we were not disappointed. The Sierra Sands was clean and quiet and had a wonderful outdoor pool and hot tub. It was perfect for us non-camping types who need air conditioning, a pool, and a hot tub for a true vacation.

Thank you Silver Lake Sand Dunes, for providing my family with one of the most unique and exciting experiences of our lives.

Laurel Hess is an award-winning television news reporter and freelance family travel writer. She has lived and worked in just about every region of the state and now enjoys traveling with her husband and two young boys, ages 12 and 10, and exposing them to all the fun and adventure Michigan has to offer. You can contact Laurel by email or through Facebook.

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The Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island

Recently we had a chance to ask a few of our travel writer friends about their dining experiences on Mackinac Island. Specifically, we asked about their favorite places to eat, to share a fun experience, or advice about dining on Mackinac Island. Here’s what they had to say…

By Amy Eckert

Everyone should experience fine living at the 19th-century Grand Hotel at least once. The world’s largest summer hotel is decked out in colors that might be described as garish anywhere else—here they just look like the colors of summer. Many of its rooms are furnished with balconies and jaw-dropping lake views. But the Grand Hotel’s dining is no less superb.

A Scenic View of Fort Mackinac

The elegant Salle à Manger fairly glows with crystal fixtures, yellow and green accents and diners dressed in their very best. Sit down to a dinner of freshly-caught whitefish, Michigan cherries or blueberries, and a glass of Traverse City Riesling, all of it served by an impeccable wait staff. Finish it up with a Grand Hotel tradition: a decadent pecan ball. The softball-sized scoop of vanilla ice cream is rolled in fine pecans and set in a puddle of warm chocolate fudge. Grand Hotel’s dining room isn’t your run-of-the-mill restaurant experience. And that’s precisely the reason to go.

Amy Eckert is a freelance travel writer based in Holland, Michigan. She has been to Mackinac Island more times than she can count and always looks forward to a return visit. Visit Amy at www.amy-eckert.com

By Pamela O’Meara

Take a carriage ride to Fort Mackinac for a bit of history and then a delicious lunch at the Tea Room Restaurant, located in the old officers’ stone quarters, which date back to 1796. My patio table with a bright yellow umbrella overlooked the sparkling water of Lake Huron and a picturesque harbor filled with boats, and once upon a time, fur traders and soldiers. My leisurely lunch included a cup of chilled strawberry soup with a swirl of cream on top, asparagus ravioli and mouth-watering chocolate torte. The patio was casual, but the food was elegant.

Mission Point

The Pink Pony’s upstairs screened-in patio dining room at the Chippewa Hotel overlooks the Mackinac Harbor and the beach. With music in the background, that’s where I enjoyed a dinner of fresh Lake Huron broiled whitefish with a light white wine, garlic and lemon sauce and served with a circle of rice pilaf and a generous serving of carrots and zucchini served julienne-style. My entree was preceded by thick tomato basil bisque and a light Michigan apple and goat cheese salad. Homemade key lime pie for dessert topped off the delicious meal. The historic hotel was built Victorian-style in 1902 in the heart of downtown.

Pam O’Meara is a staff writer at Lillie Suburban Newspapers (www.lillienews.com) in the St. Paul, MN area and a member of Midwest Travel Writers Association.

By Kim Schneider

Mackinac Harbor

I’m not one to easily pick restaurant favorites, but I am admittedly charmed by Mission Point’s new chef, and also by the resort’s outdoor restaurant, Bistro on the Greens. Here you can eat to the backdrop of waves lapping on the rocks, under the stars, with heaters generously sprinkled across the patio for welcome warmth on a chilly evening.

I confess that on one Mackinac Island trip, my friend, daughter and I never ate anywhere else—and we weren’t even staying at the resort. We spent a lot of time biking, and we were always drawn to this particular bend in the island. At just about Mission Point, the route turns from town to country, street sounds from the clip-clop of horses and whiz of passing bikes to silence. Grounds here teem with vibrant zinnias and other flowering favorites, and just a bit further down the trail, magical formations like Arch Rock start to emerge.

Mackinac Island Dining

And so here we’d stop to sample our emerging menu favorites. There’s the rock shrimp and avocado, served in a martini glass with a marinade of cilantro and lime (think ceviche, Mackinac Island style). Coming back again—and again—had an added benefit in taking the pain out of decision-making. We could try it all! One trip we’d go for a snack of truffle fries in garlic aoli and on another would devour the spinach salad with Maytag blue cheese and candied pecans. Once, I confess, we sat water gazing long enough for a late lunch to merge into dinner, for the first stars to dot the skies. And waiters, over the frequent visits turned friends, would just inch one of those outdoor heaters just a bit closer, then closer, to our grateful table.

Kim Schneider is a travel writer for Booth Michigan, Midwest Living, AAA Living and other newspapers and magazines. Follow her weekly travel columns about Michigan at mlive.com/travel.

Harbor Country in Michigan

Guest blogger Michelle Kay is a one-woman promotion team for Harbor Country. After reading this, we want to head over to southwest Michigan, how about you?

If you have not been to this little corner of Southwest Michigan, you are missing out! Your momma
always told you that good things come in small packages, and this could not be more true when it comes to the offerings in Harbor Country. Located along a fifteen mile stretch of Lake Michigan, Harbor Country offers fabulous events, great restaurants, luxurious lodging, art galleries, theaters, wineries, farmers markets, beaches and much, much, more.

A favorite event of the area for the summer is The Ship and Shore Festival, held August 12-14, 2011.
This festival is in its 27th year and each year is more fabulous than the previous. It includes art displays, live music, wine-tasting and food offerings from its local restaurateurs. Also included is a lighted boat parade and fireworks as a highlight of the very exciting weekend. Activities abound all weekend long for every member of the family.

Excellent eats are around every corner in Harbor Country. The must-visit list includes: Rosie’s (egg-cellent breakfast), Redamak’s (legendary burgers), Red Arrow Roadhouse (fabulous ribs) and Bentwood Tavern (gourmet comfort cuisine). So much more unbelievable cuisine is available and can be found on the Harbor Country dining page.

For some fun why not stop by the Four Winds Casino Resort? Exciting game play and onsite childcare make for a great family friendly excursion.

At the end of a busy day, The Harbor Grand Hotel is THE choice for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. Located on the waterfront, they offer the best personal service, elegant guest rooms and simply the best choice for a stay located in the heart of Harbor Country.

Plan your Harbor Country visit now, it will be a destination you return to time and time again!

Michelle Kay of Sawyer, is a fabulous wife, southwestern Michigan mom, lifestyle and review blogger, social media addict and influencer, food enthusiast, and early childhood education advocate living each day to its fullest. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and via email.

[Disclosure: Michelle is in no way affiliated with any of the companies/websites contained in this article.
All thoughts and opinions are her own.]