Need Help Planning Summer Vacation With My 8 Year-Old

This summer, my husband is going to Texas with my 12 year old, so I'm planning to head up north with my 8 year old. She wants to go to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City (the last time we were there, she was 3, so she's really looking forward to going back!), and we plan on staying 2 nights during the week. I would like to leave Great Wolf Lodge and stay at a hotel/motel, or somewhere where we would be steps away from a beach. We live in the Detroit area, and I would like wherever we go to not be any further than Traverse City. In other words, I would like it to be on our way home. What town would you recommend, and where would you stay? I want to try to keep costs relatively low, as GWL is pretty pricey, from what I remember! Thanks so much for your help,

Robin

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Permalink Reply by Deb Fellows on February 26, 2009 at 1:15pm: Hi Robin,
When do you plan to take the trip?

Deb; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robin on February 26, 2009 at 1:20pm: Hi Deb,

We were going to go in June, but I realize it could still be a bit chilly (especially the beach!), so I think we're going to wait until sometime during the middle of July. I work at home and my husband is a teacher, so I have a really flexible schedule - I can really go anytime during the summer.

Thanks for your help!

Robin; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristine Carpenter on February 26, 2009 at 4:00pm: Not sure what you want to spend, but Betsie Bay Inn in Frankfort is a cool place and close to the beach.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by visitupnorth on March 5, 2009 at 1:41pm: Visit Up North Vacation Rentals has cottages, condos, and homes if you're interested in that. Take a look at visitupnorth.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kim Marie on March 20, 2009 at 1:28pm: Hi Robin,

I grew up 6 miles from Frankfort and I highly recommend that area.
Frankfort has excellent restaurants, cute little shops, ice cream hang-outs and even an old time movie theater that sometimes shows the current films :)

The beach is fabulous....if you take a little tour north on M-22 to a town
called Honor you can experience a Platte River canoe ride where the river meets
the mouth of Lake Michigan. I have lots of fond memories of floating in the warmth of the river
and then entering the much colder temps of Lake Michigan. If you want solitude just
wade across the river over to the sand-bar or pull up a sand-dune. It's a Mom and daughter
paradise!

Hope you have a great adventure when you visit

Kim; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peg McCarty-Blue Bay Builders on March 21, 2009 at 7:43pm: Hi Robin,
If you are going to be in the area on Sunday, July 12 be sure to take in the Manitou Music Festival's free family concert at the Dune Climb in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park. Bring a picnic and join about 2,000 other folks for a magical evening of music in a gorgeous setting. This year Shout Sister Shout-Steppin' In It with Rachael Davis will be performing at 7:30 PM. You and your daughter will have a great time. For more information write to me at the Glen Arbor Art Association: info@glenarborart.org. Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear Dunes area are fabulous.
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Permalink Reply by The Cottage Book Shop on June 10, 2009 at 9:50pm: Hi Robin,
I would second Peg's invitation. There are so many free hikes, presentations and things to do in Glen Arbor which is within the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Go the the park websitewww.nps.gov/SLBE/ or www.sleepingbeardunes.com/ for many free events. The Cottage Book Shop also has free children's story hours with Cindy on Mondays and Wednesday at 11 am. We hope you will visit us this summer and June weather from here out should be grand.
Barbara info@cottagebooks.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rachel North on March 23, 2009 at 2:05pm: Robin, there are so many great places to stay on the beach in TC, I suspect that folks are having a tough time narrowing down a list. The Holiday Inn puts you within walking distance of downtown. Sugar Beach seems nice and reasonable, plus has an indoor pool if you stick with your June timing and the water's still chilly.

If you're willing to drive a bit farther (20-30 minutes) North there are some nice places on the Leelanau peninsula. My fave is Sunset Lodge in Omena. Walk down the hill to beach, tamarac gallery and Knot just a bar restaurant. Also a small playground, country store and post office. I like the Sunset Lodge because they are reasonable AND have very quaint little rooms. Some are traditional B&B, others are little suites with kitchens. And one has a circular stair with a fireplace.

If you get a rainy morning (usually sunny by 11) you might want to check out the Children's Museum. Or the State Theater has Saturday matinee's for a quarter.

do 8 year olds still like cool playgrounds? the best according to my 5 year old is in Boyne City, it looks like a Castle, but that's not on the way home. Others she likes are both in Suttons Bay. The big one is by the Marina. A little south of that is another smaller one right off of M-22.

Don't miss the Dunes -- Pierce Stocking Trail, Dune Climb all very cool at 8 or 80.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathleen on March 24, 2009 at 9:51am: Don't look any farther than FountainPoint -- a summer resort place in Lake Leelanau, MI. A very short drive from Traverse City and in between the two fabulous towns of Leland and Suttons Bay. We have had more than one family reunion at FountainPoint and my husband and I went there alone once. Cottages on both sides of big main hotel -- which you can also stay at. All facing water (Lake Leelanau). It's beautiful and quiet and restful. You can read, play games, there are tennis courts, badminton, a game room (with pool tables and ping pong) etc...Nice beach, free access to row boats, paddle boats and you can rent real ones, too. Start bon fires at beach at night and roast marshmallows. My idea of the perfect vacation. See www.fountainpointresort.com for info.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christine Carney on March 25, 2009 at 1:28pm: Hi Robin,
I have 3 Children ages 10, 7 and 2 and we own a vaction rental in Kalkaska, MI. Kalkaska is about 20 miles east of Traverse City. We have spent a lot of time in Northern MI, It's so different from where we live (Grosse Pointe Woods). Check out our web site www.luckybreakcottage.com for $700.00 a week you can have a whole Cottage. 1 BLOCK WALK TO A PUBLIC BEACH WITH PLAY GROUND and only 1 mile away is The Kaliseum it's like an indoor mini water park complete with water slide ( $4.00 per person), great for cool or rainy days! My children also love to play cards by candle light in the screen porch of the cottage in the evening. May I also suggest having a bon fire in the back yard, great for star gazing. How about touring Moomers Ice Cream Facility. They won 1st place on Good morning america for the best Ice Cream in the U.S. and the owner Nancy is very accomidating. From Kalkaska everything is only a short drive away.

P.S. on your way home be sure to stop at Steven's 1950's Diner in downtown Grayling at sit up at the soda fountain bar. My children love it!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Salon Verve Organic Salon & Retailer on May 13, 2009 at 3:07pm: Hi Robin! My good friends have a 2 BR vacation cottage right on West Grand Traverse Bay on Old Mission Penninsula. I'm not sure what days/weeks they have open, but you can give them a call! 231-941-8771
I have stayed there many times and I never want to leave!
Have a great trip!
Mackenzee
Front Desk Coordinator
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Permalink Reply by Melissa Riehl on May 26, 2009 at 12:24pm: Robin- please call me at 231-941-3600 ext: 703- I work at the Great Wolf Lodge and would love to answer any questions you may have!

Melissa Riehl; ▶ Reply to This