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📝 5-Day Northern Michigan Travel

📝 5-Day Northern Michigan Travel Diary A week of chasing lakes, dunes, and delicious eats—here’s how my Northern Michigan road trip went, day by day! 🚗🌊 🌟 Day 1: Ann Arbor → Mackinaw City Kicked off the trip bright and early with a drive from Ann Arbor to Mackinaw City—windows down, music up, and the excitement of the unknown ahead! 🎶 🍽️ Restaurant Pick: Darrow’s Family Restaurant This spot was a total win right off the bat! Since it’s right next to the Great Lakes, the fish here is unbelievably fresh—I got the lake perch, and it was flaky, tender, and seasoned just right (no heavy sauces to hide the natural flavor!). 🐟 The vibe is cozy and family-friendly too—think checkered tablecloths and warm smiles from the staff. Perfect for refueling after a long drive! 🌟 Day 2: Mackinaw City → Mackinac Island → Traverse City Day 2 was all about island magic! First, we hopped a ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island—pro tip: book tickets online in advance to skip long lines! ⚠️ There are two ferry companies, and I went with Star Line—smooth ride, plus great views of the lake along the way! 🚤 🚲 Mackinac Island Vibes The best part? No cars allowed on the island! Everyone gets around by bike, horse-drawn carriage, or good old-fashioned walking. 🐎 I rented a bike and cruised around—wind in my hair, historic Victorian houses everywhere, and the smell of fudge shops wafting through the air (yes, you have to try the fudge here!). Heads up: the island closes in winter, so plan your trip before the cold hits! ❄️ 🍝 Dinner: Millie’s on Main (Mackinac Island) Ended the island day at this cute Italian spot—nothing disappointed! We ordered garlic bread (crusty, buttery, cheesy—perfection 🧀), spaghetti carbonara, and chicken parm, and every bite was full of flavor. The portions are generous too—we even had leftovers for the ferry ride to Traverse City! 🌟 Day 3: Traverse City (Old Mission Lighthouse + Downtown) Traverse City stole my heart with its small-town charm! First stop: Old Mission Lighthouse—perched right on the water, with stunning views of Grand Traverse Bay. Climbed to the top for photos (the light inside is so pretty!) and walked along the shore for a bit—super peaceful. 🗼 🍜 Lunch: The Flying Noodle Italian Pasta House (Downtown) Downtown Traverse City is adorable, and this tiny pasta joint was a hidden gem! The space is small (we waited 10 minutes for a table, but it was worth it!), but the food is next-level. We tried the bruschetta (fresh tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic 🍅), spinach artichoke dip, and mushroom ravioli—all homemade, all delicious. No misses here! 🌟 Day 4: Traverse City → Sleeping Bear Dunes → Grand Rapids This was the highlight of the trip—Sleeping Bear Dunes did NOT disappoint! 🏜️ 🏞️ Sleeping Bear Dunes Tips If you’re up for a challenge, hike the dunes—just know: the sand is super soft, so it’s like walking through deep snow (expect sore legs later! 😅). The hike takes about 3 hours round-trip, but the view from the top? Breathtaking—endless blue lake stretching to the horizon, golden sand below… 10/10 worth the effort. If hiking isn’t your thing, drive to the higher dune overlook—still amazing views, no sweat required! Either way, add Sleeping Bear to your bucket list ASAP—it’s one of Michigan’s most beautiful spots! 🚗 Evening Drive to Grand Rapids After the dunes, we drove to Grand Rapids (Michigan’s second-biggest city!) to wind down. Checked into our hotel, grabbed a quick snack, and got ready for the last day! 🌟 Day 5: Grand Rapids → Ann Arbor (Farewell, Northern Michigan!) Spent the morning exploring Grand Rapids before heading home—first stop: Fish Ladder Park! 🐠 This park has a special “fish ladder” to help salmon swim upstream to spawn. We went a little early (salmon season is Sept-Oct), but it was still cool to see the ladder and walk along the river. 🍤 Lunch: Downtown Food Market + Ginza Sushi Before hitting the road, we ate at the Downtown Food Market—game-changer! It’s a collection of small restaurants, each with their own vibe. I got a lobster roll (chunky meat, buttery bun 🦞), fish & chips (crispy, not greasy), and a poke bowl (fresh tuna, avocado 🥑)—all amazing. Also tried Gaby’s Gourmandise’s coffee puff—flaky pastry filled with coffee cream, perfect for a sweet pick-me-up ☕. If you love sushi, Ginza Sushi is nearby too—fresh rolls, friendly service, and great prices! 💭 Final Thoughts Northern Michigan is a treasure—lakes, dunes, charming towns, and food that makes you want to come back. Whether you’re a nature lover, a foodie, or just looking for a break from the city, this road trip has it all. Can’t wait to visit again next year! #StudyInUSA#AmericanLife#MichiganTravel#AnnArbor#GrandRapids#NorthernMichigan#Detroit#MackinacIsland

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Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
2 months ago
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
2 months ago
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📝 5-Day Northern Michigan Travel

📝 5-Day Northern Michigan Travel Diary A week of chasing lakes, dunes, and delicious eats—here’s how my Northern Michigan road trip went, day by day! 🚗🌊 🌟 Day 1: Ann Arbor → Mackinaw City Kicked off the trip bright and early with a drive from Ann Arbor to Mackinaw City—windows down, music up, and the excitement of the unknown ahead! 🎶 🍽️ Restaurant Pick: Darrow’s Family Restaurant This spot was a total win right off the bat! Since it’s right next to the Great Lakes, the fish here is unbelievably fresh—I got the lake perch, and it was flaky, tender, and seasoned just right (no heavy sauces to hide the natural flavor!). 🐟 The vibe is cozy and family-friendly too—think checkered tablecloths and warm smiles from the staff. Perfect for refueling after a long drive! 🌟 Day 2: Mackinaw City → Mackinac Island → Traverse City Day 2 was all about island magic! First, we hopped a ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island—pro tip: book tickets online in advance to skip long lines! ⚠️ There are two ferry companies, and I went with Star Line—smooth ride, plus great views of the lake along the way! 🚤 🚲 Mackinac Island Vibes The best part? No cars allowed on the island! Everyone gets around by bike, horse-drawn carriage, or good old-fashioned walking. 🐎 I rented a bike and cruised around—wind in my hair, historic Victorian houses everywhere, and the smell of fudge shops wafting through the air (yes, you have to try the fudge here!). Heads up: the island closes in winter, so plan your trip before the cold hits! ❄️ 🍝 Dinner: Millie’s on Main (Mackinac Island) Ended the island day at this cute Italian spot—nothing disappointed! We ordered garlic bread (crusty, buttery, cheesy—perfection 🧀), spaghetti carbonara, and chicken parm, and every bite was full of flavor. The portions are generous too—we even had leftovers for the ferry ride to Traverse City! 🌟 Day 3: Traverse City (Old Mission Lighthouse + Downtown) Traverse City stole my heart with its small-town charm! First stop: Old Mission Lighthouse—perched right on the water, with stunning views of Grand Traverse Bay. Climbed to the top for photos (the light inside is so pretty!) and walked along the shore for a bit—super peaceful. 🗼 🍜 Lunch: The Flying Noodle Italian Pasta House (Downtown) Downtown Traverse City is adorable, and this tiny pasta joint was a hidden gem! The space is small (we waited 10 minutes for a table, but it was worth it!), but the food is next-level. We tried the bruschetta (fresh tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic 🍅), spinach artichoke dip, and mushroom ravioli—all homemade, all delicious. No misses here! 🌟 Day 4: Traverse City → Sleeping Bear Dunes → Grand Rapids This was the highlight of the trip—Sleeping Bear Dunes did NOT disappoint! 🏜️ 🏞️ Sleeping Bear Dunes Tips If you’re up for a challenge, hike the dunes—just know: the sand is super soft, so it’s like walking through deep snow (expect sore legs later! 😅). The hike takes about 3 hours round-trip, but the view from the top? Breathtaking—endless blue lake stretching to the horizon, golden sand below… 10/10 worth the effort. If hiking isn’t your thing, drive to the higher dune overlook—still amazing views, no sweat required! Either way, add Sleeping Bear to your bucket list ASAP—it’s one of Michigan’s most beautiful spots! 🚗 Evening Drive to Grand Rapids After the dunes, we drove to Grand Rapids (Michigan’s second-biggest city!) to wind down. Checked into our hotel, grabbed a quick snack, and got ready for the last day! 🌟 Day 5: Grand Rapids → Ann Arbor (Farewell, Northern Michigan!) Spent the morning exploring Grand Rapids before heading home—first stop: Fish Ladder Park! 🐠 This park has a special “fish ladder” to help salmon swim upstream to spawn. We went a little early (salmon season is Sept-Oct), but it was still cool to see the ladder and walk along the river. 🍤 Lunch: Downtown Food Market + Ginza Sushi Before hitting the road, we ate at the Downtown Food Market—game-changer! It’s a collection of small restaurants, each with their own vibe. I got a lobster roll (chunky meat, buttery bun 🦞), fish & chips (crispy, not greasy), and a poke bowl (fresh tuna, avocado 🥑)—all amazing. Also tried Gaby’s Gourmandise’s coffee puff—flaky pastry filled with coffee cream, perfect for a sweet pick-me-up ☕. If you love sushi, Ginza Sushi is nearby too—fresh rolls, friendly service, and great prices! 💭 Final Thoughts Northern Michigan is a treasure—lakes, dunes, charming towns, and food that makes you want to come back. Whether you’re a nature lover, a foodie, or just looking for a break from the city, this road trip has it all. Can’t wait to visit again next year! #StudyInUSA#AmericanLife#MichiganTravel#AnnArbor#GrandRapids#NorthernMichigan#Detroit#MackinacIsland

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Fish Ladder Park
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