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Author Topic:   driving from Traverse City to Mackinac

Roland posted 08-28-2006 05:32 PM ET (US)
will someone provide me with driving directions from Traverse City to Mackinac?
Thanks in advance!
Buckda posted 08-28-2006 05:39 PM ET (US)
Assume you mean on the road...
This is an easy trip and can be quite a pretty drive.
I'd just run up US 31. This takes you through Charlevoix (which is worth stopping if you have some time to spend here..your Wife will love you for it!).
US 31 connects with I-75 about 5 miles or so South of Mackinaw City. If going to Mackinac Island via ferry - take it from Mac City. If you're doing it in your private boat, consider crossing the Bridge (about $5 toll) and launching from St. Ignace - they have a wonderful launch ramp and it's closer and more sheltered water out to the Island.
Roland posted 08-28-2006 05:42 PM ET (US)
good point, yes on land...thanks for the directions. U used mapquest and the directions took me another way. I was thinking one could arrive by your direcions, wasn't sure.
Buckda posted 08-28-2006 05:54 PM ET (US)
Yes - that is the scenic route.
I saw in your profile that you're from Dallas - and thought you might appreciate seeing the communities you pass through, not just the green highway signs from more miles on the Interstate.
Depending on your timeline, there are two good stops along the way - Petoskey/Harbor Springs ( your wife may tug at your arm to stop here anyway ) has a wonderful gas-lamp district and a very nice downtown.
Charlevoix is the other worthwhile stop - great little town with a wonderful downtown shopping district. It's then a pretty and leisurely drive on up to Macinaw City.
If you have more than one day in your itinerary for this area, spend the night in Mackinac City and visit colonial fort Michilimackinac (spelling is likely different!) in Mackinaw City before hitting the Island.
Of course, the Grand Hotel is the premier property on Mackinac Island - but the Mission Point Resort is very nice as well. I'd spend the afternoon and all of the next day on the island. That's all you'll need to see it all. You can take a late ferry and be back to Traverse City for the third night if budget requires.
If you're going this weekend, be prepared for Monday's bridge walk - lots of people walk the Bridge on Labor Day.
I'll be 18 miles away (via water) in the Les Cheneaux Islands as well - so if you need a side trip, let me know before Friday!
Dave
Buckda posted 08-28-2006 06:05 PM ET (US)
Sorry - reverse the order for Charlevoix and Petoskey.
Coming from TC, you'll first encounter Charlevoix and then Petoskey, not the other way around.
PeteB88 posted 08-29-2006 03:43 AM ET (US)
You can take a bunch of routes - I recommend that you take 119 through Harbor Springs - I believe there is a Whaler dealer there (Irish) and lots of Whalers including Dann who had a great Eastport or similar for sale, take 119 through Good Hart, keep going, follow map, as far as you can go - used to be some wonderful beaches along there great for hunting Petosky stones. When you get done exploring find the road to Bliss, check out Bliss General Store if still there, then make your way to Mackinaw City. Driving around Lake Charlevoix and Boyne City you will run into the Ironton Ferry and lots of cool stuff - I just keep driving around working my way N or S or whereever I am generally heading. I will get there.
No problem finding your way around county roads which should be good roads. Exploring you will find Bay View area near Petosky on your way to Harbor - with like 400 classic summer homes, preserved on historic register and unforgetable. Lots of Ernest Hemingway history in that area - Walloon Lake, easy to find to create trip itinerary.
enjoy yourself.
Florida15 posted 08-29-2006 10:24 AM ET (US)
Dave, what is Charlevoix like now ? I went to 3rd and 4th grade there back in 1961 and 1962. Haven't been back since.
I lived in one of those stone houses designed by Earl Young just a couple of blocks from downtown and a couple of blocks from the lighthouse at the channel on Lake Michigan. I had a great time while living there.
I hope to get back up there one day. I do remember two things - that water was COLD even in the summer and after the sun went down, you needed a jacket even in the summer.
bsmotril posted 08-29-2006 03:25 PM ET (US)
If you will be driving north up 31 to Traverse City, also check out Manistee. It is another need little harbor town with a historical distric. There's a good book shop on the main street with some good books on great lakes lighthouses, and commercial ships that ply the lakes. There's a good antique mall for the missus there too. BillS
ConB posted 08-29-2006 08:25 PM ET (US)
Florida15, Charlevoix would be very recognizable to you, but.
All the cool boatyards that where on round lake are gone. Replaced be condos.
The neat Earl Young house that was on Round Lake north of the bridge is gone. Replaced by large house or condo.
There are more boats and fudgies (tourists) than any one place should have.
Water was warm enough to go swimming this summer. Thank you global warming.
Con
PeteB88 posted 08-29-2006 10:44 PM ET (US)
Ain't the same but what is?
IF you go through Manistee, take the scenic drive along Lake Mich N to Onekema - very nice. I think you turn by the Burger King towards the State Park.
Florida15 posted 08-29-2006 11:32 PM ET (US)
It doesn't surprise me. I figured a pretty town like that surrounded by water would become touristy by now.
But then, I remember Panama City when it was a sleepy little town and you could actually see the Gulf driving down front beach road. When I was a kid we used to sweat in the car with no air conditioning while the 2 lane Hathaway draw bridge was in the up mode letting big boats go through.
And Destin was nothing but open beach when Dad and I used to fish there in the early 60s. I guess they call it progress but I liked the old days better.

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Author	Topic: driving from Traverse City to Mackinac
Roland	posted 08-28-2006 05:32 PM ET (US) will someone provide me with driving directions from Traverse City to Mackinac? Thanks in advance!
Buckda	posted 08-28-2006 05:39 PM ET (US) Assume you mean on the road... This is an easy trip and can be quite a pretty drive. I'd just run up US 31. This takes you through Charlevoix (which is worth stopping if you have some time to spend here..your Wife will love you for it!). US 31 connects with I-75 about 5 miles or so South of Mackinaw City. If going to Mackinac Island via ferry - take it from Mac City. If you're doing it in your private boat, consider crossing the Bridge (about $5 toll) and launching from St. Ignace - they have a wonderful launch ramp and it's closer and more sheltered water out to the Island.
Roland	posted 08-28-2006 05:42 PM ET (US) good point, yes on land...thanks for the directions. U used mapquest and the directions took me another way. I was thinking one could arrive by your direcions, wasn't sure.
Buckda	posted 08-28-2006 05:54 PM ET (US) Yes - that is the scenic route. I saw in your profile that you're from Dallas - and thought you might appreciate seeing the communities you pass through, not just the green highway signs from more miles on the Interstate. Depending on your timeline, there are two good stops along the way - Petoskey/Harbor Springs ( your wife may tug at your arm to stop here anyway ) has a wonderful gas-lamp district and a very nice downtown. Charlevoix is the other worthwhile stop - great little town with a wonderful downtown shopping district. It's then a pretty and leisurely drive on up to Macinaw City. If you have more than one day in your itinerary for this area, spend the night in Mackinac City and visit colonial fort Michilimackinac (spelling is likely different!) in Mackinaw City before hitting the Island. Of course, the Grand Hotel is the premier property on Mackinac Island - but the Mission Point Resort is very nice as well. I'd spend the afternoon and all of the next day on the island. That's all you'll need to see it all. You can take a late ferry and be back to Traverse City for the third night if budget requires. If you're going this weekend, be prepared for Monday's bridge walk - lots of people walk the Bridge on Labor Day. I'll be 18 miles away (via water) in the Les Cheneaux Islands as well - so if you need a side trip, let me know before Friday! Dave
Buckda	posted 08-28-2006 06:05 PM ET (US) Sorry - reverse the order for Charlevoix and Petoskey. Coming from TC, you'll first encounter Charlevoix and then Petoskey, not the other way around.
PeteB88	posted 08-29-2006 03:43 AM ET (US) You can take a bunch of routes - I recommend that you take 119 through Harbor Springs - I believe there is a Whaler dealer there (Irish) and lots of Whalers including Dann who had a great Eastport or similar for sale, take 119 through Good Hart, keep going, follow map, as far as you can go - used to be some wonderful beaches along there great for hunting Petosky stones. When you get done exploring find the road to Bliss, check out Bliss General Store if still there, then make your way to Mackinaw City. Driving around Lake Charlevoix and Boyne City you will run into the Ironton Ferry and lots of cool stuff - I just keep driving around working my way N or S or whereever I am generally heading. I will get there. No problem finding your way around county roads which should be good roads. Exploring you will find Bay View area near Petosky on your way to Harbor - with like 400 classic summer homes, preserved on historic register and unforgetable. Lots of Ernest Hemingway history in that area - Walloon Lake, easy to find to create trip itinerary. enjoy yourself.
Florida15	posted 08-29-2006 10:24 AM ET (US) Dave, what is Charlevoix like now ? I went to 3rd and 4th grade there back in 1961 and 1962. Haven't been back since. I lived in one of those stone houses designed by Earl Young just a couple of blocks from downtown and a couple of blocks from the lighthouse at the channel on Lake Michigan. I had a great time while living there. I hope to get back up there one day. I do remember two things - that water was COLD even in the summer and after the sun went down, you needed a jacket even in the summer.
bsmotril	posted 08-29-2006 03:25 PM ET (US) If you will be driving north up 31 to Traverse City, also check out Manistee. It is another need little harbor town with a historical distric. There's a good book shop on the main street with some good books on great lakes lighthouses, and commercial ships that ply the lakes. There's a good antique mall for the missus there too. BillS
ConB	posted 08-29-2006 08:25 PM ET (US) Florida15, Charlevoix would be very recognizable to you, but. All the cool boatyards that where on round lake are gone. Replaced be condos. The neat Earl Young house that was on Round Lake north of the bridge is gone. Replaced by large house or condo. There are more boats and fudgies (tourists) than any one place should have. Water was warm enough to go swimming this summer. Thank you global warming. Con
PeteB88	posted 08-29-2006 10:44 PM ET (US) Ain't the same but what is? IF you go through Manistee, take the scenic drive along Lake Mich N to Onekema - very nice. I think you turn by the Burger King towards the State Park.
Florida15	posted 08-29-2006 11:32 PM ET (US) It doesn't surprise me. I figured a pretty town like that surrounded by water would become touristy by now. But then, I remember Panama City when it was a sleepy little town and you could actually see the Gulf driving down front beach road. When I was a kid we used to sweat in the car with no air conditioning while the 2 lane Hathaway draw bridge was in the up mode letting big boats go through. And Destin was nothing but open beach when Dad and I used to fish there in the early 60s. I guess they call it progress but I liked the old days better.