www.iFourWinns.com

We're considering taking a drive over to the Michigan side of the lake (my boat is a little on the small side for crossing). I'm curious from those that either live or have been over there where the good stops are and fun things to do. I've always been on the west side of the lake and have never been on the east side. Those of you that have posted pictures from there have raised my interest in checking it out. So we're taking an impromptu road trip between vacations in northern WI before school starts.

We're likely to go as far north as Ludington and will spend a couple days in the southern part and a couple days in that area.

I have a 8 year old son, so things to keep him interested are good and my wife likes the small town shops in addition to being a photographer looking for potential images.

Any tips or pointers that you have would be great.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

I can speak for Grand Haven. Great little coastal town with good shopping within walking distance of the docks. Great food and an INCREDIBLE bank a few blocks from the water with the best staff and boss ever! (shameless plug). We have a very nice boat launch that allows overnight parking for truck and trailer. We're 3 hours from the loop in Chicago by truck and from GH you can hit all of the ports either north or south. South Haven is a resonable day trip south as is Manistee North.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

Grand Haven from this weekend.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

Are you bringing your boat?

Do you plan to stay at hotels?

The one thing that Michigan has that Wisconsin doesn't is sand, sand dunes and sandy beaches and lots of them.

From South to North here are the towns worth checking out (IMHO):

South Haven
Saugatuck
Holland
Grand Haven
Muskegon...(if you have your boat)
Silver Lake (sand dunes? take a dune ride or rent a jeep or something)
Pentwater
Ludington

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

For small town shops, Saugatuck and Grand Haven are good choices. If you have your boat, Muskegon offers the biggest variety all in one area. For beaches, it's Grand Haven or Muskegon. No state park sticker required for Pere Marquette park in Muskegon. If you do stop in Muskegon, your son will no doubt like Michigan's Adventure.
Whitehall is a nice town between Muskegon and Ludington, access to White Lake for boating as well as a channel to
Lake Michigan. Ludington State Park beach can be accessed with out a sticker, as well a the muni beach downtown.
There is an AJ's in Ludington as well.

Any other questions, just fire away. We live here in West Michigan, and know the area pretty well.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Holy crap Dave... when did he get so big! It seems like just yesterday that you were travelling back and forth to the hospital to see them.

Glad everyone appears well!

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Thanks for the info!

We're not bringing the boat , so we're making this trip all by land. We also plan on staying in hotels (pool requirement) that are within close proximity to everything.

I think there was a Holiday Inn or Courtyard somewhere around Grand Haven that looked appealing. Suggestions are welcome since the photos online always seem to look good.

Thanks for the pictures Dave they look great, it's definitely a different scene than on this side of the lake.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

No Boat ?????? You can still have fun, but it would be double the fun with your boat.

Muskegon State Park. on Lake Michigan


Muskegon Lake


Entering Muskegon Channel. Pere Marquette beach on the right, State Park on the left.


Silver Lake from top of Dunes


Muskegon Lighthouse

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Great pictures Cap'n - Makes me want to get out there for a visit!

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Rob,
You will forever be spoiled by the beauty of the Michigan side of Lake Michigan. It's so depressing to experience water that clear and then come back to Green Bay. We truly got the shaft with overall water conditions!

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

Are you planning to go down and around the lake through Chicago?

Have you thought about taking the Lake Express Ferry? Honestly, it is worth almost every penny. Time saved, lower stress and a fun little adventure in and of itself.

If you took the ferry you could theoretically head North from Muskegon and see some of the most beautiful shoreline in the world and continue on around the lake back towards home.

Just a thought. Since you are already close to Milwaukee I think it could really be worth it.

Here is a shot off the bow of the ferry leaving Muskegon. It was pretty foggy until we were in the middle of the lake.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

We were going to go to Wisconsin Dells for a couple days, but after seeing Michael's pictures I made the suggestion to my wife, who jumped at the idea. Cap'n - that's exactly the type of stuff we're looking for.

I know I'm missing out a bit without the boat, but I'll be back in the water during the end of the week when we head up to the Manitowish Waters area.

Yes, we're heading around through Chicago. I also considered going through the UP, but it added a lot of time and since we'll be in that area towards the end of the week, the southern route would be best.

I did think about the ferry returning home, but the timing would be awkward for leaving. Also, we would like to take some of the side roads and explore a little. My wife is always looking for unique stuff to photograph for her portfolio. Here's some of the stuff she has posted: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennylongpics/

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Awesome images, your wife has a great eye!

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

If you're going all the way to ludington, you might as well visit the rest of the coast....Manistee, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, Leelanau/Old Mission Penninsulas for wine tours, Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Mackinaw City/Island....

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'99 Horizon 200