One of the things we love about having a home base in the Traverse City area is just how much of Northern Michigan is within reach.
Yes, there is plenty to do right here. But if you are willing to get in the car for a couple of hours, you can turn an ordinary day into a pretty great Northern Michigan adventure.
My kids know this well.
As mentioned in previous blogs, Patrick & Lauren and family came to Traverse City for an extended stay at their Dyer Lake Vacation Home (AKA “Michigan Home”). Part of their visit included a trip to Marquette for my daughter’s wedding (Patrick’s sister), but they also managed to squeeze in a few side adventures along the way.
Patrick grew up in Traverse City, so taking off for an eight- or ten-hour family adventure seems perfectly normal to him. When our kids were growing up, we did the same thing. Pack some snacks, pile everyone into the mini-van, pick a destination and see what we could find.
Northern Michigan is pretty good for that.
A Stop in Mackinaw City
One of their adventures this time was Mackinaw City.
Technically, this was not a traditional day trip from Traverse City. They stopped in Mackinaw City while driving back from Marquette, arriving around noon after nearly three hours on the road.
But that actually helps make the point. Mackinaw City is only a little over two hours from Dyer Lake Vacation Home, making it a very reasonable destination for a day of exploring from the Traverse City area.
There are several ways to get there, and the route you choose can be part of the adventure.
You can head north along US 31, passing through some familiar Northern Michigan communities before connecting with I 75 near the Mackinac Bridge. Another option takes you through Gaylord and then north on I 75. You can also make your way through Grayling.
If your main goal is getting to Mackinaw City quickly, especially if you are hoping to catch a ferry to Mackinac Island, the Gaylord route is usually the most direct.
But sometimes getting there is half the fun.
If you have the time, taking a different route home can turn the drive itself into another chance to explore Northern Michigan.
We Have Been Making This Trip for Years
When our four kids were younger, Mackinaw City was one of the day trips we made several times from Traverse City.
Sometimes we spent the day exploring Mackinaw City. Other times we crossed the Mackinac Bridge and wandered around St. Ignace. And sometimes we caught the ferry and headed over to Mackinac Island.
With four kids, we discovered that four to six hours of exploring was usually about right. It was enough time to have an adventure without reaching that point where everyone was tired, hungry, and suddenly annoyed by everyone else in the vehicle. Usually a few would fall asleep on the way home.
Parents know that point.
This time, our now grown kids decided to concentrate on Mackinaw City.
And apparently there was one attraction that absolutely had to be visited first.
Meeting Mack-A-Tron
Their first stop was Mackinaw Crossings to see Mack-A-Tron.
If you have a Transformer fan in the family, this one is hard to pass up.
Mack-A-Tron is a giant robot sculpture created from recycled automotive parts. With his yellow and black appearance, he bears more than a passing resemblance to Bumblebee from the Transformers movies.
Naturally, pictures were required.
It is one of those quirky roadside discoveries that makes a Northern Michigan road trip a little more fun. You might not plan an entire vacation around seeing a giant Transformer, but when you find one along the way, you stop. Those are the rules.
Time for Lunch
After their visit with Mack-A-Tron, it was time for lunch.
They did a little research before deciding where to eat and chose Audie’s Restaurant.
Everyone enjoyed their meal, and they found plenty of gluten free options, which made it a great choice for the family.
A little tip if you are planning your own visit to Mackinaw City. It is worth doing some research before choosing restaurants, shops, or lodging. A single local family has ownership interests in a significant number of tourism businesses in the area, something that may not always be obvious when looking at different business names and websites.
Some of the family’s hotel businesses were the subject of a Michigan Attorney General investigation involving consumer complaints and later entered into an agreement with the state requiring changes to certain business practices.
That does not mean you should skip Mackinaw City. Far from it. There are plenty of places to enjoy. We simply recommend checking recent reviews and doing a little research before deciding where to eat or shop.
That is what the kids did when choosing Audie’s, and they were very happy with their choice.
Rock Hunting Along the Shore
Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, they headed for the water.
Sometimes that is the best part of visiting Mackinaw City.
The Straits of Mackinac provide some beautiful views, with Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meeting beneath the Mackinac Bridge. Even if you have seen the bridge dozens of times, there is something about standing along the shoreline and looking out at it that never really gets old.
The kids spent part of the afternoon swimming, relaxing along the beach and hunting for rocks.
And they found quite a variety.
Among their discoveries were Petoskey stones and Charlevoix stones, two of Northern Michigan’s favorite shoreline treasures.
They even had their black lights with them after hunting for Yooperlites along Lake Superior.
Unfortunately, bright afternoon sunshine and black lights are not exactly the perfect combination.
They tried anyway.
Because when you have a black light in the car and a beach full of rocks in front of you, you really have no choice.
You Could Easily Spend the Whole Day Here
One place they did not visit on this trip was Colonial Michilimackinac, but it could easily be the focus of another Mackinaw City adventure.
Located near the southern end of the Mackinac Bridge, Colonial Michilimackinac brings the area’s history to life through the reconstructed eighteenth-century fort and fur trading village.
Visitors can explore historic buildings and exhibits while learning about the soldiers, traders and Native peoples who were part of life at the Straits of Mackinac. Depending on when you visit, you may also find demonstrations, reenactments, and hands-on activities.
For families interested in history, you could spend a good portion of your Mackinaw City day right here.
And that is really the challenge with Mackinaw City.
There is more to do than you can comfortably squeeze into one day.
You could visit Colonial Michilimackinac, walk along the waterfront, shop downtown, search the beaches for rocks, see the Mackinac Bridge, cross over to St. Ignace or hop aboard a ferry to Mackinac Island.
You do not have to do all of it.
Pick a couple of things that sound fun and enjoy the day.
Sometimes You Just Have to Go
After swimming, rock hunting and spending some time enjoying the view, it was finally time to get back in the truck and head toward Traverse City.
No complicated itinerary. No attempt to see every attraction in town.
They saw a giant Transformer, had a good lunch, hunted for Northern Michigan rocks, went swimming and enjoyed an afternoon along the Straits.
Sounds like a pretty successful family adventure to us.
And that is one of the things we hope guests at Dyer Lake Vacation Home discover while they are here.
Traverse City is not just a destination. It can also be a starting point.
Within an hour or two of Dyer Lake Vacation Home, you can find beaches, lighthouses, small towns, hiking trails, historic sites, and plenty of places you may never have thought about visiting before.
Mackinaw City is a little farther than some, but it is absolutely doable as a day trip.
Leave in the morning, give yourself plenty of time to explore, and do not worry about seeing everything.
You can always come back.
And knowing our family, we probably will.
Watch for more of our Northern Michigan day trip adventures as we share some of the places you can explore while making Dyer Lake Vacation Home your home base.
👉 Plan your Northern Michigan getaway
Many guests choose to book directly with us to avoid extra platform fees and save a little on their stay. We are always happy to answer questions and help you feel comfortable with the process.
If you prefer using Airbnb, that option is available as well. We want you to book in the way that feels easiest for you.
When you are ready, you can check availability and reserve your dates below.
Book Direct & Save | Book on Airbnb
Our home has been part of our family’s story for years, and because Patrick and Lauren spend so much time here themselves, they make sure it is stocked with the same comforts and conveniences they appreciate. We hope your family creates just as many wonderful memories here as ours has.
