| If you are smart, you might be thinking exactly what | | | | near Traverse City and it is sure to be number one |
| I'm thinking that this is the perfect time for a | | | | on your list once you get a sight of the Caribbean |
| Michigan family vacation. Yes, any time of the year is | | | | color of the water. |
| the perfect time for the perfect family vacation in an | | | | It is a fabulous blue-green color and is crystal clear. |
| exquisite setting - the Great Lakes State. | | | | One other unique feature of this lake has to be the |
| If you like to hike, swim, fish, play in the outdoors | | | | sandbars jutting hundreds of feet into the center of |
| and generally have affordable fun with your family | | | | the lake. These sandbars make parts of the |
| then let me tell you a little more about why to chose | | | | lakeshore very shallow and the clarity of the water |
| Michigan for your family vacation destination. | | | | means that water depth is hard to discern from a |
| All the outdoor activities can be found in Cadillac | | | | boat. While it looks like you are surely far enough |
| whether it is summer or winter. For that snowy | | | | from the shore for the water to be over your head, |
| winter vacation, try the miles and miles of | | | | it may actually only be knee deep. |
| snowmobile trails and ice fishing at Lakes Cadillac and | | | | While you are this close to Traverse City, you should |
| Mitchell along with skiing at the Caberfae Ski Resort. | | | | head over and check out the Great Wolf Lodge. |
| There's no end to the summer activities including | | | | There you will find a large indoor waterpark as well |
| swimming at the state park, bicycling, fishing, hiking, | | | | as an outdoor pool, several restaurants, and - the |
| boating and water skiing. Cadillac also features a | | | | best part - live buffalo! |
| great City Park with a real locomotive from the | | | | If you need more water fun, head to Utica for Four |
| logging days gone by. | | | | Bears Water Park and Recreation Area or Splash |
| Imagine a 400 feet high mountain of beach sand all | | | | Universe in Dundee. |
| bright and golden colored. This is what you and your | | | | Leave your car at the hotel and hop a ferryboat or |
| children will see at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Once you | | | | plane to visit Mackinac Island. Once there, you can |
| scale it you can hike across to meet the beautiful | | | | explore the island by foot, bicycle or even horse and |
| blue waters of Lake Michigan. That is if you are not | | | | buggy. You don't want to miss the British built Fort |
| buried in the sand first. | | | | Mackinac, a Revolutionary War site. But don't sound |
| To cool off from the sand dune, try the Detroit Zoo | | | | like a tourist while you are there - be sure and |
| in Royal Oak. Here you will be impressed by an | | | | pronounce the name of the island correctly - it's |
| amazing array of 2,500 animals along with many, | | | | "Mackinaw". |
| many plants and trees. Quite a few of the animals | | | | Michigan can truly be called a Winter Wonderland. The |
| here are on the endangered list. There are so many | | | | state abounds in ski resorts, ski trails, and |
| exhibits to explore but you certainly don't want to | | | | snowmobile trails. Don't you hear one calling you? |
| miss the Arctic Ring of Life. It is the largest polar | | | | Once you try a Michigan family vacation you will be |
| bear exhibit in the world. | | | | back for years to come for the memories, outdoor |
| A trip to Michigan would not be complete without a | | | | activities and all the great people you meet along the |
| trip to what National Geographic has named "the 3rd | | | | way. |
| most beautiful lake in the world". It is Torch Lake | | | | |