Great Northern Michigan Vacations

It’s a rite of passage for many. Friday afternoon, load up the kids and the car and work your way over to I-75 north and begin the crawl to your destination in Northern Michigan. Although the thought of creeping along in your car with thousands of other people with the same itinerary may seem daunting, the reward is worth the trip.

In particular, if you head to someplace like Crystal Mountain, Garland Resort or Grand Traverse, you will experience some of the greatest resort living that Michigan, or any state, has to offer.

Whether you enjoy golfing, fishing, water skiing, boating or just relaxing with a good book, there is something for you at each of theses resorts.

Garland Resort, located in Lewiston, Michigan, is a slice of heaven lost in the woods of mid-Michigan. With four challenging golf courses, miles of trails, a pool, indoor Jacuzzi and spa services, you can custom-design the vacation of your choice.

There are a variety of living quarters for you to choose. The main lodge offers elegant spacious rooms conveniently located near the pro shop, gym, lap pool, sauna and Jacuzzi and restaurant.

If you are seeking more privacy, choose one of the many types of villas that are scattered throughout the grounds. From one and two bedroom villas whose log cabin design give you a true feeling of rustic adventures, to the golf cottages and condos complete with kitchens and multiple sleeping areas, Garland can accommodate just about any size family.

The four championship golf courses include: Swampfire, The Fountains, Monarch and the Reflections. Each with its own identity and challenges, the multiple tee boxes can change the dynamics of the course depending upon your skill level.

If golf is not your game, you can hike or mountain bike the numerous nature trails, try your hand at fishing in the nearby lakes, ponds or river, or take a leisurely canoe/tube ride along the Ausable River. Whatever your pleasure, you can experience it in Garland.

If you like to be closer to some mainstream action, yet enjoy the resort living, head to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City. With over $12 million in upgrades over the last four years, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa may not be the same resort you visited years ago, although it still offers some of the greatest resort experiences of anywhere in Michigan.

According to J. Mike DeAgostino, public relations manager, they have upgraded the lobby, guest rooms, spa, and renovated the 16th floor restaurant formerly known as Trillium (scheduled to re-open June 1 under a new name).

“The rooms have been updated, redone from floor to ceiling,” says DeAgostino. “There’s new furniture, new bedding with pillow top mattresses that are quite nice, and we did that in the tower and the hotel. We are in the process of working with the private condo owners to update those as well. We want to upgrade the guest experience as much as we can.”

With three championship golf courses; the Wolverine, The Bear, and Spruce Run designed by Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and William Newcomb respectively, you can expect challenging, picturesque courses accentuating Northwest Michigan’s beautiful terrain.

However, there is plenty of activities when the golf day is finished. With a newly remodeled spa offering everything from pedicures and manicures to couples and dining massages, you can unwind at the end of the day and enjoy the finer things of vacationing.

During the day, you can enjoy the Shores Beach Club located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Whether you relax on the beach, soaking in the sun, or venture out on to the waters in one of the many available watercraft, the Shores Beach Club can enhance your Grand Traverse experience.

“There are tons of things to do in the summertime,” says DeAgostino. “Friday and Saturday nights we have a bonfire at the Shores Beach Club with a guitar player and s’mores; we have a great tennis program and kids’ programs.”

If shopping is more to your liking, you can enjoy the shopping at the resort’s Gallery of Shops, or venture out into Traverse City at the many local, novelty shops. With so much to do including nearby casinos such as Turtle Creek or the Leelanau Sands in Leelanau County, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa can truly add to your up-north vacation experience.

Finally, Crystal Mountain Golf and Ski Resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Located in Thompsonville, Michigan on the northwest side of the state, Crystal Mountain has been the perfect getaway for couples, friends and families alike.

As part of their anniversary, they are offering $50 in savings for guests staying three nights (lodging only); or two nights for the golf packages. The $50 can be applied to a anything at the resort including your lodging, golf, pro shop, activities or food, says Brian Lawson, public relations manager.

If you are looking for a family adventure, Crystal Mountain may be the place for you. They have 36 holes of outstanding golf, including the Mountain Ridge course which is the home to the Michigan Women’s Open each July. If you are looking to improve your game, or start your kids off on the right foot, Crystal Mountain offers 90 golf schools including junior programs.

For those hot days, a one acre water park called The Park at Water’s Edge is an outdoor water playground that is sure to entertain your kids. You can also enjoy a 4,200 square-foot pool, complete with a playground structure that splashes, dumps and sprays water all around the kids. The park is surrounded by the cottage accommodations, some of the popular family accommodations on the grounds.

This year, Crystal Mountain is also introducing a nursery program for children ages three and under. This half-day or full-day program allows for parents to enjoy some of the adult amenities but still enjoy other activities with their family. Parents can have the peace of mind that their children are well-taken care of while they enjoy the golf, spa or other activities along the mountain.

For teens, a new scavenger hunt on the mountain is being introduced along with dances, trips to a nearby drive-in movie theater and inner tube trips down the Platt River.

For the active, healthy, adventurous type, “Geocaching” – an adventure where participants utilize GPS units and locate different coordinates on the mountain – is new to Crystal Mountain. “We cater to people who are looking to be particularly healthy while vacationing,” says Lawson. “We offer pilates, yoga classes, and mountain climbs along with healthy meals in our two restaurants.”

It’s not too late to plan your getaway to northern Michigan. Be sure to check out the websites of each of the resorts to see what adventure you would like to take on this summer. Whichever your choice, you can’t go wrong in the summertime in Michigan.