Little Traverse Bay, Michigan
Brought to you by Trailer Life magazine
Do white picket fences, pies cooling on windowsills, a quaint downtown with an ice-cream shop and post office make you reminisce for the good ol’ days? Whether you lived during the mid-century or just enjoy watching AMC’s hit TV series “Mad Men,” the Little Traverse Bay area at the northern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula retains the hallmarks of small
American towns from the 1950s and 60s and combines them with modern conveniences and amenities.
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The area has been attracting American families looking for a relaxing and chic vacation not too far from home for more than a hundred years, and much of the region has retained the charm and simplicity of years past.
The area is known for having a booming housing market for summer homes and for its wealthy (and sometimes famous) visitors to the area, including many executives of the auto industry during its heyday, and the Wrigley and Gamble families (of Procter and Gamble). But perhaps the most famous name associated with the area is Ernest Hemingway, who spent his childhood summers in a cottage on Walloon Lake, learning to hunt, fish and camp in the woods. He wrote about the area in many of his short stories. Hemingway artifacts can be seen at the Little Traverse History Museum in Petoskey.
With the shores of Lake Michigan all around, there are endless opportunities for recreation on the water. The town of Bay Harbor has a fantastic marina, and a sunset cruise (there are several out of Charlevoix) is a great way to see the stunning houses that line the shores while observing a magnificent sunset.
On shore, pick up some gifts for family members who are missing out on the fun at the Village at Bay Harbor shops, wipe the dust off your golf clubs and take a swing at one of the six golf resorts in the area, or visit a world-class equestrian club. If you’re there during the peak of cherry season between July and August, be sure to grab a slice of cherry
pie or a paper cup of cherries from a street-side vendor. The Bay Harbor Art Fair on August 7 displays works of art from over 80 regional and national artists. If you choose to visit the area when it’s a bit too chilly to take a dip in the pristine fresh water of Lake Michigan, there are three large ski resorts to choose from – Nub’s Nob, Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain – that offer everything from skiing to ice skating.
Fortunately for RVers, there are several campgrounds to choose from in and around Little Traverse Bay. Class A motorhome owners won’t want to miss the pet-friendly, luxury Motorcoach Resort at Bay Harbor. Nestled along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the town of Bay Harbor, the location is a great starting point for your exploration of the Little
Traverse Bay area. Walking paths weave around each of the 78 sites, which are beautifully landscaped and offer full hookups. The clubhouse at the resort is not your typical clubhouse – a home theater, billiard room, two card rooms, large meeting room, and an outdoor patio with a wood-burning fireplace are just a few of the features that make it
easy to mix and mingle with fellow campers. For some much-needed R&R after a day of putting around at the nine-hole putting course on-site or serving up a game of tennis, head to the heated swimming pool and spa or the state-of-the-art fitness center with saunas. End the night with a cocktail at the fully equipped bar while watching the sun cast a burnt orange glow over the waters of Lake Michigan, and you’ll see why Little Traverse Bay has been the perfect American vacation spot for decades.
For more information about Little Traverse Bay, visit the Petroskey Regional Chamber of Commerce at www.petoskey.com or call 231-347-4150.
For more information about the Motorcoach Resort at Bay Harbor, visit <a href=”http://www.signaturervresorts.com” target=”_blank”>www.signaturervresorts.comor</a> call 877-348-2401.
