[jumpygh]

Originally Posted by Cliffie

Scout around on the waestern coast. It's beautiful and there are zillions of places to stay. May I recommend Petoskey?

I just spent the long weekend camping in Petoskey, and it's beautiful up there. Charlevoix and Harbor Springs are very nearby and also great. There's a ton to do up there!

[jumpygh]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Personally I like Glen Arbor. Not much in town itself, but it is located right between Glen Lake and Lake Michigan. Quiet, but a short drive to the winery's on the Leelanau Peninsula, Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and just a nice get away. Plus there is the Leelanau Coffee Roasters there and they have a fantastic Manitou Blueberry coffee that is out of this world good.

Agree on Glen Arbor. My wife and I have talked about buying property in the area to eventually build a retirement home. You can actually view the dunes from Glen Lake (and vice versa)--absolutely gorgeous!

[suydam]

Ditto on Glen Arbor.

If you're more into an urban experience, downtown Traverse City is great (and still tiny) and right on the water.

Best wines in the entire state are on the Leelanau Peninsula and Old Mission Peninsula. They have official designation too, so if the label says "leelanau peninsula wine" they mean it...grapes grown locally. I've stopped at wineries all over the south where the grapes are trucked in from California. That sorta ruins it for me and I really love those Virginia, Niagara and Northern Michigan vineyards that actually bottle wine grown locally.

Old Mission Peninsula:
Old Mission Peninsula - Northwest Michigan

Leelanau Peninsula Vintners:
leelanau peninsula vintners association ~ leelanau county wine & wineries

For your money, I'd say Traverse City/Leelanau area (incl. Glen Arbor) is your best bet. But there are many other great options (as mentioned by others), so plan to come back every year!