Michigan-Detroit

Honeymoon Help: Traverse City or Mackinaw Island?

So for our honeymoon, we are spending Saturday-Friday at a resort up north in Bellaire, MI (Shanty Creek). We would like to spend two more nights at a different location, and I am torn between Traverse City and Mackinaw Island. I have been to both, but not in the last like 10 years, and FI has never been to either place.

What are your thoughts? Both places are so nice! I can't decide!

(and if anyone has hotel/ B&B/ resort reccommendations for either place, please let me know :))

Thanks in advance!
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Re: Honeymoon Help: Traverse City or Mackinaw Island?

  • If it were me, I'd probably do Mackinac Island. Traverse City is really an "area", not a city, there are great vineyards, wine tours, etc, but it is spread out.

    Mackinac Island is so quaint, so many "touristy things" in one spot, you can rent bikes. Don't get me wrong, I like both, but think Mackinac Island just has panache.

    I have no recommendations, I'm sure others would. When planning my honeymoon I used www.tripadvisor.com for every restaurant, hotel, B&B. I highly recommend it. It's reviews by real people who experienced the venue, and I was never disappointed.
  • I would definitely recommend Mackinac Island. FI and I love it there, its where he proposed to me this summer, we stayed on the mainland though. We went up there for a wedding in September and stayed at Mission Point. It is beautiful but a bit on the pricier side. Keep in mind though, if you are going this summer, most of the hotels are old and dont have air conditioning. I know some of them do, but not sure which ones.. I personally think there is so much more to do on Mackinac Island over Traverse City. I love the horsedrawn carriage tours and renting bikes.
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  • I'd pick TC. Great wineries, restaurants and a nightlife - it seems to have more of a younger crowd. DH and I spend a weekend up there every year. Spend a day on the Old Mission wineries, go to The Boathouse for dinner, stay at Chateau Chantal (nice, but expensive winery/B&B). If you want a cheaper TC hotel, the Hampton Inn is always nice (and located close to downtown). Go to the spa at the Grand Traverse resort and get dinner at the restaurant at the top (I cant remember the name, but it was a pretty view). Or go to the casino (I always win there). Spend a day on the Leelanau wineries and go back to downtown TC for dinner (Red Ginger is fun) and hit up some dive bars. Take a day trip to Peoskey and drive the tunnel of trees.
  • I've never been to Traverse but I'd pick that. It sounds cooler to me.

    Mackinaw is just families and horse crap everywhere. Nasty.
    June 16, 2012
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  • I'm no help since I'm spending 2 nights at both spots for my honeymoon lol. Have fun and good luck deciding!
  • I'd pick TC because in my mind there's more to do since it is an area. There's great wine tasting tours (or you can self-tour) and you can go to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Mackinac gets boring after a day or two. But, since you say you only need a place for a day or so, Mackinac might be OK!
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  • TC!  More to do, even though it is a little spread out.  But nothing's more than a short car ride away.  And you can stop at tons of cute little wineries or shops while you're on the way to a nice beach or dinner or whatever.  More of a nightlife.  More variety.  I'd get bored on the island after one day.
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  • I love wine, so I would go for Traverse just because it's more reasonable prices and...well wine.
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  • I would pick Traverse City.  There is much more to do there: trails and outdoor events (if you both are active), a plethora of wineries, great food, spas, and great beaches.  And if it is a rainy day, you can see a movie at the historical State theater.
  • My FI and I are honeymooning across northern Michigan, Mackinaw Island included!  Being from close to Traverse I would say the Island.  Traverse is beautiful but Mackinaw seems more fit for a honeymoon.  It is expensive but you can stay on the mainland or get a room at the Grand Hotel which would have AC.  There are a lot of nice B&B's but have no names.  Good Luck!!  
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