Vacation - Clinton Township,MI

Silver beach is gorgeous.

My mom grew-up in South Bend, IN, and my friend lives in Berrien Center, MI. Mom remembered Tower Hill, so we've been to Warren Dunes State Park a few times. Last time, though, they wouldn't let us in because we had our dog with us.

So, we went to St. Joseph to Silver Beach. What a diamond in the rough. I had no idea how gorgeous it was. The beach was BEAUTIFUL, but finding a parking spot that weekend was tough (it was Labor Day weekend).

We're hoping to take a day trip up there this summer - our daughter just had tubes again, so we'll see if we want to take a chance with lake water against ENT's advice.

Indiana Dunes is supposed to be really nice, too, but despite being an Indiana resident, we've never been.

We have family that lives in Grand Haven, its a great little town south of Muskegon, its got some great shopping and nice beaches. The Coast Guard Festival is great too.

http://www.coastguardfest.org/festival-schedule/eventlist

Howdy,
My family goes to Frankfort every summer it is a lovely little town. Quiet, has a great hotel on the lake where you can get a condo style hotel room (kitchen, livingroom, bedroom, balcony) and it is right off the beach. The town has quaint little shops and you are 1 hour from Traverse and 45 minutes from sleeping bear dunes and crystal mountain for the kids. Makes for a nice vacation.

I lived in the Muskegon area for 18 years so my ideas would be Grand Haven State park if you want close places to eat and little town atmosphere for expensive shops. Pere Marquette beach only has one eating place (bar atmosphere) and no shops within walking distance. But their Lakeside area is quite quaint for shops and eating but a mile to walk there from beach. Both beaches have flush toilet areas and depending on the time of day they have small snack bars open. Muskegon State park is far from any shopping areas but is quite beatuiful too, able to do hiking there too. Tourist places for an activity they have Michigan adventure in Muskegon (half amusement park 1/2 water park; owned by Cedar Point but on a much smaller scale, ticktets about $23 I think) Silver Lake area is a bit more north but full of all kinds of tourist stuff along with the beach (sand dune rides). Let me know if there are any more questions you have I am happy to help, if you have a particular habby or something you want to do.

Absolutely head to Ludington! On Friday nights, they cater to the kids in the summer and its a lot of fun. There is a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan that has a playground area/skate board park. The State Park is about a mile away from down town which is also great.

Our family loves it so much that we make it an annual summer trip to the area.

Try Saugatuck - google it - pretty small town with fun shops and places to eat and great beaches!