USVI-On-Line

Hello,
I'm looking for some trip advice and thought I'd ask this well traveled group of forumites who seem to possess a wealth of information. Unfortunately, St John is out of the question for our group this time around so we're trying to plan a trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan for a family reunion of sorts. I am completely unfamiliar with the area. Ideally we'd like to find a house to rent that is on the water and close to the dunes and the park. Any suggestions (other than vrbo.com) on where to look? Is there a house/cabin rental company or real estate agent that is good to work with? Any particular town or area we should stay in that may be better than another for one reason or another? Thanks for the help!

I recommend looking for a house or cabin to rent on Glen Lake. It's an absolutely beautiful lake close by to SBD. Every time we go up there, my wife comments that it reminds her of the Caribbean. The water is clear and bright blue (and a bit on the cold side usually). The whole area is very nice. We spend every 4th of July up there as my parents live up in the area. We usually stay with my parents so I can't recommend a real estate agent, but I know I've seen plenty of them offering rentals.

I was just in the area last week and picked up a small flyer/map. Check out this website: http://www.visitbenzie.com/ Benzie county is the county that the southern portion of the SB Dunes is on. Leelanau county http://www.michiweb.com/leelanau/ is the county just to the north of Benzie. It becomes a penninsula that has lots of wineries to tour and beautiful Lake Michigan lakeshore also. Glen Lake (in Leelanau county) is lovely as the previous poster stated. Benzie county has Crystal Lake and Platte Lake which also have lots of vacation rental cottages. This think you'll find valuable info on the 2 sites I suggested. I hope you do decide to take the trip and enjoy Pure Michigan. It's the reason I go to the caribbean in the Winter. I need to stay in my "own backyard" during the Summer and enjoy the beauty that we have here.
~ Nancy

Well, here is some expert advice as I am very close to Crystal Lake and the Sand Dunes. You want to stay in the Frankfort area-wonderful. I don't know when you are planning to come but after this weekend things really wind down. We have an Art Fair that is very well known-not to be missed, but there will be tons of people in town. A very photographed light house at Pt. Betsie. Just google Frankfort/Elberta Chamber of Commerce and you will find many homes to rent-but for what some of these cost if you are near any of the surrounding lakes you could go to St. John. If you come on UP NORTH ENJOY!
mricco

I was just checking out this site because a co-worker was on Good Morning America this morning. After just reading your post I went to see her segment and there was a segment about Sleeping Bear Duneshttp://abcnews.go.com/GMA/

Hope it helps!

michigancouple wrote:I was just in the area last week and picked up a small flyer/map. Check out this website: http://www.visitbenzie.com/ Benzie county is the county that the southern portion of the SB Dunes is on. Leelanau county I need to stay in my "own backyard" during the Summer and enjoy the beauty that we have here.
~ Nancy

question what's the water temps like in the summer, here in New England the ocean is low - mid 60's and lakes mid 70's during mid summer always wondered about the great lakes?

The Great Lakes are pretty cold. I tried to swim in Lake Michigan over July 4th and it was ice cold. The smaller inland lakes aren't bad - still cold - but not too bad. Not sure the actual temps though.

Sleeping bear dunes was voted the most beautiful place in America this morning,on yahoo news. We love the area and the town at petosky.

Thanks for the tips everyone. Not unlike our first trip to St John, there is lots to sort through. We're looking to go next summer and have a specific week we must rent a house so the planning starts now so we can get the right place for the right week. There's nothing like vacation planning!

Yes, Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes was voted the most beautiful place in America-the secret is out! The Detroit Free Press had quite a spread on it. Living here you take so much for granted.
mricco