FeFe Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I really want a house right on the lake far from the busyness of a town. However, we'll be sharing a house with another family and all together we'll have four teenagers and two younger kids. I know the teens would probably enjoy having the ability to walk around town and have things to do rather than be in a location where we'd have to drive there. I have been to Silver Beach but it's been a couple of years and I didn't really look through a teens eyes while we were there. I know it's busy and family oriented though. Any ideas of other towns to check out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Ludington and Traverse City...you can stay outside Traverse on the Bay, but close enough to do things. Also, Petoskey...it has a very nice old downtown to walk around as well as a movie theater, book store, art galleries, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Grand Haven has a lot to offer for all ages. The trolley takes you on a loop around town. Downtown has a great mix of stores and places to eat. The boardwalk and beach is also very teen friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeFe Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 Thank you! I will check into these. I guess I should add that the other family will be traveling from Georgia and we're in Indianapolis. I'd like to keep it to less than three hours from Indianapolis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&Rs Mom Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 I'd like to keep it to less than three hours from Indianapolis. I don't think that's likely. We're 20 min east of the lake, not terribly far north of the state line, and it takes about 4 hr to Indianapolis. St Joseph is about the farthest south you'll get on Lake Michigan, but I wouldn't say there's much there for teens. Go another hour north to Saugatuck/Douglas - very active tourist area. South Haven is good, Grand Haven is better (but still further north); I don't think Holland or Muskegon are really what you're looking for (not as walkable except in small areas that aren't on the water). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenC3 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 My parents live in Holland and it's awesome there, very family friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeFe Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 I don't think that's likely. We're 20 min east of the lake, not terribly far north of the state line, and it takes about 4 hr to Indianapolis. St Joseph is about the farthest south you'll get on Lake Michigan, but I wouldn't say there's much there for teens. Go another hour north to Saugatuck/Douglas - very active tourist area. South Haven is good, Grand Haven is better (but still further north); I don't think Holland or Muskegon are really what you're looking for (not as walkable except in small areas that aren't on the water). You're right. Now that I think about it, when we lived in Fort Wayne, Saint Joseph was about 2 hours. Fort Wayne is almost 2 hours from here. Thanks for pointing it out. Off to check all of these out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeFe Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 Grand Haven looks like it might be the best option. It seems like you're either close to the beach or close to the boardwalk area. Is this right? Can anyone give me an idea of the best area to stay in? Ideally we'd be close enough to walk with no problems but still close enough for the teens to walk around downtown, I guess no more than a mile or so. It's tough to decide where to stay when you don't know the layout of the town, you know. Normally, I wouldn't fret over it but we're have someone who will hopefully be cancer free but just still recovering and I want him to be able to get to the beach easily and yet still be convenient for the kids to walk around alone. If you just happen to know of the perfect house that will sleep 10 - let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 The boardwalk in Grand Haven follows the Grand River for about 2 miles all the way out to the light house. The beach is obviously along Lake Michigan so basically the beach and the boardwalk form a right angel to each other. As you walk along the boardwalk you will be walking next to the beach at the end. Hope that makes sense. The boardwalk is basically east to west and the beach runs north and south. There is a spot at the beach--maybe city beach--where they have special beach wheelchairs and a special plank walkway where you can access the beach with limited mobility. Check out the Grand Haven visitors website for houses to rent. Feel free to PM me for more information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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