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One of my favorite gifts to give my loved ones is the gift of travel. My husband had never left the country before I dragged him to the Azores, and that truly opened his eyes to the beauty of the globe. For a birthday a few years ago, my brother and I took my mom to Montreal. Because you never know what might derail your plans, I always think you you should make the most of local spots. Who says you can’t enjoy something like a quick Michigan getaway, even if you’re saving up for a grand international adventure?
This Mother’s Day, consider taking your mom on a quick getaway to Michigan. Long days, great lakes, a slower pace of life, and plenty of Americana to enjoy, here are some quick Michigan getaways to consider for a Mother’s Day gift.
Discover Ludington, Michigan at the Lamplighter Inn
Ludington, Michigan is not only home to the gorgeous Ludington State Park, it also happens to be a darling port city. Even today, it still receives passengers from across the lake! The S.S. Badger runs daily in the summers. It shuttles visitors from Manitowoc, Wisconsin to Ludington and back for quick Michigan getaways. Quaint shops, breweries, and even a decommissioned passenger liner are all draws for the area. Let mom enjoy a well deserved rest at the Lamplighter Inn, with delicious breakfast service each day for under $200/night. Outside of the inn, enjoy all the things to do in Ludington.
A Quick Michigan Getaway and Arts and Garden Retreat : Saugatuck, Michigan
Treat your mom to an art and garden tour this Mother’s Day, with a stay at The Hotel Saugatuck. Enjoy a complimentary in-room breakfast, then head to meet local artisans. Peruse their works, catch demonstrations such as a live aluminum pour, and visit the beautiful Saugatuck/Douglas, Hamilton, and Fennville countryside.
Maybe even stop in at Virtue Cider while you’re in Fennville! With a special Mother’s Day picnic, live music, and pop-up flower shop, you’ll definitely become the favorite child.
While you explore, don’t forget to stop at a breathtaking sculpture meadow and lavender farm. There are seven stops within a short drive from one another – see them all in one day or spread it out over two. For more details visit www.artzandgardenz.com. Admission to the tour is free from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12, 2019.
The Hotel Saugatuck is an 18-room luxury bed and breakfast with views of Lake Kalamazoo. It has modern amenities, and is blocks from the small-town of Saugatuck and minutes from Douglas. Built in 1865, The Hotel Saugatuck, is the only original, local mill still standing from the lumber boom. All rooms feature king sized beds, private bathrooms and hydrotherapy tubs. What’s more, you don’t even have to leave your room to eat! There is in-room breakfast, in-room dessert, fireplaces, and individual climate control.
Walk in Ernest Hemingway’s Footsteps at One of Three Stafford’s Properties: Petoskey, Michigan
In the Petoskey area, beautiful hotels and world class staff are synonymous with Stafford’s Hospitality. For over 50 years, Stafford’s has provided excellent hospitality to the historic properties of Northern Michigan. Visitors are treated to the relaxation of Northern Michigan and the amenities of a major city.
With three properties in the area, you can take your mom on a trip that suits her fancy. Interested in a hotel in the historic downtown, walkable to just about everything you’d want to do in Petoskey? Stafford’s Perry Hotel is your best bet. Does she prefer Queen Anne architecture a little offset from downtown? Sounds like she’d love the Bay View Inn. Maybe she prefers something out of town and more rustic? Crooked River Lodge may be so good, she may want to return for a winter getaway.
A Bird Watching Michigan Getaway: Oscoda, Michigan
I have to admit: Lake Huron is the only Great Lake I’ve never visited. I can’t tell you why, but, such is life. When Huron House sent over information about their bird watching getaways, I knew it was being added to the bucket list.
Just west of Oscada is the Huron National Forest. In the 145 miles of forest that hugs U.S. 23, there are over 400 known bird species. In May, many birds that have flown south for the winter migrate back to the area, making it a birder’s paradise. While the entire month of May should be great for bird watchers, May 16-18, 2019 is especially memorable due the Audubon Society’s Tawas Point Birding Festival.
The majesty of gazing upon birds in the forest is matched by the luxury accommodations of Huron House. A 14-room bed-and-breakfast, each room features king beds, fireplaces, private en suite bathrooms in-room Jacuzzis or private outdoor hot tubs. All but one have lake views, and the entire property is adults only.
From April through June, enjoy the Birding Package which includes:
- Overnight stay at the Huron House
- Printed map to birding hotspots
- 2 bottles of water to hydrate you along your birding adventure
- Complimentary in-room breakfast
- Complimentary parking at Huron House
- Included wireless internet
- Package costs start at $209 plus tax and vary by room selection and length of stay. The optional admission to the birding festival is to be purchased separately online.
Enjoy the Spoils of the Copper Boom on the Keweenaw Peninsula
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula may not be a quick trip for Chicagoans, but it certainly is for our Wisconsin neighbors to the north! While the unbridled wilderness of the Upper Peninsula is legendary, the incredibly wealthy former mining towns are unexpected. Enjoy the historic old towns, the views, and the beautiful bed and breakfasts. Laurium Manor Inn and its sister property, Victorian Manor Inn are certainly an indulgence fit sure to treat a hardworking or retired mom.
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