If you’re planning a Michigan getaway, get ready for stunning lakes, charming resorts, and – let’s be honest – a whole lot of out-of-towners. While locals might steer clear of these spots once summer hits, travelers still can’t resist their scenic beauty, luxury lodges, and Instagram-worthy views. Here’s what you should know before you book your stay in Michigan.
1. Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island)
Michigan’s most iconic resort sits like a crown jewel on Mackinac Island, boasting the world’s longest porch and enough Victorian charm to fill a dozen postcards. But ask any local, and they’ll tell you the magic fades fast once Memorial Day arrives and the island transforms into a selfie-seeking circus.
Horse-drawn carriages battle for road space while tourists queue endlessly for fudge shops. The famous afternoon tea becomes a reservation nightmare, and finding a quiet spot to enjoy Lake Huron views feels nearly impossible.
The resort’s strict dress code adds to its elegance, but navigating through camera-wielding crowds wearing your finest can test anyone’s patience.
Travel tip: Visit during September or early October when fall colors paint the island and most tourists have headed home.
2. Boyne Mountain Resort (Boyne Falls)
Weekends at this northern Michigan playground feel more like theme park pandemonium than peaceful mountain retreat. Families flock here year-round for skiing, waterparks, and zip-lining adventures, creating lift lines that snake forever and splash zones packed tighter than sardine cans.
The resort does everything well – from groomed slopes to heated pools – which explains why everyone and their cousin books a stay. Locals remember when Boyne felt like their secret winter wonderland, not a regional tourist magnet.
Dining reservations fill up weeks ahead, and the village area buzzes with constant activity that drowns out any hope of tranquil mountain vibes.
Travel tip: Skip weekends entirely and visit midweek in January or early March for shorter lines and better snow conditions.
3. Mission Point Resort (Mackinac Island)
Sprawling across 18 acres of Mackinac Island shoreline, this resort promises relaxation but delivers something closer to controlled chaos during peak season. Guests flood the expansive lawns for bocce ball and croquet while the waterfront walkways become pedestrian highways packed with sightseers.
The property itself offers stunning views and comfortable accommodations, making it understandably popular with families and couples alike. Unfortunately, that popularity means you’ll rarely snag a hammock to yourself or enjoy breakfast without waiting.
Even the famous sunset hours bring crowds rather than solitude, with everyone jockeying for that perfect Instagram moment over the Straits of Mackinac.
Travel tip: Book early June before schools let out, or wait until after Labor Day when the island regains its peaceful character.
4. Crystal Mountain Resort (Thompsonville)
Once a quiet family getaway tucked into northern Michigan hills, Crystal Mountain now hosts festivals, spa weekends, and special events that pack the property year-round. What used to feel like an undiscovered gem has become a well-marketed destination that rarely sees a slow season.
The spa draws wellness tourists by the busload, while wine tastings and culinary events bring foodies from Detroit and Chicago. Ski season brings its own crush of visitors, and summer mountain biking weekends fill every available room.
Locals who once considered this their go-to escape now drive past, seeking quieter alternatives in the surrounding countryside.
Travel tip: Avoid festival weekends entirely and consider visiting during April or November when events slow down and rates drop significantly.
5. Shanty Creek Resort (Bellaire)
Great golf courses and decent skiing made Shanty Creek a regional favorite, but somewhere along the way it became too commercial for locals who prefer authenticity over amenities. The resort markets itself aggressively, bringing in corporate groups and wedding parties that fill every corner with scheduled activities and noise.
Three separate villages spread across the property mean you’re never far from crowds, whether you’re teeing off at dawn or hitting the slopes at dusk. The transformation from cozy hideaway to bustling resort complex happened gradually, then all at once.
Nearby Bellaire offers smaller inns and bed-and-breakfasts where locals now prefer to send visiting friends and family.
Travel tip: Explore smaller resorts like Schuss Mountain or consider renting a cottage on nearby Torch Lake for a more authentic northern Michigan experience.
6. Treetops Resort (Gaylord)
Five championship golf courses sound like paradise until you realize everyone within a three-state radius knows about them too. Summer weekends turn Gaylord into a golf mecca, with Treetops at the center of the chaos, drawing players who clog local restaurants and turn quick errands into traffic nightmares.
The resort itself maintains beautiful grounds and challenging courses that golf magazines love to feature, which only compounds the popularity problem. Tee times book months ahead, and the pro shop feels more like a crowded mall than a peaceful clubhouse.
Locals joke that they avoid downtown Gaylord entirely from June through August, running errands in neighboring towns instead.
Travel tip: Golf enthusiasts should visit in May or late September for pleasant weather, better rates, and far fewer crowds on the fairways.
7. The Homestead (Glen Arbor)
Perched above Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, The Homestead offers some of Michigan’s most breathtaking views – which explains why finding parking here in summer feels like winning the lottery. The resort’s proximity to one of America’s most beautiful places guarantees a steady stream of visitors from June through August.
Glen Arbor itself transforms from sleepy village to tourist hub once schools let out, with The Homestead anchoring the chaos. Beaches overflow, hiking trails become congested, and that peaceful northern Michigan vibe evaporates faster than morning dew.
The property maintains its natural beauty and eco-friendly ethos, but enjoying it requires patience and strategic timing to avoid the masses.
Travel tip: October offers stunning fall colors, crisp weather, and dramatically fewer tourists, making it the perfect time to experience Sleeping Bear properly.
8. Great Wolf Lodge (Traverse City)
Kids absolutely adore this indoor waterpark wonderland, parents tolerate the controlled madness, and locals avoid it like they’re allergic to chlorine and chaos combined. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the resort operates at maximum capacity, with screaming children and exhausted families filling every square inch of waterpark space.
The lodge delivers exactly what it promises – reliable family entertainment in a themed environment – but that reliability attracts crowds that never quit. Traverse City residents know to steer clear of the surrounding area, especially during check-in and check-out times when traffic becomes unbearable.
Everything feels loud, busy, and designed for maximum stimulation, which works great for eight-year-olds but less so for anyone seeking northern Michigan tranquility.
Travel tip: If you must visit, book Sunday through Thursday nights in spring or fall when rates drop and crowds thin considerably.
9. Inn at Bay Harbor (Bay Harbor)
This upscale property caters perfectly to travelers seeking refined luxury and impeccable service, which makes it wildly popular with everyone except the locals who remember when this shoreline felt more accessible and less exclusive. The inn radiates elegance from its waterfront perch, attracting guests who appreciate fine dining and premium amenities.
Unfortunately, that same appeal creates a tourist bubble so distinct that Bay Harbor residents often dine and shop elsewhere to avoid the seasonal influx. The surrounding area becomes so visitor-focused during summer that year-round residents feel like outsiders in their own community.
Beautiful views and top-notch hospitality can’t quite compensate for the loss of authentic local character that comes with such concentrated tourism.
Travel tip: Consider staying in nearby Harbor Springs or Petoskey proper for upscale accommodations with more genuine local connections and better restaurant options.
10. Bavarian Inn Lodge (Frankenmuth)
Frankenmuth built its entire identity around Bavarian theming and all-you-can-eat chicken dinners, with Bavarian Inn Lodge serving as ground zero for the tourist experience. Locals watch as visitors descend year-round to experience this manufactured slice of Germany planted firmly in mid-Michigan farm country.
The lodge offers indoor waterparks, family suites, and easy access to endless shops selling Christmas ornaments and cuckoo clocks. While charming in its own way, the constant crowds and tourist-focused atmosphere mean locals rarely venture into the area unless absolutely necessary.
Weekends bring bus tours and family reunions that pack restaurants beyond capacity, creating wait times that test even the most patient visitors.
Travel tip: Visit midweek in January or February when holiday crowds disappear and you can actually enjoy the quirky Bavarian experience without fighting through tour groups.
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