Sleeping Bear Dunes (Michigan) Voted 'Most Beautiful Place in America'

[Faygo Kid]

And I just happen to be heading up there this weekend. Great timing. The whole area is wondrous; has it all - Lake Michigan, inland lakes, great small towns and one (Traverse City) with many cultural attractions, glacial hills, fishing, golf, unlimited recreation, excellent restaurants, two dozen wineries, shopping - and of course scenery and Sleeping Bear. And on and on.

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/best_places_USA/sleeping-bear-dunes-michigan-voted-good-morning-americas/story?id=14319616



Bonus - 30 second Pure Michigan commercial: http://www.facebook.com/PureMichigan.org?sk=app_2392950137#!/video/video.php?v=2099933102015

[ceile]

1. I've always wanted to visit MI

Have a great time!

[MiddleFingerMom]

2. There are THREE places I've been to in this world where I would LOVE to live:

.
.
.
Here in the Tucson Sonoran Desert region :woohoo: , southern Germany along
the Austrian border in the mountains (near Garmisch and Bertchesgaden) and northern
Michigan in the river country (near Traverse City and Grayling)
.
.
.
BEAUTIFUL -- all of them.
.
.
.

[Faygo Kid]

3. Great choices, all.

I am going to try to make that third choice happen in a couple years if I can get into our phased retirement program. . .

[elleng]

4. And try the Cherry Republic!

in Glenn Arbor

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=1095&bih=558&q=cherry+republic&oq=cherry+r&aq=2&aqi=g10&aql=1&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=733l2481l0l7192l8l8l0l0l0l0l312l1544l0.5.2.1l8l0

[Arugula Latte]

5. Looks pretty, but flat.

I've seen much more spectacular scenery in Utah, Hawaii (Na'pali Coast -- my gawd that is breathtaking), Colorado, Oregon, California, Arizona, etc. In short, I think the west is much more beautiful in terms of sheer splendor than any place I've seen in the midwest, south or east coast.

[MerryBlooms]

7. I get where you're coming from - I'm a Webfoot

I've lived in FL and now Chicagoland - they all have their unique beauty, but it's just not the same for me. It's beautiful here in many ways, but I still miss the waterfalls, mountains and ocean.

[xmas74]

12. Take a drive to the UP

and you'll find plenty of waterfalls. Most are off the beaten path so they feel even more intimate.

http://home.comcast.net/~ratburt/web/up.html

[marmar]

8. I'm a Michigander.....and I think Sleeping Bear Dunes is Wunderbar, but......

....... even I've got to say nothing quite compares to the California coast.

[PassingFair]

9. You can NOT beat that vast expanse of clear, FRESH water.

Not salt. Fresh.

Like swimming in liquid glass.

The most rejuvenating place on earth.

[xmas74]

13. Personally, if I had the money

I'd live in the U.P. I lived there for a few years when I was younger and would love to live there again. Perfect clear water, lots of intimate places to lose yourself in.

[Arugula Latte]

14. Okay. Maybe I need to visit before judging.

I loves me some clear water. :)

[PassingFair]

15. Please come. Wade or jump in.

You will never forget it.



:hi:

[Ikonoklast]

6. Been there, and I agree.

If you can, plan a vacation or trip and see it before you kick.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. Have you been?

(unsolicited advice follows for you or any readers)

It really is magical up there. We have been the last three years. I'm fortunate to have a friend whose mom lives right on the beach in Glen Arbor. Though we stay at the Sylvan B&B or The Glen Arbor B&B and use her beach access. One year we stayed at the big development outside Glen Arbor - the name escapes me at the moment. Condos on the beach, homes etc.

That photo looks like the view from Empire Bluff.

Don't miss it. Get a pass in Empire (you need it to park in the rec area). Do The Empire Bluff hike and then do the scenic drive that will take you to the dune look-outs shown in the video. All on the same pass.

Also, the Crystal river kayak/canoe trip is great for beginners and/or families with kids. The river takes you lazily down stream. The river is never more than a couple feet deep - in case you tip. There are a few places to pull over and wade or dunk yourself. You don't go very far - the van takes you just outside town and you zig-zag back to town. The trip can take a couple hours if you take your time so you feel like you've gone far.

We didn't make it this summer :( but we are planning a fall trip :)

[XemaSab]

11. I would love to go up there

:D