need help planning a trip to michigan

[killerbe20]

My wife and I are planning a boat shopping trip to Michigan this weekend and was looking for some info. The boats we are definetly going to look at are in the New Buffalo/Benton Harbor/St. Joesph area. We may be venturing farther north, but not sure yet.

I am coming to you guys for advice on where to stay. We would like to mix business with pleasure and make this more then just looking for a new boat. We would like to stay somewhere near the water and hopefully with some entertainment (restaurants, bars, etc) within walking distance.

Also, there are a few boats in the Harrison Township area I would like to look at as well. Asking the opinion of those who have driven across michigan, what is the drive like? What do you guys think about adding that to a short two day, one night trip? Benton Harbor is about 3 hours from Racine.

[N II Deep]

get a room at Blue Chip Casino. right on the water, I have not stayed there, but have a buddy that stays a couple times a year and talks very highly of it. it is in Michigan City, IN. with the Casino right there you would have plenty to do. it would be less than 30 mins to your other cities.

New Buffalo and St Joe - I don't know much about.

Benton Harbor you want to steer clear of.

[Nailer]

South Haven is the quaintest lake shore towns in the southern half of Lake M. They have every thing you will need.

I don't think they have lake view rooms though. There is a Holiday Inn just off the highway (I think it's a Holiday Inn)

St Jo is nice, but stay away from Benton Harbor.

[usmcpaul]

I live only a few minutes from Harrison Township and it is about a 4 hour drive from Grand Rapids, I have driven it a lot, just take 96 straight across to 696 and then 696 to 94 and then East. It's pretty much a straight shot and not too bad. Try not to hit 696 during rush hour (4:30 to 6:30) and you should be fine, if you do, expect another 30-50 minutes.

As far as hotels go there are a few decent looking chains in the Utica area (20 min away from Harrison at the M-53 and M-59 crossroads and that area is packed with restaurants, pubs, bars, but not on the water), and of course the Casinos downtown ( about 30-40 minutes away,but pretty easy to get to, you would not have to drive through the ghetto, they are all right off the highway). I would Google some big name places and stay away from the little named "troll motels" there are a few that are pretty seedy looking. I am sure there are some nice places on the water, but I don't know of any, by name. I would imagine that if you looked in the Jefferson Beach/ Grosse Point area there are some nice places, with some night life and that area is on the water.

If you find a place of interest, just post their address and I can give you a run down of the surrounding area.

[Paulywood]

If you are going from St. Joe to Harrison Township you would probably take 94 across, not 96. I have never done it but I know it's a long drive. If you try to squeeze it in on a 2 day trip you will be driving constantly. I drove over to Wisconsin last year to look at boats and we did it in a weekend. Drove to Racine friday night, got up and looked at boats in Milwaukee and Fond du Lac, then drove home. It was not a fun weekend, purely boat shopping. I can't personally recommend a place to stay in either area but a couple of years ago for the Brown Blast we stayed in a hotel right off the river and it was fine. There was actually a nice little area that had quite a few restaurants and bars. I'll try to find it online.

[diesel]

in st joe right on niles ave about 5 miles off i94 there is the silver beach hotel that is nice.

also stay away from benton harlem if you dont want to be filling out police reports from your car/truck being broken into or stolen

in new buffalo 4 winds casino resort has nice rooms and the place is clean.

south haven not sure of lodging but there are a few good places to eat a few are.. thirsty perch-good food priced a little high

captian lou's-good food priced alright and right on the black river at the draw bridge

taco bob's-good food for a good price plus they have the roof seating

[Hoosier_Steelheader]

You might try this check this place out: http://www.theboulevardinn.com/ (never stayed there personally, but been by it a lot.)

I believe Wolf's marine (www.wolfsmarine.com) in St Joe/ Benton Harbor has their open house this weekend. I'm hoping to drive up on Saturday and get a couple of things to prep the boat for spring.

The rest of you guys will think I'm crazy but we actually slept in the motor home at the Benton Harbor boat launch a couple years back so we could be on the water by day break... once, only once..

JC

[usmcpaul]

If you are going from St. Joe to Harrison Township you would probably take 94 across, not 96.

Yea, 94 would definitely be better from that area. I was thinking Muskegon,:crazy: sorry. But, it should still be about 4 hours or so, and you can just stay on 94 and it will take you right to Harrison.

[Paulywood]

The Silver Beach is the one I was thinking of.

[killerbe20]

Thanks everyone! I am not sure where we will stay yet, but DEFINITELY glad I asked. Seems like a general opinion to stay away from Benton Harbor, although it would probably feel like home coming from Racine.

Any thoughts on Holland or South Haven? Doesn't seem to be much farther to drive if the stay/location would be worth it.

[seabee]

South Haven would be my choice.

[seabee]

If you make it to Muskegon you can help me get the boat ready.( LOL)

[GLF]

South Haven is nice. There is a Holiday Inn Express just off the exit at Phoenix Road.