Michigan vacation questions **UPDATED with new question**

[RoxMonster]

*Deleted original post since it is irrelevant now--no longer thinking of Traverse City

UPDATE: We decided we would like a shorter drive and now are deciding between South Haven and Saugatuck based on recommendations here. It appears these are close enough together that we could drive to whichever we don't stay in. In your opinions, which one is best for the following:
-beachy/laid-back town feel
-beautiful beaches and water views
-shops and restaurants
-bike rentals
-hiking
-water cruises/boat rides

I think regardless of where we stay, we are taking a trip to the dunes. I guess I imagine our trip to be mainly relaxing, beach-going with some activities like biking/hiking mixed in.

I have scoured Trip Advisor looking for places to stay in each location. I think we are moving more toward a hotel/B&B and away from a vacation rental. The two places that I liked and have vacancies during our stay are Lake Shore Resort (Saugatuck) and Carriage House B&B (South Haven).

Any one stay at either property? Lake Shore seems very private, with a private beach but you have to drive to everything in town. It also sounds like an old motel with outdated rooms from the reviews, though everyone raves about the property and private beach.

Carriage House is a traditional B&B but the room we're looking at has a balcony overlooking the harbor with a private entrance. I am not truthfully a huge B&B person, but it sounds like we could still have privacy and not even enter through the house. This one isn't as secluded but has a water view (which we want), and is walking distance to activities.

What would your choice be as far as lodging and city to stay in?

[librarygirl]

Just looking at a map, I think Holland would be a lot shorter of a drive (not sure where in central Illinois you're coming from but I think it would be around 5ish hours). H and I spent Memorial Day weekend there and had a great time. It's right on Lake Michigan and within 20 minutes to 2 state parks (Holland & Saugatuck). We didn't go to any but there are also a lot of wineries in the area. I was really impressed by downtown Holland as it's such a cute town, lots of neat and charming restaurants and shops. We visited the New Holland Brewery (H loves their beers) and even being a non-beer drinker, I had an enjoyable time (very generous with the samplings). They also have a restaurant right in town which we ate at. We were only there three nights and just stayed at a hotel but I will say that their tourist office was extremely helpful so they might be able to direct you regarding cabin/cottage rentals. 

I have some pictures and posts in my blog (more are coming though). 

www.theredheadedtraveler.com/2013/05/downtown-holland-michigan.html

[RoxMonster]

Thanks for the recommendation! I checked out your blog and it looks very pretty and quaint! I will have to check into it.

[janegold]

Saugatuck is a very cute little town, though I'm not sure of its proximity to wineries.

[Deleted]

If you are looking for wineries, I think that Traverse City is the way to go.

[gogreengowhite]

Yeah, if you want wineries, Suttons Bay and TC are the way to go.

I grew up visiting South Haven every summer and that is my happy place. Nice beaches, cute downtown, quiet but things to do. It is much closer to you but doesn't have cabins and wineries.

[FormerCityGirl]

I'd look around New Buffalo, Stevensville, St. Joe, and Bridgman in Michigan. There's 14 wineries within an hour or less of all of those cities. They all have beaches, bike rentals (St. Joe had a free bike program in their downtown area), nearby hiking trails, and some fun little restaurants. Silver beach in St. Joe even has a carousel on the beach open all year.  There's a lot of places on VRBO in those cities and other larger rental areas. If you go up to Holland and Saugatuck, you are getting farther from a lot of the wineries and will have a lot more driving to see more than a couple.  Here's the map or the Southwest Michigan Wine Trail to give you an idea of the area.  I think there's even some Wine Tours with transportation in that area too.  There's a very large Wine Fest on the beach in Bridgman with live music and Round Barn does a lot of events in the summer.  Grand Mere State Park has great hiking.  Here's the tourism site for the area.  

[winnied]

South Haven and Saugatuck/Douglas, MI are closer than Traverse and lovely. My family lives there and I love visiting. There is a decent winery named Fenn Valley in Fennville (close to Saugatuck/Douglas) that could be fun.

[definitelyO]

We loved our trip to South Haven. but I don't know if they have wineries. but it's so nice and laid back that it was a great relaxing trip (we drove over from Detroit)

[halfpint]

I did several long weekends in New Buffalo when I lived in Chicago, it would be much closer, and there are several quaint beach towns in that area. I've never done any wineries in the area, but recall seeing a lot of signs for them. They have a great creperie in New Buffalo called Pierre Anne. I could eat there every day.

[RoxMonster]

Thanks for all the other suggestions! I am going to look into the South Haven/Saugatuck/New Buffalo recommendations tonight.

[vanillahip]

TC is definitely the spot for wineries, but Ludington is SO cute, it's most definitely worth stopping at! A teensy little lake town with a cute 2- street Downtown, great food (particularly the Blu Moon Bistro) and beautiful beaches! Silver Lake is pretty good too but it's very tourist-silly. And obvs visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes- super beautiful! (Michigan is rad, have fun!!)

[RoxMonster]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We are now thinking of either South Haven or Saugatuck (see updated OP).

[vanillahip]

Sorry, I'm not hugely familiar with either, though South Haven is more highly rec'd by SE Michiganders. I'm fairly certain that you can't go wrong with either though!

[scout8]

I would pick the Carriage House because I like to be walking distance from things. Both towns are very nice. All of the towns around there are pretty close together, so you can do easily do some day trips.

[RoxMonster]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the help and advice. If it wasn't for this post, we never would have discovered South Haven.

We booked a waterfront king suite at the Carriage House in SH with a jacuzzi tub and private porch over the harbor. We are SO excited for our trip. I researched and found a handful of vineyards within 20-30 miles of us, and we plan to take a day trip (or two) to Saugatuck and some of the other surrounding towns. Can't wait!

[gogreengowhite]

Have fun in South Haven! I'll be there the weekend of the 4th and I can't wait. It really is my "happy place"