Weekend Getaway

You have so many responses that I didn't read them all so this may be a repeat. Niagra Falls! I have never been but REALLY want to go some day. I was just looking some stuff up online yesterday and thought that it would be a great place to go as a getaway without the kids!
Blessings, K.

Niagara Falls!

Traverse City can be very romantic.

Toronto has lots to do.

Just a few ideas.

I would suggest Mackinaw Island (did I spell that correctly). Its beautiful, romantic, peaceful and you can find great deals.

the inn and spa at bay harbor was amazing.

I have a timeshare in the foothill of the ozarks if you like to shop at old stores (I like just spending a day walking through them) canoeing on the spring river that is stocked with trout twice a week. It is in Cherokee AR ,Hardy AR is the little oldtime town to shop in. I cant go this year ,its the last week in aug sleeps six has hot tub in master bedroom ,fireplace and on the lake. 400.00 you just have to but your food.
L. Root ###-###-####

Traverse City and/or Mackinaw Island

A. ~
My husband and I are planning a weekend to ourselves for our anniversary in Ohio. Someone at work suggested the area. It's called Hocking Hills ...there's a state park there with some short hiking trails, lots of caves, waterfalls, beautiful area. There are tons on cabins or cottages to rent (as well as hotels, B&B's, etc.). We decided to rent a small rustic log cabin in the area. They all pretty much have hot tubs, heat/air, etc. Price-wise, it runs the gammit..weekends, of course, are more than weekday stays. It's about a 4 hour drive from the Downriver area....in southeast Ohio.

Have fun!
D.

You could drive to New York and do an overnight on a cruise ship, they have them sometimes www.ncl.com

or I would suggest with the times constraints and time of year maybe just a nice bed and breakfast. www.bedandbreakfast.com my husband and I stayed at our first B&B last year for our 10th and we went to the prairieside suites in Grandville, MI which is right outside of grand rapids, so we had a ton to do in the area, lots in Grandville to acutally do, close to a big city like grand rapids or within 25 mins of Lake Michigan.

Most of the posts suggested north, but if you're into antiquing and flea markets, I would suggest Shipshewana, Indiana. Lots of great restaurants and some nice hotels and tons of stuff all within walking distance. It's an Amish area, though, so it's a "dry" county. If you're into night life and partying, probably not the place for you.
If you decide to get away in October, Turkey Run State Park and Brown County, Indiana are fabulous. Lots of hiking and horsback riding and in October, the fall colors should be wonderful. Whatever you decide, have fun!

Hi A.,

That's a great time of year for travel in Michigan! Traverse City and the entire west coast of Michigan (there are also some nice wineries that have good wines up there too!) Mackinaw is great... and if you go after the season... you get great discounts!

Explore www.michigan.org and get some ideas.

My boyfriend and I have a gorgeous log cabin on Torch Lake we rent out from time to time. The time frame you mentioned is a wonderful time. Traverse City, Charlevoix and Petosky is all within a half hour drive, so you'll have the city closeby. The cabin is extremely cozy, romantic, clean, updated and truly one of my favorite places on earth! let me know if you think you'd be interested!

My husband and I did Niagara Falls one year. That was fun or Mackinaw Island. I don't know if you have ever stayed on the island but it is a good time. We enjoy staying at a bed and breakfast called Harts Haven. It is just off the main drag and the rooms are very cute with your own bathrooms. It is actually more like a motel.Prices are comparable to staying on the main land. I just think it is fun to wake up to the clip clop of the horses going by.

A lot depends on what you and your husband enjoy. We rented a little cabin outside of Mackinac one year; we do Traverse City a lot but that is because we have family there and drop the kids off with them. If you like Bed and Breakfast's there are so many of them tucked away. Ludington and Pentwater are both supposed to be nice. Some people enjoy casino's and they offer great hotel packages with entertainers for a show one night. You really need to plan it around what you two enjoy doing; nature, shopping, golfing, etc.. With the internet it is really easy to find things to do. You aren't that far from OH and IN either and there are probably things in those states you haven't experienced. Just enjoy your time together.

Traverse City is a great little get away! They have wine tours, entertainment, etc. The Marriott, Hilton, etc. are always having specials right now; I would check the websites to see if there are sale packages.

By the way...I have a 19 month old son who I have left at home to go to the Bahamas w/ my husband for five days. He was perfectly fine and didn't have any issues while we were gone. It is good for you and your husband to have that quality time to re-connect and to talk about other things besides baby poop, food, etc. Next week, we're leaving him again for my brother's wedding in Jamaica for five days. Time away is good for your children as well as for you!

I don't want to sound harsh but I wouldn't ever leave children this young overnight nor would any of my grown kids. Can you plan something that includes the children or just have a nice evening out together? I almost never left my infants even for an evening out but that's as far as I'd stretch it. Little ones have no concept of time or where you are when you're away, so they easily feel abandoned and scared. Please think this through. You'll have plenty of time in the future for such things. You could take a sitter along on a trip then go out in the evenings on your own. That might be a compromise, too.

A., I would highly recommend driving up north that time of year. There is an area just south and west of Traverse that is called the "tunnel of trees" and it is a beautiful little road that hugs the coastline (it is marked with a scenic coastal road sign) and there are lots of B&B's to stay at around that area (Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Traverse.. there is a really nice one out in the wine country north of Traverse called Chateau Chantel). All cute towns with good resteraunts, shopping, etc. That time of the year the rates will be lower and the weather comfortable, and hopefully you will catch the leaves turning. My husband and I have made the trip several times in the early fall (before kids) and it is very romantic and relaxing!

Go to Mackinaw Island! I used to go there every year with my family when I was young and it's been over 8 years since I have been there.

We did not stay on the Island but went over there for one day and walked/biked around and went in all the little shops, had a picnic, etc.. it's so much fun!!

My husband and I decided that will be our first vacation we'll take when we can actually afford one. It would be beautiful during those months!!

I would totally check it out!

My favorites are Traverse City and Mackinaw Island. In TC you could do a wine tour, they have maps and everything. Most places have the samples for free. I can only think of one that you have to buy their wine glasses for $5 or something in order to get the samples, but then every time you go back you can bring those same glasses and get free samples again. There is a really nice Holiday Inn right on the Bay. In Mackinaw, without the kids, I would stay on the island (if you have the kids, stay in Mackinaw City and get a hotel with access to the waterpark as an extra treat!). Have a picnic, ride around the island on a tandem bike, then have a romantic dinner at the Grand Hotel. You don't have to stay there to get reservations, stay in a cheaper hotel! Just be lazy and enjoy!

Traverse City is wonderful. Many winery tours that you can do by car. Those are a blast. Three area casinos. Lots of great shopping and restaurants. There is also a wonderful beach and marina area for nice walks. We also went to the museum one time during a visit and that was even nice. I highly recommend Traverse. It's a great getaway.

You do need a vacation! My husband and I consider ourselves pretty active vacationers as well since he doesn't like to read or just lay in the sun. For a relaxing time, we head to the Traverse City area (where we just celebrated our 5-year anniversary a couple of weeks ago by taking our first weekend away from our one-year-old). We love the scenery, wine tasting, and walking around the shops. Shoot, even going to the movies and sleeping in is a major luxury these days! And we found some pretty great restaurants in Traverse City this last time we went.

But, if you want a more active vacation, maybe head to Toronto? I haven't been there yet, but it's on our list to do one long weekend. I've heard it's very clean and nice.

Good luck with planning your vacay!

Toronto by train (but you would need a passport or pass card) but an awesome trip. Tahquamenon falls and Pictured Rocks in the UP, but bring bug spray, very pretty up there or Mackinaw Island.

Renne H. is right Traverse City area, any where along the coast line from like Ludington north....there are so many neat places people just don't know about....

The U.P. is great also , don't know where you are but from our area between Muskegon and Whitehall it takes us about 5 hours just to get to the bridge.....nothing up there is close together but well worth the trip!!!!!

Whatever you find to do I'm sure you enjoy!!

Have Fun!!!!

B. C.

Try Grand Haven, MI-It's on lake Michigan-beautiful beach, light house, cute downtown, great restaurants, lots of things to do in the area-very nice for a couple :)

What about Canada-like Toronto or a cabin up in the upper pennisula...I would even be good with staying home and the kids going to grandma's for the day at this point.

try to do a b&b there are some good ones out there on lake mi have fun every mom and dad need time away so they can be better parents (not all the time but ever now and then is good lol) at that time of year the leaves chang and is so pretty

I think it's great you're trying to get away without the kids - don't listen to those who tell you not to go because your kids are too young.

My votes are either Niagara Falls or Mackinac Island. If you decided to do Niagara Falls, though, be aware that the new passport rules are in effect.

Have a great time wherever you decide to go!

Hi,

My husband and I go to the Traverse Bay Inn in Traverse City. All rooms have two levels and we always get the king jacuzzi suite. There is a kitchen so you can make sandwiches to take to the bay and we do the wine tours. :)

If you go in October, Jeff offers a wine tour special where you pay for two nights and get the third free. We go up Thursday night and leave Sunday. If you can't stay the three nights, he let you WAY late check out :) They also give you a complimentary bottle of Traverse City champagne :)

We love it every time we go. It is close enough - and a nice enough drive AND it is far enough away :)

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi A.,

Why not go up to the western part of the state (i.e. Sagatuck is very fun, Grand Haven beach etc..) The area is beautiful, only a 2 hr drive from Metro Detroit. It's a lot of fun. *C. (WAHM- business owner, mom to 4yr old son and 27 month old daughter).

If you like cities, Toronto isn't much farther than Chicago, and its a great city. The only thing is that you might need a passport now? I'm not sure about that, so you'd definitely want to look into it if you don't have current passports. There is a big expo in Toronto in August as well - like a huge state fair, which is fun, as well as good theater, great restaurants, and great shopping.

You've already gotten some great answers...just wanted to add my two cents by saying, it's totally fine to leave your kids over night or for the weekend. my husband and i went to jamaica for a week and left our 18 month old with my mom. she loved it, had a great time, and barely noticed we were gone. kids are very resilient, and usually enjoy the special time with family...it's good for everyone involved, especially the kids, because they have parents who care about their relationship. it is SO important for parents to put their marriage as a strong priority. and, lastly, i think when parents refuse to leave their kids, it is more for the parent's sake than the kids. if anything, i think it hinders kids' self confidence and ability to adapt. you don't want your kids calling you from summer camp when they're 15 and you finally let them go and now they are too scared to be away from you!

ok, i'll get off my soap box now! ENJOY your trip!

We love to go to a Bed and Breakfast called the Springbrook Inn. There is a hot tub in each room, fireplace you can use year round, tv/vcr/dvd and a cd player. Breakfast is served to your room each morning and on certain days they have a place to eat in the Inn and for 30 dollars you can have dinner there and the food is wonderful the owners Matt and Kathy are such nice people and he is the chef. There are no phones and no kids allowed and each room has a balcony that overlooks the woods where animals come in to feed it is so nice and quiet we love it and try to go as often as we can afford to go. Our youngest daughter is getting married and we got that for the honeymoon they will stay from Sunday to Saturday. It is located in Prudenville, Michigan just a few hours away from where I live in Ypsi. It is near Houghton Lake and there is a lot of places to go there too. It is worth every penny, you will come back home relaxed and pampered. www.springbrookinn.com tell them K. sent you.
K.

Mackinaw Island???? stay @ the Grand Hotel?

The U.P.? There are the Taquamenon Falls, the shipwreck museum, the Soo Locks,....Big Bay de Noc is nice!

Or the west coast of MI. The water park in Muskegon. Or take the ferry across the lake to Milwaukee.