Michigan Vacation Rentals

Lighthouse Tour along the West #Michigan Gold Coast
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Lighthouse Tour along the West #Michigan Gold Coast

We get excited about lighthouse tours just like you do! Between vineyards, beach towns and festivals, enjoying a tour along the west coast of Michigan can be one of your best beach vacations ever. To help you plan your lighthouse tour, we have now compiled a list of terrific lighthouses along Lake Michigan.

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While enjoying your Michigan lighthouse tour, take a drive down the West Michigan Pike. With wine and craft beer tours along serene and quiet beach towns, you’ll want to stay for more, which is why you will want to rent a Michigan Vacation Rental along the coast. Enjoy the street performers of Holland, Michigan or the sand dunes at Silver Lake. Enjoy a historical sail across Lake Michigan on the Friends Good Will Ship, telling the story of commerce in the 1800s and War of 1812. To view area rentals, click here: Saugatuck Vacation Rentals

Holland Harbor Lighthouse

Holland Harbor Lighthouse

Have you ever heard of St. Joseph, Michigan? A popular destination for those that live in the Chicago and surrounding area love to visit the      “Riviera of the Midwest” with the deep waters perfect for fishing and a golden sandy beach that stretches for miles with a spectacular view of the St. Joseph Lighthouse. Only 90 minutes from Chicago, you don’t want to miss this incredible town along the way. To find rentals in the area, look at our Benton Harbour area vacation rentals

The Great Lakes hold more than 6,000 sunken ships. In the springtime, Lake Michigan can be so clear that even finding shipwrecks from an airplane can be easy. The cold freshwater at the bottom is about 39 degrees year-round which is a great temperature for preserving shipwrecks and even the handful of airplane crashes. If you’re looking for excitement on your lighthouse tour, here it is!

The maritime history among all the lighthouses are a nautical nod to our nation’s past in historical events such as the Pearl Harbor attack, World War II, and the Cold War.  The Little Sable Point Lighthouse is a must see for travelers looking at Michigan lighthouses. This is the tallest along Lake Michigan and is great view from the top. A great way to admire the sunset on Lake Michigan. Another popular one is north of Grand Haven is the Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier, festively decorated with lights along the pier. A famous and most often photographed is the majestic Ludington’s North Breakwater Light. Ranked #1 in the state, this lighthouse is also a must see on your Lake Michigan lighthouse tour. All lighthouses have a nominal fee of around 5.00 dollars to better ensure the future of these historical markers.

lighthouse little sable

Summertime is great for travel to West Michigan as tours of the lighthouses are always going on. But added bonuses to this type of travel is the aurora borealis, also called the northern lights, after the night begins to fall. This rare glimpse of Mother Nature’s magnitude is highly recommended and can only be seen in certain parts of the world. The golf courses along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan are also some of the best in the country. In the fall, treat yourself to visiting some of the most haunted lighthouses. While most of them are legends, some great storytelling and history are combined to create a different kind of vibe. Be careful when planning though, most lighthouses close around the end of October.

All lighthouses can be done over a span of 2 days but be sure to include delightful lunches along the shore and check out the area’s art history and museums for a glimpse into history. Enjoying all of the western coast of Michigan can be rejuvenating and a refresher from the hectic daily schedules, so we suggest booking atleast 4-6 days to fully take in what Michigan has to offer.

For more information on Michigan Lighthouses and to see a map and events, please click through to our new lighthouse page! Michigan Lighthouse Tour

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Got a week? Recreational Paradise is Higgins Lake

In the heart of the lower Peninsula of Michigan, there lies a lake community that is proud of what nature has given them. Surrounded by 3 major lakes this part of the “glove state” is a boating and fishing haven. Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake, Lake St. Helen give way to non-stop fun.

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Higgins Lake is a gorgeous lake with clear blue water and sandy bottom. This is perfect for all types of recreation such as skiing and waterboarding along with boating, Paddleboard, and kayaking. Enjoy the 20 miles of sandy beach for some fun in the sun. This is a well-stocked lake, a fishermen’s haven for all year long fun.

Enjoy the AuSable River, one of Michigan’s most scenic river, the AuSable is fantastic for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. Paddle your way through nature conservancies and wildlife area.  Enjoy the plentiful and beautiful golf courses under the shining sun. Enjoy hiking the peaceful forests and take your camera along to enjoy a diverse wildlife population.

Enjoy the trails, nature, and wildlife around our diverse landscape to fully appreciate what nature has provided us. Roscommon is only 2 miles away from the major highway 127. Easy to access and easy to forget your troubles behind, let Roscommon show you a different way of life. To enjoy an affordable  vacation rental right on Higgins Lake, and nearby Houghton Lake, click this link.

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About 25 miles away is West Branch, one of the last stops on the Sunrise Side Wine and Hops tour. This town in the heart of Michigan has everything you need. You can shop till you drop at the Tanger Outlet Center or enjoy antique shopping.

The Rifle River Recreation Area is a large area that is great for hiking, biking and wildlife viewing. You can also enjoy Mother Nature’s other gifts such as Clear Lake, a spring fed lake that is great for boating and fishing but don’t just limit your vacation to West Branch to the summer and winter. The Fall Color Tour I mesmerizing and video worthy. You can enjoy the scenery from one of the 5 golf courses in the area.

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Check out our PET FRIENDLY West Branch Vacation Rental for a vacation of a lifetime. Complete with a 6 person outdoor spa!

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A coastal #vacation rental worth every penny

Michigan’s U.P. coast is arguably one of the best coasts we have in America. Hands down. A unique experience of jagged cliffs, miles of dramatic drops and waterfalls makes this secretive coast a wonder waiting to be discovered. Cooler temperatures make exploring ideal in the summer.

With this being said, if you are anything like me, I don’t want to sleep on the ground. The comforts of a warm bed and a mosquito-free screened in porch make me warm and fuzzy inside. That is why this Grand Marais vacation rental is perfect. A short drive to the shore gives impeccable views and a survey of the land shows how magical Mother Nature truly can be. With access to a rowboat and lifejackets on practically an uninhabited area of Dutch Fred Lake, you can’t go wrong. Our advice? Bring a good book, hiking boots, groceries and a camera and be prepared to be overtaken with sheer beauty, relaxed and renewed. View this gallery and inquire on our website to speak directly with the owner!

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A Vacation Rental So Cool, You Won’t Believe It!

Does your planned vacation have words like exploration, majestic, enticing, serene, or breathless in it? Skyline Vacation Rental will give you exactly that and more.

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This vacation rental is cozied up to the Skyline Parkway Scenic Bypass and Lake Superior with a 3 season porch where you can dine and observe a serene vista view. Duluth is a great town with lots of food options and shows so be sure to explore all that this area has to offer while booking your vacation here. This rental sleeps 9 so perfect for a family retreat or a girl’s getaway.

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The Fall color tours on the Skyline Drive compete with the best in the country. At night sit around and star gaze because the vast openness will leave you breathless. Explore the harbor, hike the Appalachian Trail, swim, kayak, bike, enjoy brewery tours, try your luck at the casino or go on an expedition for the best food in town. There is plenty to do in the magical surroundings of the Shenandoah National Park. A word of advice-many species treat this park as a refuge so please be mindful when driving.

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This vacation rental comes stocked with basic amenities such as coffee and filter and paper goods. It has two living rooms for stetching out in front of a fireplace and outdoor grill. This is a great place for retreats such as Stampin Up, Motivation Camps, Scrapbooking, ect.  Be sure to book your vacation fast! This rental will book fast!!

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4 Michigan Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss!

Michigan’s weather can be quite unpredictable but the winter itself is downright freezing, there is no telling a local that it isn’t. How do Michiganders do it every year? Easy. They embrace it with downright silly and quite cool festivals and events. Check out the four festivals and events you definitely don’t want to miss this year!

Plymouth Ice Sculpting Festival

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Jan. 9th through Jan. 11 is your chance to see the best of the Midwest come and show us what they got for skill with something that requires freezing cold temps. This world class event happens every year in downtown Plymouth, Michigan, opening up with a classic ribbon cutting. Check out the interactive exhibits and be sure to take pictures of the amazing pieces of art. The following Saturday, enjoy a jazz performance by Cynthia Kaay Bennett, a hockey game with the Detroit Red Wings, Dueling Chainsaw competitions and the Reyka Vodka Fire and Ice show at promptly 7:30. Don’t forget, amazing festival food, which can only be that much better in the winter! For more information: be sure to check out the Plymouth Ice Sculpting Festival Website.

SISU Ski Fest

SISU

While this may be only the 6th year and running, it is certainly no baby when it comes to skiing. Jan. 9th is your chance to ski through mining fields, bluffs alongside the Montreal River and eventually to the “Finnish” line in Ironwood. Participate in either race. The SISU Full Combined: 42K SISU ski marathon plus 10K SISU snowshoe race—or the SISU Half Combined: 21K Heikki Lunta plus the 5K snowshoe race. Not in a racing mood? Slap on some skis and taste test from the Taste N Tour. Who doesn’t want to ski, eat, and watch entertainment? That’s a no brainer! For more information: Check out the official SISU Event Page

Winter Comedy Arts Festival

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Traverse has an all star lineup coming this year and you surely won’t want to miss this tantalizing lineup for the weekend of Valentines day. Bill Maher headlining can be enough to want to head to the Travers area but even if not, also check out Michael Moore with his satire on today’s politics and “The Goldbergs” Doug Benson helps host this serendipitous event. Don’t forget the kiddos in the car, there is plenty to entertain them with such as a mini golf ice course, a really big mountain to sled on, and even better a Ferris wheel for the kids to freeze on. Hopefully no one likes the handlebar. Can you believe that Maher is even paying to come and host? This guy has a freaking show for crying out loud! For an upcoming schedule , please check out this out: Traverse City Comedy Arts Festival

Brew-Ski Festival

What is not to love about beer, recreation and music? Hop onto your skis on Saturday, March 14th and enjoy a leisure ski around to over 240 snow bars, allowing to treat your taste buds to everything from Bocks to IPAs and Ambers to Stout beers and everything in between. Enjoy delicious food and great live music from the Galactic Sherpas. Head over to the Zoo Bar for the after party with the Aaron Vaughn Band at 5 PM and then over to the Slopeside Lounge for a wrap up party at 9 PM. A perfect way to celebrate the near ending of old man winter! To see a list of breweries that were represented last year, click here.

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Read these 8 tips before booking your Michigan vacation rental

Vacation Rentals are the trend for 2015. Why? It’s no surprise to us; we’ve known about the advantages of a MI vacation rental for years. There are lots of pet friendly options, homes with fireplaces and fire pits, cottages near the water and hunting cabins in the sticks. You have private parking and sometimes piers for your boat. Vacation rentals give families room to spread out and enjoy each others company.

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What do you need to do before you book your vacation rental? Here are some tips:

  1. Inquire about your vacation rental with the actual owner or manager before you book. They know the property (and the area) best and will have you living like a local on day one.
  2. If you are looking to bring your pet, be sure you know the Pet Policy. Some will not allow certain breeds or sizes of dogs. It might also be good to check out if there is a kennel or fenced in area for your pet while you’re gone.
  3. Know the cleaning policy. Some rental owners or managers charge a cleaning fee and don’t expect much cleaning. There others who expect to have the place ready for the next renters. Whatever the case may be, it’s always wise to take pictures or note any possible previous damage. Be very thorough.
  4. Picking up the keys. Some rentals may have a lock box on the door. Some owners might meet you at the property or have them hidden somewhere. Property Managers might have you stop at their office and pick up the keys. Know before you go!
  5. Ask about mobile phone reception. Vacation rentals can be remote. If you need use your cell phone for directions, or to check in, make sure you will have cell coverage. We recommend you have a physical map in the vehicle just in case. Ask about Wi-Fi availability too.
  6. Always ask about general supplies and what you should bring. Some supply bed sheets but not towels, or vice versa. Some supply both. Always ask about a medical kit or if you need to bring certain kitchen items that you can’t live without (like a bottle opener, muffin pan, crock pot) …you get the idea.
  7. Check out the calendar of events or a town’s Facebook page to research area events. Keep in mind that rental prices are often higher during summer, Holiday’s, and big events.
  8. Ask who you need to contact if you have any emergencies. If there is a leaky faucet or a light goes out, you will know whom to contact.

MI cabins with beaches

Wherever you GO in Michigan, you’ll have a better vacation experience in a cabin, cottage, lodge or home. See our growing selection at RentMichiganCabins.com. Avoid booking website commissions and book directly with the rental owner and save!