Pure Michigan Travel - B&Bs Highlights

Torch Lake & Elk Rapids

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:42:53 GMT

We go "up north" to Elk Rapids and Torch Lake often during the summer and early Fall. It is a family favorite. Elk Rapids is a small town that transforms itself into a wonderful little tourist community in the summer and fall. You can walk down the main street and visit unique art gallaries, like Mullaly's. Really interesting pieces, and Barb is the owner. Across the street is the Harbor Cafe, which is always great for breakfast. It's sometimes a bit slow and/or crowded, so go just out of the main downtown to FishBonz restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner (near the Village market). The best place for a casual and fun-filled dinner is Pearl's, which is a canjun restaurant with a variety of offerings and a great atmosphere. Back in downtown Elk Rapids are clothing stores, antiques, and a nice coffee cafe with Internet connection. A new restaurant in town is the Siren Hall. It's a little upscale, but the food is very good. A walk down to the marina is always enjoyable after a filling meal. Also, don't miss going to the library up on the hill to sit and look over some books. There's also an old movie theater in town with first-run features. The biggest attraction is probably the park and beach area of the town. All kinds of things to do--right on the banks of Traverse Bay. A walk about the town would not be complete without taking a look at the large older, and fully renovated homes overlooking the water and park area. Several are B & Bs. Drive a little north of Elk Rapids and you'll be along the west bank of Torch Lake. Torch is one of Michigan's most beautiful inland lakes, big, deep, and clean. There are several public launch sites around Torch Lake, we usually use the one on the west side about 13 miles north of Elk Rapids. The far south end of the lake is the "sandbar" area. In the summer on weekends, this area is packed with boats of every type and everyone is playing in the water that is only 1 foot to 3 feet in depth. If you're on Torch Lake and hungry, go over to the east side of the lake about halfway up, and there's the Dockside Restaurant--another favorite spot to eat and watch boats/people. There's tons to do in and around Elk Rapids and Torch Lake. My family loves it up there.

Legendary Lodge & Historic Inns

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:08:59 GMT

One stay at Presque Isle Lodge, and you’ll understand why the inn has continued its legacy of providing guests comfortable lodging in a tranquil wooded setting for some 80 years. The 10,000-square-foot lodge, originally built as a place to showcase Habitant Log Furniture, now serves as a historic bed and breakfast in Presque Isle (20 miles north of Alpena).

The inn boasts the largest known remaining collection of Habitant Log Furniture in the world, with new pieces continually being constructed and added by the present owner. Stay in one of eight outdoors-themed rooms, and forget your worries in this pristine environment across from Grand Lake. Every morning brings a delicious homemade breakfast.

Guests can relax by the massive fireplace or watch for loons and osprey from the porch. You can also visit the Old and New Presque Isle Lighthouses, Presque Isle Harbor, Besser Natural Area and Thompson’s Harbor State Park, among other local attractions.

When you're in the mood for a romantic getaway with something extra, check into the Ludington Historic Bed and Breakfast Inns' special event weekends. Eight independent bed and breakfasts, from a Victorian "painted lady" to a lumber baron's home, share an imaginative schedule of planned activities.

Love lighthouses? Hooked on geocaching? Gotta dance? One- or two-day itineraries cater to those interests and more, from golf to elk-viewing on horseback. Just make a reservation at the bed and breakfast of your choice from the list below, and they'll provide all of the details.

For a complete list of inns and bed-n-breakfasts in Michigan, click here.

Good Nights

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:39:12 GMT

“There is fresh carrot cake in the breakfast room. May I fix you a cup of tea?” What a wonderful way to welcome two hungry travelers to Celibeth House, a B&B near Seney Wildlife Refuge. Then on to our room, lovely with a pink rose print quilt on the bed and antique rose needlepoint on the wall. The public rooms are beautifully decorated with velvet and lace. Perhaps the most interesting item was the restored cutter sleigh, made in Escanaba and now used for seating on the glass enclosed porch. For me, the best room was the library which was full of books about antiques, decorating, and history. Both Celibeth house and the town of Blaney where it is located have interesting histories. Darlene Cassidy, one of the innkeepers, is well versed in both. The town was originally a lumber town, and the house was built for a lumber baron. It was named for his two daughters, Celia and Elizabeth. When lumbering waned, the entire town was purchased and turned into a hunting and fishing resort, Cellibeth House being used for lodging. There are still remnants of the airstrip and the dude ranch from the resort. The resort thrived into the 1950’s. Finally, in 1985 the buildings including Celibeth House were auctioned off. After a relaxing night among the history and antiques we were back in the breakfast room the next morning for a gourmet breakfast of fruit parfait and blueberry stuffed French toast.

Finding Lexington Michigan

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:48:25 GMT

The Friday, we were to visit, and discover Lexington, dawned bright and sunny. A trip to the gas station was in order and with the soaring gas prices I was happy when husband Larry said, "We can get there and back on one tank of gas." He was right!@ It was only 75 miles from our home, in Saginaw Township, to the Captain's quarters Inn. You can visit their websiste at www.cqilex.com. Imaginme my surprise, when after only a 75-mile ride, we fopund ourselves in completely different surroundings and the feeling of stepping back in time. the whole atmosphere was of a friendly small town from the past. Tree lined streets, with well kept lawns and flowers enhancing every yard, welcomed us. There was a sling breeze blowing and a relaxing feeling took over. We found our B & B had a great location, within walking distance to the beautiful downtown, harbor, beach, tennis courts, shopping, concerts in lakeside park, a woderful new theatre and close to a 36-hole golf course. To top everything off, we found the prices here were VERY reasonable. The most expensive ticket at the theater, to enjoy Steinway Artist, Steve Hall from California, was $25.00! A nine foot Steinway Grand was shipped from Detroit just for the occasion! Our Sunday brunch, complete with prime rib, at the 36 hole golf course club house was only $8.95! The Landing restaurant dock side was a delight and don't miss shopping at Angel's Garden. We loved our visit and would highly recommend the Captain's Quarters Inn. Pat and Ron Cutler, your hosts, will make you feel right at home and can help plan your visit. They know everything about Lexington and the surrounding area. Jill and Larry

Kayakalakeaday

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:12:42 GMT

Four beautiful lakes adorn the interior of Bois Blanc Island. During the last days in April 2007, I kayaked one lake a day. (kayak a lake a day) The shorelines of these pristine lakes are wild and mostly unchanged. The high spring water levels make it possible to cruise close to the shorelines. Last year I saw no other human beings on any of the four lakes. Quiet, remote, wild and beautiful sum up the paddling. This year I am trying to encourage more paddlers to enjoy this beautiful, remote area. There are camping sites but all are rustic. Everything you bring in must go out with you. There is one restaurant/store and one bar/restaurant on the island but both will be closed. We have an awesome B&B but it is completely booked during the time of this event, April 24, 25, 26, and 27. There may be other . The island offers great hiking and mountain bicycling. The roads are all gravel and the trails are hard bottom with rocks, roots, and puddles but most are very ridable. If you are a person that actually enjoys "getting away" then Bois Blanc Island is the place to go.

visit to Lexington, MI

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:29:08 GMT

My husband and I had a great experience in Lexington, MI. It is located on Lake Huron about 20 miles north of Pt. huron. There are numberous shops and a lovely theater there that is a must do. We stayed at the Captain's Quarter's Inn and our hosts Ron and Pat Cutler made us so comfortable and fed us a wonderful breakfast. They were a wealth of knowledge about where to go and what to see. We would highly recommend a few days away from the rat race in Lexington.