A Girlfriends’ Weekend Getaway in Michigan
It’s deer hunting season here in Michigan, which means it’s the perfect time to plan a girls’ weekend getaway while the guys are out in the woods. These five Michigan towns are great places to relax and hang out with your girlfriends, and they each have something unique to offer.
Petoskey
This Northern Michigan beach town features gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and beautiful Victorian architecture. Spend a day browsing the boutiques, galleries and one-of-a-kind shops downtown. You’ll also want to put a wine tour on your itinerary. The area is home to several wineries, each offering their own unique Michigan vintages. Fruit wines are the region’s specialty.
When it’s dinner time, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from including fine dining, grills, even cozy bistros and cafes.
Stay at the Holiday Inn Express for easy access to downtown, the beach and surrounding wineries. You can also enjoy the heated indoor pool, whirlpool & dry sauna. The Holiday Inn offers a free stretch-limousine shuttle from 3 – 11 PM to help you get around town.
For elegant accommodations that will take you back in time, stay at Stafford’s Perry Hotel. The 1899 luxury resort sits high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. In addition to beautiful architecture and spectacular views, the Perry boasts fine dining in the Rose Room, the Noggin Room Pub, a gift shop and a cozy library filled with books and game for guests to enjoy.
Saugatuck
This West Michigan town is located on the Kalamazoo river, right where it flows into Lake Michigan. Downtown Saugatuck is chock full of art galleries and studios. You’re sure to find that perfect piece of original art to take home.
For good eats you’ll want to drive down the road to Fennville and Crane’s Orchard and Pie Pantry. The restaurant features homemade breads, pies and their own wines and hard cider.
Stay at the Serendipity B&B in Saugatuck. Each suite and cottage has a cozy fireplace for late night chatting, and breakfast is delivered to your room in a basket each morning.
Grand Rapids
If you and your girlfriends enjoy good beer, head to Grand Rapids, also known as Beer City U.S.A. You’ll find over 40 local breweries where you can savor craft beer. Hopcat and Founders are local favorites. Go on a pub crawl and hire the GR Hopper to safely transport you around town. For even more fun, pedal round town on the Great Lakes Pub Cruiser, a 15 person pedal bike that makes stops at local bars and breweries. Spend the night downtown at the City Flats Hotel, a boutique hotel that features modern, eco-friendly rooms.
Troy (Metro Detroit)
If high-end shopping is your thing, head to Troy, just outside of Detroit, and the Somerset Collection. This luxury shopping center has more than 180 specialty stores. Nordstrom, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue anchor the mall. Some of the mall’s designer stores include Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co. and Giorgio Armani. The mall has several restaurants and offers valet parking, and concierge service. Stay at the Somerset Inn. This elegant, contemporary hotel is within walking distant of the mall.
Traverse City
Head to Traverse City and The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa if you want to be pampered for the weekend. This luxury spa and resort overlooks Grand Traverse Bay. It offers a full service spa with everything from massage to facials to pedicures. Located in the heart of cherry country, many spa treatments are infused with cherry.
Stay at the resort’s hotel in one of their well-appointed luxury rooms. You can dine on-site on one of the resort’s three restaurants and relax in one of their two bars. After your spa treatment, explore the nearby Leelanau Peninsula where you will find orchards, vineyards, quaint shops and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
