Crystal Lake Rentals

 Beach House Home Base

 There is no better place to be than on Crystal Lake! Whether hanging on the beach in front of the Beach House, or getting out on the water with your own boat or boat rental, it is a great way to spend the day. If you are on a boat on windy days, you can stay to the leaward side and find great anchorages to spend an afternoon. Early morning winds tend to be from the East, making water skiing in front of the Beach House the best spot on the lake.

 Grill lunch at home, or grab a sandwich at East Shore Market or L' Chayim Delicatessen. There are also some great little shops to checkout on the main street right behind the Beach House.

 Bring your bikes or rent them and hit the Betsie Valley Trail for a scenic ride and exercise. There are great sections to rollerblade as well.

If you are staying local for dinner and don't want to cook for a big group, the Cherry Hut is classic Americana.

If anyone can stay awake late enough, the Cherry Bowl Drive-In theater is fantastic.  Just remember that it doesn't get dark until after 10:00 pm depending on when you visit!

 Sleeping Bear Dunes

No trip to Northern Michigan is complete without a trip to the dune climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes, located about 20 miles north.  If you get an early start to the day,  after a couple of hours at the dunes you'll be ready for lunch at Boone Docks and a little shopping in Glen Arbor.  Think twice before you decide to walk to Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes - it's nearly 6 miles round trip and you need to follow the same path out and back.  

On the way back from Glen Arbor, we like to hit the beach in Empire or at the mouth of the Platte River for some time on Lake Michigan Beach. (If you are tubing the Platte, opt for Empire, if not, hit the mouth of the Platte.

Frankfort

Drop off the shoppers on Main Street, and take the kids to the Beach at the end of Main Street.  There are beach volleyball courts just north of Main Street or walk to the end of the pier for amazing views.  You'll see the local kids jumping from the pier near the ladders, but only do this on calm days as the rip tides can be tricky.  Leave you towels on the beach north of the pier for some of the cleanest water you'll find anywhere in the world.

There are too many great eating places downtown to list, but on your way back to the Beach House, the Dairy Maid next to the grocery store on M115 before you head up the hill leaving Frankfort is the best deal in town! 

Platte River float trip

Renting canoes, kayaks, or float tubes at Riverside Canoe shop on M-22 is a great afternoon outing.  You can plan for 3 or 4 hours, but check with the shop to see how fast the river is moving.  You end at Lake Michigan with spectacular views of Manitou Island and Sleeping Bear Dunes.  We usaully leave a car parked at the river mouth with a cooler and enjoy a picnic before heading out. 

Heading back from Platte River (or Sleeping Bear Dunes), a stop at Point Betsie Light House is a nice detour. 

It would be easy to park your car when you arrive and never use it again during your stay, however,  there are some amazing sights to see.  I've suggested four different day trips to spark your thinking, but the possibilities are endless.

Let me know if you have particular interests that aren't included here.