Summer vacation without leaving Michigan

With gas prices as high as they are it's almost unbearable to think of going outside of Michigan for a summer vacation. So in case you're like me...trapped in Michigan...here's some ideas of how to have some fun in the good 'ol mitten state.

1. Do all the things around town that you don't normally get to do - games, restaurants, museums, ice cream shops. Check out visitgrandrapids.org for some walking and driving tours. They have a great list of 21 things to do in GR that are free and fun. You can also look into my archived / older posts for some ideas of some freebies around town and try to put as many into a week as possible.

2. Check out the bike trails and set a goal to ride as many as possible for as far as possible this summer. You can make it a unique trip by packing a small backpack and staying the night somewhere along the way. Here's some websites to find out more about them - whitepinetrail.com; musketawatrail.org and wmtrails.org

3. Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant has a special for $249 that includes a $50 gas card, $30 kids quest credit or $25 cyber quest credit plus a movie, ice cream and popcorn. This is per night mind you. Instead of a weeks vacation why not try just a weekend?

4. Try the Agawa Canyon tour train. Their website is agawacanyontourtrain.com. They are located an hour north of Mackinaw. They have packages available online as well.

5. Mackinac Island is a must see! Even if you get a hotel with cheaptickets.com in Mackinac City and take a ferry to the island. That's a great vacation plus you get the see the bridge!

6. The Grand Rapids Press had a write up on Lansing a while back and here are some highlights about the town they suggested - Make your own wine at Burgdorf's Winery (burgdorfwinery.com); See Wicked from July 16-Aug. 10 (whartoncenter.com); See the original Planter's Peanut roaster and their mascot at The Peanut Shop (517-374-0008); Eat some homemade chocolate delights at Fabiano's Homemade Candies (517-482-7871) and you can also check out cityoflansingmi.com for some other great finds.

7. Head up to the Upper Peninsula for some outdoors fun. You can get some great info at uptravel.com. You can see picture rocks, hike on some of their magnificent trails, view some amazing waterfalls and even go biking. The website offers a travel planner that they will send you for free.

8. Saugatuck is only 45 minutes away and offers a lot of relaxation and fun. You can head to the beaches, ride through the dunes, kayak through a state forest and shop some very unique stores. Here's some websites & phone numbers to help you plan - running-rivers.com; ox-bow.org; fennvalley.com; cranesplepantry.com; saugatuckboatcruises.com; harborducks.com; expressyourselfartbarn.com and saugatuckdunerides.com

9. Go on a lighthouse tour of Michigan. Drive to as many as your gas tank can afford and stay in a different town every night. Check out northernmichigan.com/public/lighthouses for a guide to our 116 lighthouses.

10. Dutch central is only a short drive away. Yes, I'm talking about Holland. Visit a wooden shoe and delft factory (veldheer.com); Learn about their history at the Holland Museum (hollandmuseum.org); Experience the Netherlands at Nelis' Dutch Village (dutchvillage.com); Stop and smell the tulips at a tulip farm (veldheer.com); See windmills like you've never seen before at Windmill Island Gardens (windmillisland.org); Get your picture taken in front of the most photographed lighthouse in Michigan ("Big Red" lighthouse); Sunbathe on one of their many beach sites and don't forget to check out holland.org to find some more cool stuff.

I think 10 is good number of ideas to get you started. Next week I'll be blogging on ideas that are simply fun for families that will save you time and money this summer.