Michigan 4-day road trip itinerary

The western edge of Michigan is a summer vacation destination offering often-uncrowded beaches, lovely small towns and some of Michigan's most beautiful scenery. This four-day driving

trip includes some highlights in the area, starting from New Buffalo, Michigan, which is only about an hour's drive from Chicago (stop at one of the country's newest national parks

on the way, Indiana Dunes) and a little over two hours from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Once you set off, your busiest driving day will be day two, with about 3.5 leisurely hours on the road. End

up in Mackinaw City, where you can add to your adventure with a trip to Mackinac Island, where no cars are allowed; leave yours in Mackinaw City and catch a quick ferry. Warren Dunes State

Park Michael Snell / Alamy Stock Photo DAY 1: NEW BUFFALO TO SAUGATUCK (90 MILES) Near the border with Indiana, New Buffalo is the gateway to Lake Michigan's “Harbor Country,” a series

of beach towns strung together by the Red Arrow Highway and a popular cottage retreat for Chicagoans. Their tastes in food have followed, making the area a great stop for ice cream

(Oink's Dutch Treat in New Buffalo), hamburgers (Redamak's, also in New Buffalo, April-October.) and beer (Greenbush Brewing Co. in nearby Sawyer, 10 miles north). Getty Images In

Sawyer, climb the 260-foot sand dunes at Warren Dunes State Park and run back down them to the beach. If that's too busy, head north 10 miles to Grand Mere State Park, with undulating

trails through the dune system as well as access to a mile-long beach. Continue along the Red Arrow to the Blue Star Highway or hop on Interstate 96 roughly 35 miles to South Haven, home of

DeGrandchamp Farms, famous for its u-pick blueberry fields in July and August and a good place to get a sense of the fruit-growing bounty of southwest Michigan. Twenty miles on,

sophisticated Saugatuck and its neighbor Douglas comprise Michigan's “Art Coast,” filled with galleries (don't miss local Impressionist James Brandess’ studio and gallery in

Saugatuck). For a picnic dinner of charcuterie and local cheese, drive 9 miles southeast to Virtue Cider, which produces cider on a working farm in Fennville. WHERE TO STAY: For a worthy

splurge, overnight at charming Wickwood Inn for pedestrian access to downtown Saugatuck and farm-to-table breakfasts (currently under renovation, the inn reopens in May). Rooms range from

about $300 to more than $400 per night, depending on the size. If that’s a bit rich, check out Airbnb or other short-term rental sites, though try to book early (summer is a busy time in

these parts). There are also some chain hotels in the area. Holland State Park Todd Bannor / Alamy Stock Photo DAY 2: SAUGATUCK TO GLEN ARBOR (185 MILES) Take a sunrise hike through the

dunes at Saugatuck from Mount Baldhead Park to Oval Beach before hitting the highway (196 to 131) for Holland, 12 miles north. The Dutch-settled town has a popular tulip festival (in May)

and a working windmill in Windmill Island Gardens (you can buy the flour it grinds in the gift shop), as well as an 1870-vintage lighthouse known as Big Red at Holland State Park. Pick up

picnic fare at DeBoer's Bakery, including Dutch brown bread and double-fried chicken sandwiches.