bone

Traveling from Illinois. Me and my Wife are looking for a quite area that would offer fishing, cottages, small town shopping and hiking for this summer. We would prefer to stay away from the busy areas and stay small town if possible. We live in Illinois so either Wisconsin or Michigan are good. This will be a one week vacation. We would also go to a bed and breakfast if available.

azzure

I would suggest Mackinac Island but not if you want to avoid crowds. It's beautiful, though. Maybe someplace nearby on the UP?

blueslipper

Door County is nice in WI (Fish Creek area is my favorite). But if you are open for either, I think the Western shore of MI is beautiful. There are so many quaint towns, offerings and B&Bs, that would be my pick. Mackinac Island is nice, you can go to the Petrosky area and that's great, too. I'm sure you'll find lots of threads on the Michigan shore. Enjoy!

kelliebellie

Traverse City has amazing wineries if that is your thing. And Petoskey is great. Even at its most crowded, northern Michigan is never crowded.

Cali

If you want to go a little farther, the North Shore of Minnesota would be just what you were looking for. I especially like Grand Marais, MN which sits right on Lake Superior and is a beuatiful little town.

bone

We have never gone through any Wineries but have wanted. Are they all in one area or spread through the state?

kelliebellie

http://www.oldmission.com/

They are mostly on Old Mission Peninsula. It looks just like the coast of California. It is beautiful. That link has everything you need to know including b&b's. There are also many cottages to rent on vrbo.com.

kelliebellie

I've been dying to stay here, but it books up quickly!

http://www.chateauchantal.com/

ronko

Why not look into Bayfield - up by Lake Superior -- and the Apostle Islands --- particularily Madeline Island - the area is not as crowded as Door County -- has unique shops and restaraunts - tremendous scenery - boat cruise of the Apostle Islands - Highly recommend you look into the Rittehouse in Bayfield to stay, eat or even just visit. Also, you could go over to Superior or Duluth.

bone

Thanks for all the help. We are thinking of going to the Old Mission Peninsula area and staying a few days. Probable end of July or early August. Since we live in Illinois we will drive. We then would like to find a lake to visit and be able to fish. Hoping to find somewhere we could rent a small cottage. If we had to drive North from this area that would be fine. Even thinking of driving North and returing home through Wisconsin. We are looking for feedback on loding we should stay at in Mission Peninsula area and fishing lakes near this area we could drive to. Thanks again.

henny16

St. Joseph, MI just a couple of hours out of Chicago has some great wineries. In the summer I believe there is a winery tour that takes you to several different ones in the area. Lake Michigan Beaches with fishing charters or inland lake fishing as well. Great small town.