I'm planning a trip to Michigan's western shoreline in mid August.&nbsp\\; I plan to come up 31 to South Haven and then continue north to Grand Haven, Muskegon, Manistee, around the Leelanau peninsula towns, and Traverse City.&nbsp\\; I may go to Charlevoix and Harbor Springs.&nbsp\\; We're going to do all this in 5 days.

Were are the best places to eat and what things should we stop to see?

 

As long as you are driving that far North - a trip around Torch Lake is a must! Dockside is an excellent place to eat right on Torch Lake.
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A trip to Leeland just N of Lake Leelanau is also a great town to visit with several nice places to eat/drink right on the water. This place is very picturesque.

 

Don't miss the "Tunnel of Trees" its M-119 north of traverse city area.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Absolutly a must do ride in the fall, and still very cool in summer. Also in Leelenau, place called "Fish Village" its small shops in old fish shacks along the pier.

 

As mentioned, M-119, it runs from Harbor Springs to Cross Village. In Cross Village is Leg's Inn, good food. If your into sand, check out the Sleeping Bear sand dunes. Enjoy, and thanks for visiting.

 

Take 119 - you will NOT regret it.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; The tunnel of tree's is incredible - especially at sundown!&nbsp\\; Oh, and take 31 north to 22 north and head toward the town of Arcadia - there is an awesome lookout right on the shoreline - you can't miss it!

 

As long as you're going that far, head up to Mackinaw City and Cross the Mighty Mac Bridge.&nbsp\\; Right now, I'm sitting at the Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City typing this, and plan to do the Circle from Here to Petosky&nbsp\\;over to Indian River, across,&nbsp\\;Rogers City, up to Cheboygen then back up to Mackinaw City, Cross the Bridge and go into St Ignace then back.&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;Everything's expensive this time of the year...... but you can find clean mom and pop places.

 

Just be aware that US 31 can get pretty congested thru some of those towns.&nbsp\\; Grand Haven has a draw bridge on 31 and in the late afternoon it really gets choked up thru there.&nbsp\\; US 31 thru Traverse City is always congested.&nbsp\\; Charlevoix also has a draw bridge.
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It's still going to be an awesome trip... there's a lot of beautiful scenery between the towns.
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Will you be staying hotels? or looking for places to camp?
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I have motel reservations in Muskegon (1 night going up), Traverse City (two nights), and Grand Haven (1 night going back).

 

looks like a good plan,even riding 119 you can make the bridge and back to tc in a day.

 

definately cross the bridge and ride the grate lane(inside lane) then you can say you are a manly man...if you survive....lol