The past couple of summers seemed like the right time to take a family road trip. This summer, I borrowed a page out of the Clark W. Griswold handbook, packed up the family trickster, and set a course for northern Michigan.

Our first stop was Shanty Creek Resort near Bellaire, Michigan. It’s about a 4-hour drive from Chicago and took US-31 that runs near the West Side of the Michigan Coast in Southwest Michigan. Familiar towns like New Buffalo, Grand Rapids and Cedar Springs call it home.

For reference, Bellaire is about two hours South of Mackinac Island and about the same distance East from Sleeping Bear Dunes. There’s plenty to see and do at Shanty Creek including exploring their four villages in dining options, golf, trails, paddle boats, sunset cruises, pools and skiing (in the winter, of course).

Bellaire has a very “cosmopolitan” downtown vibe, from staples like the Ruthie’s and Short’s Brewing Company. The crown jewel might be the Dockside for a dining option. Offering a unique vantage point and is one of the only restaurants on Torch Lake.

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