Not so much the camping type of people. Lol there was a place that kept popping up during my online search called the beach condos? Know anything about that? We would prefer to be somewhere where we can walk out and be on the water.. Also I've read a lot that front street is a nice place to go during the day? Thanks for your help!!

Whether you mean 8 hours one way or round trip, it should still be worth it.

But with so many great choices, you might want to ork on stretching it out a day or 2 more.

For accomodations, research right here on T-A. For events, here's one link to get you started:

http://www.traversecity.com/events/?topicid=8

So many other possible side trips too. You will have decisions to make. But re the beaches - they re gorgeous, but the water might still be a bit chilly in June. If the sun is bringin' it though, it'll all feel good. And yes, you heard right about Front Street...though even nicer in the evening, after you've left the beach!

You might want to check out the Grand Beach or Sugar Beach resorts. They are sister properties, next door to each other. June rates can be so iffy among hotels in TC; some consider that prime summer time and others consider that spring rate time! The Holiday Inn has a perfect location; you can walk right into downtown. However, they are remodeling that hotel right now and I have no idea when they might be finished with that project.

I would suggest the Cherry tree as well right on the water (all though last year it the level of the bay was really low) but the rooms are nice with balconies facing the water and in June you should be able to get it close to what you are looking for money wise...

TC is certainly worth the drive we make the 6 hr drive one way 3 times a year sometimes more

have a nice trip!

Worth the 8-hour drive? Absolutely...but then a lot of us here are biased.

As for hotels, it depends on what you really want. If you really want a place on the water, then, of course, you're gonna have to pay a premium for that. But TC also has a slew of less-expensive chain hotels that are comfortable, and several mom-and-pop places as well. All are "close to" the water. You should find those on the tourism websites noted earlier.

The weekend you're considering is also when the Traverse Wine and Art Festival is going on. Read more here: You can find more here: http://traversecitywinefestival.com.

With a slew of good restaurants, wineries, brewpubs, beaches, hiking trails, plus Sleeping Bear Nat'l Lakeshore and TC's Front Street, you have the makings of a fun weekend. Come and visit!

Traverse City, MI is well worth the trip. So much to enjoy the list is amazing. I have a 3-1/2hr drive and would go up every weekend if I could. Over the years we have made a lot of friends from the area and found so many great local spots to stay and eat as well as visit. The list of winery's are amazing and so many great places to stay.

Locations to stay that we have enjoyed:

#1 Black Starr Farm Inn (awesome!) and the staff will take very good care of you. Worth every penny! But it is just 10-15 minutes north of Downtown T.C. Jill & Kelly will take very good care of you and the breakfest is excellent every morning. Just not by the water as you are looking for.

Might also look at Tamarack Lodge; they have some very nice rooms and right on the beach. http://www.tamaracklodgetc.com/ Somtimes you can get last minute deals, so always check with the front desk.

Be sure to check out The Village http://www.thevillagetc.com/ during your visit; they have a lot of great little stores as well as a Bakery making fresh goodies. The history of the place is amazing, it was built back in 1885 and now converted to a very amazing location.

And if you have a Beer Lover in the family/friends; then make sure you stop in at Right Brain Brewery www.rightbrainbrewery.com Be sure to take a Growler home to enjoy.

Great wine stops:

2Lads, 45-North, BlackStar Farms

And don't forget to check out "Grand Traverse Distillery http://www.grandtraversedistillery.com/ for some amazing samples that you cannot buy at the stores; they sell certain items in T.C. and Frankinmuth only.

Thanks for the shout out kdsoup-hope to see you guys up here soon! Corey is opening a new brewery, in the OLD RBB spot!

On topic: Some hotels to consider: Bayshore Resort, closer to downtown, on the beach. Park Place Hotel, a bit dated, but great location right downtown. For your age I would say TC is definitely worth the trip. You can check out some of the wineries, hang out on the beach, great shopping, fun nightlife, live music, GREAT restaurants.

We stopped in Traverse for 2 nights last year (we drove around Lake Michigan and this was one of our stops). We enjoyed it so much we are going back this summer for a week vaca. We are in Chicago and it is about 5-6 hrs and definitely worth it.

We stayed at Cherry Tree last year and will again this year. They have specific rooms that have private walk-out patios directly onto the beach. There are other rooms with baclonies facing the water as well. When we were there we had cold/rainy weather but hopefully this year it will be different. It looked like Cherry Tree had jet-skis that could be rented out (not sure if they are included with the stay).

Check out Sleeping Bear Dunes...we didn't get to but are going to this year. There are tons of wineries, shopping downtown.....Cherry Fest is week of 4th of July.

10 or more of us adults of a mature age:-) are looking to come up for the wine festival on the June 21-23 week-end. We are looking for inexpensive but nice and do not mind sharing accommodations. Would even consider near-by cabins or cottages. I saw one referral to Timber Ridge...has anyone knowledge of that place or any other hotels or places to consider for a group?