I've loved all of the colder climate more northern vacations we've taken over the years. I've never been to Canada, that's a good idea.

We've done an Alaska Sitka-Juneau small boat cruse, Iceland on foot, Norway on foot, Northern Arctic Circle area on another small boat cruise. Cold weather vacations are great!

Can't wait to read the other ideas posted.

My absolute favorite place is the Sleeping Bear Dunes area in the northwest corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula (love it so much that we purchased a small cottage there last year!). It's just a gorgeous place with a ton of things to do--hiking, swimming, dune climbs, canoeing and tubing on the clearest rivers you'll ever see, and lots more. Traverse City is a great town that's nearby. I've posted a link for you to look at.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sleeping Bear Dunes

It's not canada or michigan.. and perhaps closer than you were looking for, but I love the Laurel Highlands in PA, Fingerlakes in NY and Adirondacks in NY.

I am currently working in the Laurel Highlands and there's such a wide array of stuff to do-- great mountain activities, trails, white water rafting-- and if you want a touch (or more) of luxury, check out the nemacolin resort!

While none of the places I suggested are as far north, they are in the mountains and temps tend to be cooler. They offer the kinds of activities you are talking about .. and very important to me, they all offer a variety of options for places to stay, dine and shop-- upscale and more earthy.

Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

Here is a link that might be useful: Laurel Highlands

I totally second jboling's suggestion of Sleeping Bear Dunes!!! We LOVE it there. Old Indian is a nice hiking trail and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a must. We've also canoed and kayaked on the Platte River, which like jboling said, is crystal clear. For small towns, we like Frankfort. Traverse City has a nice bike trail.

If you want to go farther north, we've also spent a lot of time in Petoskey. Again, great bike trails.

A couple of years ago we went to the Canadian side of Niagra Falls. It is very touristy, but we had a really great time.

Sleeping Bear would cover all the activities you mentioned but I don't think you can go wrong with any of the lakeside areas in MI. We're partial to South Haven - love it there.

Thank you so much for the ideas. I am VERY interested in the Sleeping bears dunes-jboling. Looks like fun, anyone ever stay atthe Crystal Mt resort?
I plan on doing the Laurel lands too in a trip in late july. thanks for that link funky!!

teddas--I haven't stayed at Crystal Mountain, but I skied there last winter. Our cottage is only about 20 minutes away from it, so I'm very familiar with the area. The resort is very nice and in a location close to all the activities you're interested in. If you decide to stay there, e-mail me and I'll give you details on the things you can do throughout the area in addition to the great suggestions bac717 had (I love the Platte River!).

We enjoyed Canada and the Niagra Falls is a nice area. We started there and traveled a on a ways.

I'd also suggest the New England area. Just beautful!

Do remember that some areas up that way are experiencing much warmer than normal temps right now though.

Let us know what you decide!

tina

Well I have to suggest the White Mtns and Lakes Region in New Hampshire. Everyone thinks of that area in the fall, but it is just wonderful in the summer. Do a google search on Lake Winnepesaukee -that is the largest, most well-known lake, but there are just dozens of old-fashioned, cottagy lakes in NH (Ossippe Lake, Merrymeeting Lake, Newfound Lake, etc.). And just an hour north is the White Mtns, with the Swift River, where kids can play on boulders in rushing water (safer than it sounds LOL), and you can take all kinds of day hikes from just a few hundred yards to a few miles. And all through the area you'll find road side stands of the best ice-cream anywhere, lots of nostalgic time-gone-by drive-up places (i.e. do a search on The Tamarack). And southern NH has Portsmouth, a very old city with lots of history and fun city-stuff, and beaches right there and on up the coast of Maine (Ogunquit, York Beach, etc.), AND fantastic seafood all through that area (like lobster and fried clams?) It truly is a spectacular destination for a family vacation. I would highly recommend you go to homeaway.com or vrbo.com and try to rent a cottage on a lake. It will be more restful than a hotel, and there is nothing quite lake waking up and having coffee looking out on a still lake... If you are interested, click on my name above and I'll send you more links.

I think you'll get a feel for the place from this link....

Here is a link that might be useful: The Tamerack

Can you tell I am missing NH this summer...

Picture your family enjoying each other here....

Here is a link that might be useful: Cottage on Winnisquam

Yes!!! We've stated at Crystal Mountain several times. Would highly recommend it.

Have you been to Mackinaw Bridge and the Colored Cliffs in the upper peninsula? We've driven up there and it's beautiful.

Just read this on Yahoo.

Here is a link that might be useful: 8 Perfect Summer Lake Towns

I just came back from Acadia National Park in Maine. Weather was 70-74 with night time temps in the 60's. We went with 2 kids, age 5 and 11 plus my parents (late 60's). There was lots to do and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Some of the things we did
1) Drove Park Loop Road and checked out the cool scenery and beautiful views
2) Drove/hiked up Cadillac Mountain
3) went to Sand Beach - water was in the 50's
4) Purchased lobster literally off the boat at Bass Harbor
5) Went Shopping at Bar Harbor and walked across to Bar Island during low
tide
Things we wanted to do but didn't have time - kayaking, what watch, side trip to Nova Scotia

Here are some pics to show you what it was like. Sorry for the size.

I second the motion of going to Mackinaw Island in the UP of Michigan. There you can bike the island and maybe stay at the Grand. The Grand Hotel is a little too steep for me but you can stay in another hotel on the island. Or take the fairy (20 minutes by fairy) to St. Igness or Machinaw Island city which is where you parked your car before taking the fairy over to the Island.

Mackinaw Island is so magical to me they filmed that movie back in the seventy's there. What's the name of it with Jane Seymore and Christoper Reeves, you know the one? Somewhere in Time, it just came to me after blowing a fuse trying to remember it.

{{gwi:1513906}}

You've gotten some great ideas. We've not done many of them, I am making a list!

My parents did the Mackinaw Island vacation and splurged on The Grand. They absolutely loved the entire trip! Great suggestion.

Newfoundland is another cool vacation spot worthy of a visit.

A vote for Ogunquit Maine -- just LOVE going there! Favorite place to stay is "The Terrace" -- an old inn (with additional motel-type rooms too) Right in the old village -- and you can walk down to the beach. Favorite store is across the street -- "Spoiled Rotten" They even have a webcam on their website so you can check their weather and watch the tourists! Marvellous restaurants and LOTS to do!

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

Here is a link that might be useful: website for Spoiled Rotten

I am getting so many fantastic ideas! Thanks so much to each and every one of you!

Just a caution--Mackinac Island is great for a quick stay--maybe a day or two for a family with kids--but other than sightseeing and a bike ride, there's not a whole lot to do for kids. It's wonderful for adults--my husband and I spent a day there--but I don't think my kids would have been too excited about it for more than a day, even at their present ages (22 and 26).

We just got back from our vacation to Michigan a week ago today and I can heartily recommend it. I was born and raised there and miss it a lot especially in the summer and Autumns. While we vacation with family on Michigan's Lake Huron, which is lovely, the area around Traverse City on Lake Michigan , the U.P. (Upper Peninsula) and Mackinac (pronounced MACK-i-naw) Island are also wonderful. I've been to the island many times. and have stayed at the Grand Hotel, which is drop-dead gorgeous. If you're a fan of the movie, "Somewhere in Time", which was filmed there at the Grand Hotel, it still looks very much like that.

But, I do want to mention a few things to consider before booking a room there, though.
* At the Grand Hotel, men over the age of 11, are asked to wear a sports coat after 6PM in the dining room. This wasn't a problem for my DH or DS, but some guys may not like this rule.
* During the summer, the town can be wall-to-wall people, which can turn an anticipated casual shopping trip into somewhat of a nightmare.
* cars and trucks are not allowed on the island, except for police, fire and rescue . . . and probably maintenance. It's a fairly small island and everyone gets around on bicycles that you can rent many places, horses (ditto), walking, or horse-drawn carriages.

For months now, I've been seeing Michigan's "Pure Michigan" ads on tv. Although not all of Michigan is as scenic, many, many places are . . . including beautiful, quaint Lexington on Lake Huron where we vacation every year.
Lynn

Well, I checked into the Grand andfeel it is just too pricey for my needs. Gorgeous though and looks formal.

Lynn and Newdawn. thanks for the info on the UP. I al really leaning this way!
Jyanks, what incredible photos! I love the black and white of kiddies too!

I am soo happy and thankful everyone has a thought or two to share>

Maine is my favorite state, with Acadia National Park/Mt. Desert Island being at the top of the list. DH and I were last there 3 summers ago. It is absolutely heavenly. We did kayak on the ocean, keeping close to shore in between the mainland and the Cranberry Islands. I highly recommend it.

"...and walked across to Bar Island during low
tide"

I will caution you about walking across the sand bar from Bar Harbor to Bar Island. Make certain you know exactly when the low/high tides come in for each day or something like what you see in the first photo may happen to you ;o)...oh, and make sure you don't take the advice of anyone who tells you to park your car on the sand bar. Nope, nope, nope, not a good idea LOL.

Notice Bar Island in the background. Where is that sand bar and why are those people all wet? Hmmm...

I took this photo of DH and our friends after we had walked/swam across stated 'sand bar'...you can't make this sh!t up. I had my camera strapped on top of my head as I crossed so it wouldn't get ruined.

Some more pics...

Frenchman's Bay in the early morning

Jordan Pond

Otter Cliffs

View of Bar Harbor from Bar Island lookout. Worth the trek, indeed.

oh what fabulous pictures! Looks like a fabulous time even if you got caught!