Four Places to Take a Mini Moon in Michigan

Planning a wedding is stressful, and you deserve to relax and celebrate afterward with your partner. Sometimes, however, it’s hard to sneak away for a longer vacation. That’s where the mini moon comes in! Mini moons are shorter, more like a long weekend, and are often close to home or your wedding venue. 

Logistically, they are a lot easier to plan and make it extremely easy to leave your reception and head straight into your vacation. If you’re looking for a mini moon destination in Michigan, the key is keeping it easy to get to and full of the amenities or activities you’re looking for. Read below to learn more about the four best places in Michigan for your perfect mini moon!

Detroit: Celebrate in the City

A honeymoon doesn’t mean you have to drive for hours to get up north — instead, stay in Downtown Detroit! This staycation will put you within walking distance of anything you could want. Check Airbnb for rentals in Corktown or Midtown, or make it extra easy on yourself and book a room at one of the hotels or casinos. MGM Grand Casino or Motor City Casino are great options. There are also beautiful, historic hotels in downtown, like the Detroit Foundation Hotel. 

Detroit isn’t lacking award-winning restaurants or trendy cocktails. Make a reservation at The Apparatus Room, or try Prism in Greektown. There are also oodles of more casual options, like Frita Batidos Detroit or Mister Dips. But don’t forget the after-dinner drinks too! Have a cocktail on a rooftop at The Monarch Club or head down the Belt Alley to find The Skip for a frozen drink. 

In between the drinks and meals, you have to check out what games or shows are scheduled while you’re there. Watch a game at Comerica Park or Little Cesear’s Arena, or see who’s in town at The Fillmore. If you’re looking for something a little slower-paced, check out the DIA or head out to Belle Isle!

Northwest Michigan: Resorts, Wine & Views

Head toward Northwest Michigan for the perfect mini moon playground. Full of all-inclusive resorts, local wineries, and gorgeous views, this region has everything you need for your weekend away. 

If you stay at Crystal Mountain Resort, you’ll have your choice of cottages and bungalows for a private and romantic stay. Check out their packages for the perfect deal — and don’t forget to book the Couples Spa Retreat for two 60-minute massages and a bottle of wine! 

Check out The Thistle for fine dining at the resort, grab a drink at Bru Bar, or take a drive to nearby Frankfurt to explore other options. Traverse City is also less than an hour away, and you won’t struggle to find nearby wineries! 

The resort offers activities for every season, including snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating in the winter and hiking, biking, golf, an outdoor pool and hot tub, and more in the summer. However, the resort is also located in the perfect spot to visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, or any of the multiple small towns along Lake Michigan. Take a drive, hike a dune, or book a canoe or kayak trip along a local river. 

Northeast Michigan: Cozy in the Woods

You’re guaranteed a remote and private mini moon if you stay on the Northeast side of the state. Less traveled than the more popular west side, Northeastern Michigan has plenty to offer the couple looking to relax and explore. 

When looking for local rentals, make sure to check what amenities are included. This Secluded Lakefront A-Frame Cabin in Indian River, for example, is not only super cute but also comes with onsite paddleboards, kayaks, a hot tub, and a fire pit for s’mores. Or, check out this waterfront home in Alpena that also includes kayaks, paddleboards, and a hot tub. We also recommend bringing your own groceries for the ultimate weekend away. There are always restaurants in the area if you don’t like to cook, but the remote setting is perfect for staying in and getting cozy. 

Depending on where you stay, it’s an easy drive for a day trip to Mackinaw City and a quick ride across Lake Huron to Mackinac Island! You can also check out the plethora of state forests with hiking trails — we like Black Lake State Forest, Rifle River Recreation Area, and Clear Lake State Park. You can also head over to Alpena to explore the more than 200 shipwrecks off the coast in Lake Huron! However, our favorite activity on this side of the state is packing snacks and a telescope and heading to the Dark Sky Preserve in the Negwegon State Park. Spend the evening looking up and counting the stars!

Upper Peninsula: Remote Adventure

The Upper Peninsula is a farther drive for most, but still accessible for a long weekend. We also love the idea of a mini moon road trip across the UP — but limit yourself to just a couple of stops for maximum relaxation. 

Start your trip near Marquette or Munising, where there are plenty of cute rentals or accessible hotels. The star of this region is the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. There are trails all along the lakeshore with beautiful views of the cliffs, but the best way to see the Pictured Rocks is by boat! Join a kayak tour with Pictured Rocks Kayaking or take a private pontoon boat with Lake Superior Boat Tours to see the rocks from a different perspective. For a meal nearby, check out Foggy’s Steakhouse or we love the sandwiches at Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore. 

For the next stop on your trip, we recommend heading farther north to Copper Harbor! The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is a four season historic resort that has rustic log cabins and activities for both summer and winter. You can bike, hike and run on their trails, or take a spin through their golf or disc golf courses. In the winter, snowshoeing and skiing are a favorite. The lodge is also the headquarters for Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, and guests can borrow a telescope to better explore the night sky. There are multiple dining options at The Lodge, including a cafe and full dining room, making this the perfect spot to linger for your mini moon.