Saugatuck, Michigan
Oval Beach is the place to go in Saugatuck for those who like activity: people watching, eating shaved ice and hot dogs and parking on the sand. Saugatuck Dunes State Park, on the other hand, may be Saugatuck's most romantic spot. A mile-long, wooded stroll ends at a secluded sugar-sand beach, uncluttered by bathhouses and food vendors and remarkably free of people. The romance continues downtown, where dozens of galleries, boutique shopping, quaint cafes and coffee shops line the small-town streets. At dinnertime, consider French favorite Restaurant Toulouse, British pub Chequers or the contemporary Copper Grille. The Wickwood Inn is the perfect B&B choice, with rich linens, gourmet breakfasts and iced tea on a quiet, ivy-embraced screen porch. Saugatuck Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.saugatuck.com
Mackinac Island, Michigan
The ferry ride to Mackinac Island — complete with deep blue lake and sky, a crisp breeze and the graceful Mackinaw Bridge spanning Michigan's peninsulas to your west — is as much a part of your weekend here as the island stay. Since Lake Huron's cold water and rocky shore make for chilly swimming, these island beaches are better for beachcombing. Better still, rent a tandem bike and tour the eight miles of lakeshore leisurely. Don't miss the opportunity to stay at the Grand Hotel; its richly decorated rooms, exquisite dining and a first-rate staff are fit for royalty. At day's end, head to the beach again, the only place in the world where you can watch the sun rise over one Great Lake and set over another. Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, www.mackinacisland.org
Sodus Point, New York
A historic lighthouse, a cozy B&B, sweeping Lake Ontario vistas and winery tours — Sodus Point has all the ingredients for a romantic getaway. Stay at the Carriage House Inn, comprised of two historic homes turned guesthouses. The inn's 1870 building sits on four quiet acres, but the stone Carriage House is closest to the beach; its rooms provide views of Lake Ontario and the Sodus Point Lighthouse. Outdoor concerts are held on summer Sunday afternoons at the base of the light. Downtown, an assortment of shops and small restaurants greets visitors. And an easy one-hour drive will take you to Seneca or Cayuga Lakes, the heart of the Finger Lakes wine region. Sodus Point, www.seawaytrail.com
Put-in-Bay, Ohio
The best beach near Put-in-Bay is at South Bass State Park, but don't be surprised if you never make it there. During the day, Put-in-Bay's streets hum with golf carts cruising the island streets and pedestrians checking out the charming shops. But when the sun goes down, the town really wakes up. Dinner at The Boardwalk is a favorite, where seafood and Lake Erie views dominate. Afterward, there's room for all your friends to belly up to the world's longest bar at the Beer Barrel Saloon. The round, century-old Roundhouse Bar livens up the night with live dance music and beer served in buckets for sharing. Stay at the Grand Islander Hotel, a perfect spot for groups, with swimming pools and the world's largest swim-up bar. Put-In-Bay, www.lake-erie.com
Maumee Bay State Park, Ohio
So you can't agree on what to do at the beach? Go to Maumee Bay and do it all. Jet skiing, windsurfing, swimming, fishing, golfing, biking, hiking, bird watching and kayaking, this state park has something for everyone. A groomed sandy beach, manmade ponds, paved bike paths, wild wetlands, nature trails and a first-rate golf course offer opportunities for everyone. Eat Lake Erie whitefish and enjoy lake views at the park's Water's Edge Restaurant. For those on a tight budget, Maumee Bay's campground offers group sites with beautiful views and shaded, grassy lots. If you want something a little more upscale, check out the park's deluxe cottages — they sleep up to 14, and have full kitchens, hot tubs, screened porches and lots of privacy. Maumee Bay State Park, www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/parks/maumeebay.htm
Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Michigan
Even more than its gorgeous Lake Michigan beaches, it is the 1,200 acres of dunes that draw people to Silver Lake State Park. Like something out of "Lawrence of Arabia," the dunes seem to go on forever, dry and windswept and starkly beautiful. The park draws thousands of people who love the thrill of speeding over the dunes in their off-road vehicles. (This is the only beach in Michigan where it's legal.) Keep your eyes open for fulgarites in the sand: These glassy, molten-sand tubes are formed when lightning strikes the dunes. The lodging of choice at Silver Lake is camping — there are a number of private campgrounds in the area, but the state park is the best. If you prefer a hotel, try the Dunes Waterfront Resort in nearby Mears, with its own private beach. Silver Lake Sand Dunes, www.silverlakecvb.org
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
There are a half-dozen beaches near Traverse City, but Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore tops the list. The park is home to some of the highest sand dunes you're likely ever to see. Extensive hiking trails wend through forested dunes, but a car trip along Pierce Stocking Drive offers great shots for shutterbugs. For a unique beach experience, rent a canoe and paddle down the Platte River. The river passes through woods where canoes scare up deer and herons. At the end of the trip, the Platte empties onto a sugar-sand beach in the southern reaches of the national park. Your best bet for accommodations lies in Traverse City, where Great Wolf Lodge offers kid-friendly rooms and an indoor water park. Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.nps.gov/slbe/
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana
Only 50 miles from Chicago, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore includes 25 miles of unspoiled Lake Michigan shoreline in an area better known for its industry than tourism. The two-lane, twisting Dunes Highway (U.S. Rte. 12) cuts through the heart of the park, winding through hardwood forests and offering glimpses of dunes and water along the way. Four beaches lie within the park's boundaries, as well as picnic facilities, hiking and bridle trails, and an interpretive center. Also part of the park is Chellberg Farm, a turn-of-the-century farmstead. Visitors tour the house and barn, and on weekends help feed the livestock. Most overnight visitors make use of the park's campground, but if you prefer a hotel, you'll find many chain options in Michigan City, Chesterton and Portage. Porter County Convention, Recreation & Visitor Commission, www.indianadunes.com
Sandbanks Provincial Park, Ontario
Eighty-foot sand dunes and the finest beaches in southern Ontario are the primary draw at Sandbanks Provincial Park. Whether your family is interested in active sports — like swimming, canoeing or fishing — or prefers relaxing with a book in the summer sun, Sandbanks offers something for everyone. Local canoe, kayak or rowboat rentals help get the family out on the water. But if you tire of swimming, you can always visit the Ameliasburgh Historical Museum nearby, which includes 15 pioneer-era buildings with daily handcraft demonstrations. Camping is the lodging of choice: Sandbanks includes five campgrounds with more than 500 campsites. The Isaiah Tubbs Resort in nearby Picton and a host of good chain options in Belleville provide overnight options. Ontario Tourism, www.ontarioparks.com
Presque Isle, Pennsylvania
Sandy, hook-shaped Presque Isle juts out into Lake Erie from Pennsylvania's tiny lakefront panhandle near Erie. It's the only true beach property in the Keystone State, providing more than seven miles of swimming beaches, hiking trails, paved biking and in-line skating paths and plenty of water for fishing and boating. Kids especially enjoy watching Great Lakes freighters ply the waters between Pennsylvania and Ontario; visitors of all ages like to test their birdwatching skills. From early spring through autumn, thousands of birds migrate by way of Presque Isle. For fun on the mainland, visit the Erie Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Splash Lagoon is a great hotel choice in Erie: If the weather turns gray, the resort's indoor water park provides a great alternative to the beach. Erie Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.visiteriepa.com