Skip to content

Top Navigation

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Home
  • Garden
  • Holidays
  • Videos
  • current issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Midwest Living

Midwest Living Midwest Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      7 Fresh Places to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Winter

      Hot off the minds of Midwest travel writers: a fresh look at where to eat, drink, play and stay around the region. Read More
    • Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes)

      One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. Another runs a microbakery from her home. Two own businesses with their spouses. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The common thread? Absolutely delicious cakes. Read More
    • The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      The No-Fail Relish Tray Recipe is Here

      For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. We dare not mess with an icon—at least, not too much. Read More
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age

    At Wisconsin supper clubs, the steak is served rare and the traditions are well done. Like the brandy in an Old-Fashioned, these timeless institutions only get better with age.
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Family Travel
    • Around the Region
    • Beyond the Region
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Michigan
    • Minnesota
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio
    • South Dakota
    • Wisconsin
    • Free Travel Info
  • Food

    Food

    See All Food
    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    Tomatoey Parmesan Beans

    This sleeper hit of a weeknight dinner comes from Food Network star Molly Yeh's cookbook Home is Where the Eggs Are—and is basically a vehicle for Parmesan and garlic toast. No complaints! (The alternate version, with ham and cream, is excellent too.)
    • Comfort Foods
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Breakfast
    • Quick & Easy
    • Chicken
    • Soups & Stews
    • Midwest Favorites
    • Fruits & Vegetables
    • Fish
    • Grilling
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    Avid DIYers Transform a 1929 Chicago Home One Project at a Time

    With visions of dinner parties and game nights dancing in their heads, a Chicago couple renovated their historic (and first) home, one DIY project at a time.
    • Quick Decorating
    • Featured Homes
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Outdoor Living
    • Seasonal Decorating
    • Room Decorating
  • Garden

    Garden

    See All Garden
    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    How to Care for Flowering Houseplants

    Author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf shares how to make blooms last longer—and repeat.
    • Container Gardens
    • Flowers
    • Featured Gardens
    • Midwest Gardening Calendar
    • Garden Ideas & Inspiration
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter

    Buses, trains and very few automobiles—check out these out-of-the-ordinary holiday lights displays.
    • Easter
    • July 4th
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • Valentine's Day
  • Videos

    Videos

    See All Videos
    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Chef Jorge Guzmán's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales

    Tamales are a project, but many hands—even tiny ones—make lighter work.
    • Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath
    • These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing
    • Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland
    • How to Make a Modern Fruit Cake Box
    • An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make
    • Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall
    • How to Make a Dried Floral Arrangement
    • How to Make an Easy Pina Colada
    • How to Make an Amazing Pavlova
    • How to Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake
    • How to Make an All-Butter Pie Crust
    • DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating
  • current issue

    current issue

    See All current issue
    About Us

    About Us

    • March/April 2022 Issue
    • January/February 2022 Issue
    • November/December 2021 Issue
    • September/October 2021 Issue
    • July/August 2021 Issue
    • May/June 2021 Issue
    • Summer 2022 Issue
    • Fall 2022 Issue
    • Winter 2022 Issue
  • Sweepstakes
  • Road Rally
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Email Preferences
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Win Your Dream Getaway!
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Magazine Issues
  • Destinations
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Midwest Living
  2. Travel
  3. Around the Region
  4. Midwest Lake Resorts For Great Getaways

Midwest Lake Resorts For Great Getaways

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com March 17, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Lake Shore Resort in Saugatauk, Michigan
Credit: Ryan Donnell

Your perfect lake might be a quiet body of water only you and the loons know about. Or a serpentine reservoir ruffled by the wake of speedboats. Or one of the mighty Great Lakes, with beaches as fine as any ocean's. Wherever you'd like to spend your getaway, there's a great resort waiting for you.

Start Slideshow

1 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Saugatuck, Michigan: Lake Shore Resort

Lake Shore Resort in Saugatauk, Michigan
Credit: Ryan Donnell

Lake Shore's motor-inn vibe is the real deal—more than half a century after Joseph and Anna Milauckas built it in 1952. Andrew Milauckas is now caretaker of the property his grandparents created overlooking Lake Michigan, and as he has taken over the reins from his parents, he's completely renovated Lake Shore.

New touches include sleek mid-mod furniture, lakeside yoga classes and meditation sessions. Free bikes, kayaks and breakfast create an all-inclusive feel. But the best parts of Lake Shore haven't changed, including the Lake Michigan views. Walk down to lounge by the waves—and stick around for sunset to complete the show.

1 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mackinac Island, Michigan: Mission Point Resort

Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Credit: John Noltner

On the southeast end of Mackinac Island, Mission Point Resort begins where the island's main street ends. An expansive front lawn with unobstructed views of Lake Huron greets visitors and guests. Check into one of two lodges before exploring all the amenities, including an 18-hole putting course, heated swimming pool, a health club and sauna. Dine at one of the four outstanding restaurants before catching a first-run flick at the island's only movie theater. This sprawling resort completed a $10 million renovation in 2019, refreshing rooms and adding a coffee shop and enhanced wellness perks.

2 of 26

3 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Nisswa, Minnesota: Quarterdeck Resort

Midwest resort revival
Credit: Ackerman + Gruber

Founded in 1957, Quarterdeck Resort got a major makeover in 2018. New owners renovated the lodge suites and added several cottages and beach houses, plus a new restaurant. The goal is to appeal to 21st-century travelers who want the throwback resort feels but not the quilted polyester bed covers. Every Main Lodge room has a lake-view balcony. 

3 of 26

Advertisement

4 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ridgedale, Missouri: Big Cedar Lodge

Big Cedar Lodge

Upscale Big Cedar Lodge on the southern tip of Table Rock Lake features hotel rooms in three lodges (with rooms overlooking the lake, of course). Log cabins hidden among the pine trees are also a big draw. Wooden decks have their own gas grills, and room service will gladly provide all the fixings for a do-it-yourself barbeque, so you dine in seclusion while watching boats laze on the water below.

If you want to do more than just relax, activities for both kids and adults will keep you entertained. Guests enjoy standup paddleboard yoga, yoga hikes, pools, a 62-foot luxury dinner yacht and kids' programs (including Fun Mountain with 11 indoor adventures).  

4 of 26

5 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Arnolds Park, Iowa: The Inn Hotel

Midwest resort revival
Credit: Courtesy of The Inn Hotel

The Inn Hotel opened in 2019 in the heart of the Iowa Great Lakes, a fish-hook-shape cluster of glacial pools that teems from May through September with fishermen, families and fudge-lovers. While the building is new, it channels the spirit of the early to mid-20th century, with gilded accents, black-and-white postcards of vintage Okoboji, and The Beach Club Lounge. Guests can also chill in a rooftop pool or borrow bikes to take to the trails.

5 of 26

6 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brainerd, Minnesota: Madden's on Gull Lake

Madden's in Brainerd Lakes Minnesota

Historic Madden's on Gull Lake lands the perfect balance between family fun and serious pampering. Make your visit easy by booking an inclusive plan, featuring dining options at the resort's five restaurants. We love the lakeside Madden Lodge dining room.

Families prefer lakeside cabins; golfers score rooms facing fairways. Spend days playing tennis, boating, trap shooting, biking or jumping off the trampoline into the lake.

6 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin: The Osthoff Resort

Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin: The Osthoff Resort
Credit: Photo Courtesy of The Osthoff Resort

This elegant Victorian-Era resort recaptures the days when guests wore starched collars and flowing skirts while rowing boats on Elkhart Lake. Behind the classic white facade are modern amenities such as the luxurious Aspira Spa, a fitness center and an on-site culinary school. The all-suite Osthoff Resort also features indoor and outdoor pools and a small beach on the lake. We recommend booking one of the 48 newer suites. 

7 of 26

8 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Between Two Harbors and Lutsen, Minnesota: Lutsen Resort and Grand Superior Lodge

Between Two Harbors and Lutsen, Minnesota: Lutsen Resort and Grand Superior Lodge
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Lutsen Resort

In Lutsen along Minnesota's North Shore, the four-season Lutsen Resort has plenty of draws for summer visitors, including scenic kayak tours, wildflower hikes, evening campfires (pictured), fly-fishing, horseshoes and bocce ball. Unwind along the rocky shoreline before settling into the Scandinavian lodge or a villa.

North of Two Harbors, Grand Superior Lodge offers amenities like kayak tours and massages. Choose from rooms, cabins or lakefront homes. 

8 of 26

9 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Osage Beach, Missouri: 1932 Reserve

This all-new destination's original building was the lake's oldest-known hotel, dating to 1932—just one year after the Osage River was dammed, forming Lake of the Ozarks. Six lofts, including a six-bedroom penthouse, have cool details like headboards made of salvaged flooring (itself legendarily recycled from the dam's construction). The restaurant has water views and is one of the hippest spots for a meal on the lake. 

9 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Kelleys Island, Ohio: Kelleys Island Venture Resort

Kelleys Island, Ohio: Kelleys Island Venture Resort

A pastel yellow exterior marks Kelleys Island Venture Resort, the only resort on this idyllic Lake Erie hamlet. Thirty apartment-style suites feature spacious bedrooms, a living area, Wi-Fi and outdoor living spaces. On clear days, the steel roller coaster skyline of Sandusky's Cedar Point amusement park appears in the distance. Other amenities include a swimming pool and hot tub amid beautiful landscaping and bikes for exploring the 4-square-mile island with 313 residents.

10 of 26

11 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota: Fair Hills Resort

Retro chic at Detroit Lakes

Become a member of the Fair Hills family at this welcoming resort near Detroit Lakes. The cabins aren't anything fancy (no fridges, microwaves or TVs) but you'll love the activities, including a nine-hole executive golf course, tennis courts, outdoor pools and fire pits on the beach. Fair Hills Resort serves three home-cooked meals each day and a special Tuesday night smorgasbord dinner before their popular Hootenanny variety show during the summer.

11 of 26

12 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Grand Geneva Resort and Spa

Grand Geneva Wisconsin
Credit: Courtesy of Lake Geneva Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

The famously clear Geneva Lake, ringed by resorts, vacation homes and 19th-century mansions, is anchored by the town of Lake Geneva on its east end. Just northeast of downtown Lake Geneva, choose a room, suite or villa at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa; enjoy two golf courses and excellent restaurants, as well as an updated WELL Spa + Salon and a fitness center.

12 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Shell Knob, Missouri: Stonewater Cove Resort

Shell Knob, Missouri: Stonewater Cove Resort
Credit: Photo by Diana Lambdin Meyer

Guests looking for a secluded getaway in the Missouri Ozarks will enjoy the 500 acres of Stonewater Cove Resort, overlooking Table Rock Lake and surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest. Geared to active adventurers who want luxury accommodations, the resort offers guided activities, such as ATV tours, boat rides, low ropes, zip lines, archery and tubing; guests can also canoe, kayak, hike, bike, fish and swim or enjoy spa services. After a busy day, relax in the hot tub overlooking Table Rock Lake. 

13 of 26

14 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mackinac Island, Michigan: Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel

For an unforgettable experience, stay at this Victorian-Era landmark, with its 660-foot porch overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. Golf, a pool, lawn games, gardens, tennis courts and fine-dining restaurants might tempt you not to leave the property—though of course you'll want to walk, bike or take a carriage ride to explore car-free Mackinac Island.

14 of 26

15 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chetek, Wisconsin: Canoe Bay

Canoe Bay
Credit: Photo courtesy of Canoe Bay.

Couples come to hide away on honeymoons or rekindle relationships in Canoe Bay's 23 rooms and cottages around Lake Wahdoon. Favorite activities include canoeing (of course), hiking or snowshoeing on the 280-acre couples-only property, taking horse-drawn carriage or sleigh rides at a nearby farm, having in-room relaxation massages and reading (the resort has an extensive library). Breakfast comes to rooms discreetly, adding to the atmosphere.

15 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Nisswa, Minnesota: Grand View Lodge

Grand View Lodge

Guests might come to Grand View Lodge for the three spectacular 18-hole golf courses, but they stay for the quality accommodations and views. Choose from townhomes, villas, cabins or clubhouse suites; we love the red cabins lining Roy Lake. In addition to golf, the resort offers a beach, spa and indoor water park. 

16 of 26

17 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin: Blacksmith Inn on the Shore

Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin: Blacksmith Inn on the Shore

Enjoy harbor views after a soak in a big tub at this cozy Door County spot. Nice extras at Blacksmith Inn on the Shore in Baileys Harbor include in-room whirlpools and gas fireplaces, plus kayaks and bikes. Choose a package to suit your event: honeymoon, anniversary, or just a quiet getaway for two. 

17 of 26

18 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

South Haven, Michigan: The Victoria Resort Bed and Breakfast

The Victoria Resort Bed and Breakfast

Relax in luxurious rooms or guest cottages a short walk from the beach and South Haven's many restaurants, shops and other attractions. All rooms at The Victoria Resort feature Victorian-esque décor, spacious modern baths and flat-screen TVs; deluxe rooms offer whirlpool tubs and gas fireplaces. You can borrow bikes to cruise around town as well as enjoy the B&B's pool and tennis court. 

18 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Branson, Missouri: The Village at Indian Point

Village at Indian Point
Credit: Kristi Foster

Near Table Rock Lake's shore, the condos at The Village Indian Point have fireplaces, private decks and great views. Enjoy two pools and access to a boat ramp.

19 of 26

20 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Hayward, Wisconsin: Treeland Resorts

Hayward, Wisconsin: Treeland Resorts
Credit: Photo Courtesy of Treeland Resorts

It's easy to see why many families consider Treeland Resorts their must-visit vacation tradition. Located 18 miles east of Hayward, this pretty resort is all about family fun with an outdoor pool, modern playground, volleyball and tennis courts, and plenty of boat access. The resort's log lodge houses a large bar and dining area with tables overlooking the lake. Enjoy dessert at the ice cream fountain, then retire to one of the 29 vacation homes and cabins or 10 motel suites for the evening.

20 of 26

21 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Northeast Minnesota: Gunflint Lodge

Grand Marais, Minnesota: Gunflint Lodge

All-inclusive packages draw guests to Gunflint Lodge, a lakefront resort at the edge of the Boundary Waters. This four-season resort 43 miles northwest of Grand Marais embraces its prime wilderness location with activities like horseback riding, fishing, hiking and canoeing. Soar above the trees on the Towering Pines Canopy Tour. Comfortable cottages include stone fireplaces and two-person spas; guests can also opt for one of the well-appointed cabins or lake homes

21 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lake Ozark, Missouri: Point Randall Resort

Guests at the family-owned destination enjoy clean lakeside cabins and cottages, a fishing dock and swim dock, a beach, and 1,000 feet of shoreline.

22 of 26

23 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

St. Joseph, Michigan: The Inn at Harbor Shores Resort

Access to golf, a spa and a marina make the 92 lakeview rooms in St. Joseph, on Michigan's southwest shore, all the more appealing. Indoor and outdoor pools and a variety of dining options round out your stay at The Inn at Harbor Shores Resort.

23 of 26

24 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Birchwood, Wisconsin: Stout's Island Lodge

Birchwood, Wisconsin: Stout's Island Lodge

The Stout family brought their lumber fortune and summer-home dreams from Chicago to this 1,800-acre haven on Red Cedar Lake. Frank D. Stout modeled Stout's Island Lodge after the Adirondack resorts in upstate New York. Today, the 1912 lodge still sports gleaming, wide-plank hardwood floors; framed black-and-white family photographs; and wool spreads on some of the king-size beds. Its 43 rooms capture turn-of-the-20th-century class, and some of the eight cabins have twin beds in sleeping porches. Spend the day canoeing, fishing, playing croquet or just curling up with a good book. In the evening, dine on garden-fresh soups, tasty burgers and cooked-to-order steaks.

24 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Brainerd, Minnesota: Kavanaugh's Sylvan Lake Resort

One- to three-bedroom cottages and condos at Kavanaugh's overlook Sylvan Lake. When you're not at the beach or on the lake, try recreation options such as indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, rental bikes, and hiking.

25 of 26

26 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Munising, Michigan: Roam Inn

A lumber baron's home has morphed into the lodge-like Roam Inn in Munising, part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Some of the 18 guest rooms offer Lake Superior views. Spend your days on active adventures like hiking and kayaking in nearby Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

26 of 26

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 26 Saugatuck, Michigan: Lake Shore Resort
    2 of 26 Mackinac Island, Michigan: Mission Point Resort
    3 of 26 Nisswa, Minnesota: Quarterdeck Resort
    4 of 26 Ridgedale, Missouri: Big Cedar Lodge
    5 of 26 Arnolds Park, Iowa: The Inn Hotel
    6 of 26 Brainerd, Minnesota: Madden's on Gull Lake
    7 of 26 Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin: The Osthoff Resort
    8 of 26 Between Two Harbors and Lutsen, Minnesota: Lutsen Resort and Grand Superior Lodge
    9 of 26 Osage Beach, Missouri: 1932 Reserve
    10 of 26 Kelleys Island, Ohio: Kelleys Island Venture Resort
    11 of 26 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota: Fair Hills Resort
    12 of 26 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
    13 of 26 Shell Knob, Missouri: Stonewater Cove Resort
    14 of 26 Mackinac Island, Michigan: Grand Hotel
    15 of 26 Chetek, Wisconsin: Canoe Bay
    16 of 26 Nisswa, Minnesota: Grand View Lodge
    17 of 26 Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin: Blacksmith Inn on the Shore
    18 of 26 South Haven, Michigan: The Victoria Resort Bed and Breakfast
    19 of 26 Branson, Missouri: The Village at Indian Point
    20 of 26 Hayward, Wisconsin: Treeland Resorts
    21 of 26 Northeast Minnesota: Gunflint Lodge
    22 of 26 Lake Ozark, Missouri: Point Randall Resort
    23 of 26 St. Joseph, Michigan: The Inn at Harbor Shores Resort
    24 of 26 Birchwood, Wisconsin: Stout's Island Lodge
    25 of 26 Brainerd, Minnesota: Kavanaugh's Sylvan Lake Resort
    26 of 26 Munising, Michigan: Roam Inn

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Midwest Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • Free Newsletters this link opens in a new tab
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
    • Renew this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Affiliate Program
    • Free Travel Info this link opens in a new tab
    • Special Promotions this link opens in a new tab
    • Sweepstakes this link opens in a new tab
    • Video
    • Home Advisor this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMidwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Midwest Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.midwestliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Midwest Lake Resorts For Great Getaways
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.