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Down By The Bay: Lake Michigan Getaway – Games, Space, and Gorgeous Views!

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Reviews

9.6 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 11269 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Garden, MI
  • Garden Golf Club
    4 min drive
  • Big Bay De Noc
    6 min drive
  • Manistique River State Forest
    23 min drive
  • Escanaba, MI (ESC-Delta County)
    59 min drive

Room options

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Down By The Bay: Lake Michigan Getaway – Games, Space, and Gorgeous Views!

DOWN BY THE BAY
Sleeps: 11
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms:3.5
**5 Kayaks-One is a fishing kayak, just bring your fishing poles and tackle!
**Pet friendly!
**Snowmobile trails approx. 5 miles from the property, ride right from the front door. PLEASE don't ride on the property!
** 6 PERSON HOT TUB!!
Lake Michigan has never looked so beautiful! The view of the boats along Big Bay de Noc capture the essence of what we long for on vacation. Down By the Bay is found in the Garden Peninsula, at the central-southern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

While there is a street between the front lawn and Lake Michigan, you'll find ample space between the neighbors. The wide, front porch allows you to relax with the view. This home is filled with fun activities for the whole family, including your family pet. Your family and friends can bond over games, from a card (poker) table to foosball, corn hole and ping pong.

Inside this three (3) level home, it's a unique Upper Peninsula Lake house experience to be able to cool off during those couple summer months with central air conditioning. You'll find a bathroom on every level, and bedrooms on both the upper and lower levels. The kitchen, dining area and living room are reserved for the main floor. The kitchen is idea for cooking meals where you end the day overlooking Lake Michigan from the dining room table. The living room gives your family the space to further decompress and share the fun stories of the day. You may never find a better home for a great game of hide & seek!

Take a moment to enjoy the time together, in the comfort and space the Garden Peninsula of the U.P. provides.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Air Conditioning: Yes! There is central area at this property

ATV's/Snowmobiles: Bring your ATV's/Snowmobiles, there are trails approximately 5 miles away and you can ride from the home! Trail UP 415 starts on Garden Grade Rd. Please be courteous not to go on private land while using ATV's or Snowmobiles and do not use them on the property.

Animals: Deer, rabbits, squirrels, woodchucks

Bathrooms:
1. Lower Level: Full Bath (Toilet, Sink, Shower only)
2. Main Level: Half Bath (adjacent to living room- Toilet & Sink only)

Upper Level:
3. Toilet, Sink, Bathtub ONLY- NO shower (next to 2 bedrooms, opposite side of Master bedroom)
4. Toilet, Sink, Shower (en suite Master Bedroom)

Beach/Swimming: This property is located on Garden Bay/Big Bay de Noc with 100ft of frontage. If you are looking for a beach to swim at, Fayette State Park is 15 minutes away! (9.6 miles)

Bedroom Configurations:
Upper Level
Bedroom #1- King
Bedroom #2- Queen
Bedroom #3- Queen

Lower Level
Bedroom #4- One Queen & 3 twins

Boats: - 2 10' Kayaks & 2-12' Kayaks available from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you can also rent from Blue-Mystique rentals is 2 minutes (.5 miles) away!

Boat Launch: The public boat launch is located 3 minutes from the property. There is also a boat launch at Fayette State Park.

Bugs: Mosquitos can be abundant on waterfront properties

Cable: There is Dish TV at the property

Cell Phone Service: Verizon is spotty, AT&T works well

Coffee Maker: There is a drip coffee maker here

Distances/Things to do (In order of distance):
*Milwaukee: 4 hours & 36 minutes (272 miles)
*Chicago: 6 hours & 39 minutes (362 miles)
*Detroit: 6 hours & 8 minutes (406 miles)
*Village Artisans & Garden Gallery: 2 minutes (.8 miles)
*Fayette Historic State Park: 15 minutes (9.6 miles)

Dock: Yes! There is a 30ft dock with 12ft bows

Drinking Water: Well water is used at this property. Some guests may want to bring bottled water with them.

Drugs/Smoking/Fireworks: Freshwater does not permit illegal drugs of any kind on the property. Due to the location of the properties, smoking is strongly discouraged around the home and strictly prohibited in the home. Fireworks are prohibited at a Freshwater location for the safety of all persons in and around the property, even if it is legal in that city.

Fireplace: No

Fire-pit: Yes!

Fishing: Perch, Walleye, Small Mouth Bass, Lake Trout, and Salmon can be found here!

Fishing License: A license is required in order to fish in Michigan. Click here to purchase your license online

Fishing Poles: There are no fishing poles at the property.

Game Room: The game room is located in the attached garage!
The game room includes:
*Table Tennis
*Foosball
*Texas Holdem
*Corn Hole
*Crochet supplies
*Exercise bike

Generator: A generator is set up to automatically turn on if the power goes out!

Golf Courses (In Order of Distance):
Garden Golf Course: 4 minutes (1.7 miles)
Stoney Point Golf Course: 26 minutes (22.3 miles)
Indian Lake Golf Course: 37 minutes (30.5 miles)

Grill: There is a propane grill at the property

Grocery Store(In order of distance):
*Mini Mart: 2 minutes (.5 miles)
*Jack's Fresh Market: 29 minutes (25.7 miles)

Handicap Friendly: There is a handicap friendly entrance on the lower level through the game room. There are not other handicap friendly features.

Heat: Yes! There is electric heating at the property

Hot Tub: Newly installed 6 person Hot Tub!

Hunting: Guests must adhere to local guidelines for hunting and hunting is prohibited on the property

Internet: Yes! Starlink newly installed

Linens: Yes, we provide your sheets and linens. Just like a hotel, the beds will be made for you upon arrival. If you are fussy about the thread count of your sheets, just let me know, and I'll make sure we leave a bed open for your sheets. We have just the basic sheets, pillows, pillowcases and bath towels.

Parking: Six cars + Two trailers can fit at the property there is also an EV car charger inside garage!!

Pets: Up to two dogs may join you during your stay! Freshwater Vacation Rentals currently charges $75/per pet for your entire stay. Yes, we do accept dogs, yet we do ask that you please clean up after them both inside and outside the cabin. Plus, if you allow them on the furniture, we do ask that you please bring your own linens/blankets for them to sleep on. Just let us know which bed you will be using with them, and we'll make sure it is ready for your sheets when you arrive. Plus, if the pet hair starts to build, we do ask that you please run the vacuum. Generally, dogs love the water and places to explore. Pet food does tend to attract mice, so vigilance is needed.

Privacy: There is a neighbor on one side, with trees in-between the homes

Snowmobiles: a person (resident and nonresident) that operates a snowmobile in Michigan is required to purchase a snowmobile trail permit. The trail permit enables snowmobilers to ride state-designated trails and thousands more miles of public roads and on public lands (where authorized). It is valid for one year, which begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30 of the following year. State-designated trails are open Dec. 1-March 31 and grooming occurs when there is enough snow on the ground. Click here to purchase your snowmobile trail permit.
* Delta County Snowmobile Trails – Approximately 10-15 miles away, part of the local snowmobile network.
* Hiawatha National Forest Trails – Around 15-20 miles away, offering scenic routes through the forest.
* Upper Peninsula Trail System – About 20 miles away, part of the larger UP snowmobile trail network.

Space: 2899sqft Tri-level home

Seniors: This home is senior friendly!

Televisions: The are TVs with streaming capabilities on property. 1 in Game Room, 1 in Main Living Room, and 1 in the Lower Bedroom.

Towels: All bath and kitchen towels will be provided during your stay. Please bring beach towels with you!

Washer and Dryer: There is a washer & dryer at the property (Laundry soap is provided)

Water: This home has well water. There may be a sulfur (rotten egg) smell in the water throughout the home.

Winter Activites:
*Snowmobiling
Delta County Snowmobile Trails – Approx. 10-15 miles away.
Hiawatha National Forest Trails – About 15-20 miles away.
* Ice Fishing
Lake Michigan (near Garden) – Just a few miles away, great for ice fishing.
* Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Hiawatha National Forest – About 15-20 miles away, offering trails for skiing and snowshoeing.
* Downhill Skiing
Pine Mountain Ski Resort – Approximately 80 miles away, for skiing and snowboarding.

Wood: Wood is provided during your stay!
During your stay at this vacation home, you're just a quick walk from Lake Michigan. Features include a gym, a spa tub, and an arcade/game room. The vacation home includes amenities such as free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine, and 3.5 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include a car charging station
  • Onsite recreation includes a gym
  • Steps from Lake Michigan and a 4-minute drive from Garden Golf Club
This vacation home offers its guests a spa tub and a fitness center. Barbecue grills, an arcade/game room, and a garden are also featured at the family-friendly vacation home.

Property manager

Freshwater Vacation Rentals

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • A hot tub

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • On-site parking options include a garage
  • On-site parking

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Spices

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 3.5 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV
  • Table football
  • Ping pong table
  • Games room
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair-accessible
  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront
  • Near the bay

Things to do

  • Fitness centre
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Ecotours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 2900 sq ft (269 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

517441

Down By The Bay: Lake Michigan Getaway – Games, Space, and Gorgeous Views! Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 8 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 8 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 8 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 8 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Kristen K., Atlanta

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful view on Lake Michigan
House was large enough for all of us and had activities for my grandsons like a Ping Pong table etc. It is an odd space but very comfortable. I would recommend bringing your own drinking water since the water tastes a bit strange. We were disappointed that the boys couldn't paddle board right from the lake in front of the house. There is a nice restaurant at the end of the road although the town itself is quite small.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tony P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Vacation
Great views, the mini mart was very convenient. The kids absolutely loved the garage, i loved the hot tub, and the stars at night.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Steve S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake side
House was clean. Garage was interesting with see through overhead door. Woshed there was better access so we could launch kyaks from property.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gregory D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Getaway
The location was great, right on the bay. There was enough room for ten family members and two dogs without getting in each others way. The kids enjoyed the game room, the adults enjoyed the front porch watching the sunset. The house was clean and had everything we needed. Would recommend to large families wanting to get away from it all.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

joshua f.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
Clean, great location, and everything we needed was already there. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maggie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family summer trip
This home is amply spacious! The sunrise and sunset lake views are stunning. This is a very comfortable and squeaky clean home on the lovely Garden Peninsula. I was expecting my children to be able to swim in Lake Michigan on the lake frontage that is just across the street from this home, but it was not ideal for children. On that frontage, there is a rickety dock and mossy, slippery rocks in the water -- not easy for little ones to get in and out of the water and play. We enjoyed the beach at Fayette State park, about a 15 minute drive south of this home, where kayaks can be rented for $30 per 24 hours. (I was told that Blue Mystique boat rentals, which used to be located in Garden, shut down two years ago.)
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Linda L., Sioux City

Liked: Cleanliness
Summer Family Get Away
We had a very relaxing time. Extremely impressed with the converted garage game room, kitchen and all. Spent a great deal of good family bonding in this room.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

karen v.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great home with terrific views.
Vey nice stay. Home is very spacious and comfortable. Could use some updated flooring as the carpet is old and a bit musty. Extremely clean otherwise and very well stocked with dishes, toiletries, firewood etc. game room was awesome for the grandkids;)
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022