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45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 1 of 44 Published on Midwest Living (http://www.midwestliving.com) 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Our favorite Midwest resort destinations range from cozy lakeside lodges to indoor water park behemoths. Dive in to check out our top picks for a fabulous Midwest getaway. By Jess Hoffert Boyne Falls, Michigan: Boyne Mountain Resort Summer brings swimmers, bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts to this popular four- season resort. Ski lifts transform into scenic rides, and families enjoy Saturday night bonfires with s'mores. Boyne Mountain Resort boasts two world-class golf courses, Solace Spa, Zipline Adventures through the treetops, bike trails and even kids' wakeboarding clinics — as well as Avalanche Bay, Michigan's largest indoor water park. Choose from a wide array of accommodations, including rooms, suites, condos, cabins and villas. See Midwest Living's review. [2] (800) 462-6963; boyne.com [3] http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 2 of 44 Nisswa, Minnesota: Grand View Lodge and Good Ol' Days Family Resort 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 http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 3 of 44 love the cabins lining Roy Lake (pictured). In addition to golf, the resort offers a beach, spa and indoor water park. See Midwest Living's review. [7] (866) 801-2951; grandviewlodge.com [8] Just blocks from downtown Nisswa, Good Ol' Days Family Resort features Mission-style cottages with glass doors framing views of Lower Cullen Lake. The four- season resort also includes an eight-unit lodge and a beautiful beach. Rent boats, play on the basketball court, indulge in nightly campfires and ice cream socials, or try some friendly competitions such as kayak races and a sand sculpture contest. See Midwest Living's review. [9] (800) 227-4501; goodoldaysresort.com [10] Ashland, Nebraska: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is all about amenities: trail rides, miniature golf, a driving range, a water park (pictured), pedal boats, theater performances and an ice rink in winter. The grounds are as manicured http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 4 of 44 as a golf course, and the cabin clusters look like suburban subdivisions. The huge Peter Kiewit Lodge features motel-style rooms and a full restaurant with great views of the Platte River Valley. See Midwest Living's review. [14] (402) 944-2523; outdoornebraska.org [15] Brainerd, Minnesota: Madden's on Gull Lake and Lost Lake Lodge Historic Madden's on Gull Lake (pictured) 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 http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 5 of 44 restaurants. We love the lakeside Madden Lodge dining room. See Midwest Living's review. [19] (800) 642-5363; maddens.com [20] The 13 cabins are nice enough, but it's the culinary offerings that steal the show at Lost Lake Lodge. Arrive by boat or car for fancy multi- course meals of seared king salmon, New York strip steak or even grilled wild boar paired with one of 40-plus wines available by the glass. See Midwest Living's review. [21] (800) 450-2681; lostlake.com [22] Lewiston, Michigan: Garland Lodge and Resort and Tee Lake Resort If you've ever wondered what "sophisticated rustic" looks like, book a room at the woodsy Garland Lodge and Resort (pictured) in northeast Michigan. The massive Up North lodge includes accents like earthy tile floors and oversize http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 6 of 44 stained-glass windows. Four championship golf courses surround the cottages, villas and condos. If golf isn't your thing, saddle up for a horseback ride or explore the Au Sable river in a canoe or raft. See Midwest Living's review. [26] (877) 442-7526; garlandusa.com [27] New owners at Tee Lake Resort have transformed four 1930s-era lakeside cabins into fun themed spaces with headboards fashioned from old doors and vintage dishes used as accents. Guests get free access to pedal boats, kayaks and weekly s'more making around the bonfire. See Midwest Living's review. [28] (989) 786-2208; teelakeresort.com [29] The Villas at Gervasi Vineyard, Canton, Ohio Stucco walls, stone fireplaces, flat-screen TVs and large travertine-tiled baths with heated floors deck the 24 suites that opened to complement the on-site restaurant. In the morning, guests brew Italian java and then enjoy fresh-baked http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 7 of 44 breakfast treats (delivered in a charming wooden box) at the communal table in the shared living room. From $179. See Midwest Living’s review. [33](330) 497- 1000; gervasivineyard.com [34] Lutsen, Minnesota: Caribou Highlands Lodge and Lutsen Resort Spreading across the Sawtooth Mountains along Minnesota's North Shore, Caribou Highlands Lodge has evolved from a ski resort into a four- season family destination. The laid-back resort's full menu of free activities includes nightly bonfires, http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 8 of 44 guided canoe trips and even a supervised day camp for kids 12 and under. (800) 642-6036; caribouhighlands.com [38] 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. (800) 258-8736; lutsenresort.com [39] Photo Courtesy of Lutsen Resort Sandusky, Ohio, and Wisconsin Dells: Kalahari Resort Whether you come for the massive water attractions or the African-theme rooms, your visit to a Kalahari Resort will clearly be family-oriented. Indoor water parks at the resort's two Midwest locations are among the http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 9 of 44 nation's largest. We especially enjoyed the unique Flow Rider surfing attraction. With more than a half-dozen restaurants on-site, the resorts also offer plenty of eating options -- from by-the-pool grille to nicer eateries or room service. But be sure to try the pizza at least once; it's delicious and affordably feeds a family. See Midwest Living's review. [43] (877) 525-2427; kalahariresorts.com [44] Thompsonville, Michigan: Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa A destination for all seasons, Crystal Mountain wows with its wide variety of lodgings and classy amenities. In winter, ski out the back door of a mountaintop townhome. Summer allows for speedy runs down the 1,600-foot-long alpine slide. Nourish body and spirit at Crystal Spa, the only LEED-certified http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 10 of 44 spa in the Midwest, and cap off the day at the on- site Thistle Pub and Grille, where regional ingredients flavor healthy high-end cuisine. See Midwest Living's review. [48] (800) 968-7686; crystalmountain.com [49] Photo Courtesy of Crystal Mountain Kohler, Wisconsin: The American Club The Midwest's only AAA Five-Diamond resort hotel, The American Club has luxurious rooms and suites, plus a spa. While you're there, break out the clubs for four incredible golf courses designed by Pete Dye, or visit The John Michael Kohler Arts http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 11 of 44 Center with its striking art. Take a free three-hour tour of the Kohler Factory weekday mornings; peruse upscale plumbing fixtures at the Kohler Design Center. See Midwest Living's review. [53] (800) 344-2838; americanclubresort.com [54] 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 http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 12 of 44 residents. (419) 746-2900; kiventureresort.com [58] Lanesboro, Minnesota: Cedar Valley Resort Experience the best of the Root River Valley at this quiet resort near historic Lanesboro. The spacious grassy areas and large cabins (accommodating up to 40 people; pictured) at Cedar Valley Resort make this the perfect locale for your next family reunion. Bike to the charming town of Lanesboro along the http://www.midwestliving.com/print/51671/ 2/3/2015 45 Midwest Resorts We Love Page 13 of 44 popular Root River State Trail or go trout fishing and tubing on the water. We wish this place were a well-kept secret, but because it's not, book early. Summer weekends fill up a year in advance. See Midwest Living's review. [62] (507) 467-9000; cedarvalleyresort.com [63] Photo Courtesy of Cedar Valley Resort Custer, South Dakota: Custer State Park Resort Four historic lodges plus a variety of cabins nestle among 71,000 acres of mountains at Custer State Park.