Pine Stump Junction north of Newberry. Scott and Elsie at the store/gas station/restaurant/hunting guide were great hosts!!! Actually, anywhere north of Clare has my vote. I like to use the back roads and older higways instead of dodging traffic on I-75 and the like.
I was from the Southeast side of the State and we used to go to Houghton Lake every year with the family. Or My dad, brother and I would go dirtbike riding up around Cadillac. Trails for hundreds of miles.
I like to visit the Pigeon River Forest area near Gaylord when I come back home to Michigan. Good trout fishing, elk viewing decent bird hunting etc...
I ave not been there in a couple of years, but when I go up north I like to go to Traverse City, specifically The Sugarbeach Resort. Ahhh, I want summertime!
Since I am already fairly far north I go to my parents camp (not a cottage even though it is on a lake) by Republic and also camp out at Craig Lake State Park and Porcupine Mountain State Park. Both great state parks.