• Houghton Lake is in Northern Michigan.michigan map image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
  
  Houghton Lake, Michigan is in the north central region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, between Interstate 75 and U.S.-127. Houghton Lake offers some of the finest outdoor activities in Michigan, including canoeing, fishing, golfing, hiking, jet skiing, kayaking and swimming. Although it is Michigan's largest inland lake, Houghton Lake has only one dinner cruise. There are, however, several others within an 80-mile radius.
  
  

Cumberland Princess

• The Cumberland Princess is an 80-foot custom-built tour boat that cruises Houghton Lake. It is docked at the Comfort Suites Lakeside Resort in Houghton Lake, Michigan, and operates daily from May 1 to October 31. Dinner and lunch are served in enclosed climate-controlled salons. After-meal relaxation may be enjoyed on the open-air upper deck. Cruises are available daily for tour groups, weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, anniversaries and seminars. Individual tickets are available on weekends.
  
  Cumberland Princess
  100 Clearview Dr.
  Houghton Lake, MI 48629
  989-422-4000
  comfortsuiteslakeside.com
  
  

Charity Island Lighthouse Dining Excursions

• Dinner cruise trips depart from Northport Marina in Au Gres, Michigan, about 76 miles from Houghton Lake. For the general public, dinner cruises run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from early June through the second Saturday in October, weather permitting. It is a 45-minute boat ride to Big Charity Island, where guests take a short walk to the lightkeeper's home for dinner. The after-dinner tour of the lightkeeper's home is followed by a sunset dessert cruise back to Northport.
  
  Charity Island Transport Inc.
  3676 East Huron Rd.
  Au Gres, MI 48703
  517-579-3182
  charityisland.net
  
  

Keweenaw Star Excursions

• The Keweenaw Star cruises Lake Michigan.Lake Michigan Sunset image by Michigan Nature from Fotolia.com
  
  The Keweenaw Star is docked in Charlevoix, Michigan, about 77 miles from Houghton Lake. It offers scenic cruises of both Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan, operating daily from mid-May through October. The Keweenaw Star is a 110-foot certified vessel for up to 149 passengers. It has a full bar, snacks, air conditioning and heat, with a dining room and an upper deck. In addition to dinner cruises, the Keweenaw Star offers several other types of cruises, including lighthouse, sightseeing and fireworks.
  
  Keweenaw Excursions
  109 Bridge Park Dr.
  Charlevoix, MI 49720
  231-237-9365
  keweenawexcursions.com
  
  

Appledore Tall Ships: Public Sails and Dinner Cruises

• Appledore schooners from this nonprofit environmental organization operate from late April through October, sailing the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. The sails depart from downtown Bay City, about 78 miles from Houghton Lake. Each of the two schooners, the Appledore IV and Appledore V, can accommodate up to 48 people. Dinner cruises are scheduled on Friday and Saturday evenings.
  
  Appledore Tall Ships: Public Sails and Dinner Cruises
  107 Fifth St.
  Bay City, MI 48708
  989-895-5193
  baysailbaycity.org
  
  

Bay City Boat Lines

• Bay City Boat Lines also depart from downtown Bay City, about 78 miles from Houghton Lake. Three-hour sunset dinner cruises are available on select Friday evenings June through September, featuring a live band, dancing and a cash bar during the cruise. The Princess Wenonah can accommodate up to 200 guests. The Islander can accommodate up to 100 guests.
  
  Bay City Boat Lines
  1020 North Water St.
  Bay City, MI 48708
  989-893-0251
  baycityboatlines.com