You’re already kind of near there but I prefer sleeping bear like 40 mins to the SW. you’ll get the lights of Traverse City a little bit more than you do Mackinac city but it’s just an overall easier experience for me. Anywhere you can find a dark spot at sleeping bear you’re good to go. I like the Dune climb parking lot or the place across the street, the Lake shore picnic area.

Here’s a pic I took from sleeping bear.