Photo by Daria Kraplak on Unsplash.com
Ernest Hemingway spent part of his first 22 years in Northern Michigan. Years later, Hemingway fans flock to the Petoskey area to walk in Hemingway’s footsteps.
And there are so many places in Northern Michigan to follow Hemingway. He and bride, Hadley Richardson, loved Horton Bay. The Horton Bay General Store. established in 1876, is the center of business and social life in the village today as it was in Hemingway’s day. Hemingway frequented the store as a boy and a young man and described it in the story “Up in Michigan.” The store may also be seen as Mr. Packard’s store in “The Last Good Country.” Hemingway photos and memorabilia are still displayed here.
Hemingway spent the winter of 1919-20 in Northern Michigan and so many favorite places still here today were here when Hemingway was. He once stayed at the Perry Hotel, played billiards at what is now the City Park Grille, spent hours writing in the Bay View Association, and, of course, summered at the family cottage, Windemere, on Walloon Lake.
Each summer, the family arrived by train in Harbor Springs where they transferred to a “dummy train” that carried them to Petoskey and then Walloon Lake. The Petoskey depot is now the Little Traverse History Museum which includes a Hemingway exhibit.
Each fall, the Michigan Hemingway Society hosts a conference in Petoskey where conference goers retrace Hemingway’s footsteps and discuss his impact on the literary world. Ernest Hemingay’s mark on the world includes Petoskey and is embraced here. If you’re a Hemingway fan, Northern Michigan has much to offer.
Summer’s not summer without a day at the beach and Northern Michigan offers some of the best beaches anywhere.
The Headlands, just west of Mackinaw City, is one of six International Dark Sky Parks in the U.S. and one of nine in the world.
Little Traverse Conservancy protects land and scenic areas and provides opportunities for all of us to appreciate the environment.
Bicyclists, walkers, and roller bladers can go from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix on the 26-mile long Little Traverse Wheelway.
The Andrew J. Blackbird Museum is named for a counselor who helped Native American veterans. Native American artifacts fill the museum space.
Northern Michigan has many varied settings for kayaking- whether it by river, one of the inland lakes, or Lake Michigan,
The many ski resorts in Northern Michigan have winter activities for the entire family including sledding, sleigh rides, tubing, and more.
Built during World War II to haul heavy materials during the winter, the Icebreaker Mackinaw was in service for 62 years then became a museum.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!
Spring brings lots of outdoor activities to Northern Michigan but one often ends up on pancakes: making maple syrup.
Sailing is a special pastime that often brings friends together in Northern Michigan. And no wonder. The sailing here is wonderful.
Mackinaw City’s Heritage Village lets visitors explore life in the Straits of Mackinac as it was during the era of 1880-1917.
Acres and acres of Northern Michigan are abloom with trillium during May, only adding to the beauty of spring Up North!
The Mackinac Bridge is the 10th largest suspension bridge (over water) in the world and connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula.
With miles of scenic trails terrain and local snowmobile clubs, Northern Michigan is the place to bring the snow sleds in the winter.