Downtown Mackinac Island
Get off the ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and the first thing you’ll see is the historic downtown area.
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Photo by Stéphane Bernard on Unsplash.com
Haven’t been in a kayak yet? You are missing a fabulous experience. Northern Michigan has so many varied settings for kayaking. River kayaking lets the current carry you through wooded settings. Our many inland lakes can provide anything from calm and serene to wild and rolling depending on the day.
And then there is kayaking on Lake Michigan. What an experience it is to quietly move across the water.
Kayaking is becoming extremely popular and with good reason. It is not complicated to learn, and is very affordable. Kayaks of varying styles and versatility help make the kayaking experience enjoyable. Each summer in Northern Michigan, more and more kayaks can be seen on tops of cars as they head to the waterfront.
The communities of Northern Michigan have embraced this sport. Harbor Springs, for example, has a kayaking launching dock at Josephine Ford Park. Kayak rentals are available that let families try the sport. A two-person kayak is perfect for exploring the beaches. Pack a picnic and head out on the water in a kayak!
In Petoskey, the Bear River Valley Whitewater Park has quickly become a premier destination in the Midwest for whitewater kayaking.
Every August, the Coastal Crawl swims take place from Zorn Park beach to Harbor Point and back and volunteers in kayaks patrol the route of the swimmers to alert boaters to their presence. It is a glorious scene to see the harbor lined with kayaks.
Walk the docks on Harbor Springs or Petoskey and you’ll see kayakers gliding along the water enjoying another perfect day in Northern Michigan.
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Get off the ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace to Mackinac Island and the first thing you’ll see is the historic downtown area.
The National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods is a 55′ x 22′ redwood cross cut from one redwood tree and with a 28′ tall bronze crucifix.
Northern Michigan is home to several different museums for people of all ages which highlight the area’s businesses, history, and culture!
Crooked Tree Arts Center is a place where artists from northern Michigan can display their talents and artwork to the public.
This 28-mile scenic highway running between Atwood and Boyne Falls known as the Breezeway draws visitors because it is gorgeous.
The many ski resorts in Northern Michigan have winter activities for the entire family including sledding, sleigh rides, tubing, and more.
Fort Mackinac is open from May-October and includes buildings restored their original look after the fort’s occupation by the British
A visit to Northern Michigan is not complete without a walk along the Lake Michigan in search of Petoskey stones.
With miles of scenic trails terrain and local snowmobile clubs, Northern Michigan is the place to bring the snow sleds in the winter.
The North Country Trail is the longest trail in the U.S. and stretches from North Dakota to New York, passing through Northern Michigan.