What Makes Up North Special
Why do people enjoy being up north so much? Find out what makes being up north feel special with our list of Northern Michigan specialties.
Photo by Todd and Brad Reed Photography
The Inland Water Route is a series of lakes and rivers that with a short portage connects Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. The water route was a pivotal part of the development of Northern Michigan as Native Americans used the route to avoid rough water on the big lakes. One of encampments along the waterway date back more than 3,000 years.
The history of the water route is preserved at the Inland Water Route Historical Museum in Alanson. This small, Northern Michigan museum is a treasure. Alanson is located on the Crooked River, one of the moving tributaries that connects the lakes.
The museum displays photos and artifacts on each community along the entire water route: Conway, Oden, Ponshewaing, Alanson, Indian River, Topinabee, and Cheboygan. The museum also includes displays on logging, railroad use, and lodging which were pivotal to the development of Northern Michigan.
The Inland Waterway includes Crooked Lake, Pickeral Lake, Burt Lake, and Mullett Lake and are connected by Crooked River, Indian River, and Cheboygan River. Communities developed along the rivers and lakes and became both resort and year ’round towns. The museum has an extensive collection of photos and artifacts focusing on the importance of the waterway in Northern Michigan’s history.
The museum, is located on River Street, one block from the swing bridge over the Crooked River. Hours are 10am-2pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays-Sundays.
The Inland Water Route Historical Society
6217 River St., Alanson, MI, 49781
(231) 548-5716
Why do people enjoy being up north so much? Find out what makes being up north feel special with our list of Northern Michigan specialties.
Get the sleds and the skates out, put on the cold weather clothes, and enjoy sledding and ice skating in Northern Michigan.
The history of the fur trade in Northern Michigan is captured at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.
The North Country Trail is the longest trail in the U.S. and stretches from North Dakota to New York, passing through Northern Michigan.
Sailing is a special pastime that often brings friends together in Northern Michigan. And no wonder. The sailing here is wonderful.
The Andrew J. Blackbird Museum is named for a counselor who helped Native American veterans. Native American artifacts fill the museum space.
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
This 36 acre, 1.5 mile long Bear River Valley in Petoskey is truly spectacular and filled with natural beauty and things to do.