The Little Traverse Lighthouse. | Photo by the Harbor Springs Area HIstorical Society
From spring days with a landscape covered in trillium to a summer afternoon on the beach or water, Harbor Springs is the place.
This tiny community has a great downtown business district and lots of activities and attractions to enjoy.
The Little Traverse Conservancy protects significant land and scenic areas and provides opportunities to appreciate and understand the environment. With more than 40,000 acres of land and 70 miles of shoreline protected, the Conservancy encourages the use of the preserves for hiking, photography, and other types of recreation. There are over 8 nature preserves located on the conservancy.
The Andrew J. Blackbird Museum is named for a man who was born in what is now Harbor Springs around 1815. His father was an Ottawa chief of the Arbor Croche, or Middle Village band of the Ottawas. Andrew was trained as a blacksmith but enjoyed education and attended Twinsburg Institute in Ohio and Michigan State Normal School, now Eastern Michigan University.
During the 1850’s, Blackbird was a counselor for both the U.S. and Ottawa and Ojibwa peoples and worked to help Native American veterans receive pensions. He helped settle land claims and worked to achieve citizenship for Native Americans.
The “Tunnel of Trees,” also known as the M-119 Heritage Route goes from Harbor Springs to Cross Village. The tunnel is a display of northern hardwoods located next to the road which creates the feeling of traveling through a tunnel.
The Tunnel of Trees is a scenic route along the Lake Michigan shoreline. While this drive is spectacular all year ’round, the fall colors along the route bring people back year after year to experience the glorious foliage.
Northern Michigan has many varied settings for kayaking- whether it by river, one of the inland lakes, or Lake Michigan,
Petoskey State Park is one of the premier destinations for campers and outdoor lovers and is tucked away between Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
Get the sleds and the skates out, put on the cold weather clothes, and enjoy sledding and ice skating in Northern Michigan.
Mackinaw City’s Heritage Village lets visitors explore life in the Straits of Mackinac as it was during the era of 1880-1917.
Historic Mill Creek Discover Park has 625 acres along Lake Huron, 3.5 miles of hiking trails, a reconstructed saw mill, mill dam, and more.
Young State Park outside Boyne City is a ‘year round delight for campers, hikers, snow lovers, swimmers and nature lovers.
Within the historic Chicago/West Michigan railroad depot in Petoskey, the Little Traverse History Museum is a history filled gem.
Wilderness State Park’s 2,582 acres of natural area and 4,492 acres of wilderness area make this a great place to explore all year ’round.
This Inland Waterway covers 38.2 miles from outside of Petoskey to Cheboygan. Find state parks, fishing, swimming, and more along the way.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!
Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College is a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art.
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.
The Charlevoix Circle of Arts is a vibrant, cultural center in downtown Charlevoix that presents six major visual exhibits annually.
Summer’s not summer without a day at the beach and Northern Michigan offers some of the best beaches anywhere.
The many ski resorts in Northern Michigan have winter activities for the entire family including sledding, sleigh rides, tubing, and more.