The Little Traverse History Museum in the evening. | Photo by the Little Traverse History Museum.
With Lake Michigan on one side and Lake Huron on the other side, Mackinaw City is a true Great Lake’s spot. The area also boasts many historical attractions and family-friendly activites.
This beautiful museum is located just a Petoskey stone’s throw from the marina. The Bayfront Park surrounds the Little Traverse History Museum. The history of the Petoskey area is captured by the museum’s three main exhibits- Ernest Hemingway, Faces and Places that Shaped Emmet County, and the Parlor Exhibit, outline the area’s history.
Petoskey State Park was once the Petoskey Bathing Beach, a park for the city of Petoskey, and now has all the amenities of a state park plus a spectacular beach area. The park is open all year long and features activities ranging from camping to biking, to swimming to hiking, to cross country skiing. Picnic areas, camping areas, marked trails, miles of beach, a beach shelter, playground, and summer recreational activities are all available for visitors in the 304-acre park.
The North Central Michigan College campus is the home to a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art. The sculptures in Harris Gardens are made from a variety of materials including steel, bronze, copper, and stone. In addition to the sculptures, there is a beautifully landscaped garden area with benches and pathways. The gardens are open to the public all year long, free of charge.
Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.
Northern Michigan is home to several different museums for people of all ages which highlight the area’s businesses, history, and culture!
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.
The Oden State Fish Hatchery in Alanson produces three strains of brown trout and one strain of rainbow trout.
Fisherman’s Island State Park has more than 2,600 acres and miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach and is located just south of Charlevoix.
The elegantly restored Cheboygan Opera House is an acoustically superb, Victorian theatre that presents entertainment of many genres.
The history Northern Michigan’s Inland Water Route is preserved at the Inland Water Route Historical Museum in Alanson.
Travel along the Tunnel of Trees in Northern Michigan and you will pass through Good Hart and see historic Saint Ignatius Catholic Church.
A visit to Northern Michigan is not complete without a walk along the Lake Michigan in search of Petoskey stones.
Fort Mackinac is open from May-October and includes buildings restored their original look after the fort’s occupation by the British
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.
Spring brings lots of outdoor activities to Northern Michigan but one often ends up on pancakes: making maple syrup.
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.
The majestic and historic Grand Hotel is one of the first sights visitors see as they head into the harbor on Mackinac Island.