Swimming Northern Michigan
Summer’s not summer without a day at the beach and Northern Michigan offers some of the best beaches anywhere.
Northern Michigan Guides Stock Photo
A secondary road running from Boyne Falls to Atwood is no longer a secret. This 28-mile scenic highway now known as the Breezeway draws visitors because it is gorgeous.
The Breezeway isn’t just a road. This travel adventure includes scenic overlooks, recreational opportunities like hiking, biking and kayaking and is a popular bike and motorcycle route. The Breezeway winds from Boyne Falls through East Jordan, Ellsworth, and Atwood.
Along the way are art galleries, antique shops, resale shops, orchards, farms, and farmers markets, lodging establishments, restaurants, parks, and more. Nearly 200 businesses and scenic opportunities are included on The Breezeway. The cheery Breezeway logo appears at mile markers along the route.
Bumper stickers appear on cars, trucks, and RVs that drive The Breezeway. The drive is so popular that business has grown for businesses along the route. Summer festivals and special events along The Breezeway such as a Cruise celebrate everything from art to harvest. One highlight of the summer season for many is a Breezeway garage sale.
Fall color on the Breezeway–the drive through Atwood, Ellsworth, East Jordan, and Boyne Falls is painted in color in the fall. The Breezeway is a rural ride along C-48 from Atwood (US 31) through Ellsworth and East Jordan, and ending in Boyne Falls (US 131) that boasts scenic overlooks, great motorcycle & bicycle rides, recreational amenities galore, working farms and orchards, artist galleries and studios, resale shops, lodging facilities (cottages, campgrounds, B & Bs, motels, and a resort), retail and service businesses with superb customer service, and an epicurean’s selection of dining choices along the route.
Along the Breezeway, visitors can tour the Ellsworth labyrinth, Friskes Farm Market, the Bolt Nature Preserve as well as show, dine and play along the way. Once at Boyne Mountain, the free chairlift rides rise through fall-colored trees to the top of the hill.
Along the Breezeway, visitors will find cider, apples, and plenty of opportunities for gorgeous fall photographs.
Summer’s not summer without a day at the beach and Northern Michigan offers some of the best beaches anywhere.
The North Country Trail is the longest trail in the U.S. and stretches from North Dakota to New York, passing through Northern Michigan.
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.
Take a beautiful color tour as you travel under a tunnel of colorful trees along M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village.
Mackinaw City’s Heritage Village lets visitors explore life in the Straits of Mackinac as it was during the era of 1880-1917.
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.