The Headlands: An International Dark Sky Park
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.
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.
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.
Take a beautiful color tour as you travel under a tunnel of colorful trees along M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village.
Little Traverse Conservancy protects land and scenic areas and provides opportunities for all of us to appreciate the environment.
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In Northern Michigan, you’ll find lighthouses where lighthouse keepers once lived and worked that have been restored and are open to visitors.
Acres and acres of Northern Michigan are abloom with trillium during May, only adding to the beauty of spring Up North!