July 4th Up North
An amazing array of activities like parades, fireworks, and more, make the 4th of July a special day in Northern Michigan.
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For many visitors and summer residents, summer is THE season in Northern Michigan. Where else can you golf on fabulous courses until 10 pm, or go for a swim in pristine waters as the sun rises? Activities abound Up North in the summer with everything from festivals, to concerts at Bay View, to Blissfest Music, to Ugotta Regatta.
Life’s a beach and no where else is that more prevalent than Northern Michigan. We have miles of beautiful sandy beaches on Lake Michigan and inland lakes just waiting for a beach goer. Climb the dunes at Petoskey State Park, walk to the beach along a boardwalk at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve, or body surf in the waves at Sturgeon Bay. Harbor Springs has two beaches within the city limits, a rarity for most cities. Pack the sunscreen and hit the beach!
This is the place for water sports! Northern Michigan is your destination for sailing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, personal water craft boating, and fishing. Our many inland lakes are perfect for fishing. Walleye for dinner? Catch it yourself! The Little Traverse Bay is known for sailing. Youth sailing is important here with programs at Bay View and in Harbor Springs with the Little Traverse Sailors. Rent a pontoon boat on Crooked Lake and motor through the Inland Waterway to Lake Huron. Put your kayak in on Lake Michigan early in the morning and glide along the quiet waterfront. And when the water freezes, no problem! Ice boating is great fun and racing takes place throughout Northern Michigan in the winter months.
Northern Michigan is not the place where you’ll hear “there is nothing to do.” There is so much to do in the summer that keeping a daily calendar is a must. Concerts on the waterfront in Harbor Springs or Petoskey, concerts in the park in Petoskey, concerts and theater at festivals, to concerts at Bay View, music at Blissfest, sidewalk sales, gallery walks, and art fairs are just some of the organized activities to enjoy. Add to them golfing, hiking, kayaking, cycling, swimming, sailing, boating, fishing, shopping, dining, visiting with friends and…. well, you get the picture, the days are filled with wonderful opportunities Up North!
An amazing array of activities like parades, fireworks, and more, make the 4th of July a special day in Northern Michigan.
Northern Michigan grows the best. Our Farmers Markets are open from late spring to fall, from cherries, to potatoes, to sweet corn, and more.
Hundreds of antique, custom, and celebrity automobiles take part in the internationally acclaimed St. Ignace Car Show Weekend.
People come from all over to celebrate the July 4th in Harbor Springs for the gorgeous setting along the water and many great activities.
You can find performances almost any night of the week in Northern Michigan with music by area musicians as well as professionals.
Hosted by the Little Traverse Yacht Club, the Ugotta Regatta brings together some of the best sailboat racing in the country.
The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is filled with events and the celebration of the Island’s many varieties of lilacs.
The Venetian Festival in Charlevoix has been a highlight of summer in Northern Michigan for more than 80 years.
This 3-day festival in Boyne City begins with a run along Lake Charlevoix and ends with fireworks, with food, fun, and more in between!
Each August, the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival celebrates this delight with music and activities throughout the weekend.
Shay Days is a celebration of inventor Ephraim Shay and his contributions to the Harbor Springs community.
A unique event featuring a variety of one-of-a-kind exhibitors offering everything from yachts to boating goods for sale.
East Jordan’s Freedom Festival has food, music, fun, entertainment, carnival, dancing, and more. Fun for the whole family!
Winter activities in Northern Michigan range from skiing to snowshoeing to snowmobiling to ice skating and more.
Northern Michigan appreciates spring after a long winter and holds lots of great activities to celebrate this time of year!
Northern Michigan appreciates spring after a long winter and holds lots of great activities to celebrate this time of year!
Harris Gardens at North Central Michigan College is a spectacular sculpture garden filled with 26 pieces of vibrant art.
Northern Michigan is home to several different museums for people of all ages which highlight the area’s businesses, history, and culture!
Take a beautiful color tour as you travel under a tunnel of colorful trees along M-119 from Harbor Springs to Cross Village.
With miles of scenic trails terrain and local snowmobile clubs, Northern Michigan is the place to bring the snow sleds in the winter.
Northern Michigan has many varied settings for kayaking- whether it by river, one of the inland lakes, or Lake Michigan,
This Inland Waterway covers 38.2 miles from outside of Petoskey to Cheboygan. Find state parks, fishing, swimming, and more along the way.
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.
The Mackinac Bridge is the 10th largest suspension bridge (over water) in the world and connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula.
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.