Shay Days in Harbor Springs
Shay Days is a celebration of inventor Ephraim Shay and his contributions to the Harbor Springs community.
Photo by
Aliko Sunawang on Unsplash.com
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!
Shay Days is a celebration of inventor Ephraim Shay and his contributions to the Harbor Springs community.
The Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair is held at the fairgrounds on Charlevoix Avenue, and is a mix of carnival rides, food, exhibits, and more.
This annual event includes live musical performances, workshops, vendors, and more all in beautiful Harbor Springs, Michigan.
A unique event featuring a variety of one-of-a-kind exhibitors offering everything from yachts to boating goods for sale.
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!
Hosted by the Little Traverse Yacht Club, the Ugotta Regatta brings together some of the best sailboat racing in the country.
People come from all over to celebrate the July 4th in Harbor Springs for the gorgeous setting along the water and many great activities.
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.
An amazing array of activities like parades, fireworks, and more, make the 4th of July a special day in Northern Michigan.
Each August, the Mackinac Island Fudge Festival celebrates this delight with music and activities throughout the weekend.
You can find performances almost any night of the week in Northern Michigan with music by area musicians as well as professionals.
Northern Michigan grows the best. Our Farmers Markets are open from late spring to fall, from cherries, to potatoes, to sweet corn, and more.
East Jordan’s Freedom Festival has food, music, fun, entertainment, carnival, dancing, and more. Fun for the whole family!
Indian River celebrates summer in Northern Michigan with Old Fashioned Days, an event with five days of family fun.
Hundreds of antique, custom, and celebrity automobiles take part in the internationally acclaimed St. Ignace Car Show Weekend.
When visiting Northern Michigan, be sure to ride one of the local Lake Michigan ferries. It’s an adventure that should be on every travelers’ Up North bucket list!
Disc golf is hot everywhere and especially in Northern Michigan because of it’s many courses and beautiful scenery.
Wildlife sanctuary Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is located 3 1/2 miles north of Harbor Springs, between Lower Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.
Little Traverse Conservancy protects land and scenic areas and provides opportunities for all of us to appreciate the environment.
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.
Northern Michigan is home to several different museums for people of all ages which highlight the area’s businesses, history, and culture!