Hike and Bike the North Country Trail
The North Country Trail is the longest trail in the U.S. and stretches from North Dakota to New York, passing through Northern Michigan.
Northern Michigan Guides Stock Photo
We have many Up North Specialties that indeed make us special. From a planked whitefish dinner to Blissfest Music Festival to the historic Bay View Association to Bay Harbor to the Little Traverse Wheelway, Northern Michigan is filled with so many wonderful opportunities.
Victorian architecture is prevalent here. Drive through the Bay View Association or along the waterfront in Harbor Springs and marvel at the Victorian ‘cottages.’
What makes Up North special? Castle Farms in Charlevoix is a gorgeous setting for an art fair, celebration or garden tour. How about a festival devoted just to spring’s morel mushroom, Boyne City’s Morel Mushroom Festival. Or a tasty cookie baked in Harbor Springs but known country wide, Tom’s Mom’s Cookies.
What else makes Northern Michigan special? The Heritage Highway between Harbor Springs and Cross Village is spectacular and the Tunnel of Trees is not to be missed. The fall color in Northern Michigan and along the Tunnel of Trees is gorgeous so bring along the camera to capture photos of our Fall Foliage. The newly completed Little Traverse Wheelway connects Charlevoix through Petoskeky to Harbor Springs, a 26 mile bike path, that is drawing bikers from around the country to this scenic part of Michigan.
A huge part of what makes Northern Michigan unique–the people who live here. Local residents love Northern Michigan and have chosen it as a place to live, play, work, and enjoy. Customer service is indeed a specialty in Northern Michigan and you will find it at the golf course, ski resort, restaurant, hotel, and our many fine shops.
Speaking of shopping, it’s often a reason many visitors head Up North! Shopping in Northern Michigan is a wonderful activity.
And, of course, we wouldn’t be unique without our visitors! Our visitors and seasonal residents love Northern Michigan and it is such a delight to hear someone exclaim “I love it up north!”
The North Country Trail is the longest trail in the U.S. and stretches from North Dakota to New York, passing through Northern Michigan.
Little Traverse Conservancy protects land and scenic areas and provides opportunities for all of us to appreciate the environment.
In Northern Michigan, you’ll find lighthouses where lighthouse keepers once lived and worked that have been restored and are open to visitors.
Northern Michigan builder Earl Young created the unusual mushroom houses in Charlevoix. Tours are available.
Fort Mackinac is open from May-October and includes buildings restored their original look after the fort’s occupation by the British
The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.
Bicyclists, walkers, and roller bladers can go from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix on the 26-mile long Little Traverse Wheelway.
The arts, history and many types of entertainment in Northern Michigan mean visitors can enjoy fabulous music, theatre, and culture.
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!