Chateau Grand Traverse, located on Old Mission Peninsula
near Traverse City, is northern Michigan's oldest winery. It offers
spectacular scenery, tours and wine tasting. Michigan has 13,500 acres
of vineyards, making Michigan the fourth largest grape-growing state. Photo credit: Ed O'Keefe III
Water-bound adventures
There's an abundance of water in Northwest Michigan. With Grand Traverse Bay,
Lake Michigan and countless inland lakes, streams and rivers … a
water-bound adventure is a must for your visit to this region.
No need to bring your own boat, outfitters who rent boats
and water equipment are plentiful in the area, so you're sure to
find everything you need for your desired adventure. Anglers can cast
out from a rented fishing boat, or hop aboard a charter. Relax with a
leisurely journey down the river in a kayak, or try your waterskiing skills
behind a powerboat. The choice is yours! A favorite boating area is the
Chain of Lakes region just northeast of Traverse City, where sections
of the river connect 13 lakes, including popular Torch Lake. Looking for
something different? Try paddling by sea kayak on Grand Traverse Bay.
If you're interested in taking a canoe or kayak on one of the inland
waters, you'll have many to choose from in the region, including
the challenging Pere Marquette River, Little Muskegon, and Big Manistee
(www.michigancanoe.com). For more
easy-going, kid-friendly rivers, try the Crystal or Platte Rivers near
the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Fun for kids of all ages
Combing the beaches for Petoskey stones is a childhood pastime in this region,
especially along the Leelanau Peninsula. Kids spend hours digging in the
sand for the popular keepsakes. The stones are actually the fossilized remains
of corals that lived in the warm waters of an ancient sea covering the area
during the Devonian Period, 350 million years ago. You may just take home
a bit of history in your pocket.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore spans 64 miles of Lake Michigan coastline.
You can hike the trails, paddle canoes or relax on the shore. Don't
try to hold the kids back, they will undoubtedly head straight to the 400-foot
“Dune Climb” and scale the wall of sand for a spectacular view
of Glen Lake. Of course, the kids enjoy the fast trip back down as much
as anything! Ask how your kids can earn a “Junior Ranger” patch
from the National Park Service (www.nps.gov).
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore spans 64 miles
of Lake Michigan coastline. Each year, over a million visitors enjoy
the landscape of high dunes and sapphire blue waters
Photo credit: Robert de Jonge
Snowshoeing
is a sport that requires no special athletic ability... so it’s fun
for all. Photo credit: Crystal Mountain
Ludington is a great family summer destination, and offers a variety of
activities for kids, including water slides, mini-golf and parks. For an
unusual adventure, go hiking with a llama! Llamas ETC offers llama “treks”
ranging from an hour to a full day (www.llamasetc.com).
Kids as young as seven can lead their own!
And of course, don't forget the simple pleasure of swimming and playing
on the beaches; wherever your journey leads you in Northwest Michigan, you're
never far from a great place to play. The Traverse City area alone has more
than 180 miles of beaches.
Hiking, biking and more
From an easy, kid-friendly hike to a mountain biking adventure for serious
athletes, the trail system in the region doesn't disappoint. The
hub of the trail system is the Traverse Area Recreational Trail (TART),
a paved 10-mile path that has become a favorite place for pedestrians,
cyclists and in-line skaters. The trail leads to beaches, a nature preserve,
small city parks and quiet neighborhoods. It connects to the 15-mile Leelanau
Trail up to Suttons Bay, the 18-mile trail to Acme and the planned trail
around Bordman Lake. For more adventure, try the more challenging trails
on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for hikes and steep climbs
on sand and dune grass.
The Ludington area boasts over 50 miles of foot trails for hiking and
a spectacular bike path running along the water's edge. Interested
in seeing sand dunes up close? Jeep rentals are available to explore the
1,800 acres of sand dunes in Mears/Silver Lake near Ludington.
Golfers will love the plethora of challenging courses in the area, including
Bay Harbor Golf Club in Bay Harbor, Arcadia Bluffs in Arcadia, and The
Bear at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City.
Winter activities galore
Cadillac is home to the North American Snowmobile Festival, and sits at
the hub of an outstanding trail system that offers easy cross-state connections.
The Ludington area boasts over 50 miles of trails for cross country skiing
and snowshoeing, as well as access to superb snowmobile trails.
Snowshoeing is gaining popularity in the area. No trail is required, although
many snowshoers may be found along cross-country ski trails. Don't
miss the “Snowshoe Romp” in early February on the 300-acre Traverse
Commons, where enthusiasts venture on an after-dark excursion into the
forest, lighted by candles set in huge blocks of ice along the trail.
The Traverse City snowmobile trail network makes the area perfect for
snowmobilers looking for snowmobile adventures in the Lower Peninsula.
In the midst of the Lake Michigan snow belt, great riding starts early
and lasts all winter long. The network includes over 200 miles of well-groomed
routes, and connects with neighboring towns and systems.
Something for nature lovers
Don't miss the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a 7-mile route featuring
stunning views of the dunes, Lake Michigan and Glen Lake.
Be sure to catch a sunset while in Ludington (lauded as one of the top
five sunset destinations in the world). According to Ludington's
visitor center, two great places to watch a sunset are Stearns Park Beach
and high atop a dune at Ludington State Park.
Leland is one of those great “walking around” towns with numerous
flower gardens, public parks, art galleries and specialty shops. Be sure
to visit the spectacular rose garden at The Village Green park.
Just north of the town of Frankfort, Point Betsie Lighthouse, one of Michigan's
most photographed structures, offers great views of Lake Michigan. Frankfort
offers pristine dunes, beaches and sunsets, with Victorian homes dominating
the maple-lined streets.
Nearly half of Michigan's 42 commercial wineries are located in this
region. The 19 wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula (www.wineriesofoldmission.com)
and Leelanau Peninsula (www.lpwines.com)
benefit from the prime vineyard climate created by Lake Michigan and Grand
Traverse Bay. No need to be a wine connoisseur … the wineries employ
friendly “pourers” who make tasting fun and informative.
Whether you are gliding effortlessly
down a slow-flowing river, paddling out to sea or maneuvering challenging
rapids... a kayak is a great way to enjoy the area's lakes and rivers.
Photo credit: Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau
Find that perfect gift
You'll find outlets and shopping malls in Traverse City and throughout
Northwest Michigan, but most visitors find themselves enjoying the small
boutiques, specialty shops and art galleries … perfect for buying
those one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family, or treating yourself.
To get away from summer crowds, head to the Little Traverse Bay.The lakeside
towns offer a welcome diversion with wonderful shopping in the Marina
District at Bay Harbor, Petoskey's famous Gas Light District and
the downtown areas of Harbor Springs and Boyne City.
Manistee's newly constructed River Walk allows a stroll along the
Manistee River, past quaint Victorian shops and the unique downtown area.
Don't miss Glen Arbor, with its upscale boutiques, art galleries
and restaurants; a short drive north will land you in Leland, with its
charming downtown and a transformed fishing district called Fishtown.
Here you'll find weathered fishing shacks converted to whimsical
boutiques and gift shops.
Festivals worth the trip
Remember the sights, sounds, and smells of a summer celebration in your
hometown when you were a kid? You’re sure to return to those happy
days during one of the many festivals held in this region.
The National Cherry Festival is held each July with over 150 events, including
free air shows over the bay, colorful parades, music shows, sporting events,
marching bands, rides on the midway, pie-eating contests and loads of
luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine! (www.cherryfestival.org).
The 76th Annual Charlevoix Venetian Festival started as a simple, candle-lit
boat parade and has grown into a weeklong flurry of color and pageantry
that highlights the summer season each July. Special events for kids include
games, entertainment and rides. This year's festival will be held
July 16-22, 2006.(www.venetianfestival.com)
Festivals aren't just for summer. Snowmobiles crisscross the lakes
and forests, friends and families gather for the largest snowmobile festival
around, the North American Snow Festival in Cadillac, February 2-5, 2006.
The chili cook-off, fun run, radar run and drag races, snow sculptures
and ice fishing derby are just some of the activities (www.cadillacmichigan.com).
Old Mission Point Lighthouse is located at
the northern tip of Old Mission Point in Grand Traverse Bay. The light sets
on the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Photo credit: Jason Schmotzer
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore spans 64 miles
of Lake Michigan coastline. Each year, over a million visitors enjoy
the landscape of high dunes and sapphire blue waters 
