1. The Sleeping Bear Dunes Is The Most Beautiful Place In America
…according to ABC’s Good Morning America. But they’re definitely not wrong. The 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline features breathtaking sand dunes, unbeatable views of Lake Michigan and a great stretch of local fauna and forestland. If you want the most intense workout of your life, climb one of the dunes.
2. Your Eyes Might Not Be Able To Handle The Gorgeous Views From Empire Bluff
Empire Bluff is a trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Walk to the end of the trail and feast your eyes on one of the best views of Lake Michigan, anywhere. Plus you’ll get a stunning view of the Manitou Islands, the city of Empire, and Platte Bay.
3. Traverse City Film Festival Is A Pretty Big Deal
This annual film festival is held late July through early august and was co-founded by Michael Moore, who lives in the city. Committed to showing great movies, the festival brings films from around the world. They also show classics on an inflatable outdoor screen that overlooks the bay. It’s a view with a view.
4. Opening Day Of Hunting Season Is Treated As A Holiday
On the first day of deer season, many schools in the region are closed for the day due to the expected low attendance. Northern Michigan is truly a gamer’s paradise. Hunting and fishing are practically a way of life here–so much so that there are more than five different festivals devoted to fishing alone, like Perchville USA.
5. People From Northern Michigan Exemplify Midwest Charm
In Northern Michigan, you can expect to meet some of the kindest and gracious folks in the Midwest. It’s nice to know that although everyone practically already knows everyone, they’re still very welcoming to those they don’t.
6. Summer Is The Time To Get Your Groove On
Choose a genre, any genre and chances are Northern Michigan has a festival where you can get your groove on from dusk til dawn. From polka to folk to blues, festivals like Cedar Polka Fest and Blissfest, will have your feet moving on the floor before you even realize it.
7. The People Of Northern Michigan Are Spoiled From All The Great Wineries
If you seek delicious wine, look no further than Northern Michigan. Traverse City alone has more than 50 wineries and Grand Traverse has two of Michigan’s four federally recognized wine growing areas. With so many wineries to choose from, you might as well sample them all.
8. Lake Effect Snow Is No Laughing Matter
Due to the vast amount of shoreline along both Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, Northern Michigan is very susceptible to lake effect snow. Naturally, some areas receive more snowfall than others. But if there’s one thing the residents of Northern Michigan are good at, it’s making the best of the weather.
9. But It Makes For An Abundance Of Wonderful Winter Activities
From the numerous ski resorts, like Boyne Mountain, to the ample cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails sprinkled throughout the region, the lake effect snow is definitely taken advantage of. Snowmobiling and ice fishing are equally as popular.
10. Everyone Falls In Love With Fall Colors
With three state forests and even more hardwood forests on top of that, the fall season here is gorgeous. It’s so gorgeous that many tourists head up north to experience “fall color.”
11. And The Best Fall Days Are Spent Picking Your Own Apples
In Michigan, cider mills and apple picking are age-old fall traditions. No matter how you prefer your apples, having picked it yourself makes it oh-so-much sweeter. And freshly pressed cider?! I haven’t gone a fall without some since wy before I can remember.
12. The Scenic Drives Here Are Prettier Than Yours
Along the designated scenic routes in Northern Michigan, Sunday driving is every day. M-119’s Tunnel of Trees, River Road and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive all present unbeatable views that will take your breath away. Just be sure you don’t take any of these routes when you’re in a hurry–you’ll definitely be late.
13. The Bridge Is Never Referred To By Name
The Mackinac Bridge, commonly referred to as “The Bridge” connects the two peninsulas of Michigan. Driving across from peninsula to peninsula provides such amazing scenery that any fear of heights or bridges will completely disappear. Even the bridge itself is a beautiful sight.
14. Mackinac Island Is Like Time Traveling, But With More Fudge.
Historic Mackinac Island doesn’t allow motor vehicles on the island, with the main ways of transportation being horses and bicycles. Stepping onto the island is like stepping back into time. They even make their fudge in the traditional manner. I mean, I’ll take any form of fudge, but the fudge on this island has yet to be topped.
15. It’s Hard To Say Where “Up North” Begins
There’s no precise definition of the southern boundary of the region. Varying from resident to resident, it ranges from north of Flint to Mount Pleasant.
16. But For Those In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, “Northern Michigan” Is Clearly Defined
When mentioning going to Northern Michigan in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, everyone knows what you mean. When mentioning going to Northern Michigan to residents of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, you’re sure to get the response “You mean Northern Lower Michigan.”
17. Northern Michigan’s Got The 45th Parallel
Marked by many signs in the Lower Peninsula, the 45th Parallel (a circle of latitude) runs through Northern Michigan. The Mission Point Lighthouse is a point (har har) of interest, as the Grand Traverse Bay ends just shy of the 45th parallel. It’s only visible when the water recedes.
18. The Dinosaur Gardens Are A Prehistoric Sight To See
Have you ever seen a statue garden that depicted cavemen, dinosaurs and Christian figures all in the same place? No? Well, if it sounds like your thing (and it should), head over to Ossineke for their Dinosaur Gardens Prehistoric Zoo.
19. Headlands International Dark Sky Park Is The Best Place To See The Stars
Headlands International Dark Sky Park is the sixth international dark sky park in the United States. This 600-acre park is located along two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline (goodbye, light pollution). There’s truly nothing more centering than staring out at the vast, dazzling night sky.
20. There’s A Festival For That
It doesn’t matter if it’s related to arts, crops, boats, or food—Northern Michigan has a festival for that. They range from wild ones, like Bud Bash on Houghton Lake, to tamer ones like Besser Museum Log Cabin Day.
21. Beaver Island May Not Be Full Of Beavers, But It Is Full Of Beauty
The largest island in Lake Michigan is only accessible by air or boat. The island is a popular tourist destination and home to their very own music festival, properly titled Beaver Island Music Festival. They’ve also got a pretty unique history, as the island was once home to an American religious monarchy. Yes, you did read that correctly.
22. Farmers’ Markets Are On The Rise
Buying local in Northern Michigan is made easy by the abundance of farmers’ markets spread throughout the region. In fact, a lot of places even offer year round markets, like the Harbor Springs Winter Farmers’ Market or the Frankfort “Friendly” Farmers’ Market.
23. Love Cherries? Then This Is Your Place.
Traverse City is the largest producer of tart cherries and has an entire festival celebrating the harvest. But they’re not the only place where cherries are a specialty…
24. And If You Ever Get Up This Way, That Cherry Pie Is Worth The Stop
The title is definitely a “Twin Peaks” reference, but I’m not offended if you didn’t get it. The Cherry Hut has been serving up delicious cherry goods in Beulah since 1922. And even though my title is a reference, the cherry pie here
is definitely worth the stop.
25. The Population In Northern Michigan Changes With The Seasons
It’s only natural that an area with unsurpassable beauty would also have a large seasonal population. Whether it’s coming up from Chicago to summer at their cabin on the lake to heading to a ski hill for some fresh powder, you can tell when the seasons are changing with the influx of traffic.
26. Ride Or Hike From Shore To Shore
The Michigan Riding and Hiking trail runs between Oscoda to Empire, across the Northern Michigan reader. Though bicycles are not permitted, horseback riders and hikers have open access. Just don’t expect to hike it in a day–the trail is 220 miles long.
27. Lumberjacks Are Big Here…Literally
Oscoda is boasted as the birthplace of Paul Bunyan, so it’s only fitting that near this town stands a 14-foot sculpture “Lumberman’s Monument” on the Au Sable River. It’s a giant homage to the area’s lumbering past. In fact, multiple Paul Bunyan statues can be found throughout the region.
28. Ernest Hemingway Summered Here
Subsequently, Ernest Hemingway has several short stories, all about Nick Adams, that take place in the towns of Northern Michigan that he visited as a child. His first published novel, “The Torrents of Spring,” is also set in Northern Michigan, specifically Petoskey.
29. The Cherry Bowl Drive-In Is Cinematic Nostalgia At Its Best
Since 1953, The Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre has been providing family-friendly entertainment underneath the stars. With the recent tune-up of switching from a film projector to a digital projector, this nostalgic theatre is now stronger than ever. Don’t worry though–their sound system hasn’t been upgraded yet. (Though if you prefer, you can tune in on your radio.
30. Kid Rock Name Dropped Northern Michigan In A Song
Source: Youtube user KidRockVideos
Even if you’re not his number one fan, his hit song “All Summer Long” was hard to escape. He gives a giant shout out to the popular sandbar hangout on Torch Lake with the line “Splashing through the sand bar.”
What do you love about living in Northern Michigan? Tell us in the comments below!
