A+ SUMMER PLAYLIST: Northern Michigan golf destinations and courses continue to garner top rankings in national awards competitions. Earning the top spot in USA Today’s 10 Best Golf Destinations category was Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with its resume of fine tracts including the acclaimed Sweetgrass Golf Club at the Island Resort & Casino in Harris. Petoskey, with its 17 courses, shines as the No. 5-ranked destination. Boyne Golf (with 11 courses) captures the third position in the 10 Best Golf Resorts honors. Black Lake Golf Club, meanwhile, ranked seventh on the 10 Best Public Golf Courses in the country.
A FISH-LOVER’S FIND: After visiting some of the popular stops around the Straits of Mackinac, stop in at the Big Stone Bay Fishery, located on U.S. 23 just south of Mackinaw City, for some delicious take-home fish. Its specialty: fresh fillets of whitefish, trout, walleye, perch, and more, plus salmon in season, that are caught in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. The staff will even pack your orders on ice. This laid-back retail/wholesale fish market, operating since 1983, also creates great hardwood-smoked fish, and whitefish sausage and spread. The maple-glazed smoked trout is divine.
GF PIZZA, ANYONE?: Two tasty picks for Up North gluten-free pizza include the allergy-friendly Alcona Brew Haus (a Best of Blue award-winner in 2025, pizza shown above) on U.S. 23 in Harrisville and the casual Adirondacks Pizza, a new offering this season at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. The Brew Haus caters to those with gluten-free and other allergies (or with no allergies!), and makes yummy GF pizzas, entrees, and lots more. Mission Point’s executive chef has created a gluten-free crust that isn’t cauliflower-based, with options such as wild mushroom and BBQ chicken pizzas that anyone can enjoy on the resort’s Great Lawn. alconabrew.com, missionpoint.com
PRO BAKER: From playing football at Central Michigan University and then as a defensive end for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, Joe Ostman still exudes star qualities at the Mackinaw Bakery & Café, in Mackinaw City, where everyone loves to chat with him while sipping home-brewed coffee. The St. Ignace High grad now runs this fourth-generation bakery that’s one of the north’s best shops for coffee, scratch-made pastries, and sandwiches. When an injury cut his football career short, he returned to baking at the bakery (he started there when he was 7). The donuts — and smoothies — are simply “oh my!” Expect a new menu and new look, too! mackinawbakery.com
BIKING ADVENTURES: Three “you gotta do” rail-to-trail bike journeys through northern Michigan’s picturesque landscape garner high marks from cyclists of all levels. Travel the entire routes, or select delightful segments to enjoy out-and-back excitement. The 71-mile North Eastern State Trail, above, meanders from Alpena to Cheboygan. The fabulous 73-mile North Central Trail travels from Waters into Gaylord, on its way to Mackinaw City. The 32-mile North Western State Trail links Mackinaw City to Spring Lake Park near Petoskey, where it connects to the Little Traverse Wheelway into Charlevoix. For more amazing routes, visit trailscouncil.org.
SCENIC ART TOUR: The Aug. 22 Tunnel of Trees Art Trail leads visitors to fun stops including art studios, galleries, and more — along the enchanting M-119, between Harbor Springs and Cross Village. An art show at the Good Hart Artist Residency, the event’s host, is Aug. 22 and 23. Check out the live painting demonstrations at the Little Traverse Conservancy Nature Preserves and Thorne Swift Nature Preserve, and don’t miss Odawa art demonstrations at the King House in Middle Village. Shown here are some student works at Three Pines Studio & Gallery in Cross Village, a fantastic stop on the tour. goodhartartistresidency.org
