1. Boat the Bay: Friendly boat owner and captain Chris Chamberlain and his crew are happy to tell passengers all about beautiful Little Traverse Bay as Chamberlain steers the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Co.’s Harbor Princess to and from Petoskey, Bay Harbor, or Harbor Springs. Or try the relaxing and highly recommended 90-minute sunset cruise that leaves Petoskey’s Bayfront Park dock around 7:30 p.m., depending on the season. History-themed cruises and yoga outings also are available. littletraversebayferry.org
2. Hidden Island: The 2,683-acre Fisherman’s Island State Park, located south of downtown Charlevoix’s bustle, offers a delightful getaway to enjoy sunsets and stone hunting, hike its rolling dunes and cedar bogs, or wade out to the island. Visitors will discover 6 miles of Lake Michigan beach, 80 rustic campsites (16 along the waterfront), and great opportunities to find Petoskey and Charlevoix stones. michigan.gov/fishermansisland
3. Boyne Update: The Donald Ross Memorial Course at Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs rates among the top courses in Michigan. It features 18 holes that have been recreated from the famous architect’s legendary courses around the U.S. Part of Boyne Golf’s Magnificent Ten courses, the Memorial has been undergoing a multiyear renovation. Four more of the course’s updated holes (2, 13, 15, and 16) are now open for play. boynegolf.com
4. Birder’s Paradise: Seney National Wildlife Refuge, with a total of 95,238 acres, consists of several noncontiguous sections in the Upper Peninsula that serve as breeding grounds for loons, trumpeter swans, Canada geese, bald eagles, osprey, and other wildlife, while providing pools, marshes, and habitats for migrating birds. The 25,150-acre Seney Wilderness Area, near Germfask, features the 7-mile Marshland Wildlife Drive and 8.5-mile Fishing Loop car routes, plus worthwhile biking and hiking trails. fws.gov/refuge/seney
5. Hey, Buckaroos!: The family-owned Ranch Rudolph, southeast of Traverse City, offers guests a chance to enjoy a few traditions of the Great American West. The 195-acre ranch is nestled along the Boardman River in the Pere Marquette State Forest. The biggest draw is the horses, and one- or two-hour trail rides through scenic wooded areas. Other offerings include special horse programs and camps, hay and sleigh rides, camping, and accommodations. ranchrudolf.com
6. Lighthouse Loop: With 45 of the most historic lighthouses in the country, the Upper Peninsula provides great opportunities for exploring these legends of the Great Lakes. The Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association has developed an amazing five-day trip planner with lighthouse visits from Mackinaw City to Copper Harbor, including several bonus lighthouse stops along the way. uptravel.com/blog/
7. Outdoor Museum: Fayette Historic State Park, on the shores of Big Bay de Noc in Garden, invites visitors to explore the preserved 150-year-old weathered town site, framed by 90-foot limestone cliffs and the Lake Michigan coastline. Self-guided tours take sightseers through more than 20 historically preserved buildings and the grounds of this former industrial community, where charcoal pig iron was manufactured between 1867 and 1891. Once home to 500 residents, it became a ghost town in 1891. visitescanaba.com
8. Rare Find: Founded in 1902, the internationally recognized A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Technological University showcases the largest public exhibit of minerals in the Great Lakes region, with more than 4,000 specimens from around the world on display. It maintains what’s regarded as the world’s best collection of Michigan minerals. The museum is built on top of a onetime native copper mine (circa 1864) that was rediscovered during the current building’s construction in 2011. museum.mtu.edu/museum
9. U.P. Adventure Tour: The Iron Ore Heritage Trail, covering more than 47 miles, runs through notable Upper Peninsula mining towns from Republic to Marquette, and along Lake Superior to Harvey. The diverse terrain and trail surfaces for bikers/hikers, historical markers and places to visit, and memorable scenery make for an outstanding journey. Take a side loop through the Northern Michigan University campus and Lakeshore Boulevard to Presque Isle Park for more big-lake views. travelmarquette.com
10. Cheers!: Catch a Lake Michigan sunset on the Charlevoix pier (enhanced by the South Pier Light Station) and then cap off the magical twilight hour from a bar seat or the outdoor elevated deck at the quaint Vue Wine Bar on Bridge Street. Try a charcuterie board or sip world-class wines while gazing out toward the waterfront. Many of the seats feature views of the iconic Pine River Channel drawbridge; watch the bridge raise as boats cruise to and from Lake Michigan or Lake Charlevoix. vuecharlevoix.com
Top photo courtesy of Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau; Gallery photos courtesy of Ron Garbinski (2, 4, 9); Boyne Mountain (3); Ranch Rudolph (5); Crisp Point Light/Hartscapephotography (6); UP Travel (7); a.e. Seaman Mineral Museum (8); Visit Charlevoix (10)
Facebook Comments