Travel Guides

Stacked stones balanced on a piece of driftwood with a sunset reflecting on water in the background

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A scenic view of a large body of water with gentle waves, bordered by a green forested coastline and a distant sandy cliff under a clear blue sky.
Street scene with blooming trees, outdoor seating, and storefronts in a small town or neighborhood.

Traverse City

Located at the southmost point of Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City is the epicenter for activities in Northern Michigan. Downtown is filled with restaurants, coffee shops, and local makers. The shoreline is filled with public beaches and parks. You can travel from Traverse City in any direction and find an adventure, making it the perfect place to start any Northern Michigan Trip.

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A paved path through a forest with fall foliage, fallen leaves covering the ground, and trees with orange, yellow, and green leaves on either side.
Colorful buildings resembling a small town main street with storefronts, including a blue building and a red building with a tower, under a cloudy sky.

Suttons Bay

Just north of Traverse City along M22 you will find the quaint, quiet village of Suttons Bay. Suttons Bay lies on the Leelanau (Tarte) Trail, 17 miles from Traverse City through beautiful countryside, making it the perfect destination to bike Leelanau County. Some highlights include the large beach at the Suttons Bay Marina, Hop Lot Brewing Company, and local shops Poppy Things and Wild Lettie.

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A sandy beach path with footprints, leading to the ocean and clear blue sky.
A white lighthouse with a red roof, black lantern room, and a small balcony, surrounded by trees and grass, with an American flag flying on a tall flagpole.

Northport

At the very tip of Leelanau County, you will find Northport, a small community that has managed to stay “local”. Start your morning at Barb’s Bakery with a donut and travel north to the lighthouse in Leelanau State Park. End your day at one of the beaches which you can find almost empty nearly year round. Northport is home to the true “up north” experience from your childhood.

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Aerial view of a large lake with turquoise and deep blue waters, surrounded by green forests and a small residential area along the shoreline, under a partly cloudy blue sky.
A snowy ski resort scene with a chalet-style building labeled 'Schuss Lodge' in the foreground, a ski slope with chairlifts behind it, and bare trees surrounding the area.

Bellaire

Tucked into the rolling hills of Antrim County, Bellaire is a small town that still feels like a well-kept secret. Check out the slopes or the fairways at Shanty Creek Resorts, which offers skiing in the winter and championship golf in the summer. Or you can rent a boat out on the sparkling waters of Torch Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes you'll ever lay eyes on. It’s not a trip to Bellaire without ending your day with a beer at Short’s - the ultimate Northern Michigan day

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