In Petoskey, everyone tries their luck hunting down the perfect Petoskey stone.
Photo courtesy of the Pestoskey-Harbor Springs-Boyne Country Visitors Bureau

No limits

All the things we love most about Michigan can be found in this region—quiet beaches, beautiful sunsets, crystal blue waters, scenic views and unique downtowns. From summer fun to romantic fall drives and exhilarating winter sports … it’s all here, in northwest Michigan.

Lots for kids to explore
Michigan’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country, and this region is no exception. The shoreline along the west coast of the Leelanau Peninsula seems to be one long, endless beach. Beaches along this coast tend to be more natural, with just sand, sun and water, while beaches in other areas, such as Suttons Bay, are more modern facilities, with tables, grills and playgrounds.

Wuerfel Park is a friendly, resort-style ballpark, and home to the Traverse City Beach Bums, Northern Michigan’s only professional baseball team. Kids love the array of zany between-inning activities and contests, instigated by the team’s two mascots, “Sunburn” and “Suntan.” Plus, there’s a playground, toddler playroom and even a video arcade to keep kids entertained. For more information, visit www.tcbeachbums.com.

Avalanche Bay indoor waterpark in Boyne Falls will transport guests to a winter wonderland enjoyed at a comfortable 84 degrees ... any time of year! Photo courtesy of the Pestoskey-Harbor Springs-Boyne Country Visitors Bureau

Quench your thirst for big family fun at Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark in Boyne Falls. This park features five waterslides, a shallow children’s pool, climbing wall, a lazy river, and a surf simulator. Visit www.avalanchebay.com for details.

Kids will spend hours collecting Petoskey stones, Michigan’s state stone, on the beaches throughout the area. Here are a couple tips, the stones are easiest to locate when wet (when you can more clearly see their fossil markings) and the best hunting is at the Petoskey State Park or Magnus Park in Petoskey.

Plentiful outdoor adventure

Walk, cycle or blade down the 11-mile Traverse Area Recreational Trail (TART Trail). A paved pathway crosses Traverse City from east to west and includes a variety of landscapes, including woodlands, marshes, neighborhoods and beaches.

Experience the beauty of the Crystal River and enjoy its gentle currents and explore its winding trail. Rent a canoe or kayak at the Crystal River Outfitters in Glen Arbor and spend an afternoon paddling. Click on www.crystalriveroutfitters.com.

Up, up and away. Grand Traverse Balloons offers beautiful balloon flights over the Grand Traverse Bay. Take a group or enjoy a romantic sunset flight for a special occasion. Visit www.grandtraverseballoons.com for ride information.

Fishing charters are prevalent in this region. For a family-friendly outing, try Hawkins Outfitters, who welcome beginners and kids for fly fishing outings on the Manistee, Pere Marquette, Muskegon and AuSable Rivers. Plan your trip at www.hawkinsflyfishing.com.

After a long hike and a climb, visitors to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore take a break to admire the breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Photo courtesy of the Traverse City Visitors Bureau

The Sleeping Bear Dunes is 60 miles of preserved and protected beaches with dunes that rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan. The dunes are full of hiking trails, but one of the best is the challenging Dunes Trail that takes you out along the Sleeping Bear Point through a landscape of wind-scoured dunes and vegetation. Be sure to visit the eerie “ghost forest,” a group of huge bleached cedars that were buried by sand and then uncovered by winds.

Arcadia Bluffs, a world-class links golf course, is built on the bluffs above the shore of Lake Michigan and sits on approximately 245 windswept acres of lakefront property. Photo courtesy of Tim Russell

Numerous championship golf courses can be found throughout the area. There are over 20 breathtaking courses in the Boyne Country area (Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne City), many designed by America’s most famous course architects. From the nationally recognized Bay Harbor Golf Club to economical 9-hole municipal courses, there’s a course here for all abilities.

One-of-a-kind finds
The tree-lined shopping district in Harbor Springs has some of the finest shopping in Michigan. From books and toys to clothing, home accessories and art. A favorite activity in this downtown area is spending the day strolling the streets, shopping, dining and then strolling some more.

No visit to this region is complete without a trip to a farm market. This area has a unique growing environment, supported by a cooler climate, and produces a variety of fruits and vegetables, including cherries, apples, strawberries, sweet corn and asparagus.

Spend a quiet day in Harbor Springs along the waterfront. Enjoy a picnic lunch, and watch the boats in the harbor. Photo courtesy of the Pestoskey-Harbor Springs-Boyne Country Visitors Bureau

Front Street is Traverse City’s main shopping thoroughfare, but its picturesque nineteenth century architecture, benches, fountains and shade trees give it a small-town feel. You’ll find a range of goods and services you might only expect from a big city, including fine dining, unique shops and sidewalk cafes.

Plan your visit to the Grand Traverse area’s wine country in the fall and enjoy spectacular, colorful scenery. Photo courtesy of Jeff Greenberg, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Old Mission Peninsula

Fall is a great time to visit the Grand Traverse area’s wine country, including the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas. Visit any of the various wineries throughout the region, and enjoy tasting a crisp Riesling or Pinot Grigio, while you drink in the colorful, pastoral view.

Cultural treasures
From student performances to national acts, Interlochen is a magnet for lovers of music, drama and dance. Part summer camp, part boarding school, part concert hall, the Interlochen Center for the Arts is a great place to enjoy some of the world’s most talented performers in a secluded natural setting.

Art galleries are plentiful in this region, filled with unique sculptures, carvings, paintings and more. Elk Rapids has the delightful Twisted Fish Gallery, with metal sculptures outside and an inside filled with abstracts, watercolors and whimsical pieces.

Of Michigan’s 116 lighthouses, the Point Betsie Lighthouse is one of the most photographed. Built in 1858, the Point Betsie Light in Frankfort was constructed to help guide ships through the Manitou Passage to the north.

Discover small town Michigan life in the late 1800s and early 1900s at Historic White Pine Village in Ludington. Set upon 23 beautiful acres overlooking Lake Michigan, you can visit more than 25 buildings that depict Mason County’s history, and exhibits encompass many areas of interest, including maritime, lumbering, farming and education.

An avalanche of winter fun
This region offers opportunities for snowboarding, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, sledding and tubing. It’s also a great place to try one of the fastest growing snow sports in the world—snowshoeing. With advances in equipment, modern snowshoes are light, comfortable and easy to maneuver, with endless options for exploring trail systems.

This region is considered part of the Northern Michigan Snow Belt. Avid snowmobilers flock to the area for its wealth of trail systems, snow accumulation levels, abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery. Cadillac offers natural resources and man-made facilities that meet the highest expectations for winter fun. Cadillac sits at the hub of an outstanding trail system that offers easy cross-state connections. One such trail is The White Pine Trail, which allows snowmobilers to ride from Cadillac to Sand Lake.