There is history and culture that can be experienced outdoors across west Michigan. This driving tour stretches from southwest Michigan to the Mackinac Bridge and stops at some of the most popular destinations along the way. Distance: 332 miles Time: 6 hours, 1 minute Windmill Island, Holland Website: www.cityofholland.com/471/Windmill-Island-Gardens You’ll feel like you’re in [...]
Looking for something to do with your best friend? And by "friend," we mean your dog. There are lots of places in Michigan that welcome you both, giving you a chance to get some exercise or enjoy a bite together - maybe a beer or glass of wine for you and a doggy dish for [...]
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.”—Mary Davis This poignant description seems to strike the core of those of us who love being outside. Now with the coronavirus, when so much of our professional and social lives have been put on hold, the outdoors has turned into a refuge for many. Before, Mother Nature [...]
When the holiday season is in full swing, our inboxes, ears, and eyes can be overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of commercialism. Buy this! Half off! Buy more, more, more! There is a growing trend, especially among Millennials, of skipping the pricey gifts and focusing on gifting experiences instead – something that can be [...]
One of the best parts of autumn is being able to get out hiking in cooler weather. Gone are the stifling hot summer days. In the fall, you can go hiking almost any time of the day. Even better, the leaves of the hardwood trees transform, giving hikers a distinctive trail experience. There are hundreds [...]
Celebrate summer with these outstanding outdoor destinations and adventures you can find only in Pure Michigan. Bike the Heritage Trail, Glen Arbor, Leelanau County: This hard-surfaced, non-motorized trail is 27 miles long, connecting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park attractions and the picturesque town of Glen Arbor. There are several trailheads, which will affect your length [...]
Where, oh, where, do you begin? This region of the state is ideal for cultivating nearly 14,000 acres of vines of multiple grape varieties, making us the fourth largest grape-growing state. Not all of it is for wine, however. Most of it is for juice grapes (i.e., Concord grape). Wine grapes grown here - due [...]
And what you absolutely need to do while you’re in town… Petoskey is a coastal town that sits on Little Traverse Bay, an inlet of Lake Michigan. It has a reputation for being quite charming, and it’s easy to see why. With historic grand homes, a gaslight district full of unique shops and restaurants, and [...]
The water of Torch Lake in Northwest Lower Michigan has been compared to that of the azure and turquoise of the Caribbean. In fact, National Geographic called it one of the 10 most beautiful lakes in the world. And at 19 miles long, it’s Michigan’s longest inland lake, which means there’s plenty of room for [...]
Distance: 148 miles Time: 3 hours, 24 minutes Stop #1: Find a Petoskey Stone: Make your way to Orchard Beach State Park in historic Manistee for some beach combing (and follow these tips to find a Petoskey stone). Other popular beaches nearby where there are Petoskey stones aplenty include Empire Beach and Leelanau State Park [...]
