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Local tips, travel guides, and Northern Michigan stories to help you plan your perfect getaway.

Travel Guides

Best Beaches Near Traverse City: A Local's Guide to Sand, Sunsets & Swimming

The best beaches near Traverse City, from Empire Beach to Good Harbor Bay. Which beach for families, couples, sunsets, and solitude. Parking tips and water temps.

March 7, 2026

Travel Guides

National Cherry Festival 2026: Your Guide to the 100th Anniversary

The National Cherry Festival turns 100 in 2026. Your guide to the July 4-11 celebration: events, air show, parade, dining, parking, and where to stay.

March 4, 2026

Travel Guides

Leelanau Wine Country: A Weekend Guide to Tasting, Dining & Slowing Down

A weekend itinerary for Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula wine country. Tasting routes, restaurant pairings, scenic drives, and where to stay near the vineyards.

February 27, 2026

Travel Guides

Best Coffee & Brunch in Suttons Bay & Leelanau Wine Country

A local's guide to coffee shops and brunch spots in Suttons Bay, Leland, and Northport. From Hive Coffee Co. to 9 Bean Rows.

February 24, 2026

Travel Guides

Spring in Traverse City: Cherry Blossoms, Trails & Fewer Crowds

Spring is Traverse City's best-kept secret. Blooming orchards, empty trails, and the whole region waking up—without the summer crowds.

February 22, 2026

Travel Guides

Best Coffee & Brunch Near Sleeping Bear Dunes: Empire & Glen Arbor

Coffee and breakfast near Sleeping Bear Dunes. From Art's Tavern to Leelanau Coffee Roasting. Year-round and seasonal spots in Empire and Glen Arbor.

February 19, 2026

Travel Guides

Winter in Traverse City: Why the Off-Season Is the Best-Kept Secret

Everyone knows about Traverse City in July. But winter up here is something else entirely—fewer crowds, lower rates, and a whole different kind of magic.

February 16, 2026

Travel Guides

Your Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes: Hikes, Beaches & Where to Stay

A local's guide to the best hikes, beaches, and charming villages near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore—plus where to stay for the full experience.

February 9, 2026

Travel Guides

Best Coffee & Brunch in Lake Ann & Interlochen: A Local's Guide

Coffee shops and breakfast spots near Interlochen, Lake Ann, and Honor. From Red Door Coffee House to Dilbert's stuffed hash browns.

February 9, 2026

Travel Guides

Best Coffee & Brunch in Acme & Williamsburg: A Local's Guide

Coffee and brunch spots near Grand Traverse Resort and east Traverse City. From Niijii to McGee's 72 and a hidden gem in Kalkaska.

February 1, 2026

Travel Guides

Best Coffee & Brunch in Traverse City: A Local's Guide

15+ great coffee shops and brunch spots in downtown Traverse City and Grand Traverse Commons. From Higher Grounds to Red Spire, here are our local favorites.

February 1, 2026

Travel Guides

September: Local's Summer

September is quite possibly the most magical month of the year in Northern Michigan. Every establishment is open, the pace is slower, and the weather is perfect.

August 16, 2024