Blog

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

Where to Stay

Where to Stay for the 2026 National Cherry Festival

Cherry Festival lodging from a local host: which neighborhoods work during the July 4-11 festival, where parking is brutal, where to bike in, and which home fits your crew.

June 12, 2026

Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Traverse City: A Local Superhost's Neighborhood Guide

Where should you stay in Traverse City? A 40x Superhost breaks down each neighborhood, downtown, the Commons, North Boardman, Lake Ann & East Bay, with honest trade-offs and the right home for your trip.

June 5, 2026

Travel Guides

TART Trail Biking Guide: The Best Traverse City Cycling Routes & Stops

Explore Traverse City on two wheels with our ultimate TART Trail biking guide. Route highlights from Farm Club to East Bay breweries, local bike shops, and Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

May 21, 2026

Travel Guides

Cherry Blossoms in Traverse City: When to Go, Where to Drive, What to Know

A local guide to cherry blossom season in Traverse City, peak timing, the best drives on Old Mission and Leelanau, orchard etiquette, and what else to do in May.

May 12, 2026

Travel Guides

Family Vacation in Traverse City: A 5-Day Itinerary with Kids

Plan a family vacation in Traverse City with this 5-day itinerary. Beach days, Sleeping Bear Dunes, cherry picking, rainy day plans, and kid-friendly restaurants.

April 23, 2026

Travel Guides

Romantic Getaway in Traverse City: A Weekend Itinerary for Couples

Plan the perfect couples weekend in Traverse City. A day-by-day itinerary with restaurant reservations, sunset spots, wine tasting, and cozy cabin stays.

April 16, 2026

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 lesser-known spot 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