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Summer Delights in Northern Lower Michigan
 Freshwater beaches, inland crystal clear lakes, upscale golf resorts, vineyards, thousands of miles of forests, and a mild climate make Northern Michigan a summer vacationer's dream.
Anchoring Northern Lower Michigan is Traverse City, the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. Traverse City is the self-proclaimed cherry capital of the world, marked by an annual weeklong cherry festival during the first full week of July.
“One would never imagine that the Grand Traverse Region and Traverse City, Michigan would become such a travel destination when the early settlers arrived here from Europe in the 1840's,” writes HomeAway Traverse City homeowner, George Easley. “In 1852 Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian Missionary from Europe, selected an area now commonly known as Old Mission Peninsula to plant the first cherry trees that would grow into an industry responsible for 75% of the tart cherries in the United States.”
Traverse City is also surrounded by Tuscan-like countryside where grapes are cultivated, making it a center of wine production in the Midwest. “The Grand Traverse Region boasts over 20 wineries growing white varietals such as Reisling, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and some reds including Pinot Noir and Cabernet,” says George Easley,
Many city dwellers from nearby areas (especially Chicago) have vacation homes in Northern Michigan. The largest resort cities in the region include Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Frankfort, Harbor Springs, Leland, and Mackinaw Island.
The wonders of nature are always close at hand in northern Michigan. The area’s rivers are known for some of the best Walleye and Trout fishing in the Midwest.
The region is also home to most of Michigan’s largest inland lakes, including Manistique Lake, Burt Lake, Mullet Lake, Black Lake, Otsego Lake, Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake, Torch Lake, Skegemog and Walloon Lake.
Imagine swimming on the sandy lake beaches, water-skiing, wakeboarding, or simply kicking back and sunbathing. Indeed, Michigan’s inland lakes offer something for everyone.
For more information, please see our list of HomeAway homeowners’ unique insights about the area.
Live the Destination
HomeAway Homeowners Share Local Northern Michigan Tips
George Easley, property 150571
Location is the key to Traverse City. The area provides shopping, beaches, boating, fishing, summer and winter sports, cultural events, art galleries, festivals, and restaurants featuring culinary delights to suit even the most discriminating palates!
The 81st Annual National Cherry Festival will run this year from July 7-14. Our Cherry Festival is a weeklong celebration with more than150 family activities, parades, rides, air shows, outdoor concerts, and an opportunity to taste delicious cherry products.
 The 3rd Annual Traverse City Film Festival founded by director Michael Moore is another week long event that features parties, premiers, panel discussions and free outdoor family films that runs this year from July 30-August 5. This is an event that attracts a national audience.
In September, The Epicurean Classic is a unique festival where well known celebrity chefs, such as Mario Batali, cookbook authors, and master sommeliers, will educate and entertain you with 3 days of cooking classes and exquisite dinners.
For summer vacationers there are more than 180 miles of sandy shorelines and 149 crystal clear inland lakes to enjoy. Michigan's second largest inland lake, Torch Lake, is 18 miles long and, at 315 feet deep, is the deepest lake in the state.
 Submitted by Ken Weaver, property 147224
Torch Lake is recognized as the third most beautiful inland lake in the world by National Geographic Magazine. Its waters are unusually clear and exhibit a bright turquoise hue. Your first look at this beautiful water will create a memory of a lifetime.
For downhill skiing, and snowboarding, we have several ski areas with slopes for every ability level. The region also has miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Whatever season you may choose to visit, The Grand Traverse Region has a smorgasbord of offerings to suit everyone.
Susanna Peters Wallace, property 115681
We are on a sandy beach with exciting small springs all around. The water is blue and clean and shallow. We love canoeing, kayaking and biking into town from the schoolhouse.
 Submitted by Robin Pearsall, property 156014
In Richmond, Virginia (where I am from), when someone heads to the "Beach," they usually go to Virginia Beach or the Outer Banks. I'd rather head to a cooler climate in July and August, so our "Beach" is in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
In Northern Michigan the high temperatures average only in the mid-70's. Best of all, there are no sharks!
Submitted by Rick Tasch, property 102059
Drummond Island, off the eastern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is a very large and tranquil place, complete with a small airport, two golf courses, a fine-dining restaurant, boat rentals, gift shops etc.
It's an eight-minute car ferry ride from Detour on the mainland. A great four-season vacation destination for boating, swimming, fishing, golf, hiking, riding, snowmobiling and even bowling.
Island Retreat, an upscale log home on private Lake Huron shoreline, is one of many rental properties on the island.
 Submitted by Shelley Schellenberg, property 63065
There is a Petoskey stone on our beach that has been waiting a million years for you to find it.
Submitted by - Catherine Custer, property 141839
When it comes time for a little rest and relaxation, I do not have to think twice about where I will go. A resort village, Curtis is located in the heart of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and has a little of something for everyone.
As a child, I have great memories of fishing the Manistique Lakes with my father. There are more than 20,000 acres of inland lakes in the area. The lakes are abundant with northern pike, walleye, perch, bass, and sunfish.
I have already started fishing the lakes with my children, and at age two, my son caught his first walleye. The lakes are shallow, so they also provide for good swimming and boating.
On an average day, there are usually not more than a dozen boats out on a lake. If you prefer to canoe or kayak, you could head to the Manistique River and travel through the Seney National Wildlife Refuge.
 Curtis is surrounded by numerous ATV and snowmobile trails. If you do not own an ATV or snowmobile of your own, you could rent one from the local Fish and Hunt Shop in Curtis.
Curtis is within a couple hours drive to many of Michigan's greatest attractions. For those who want to view some of the tourist attractions, one could leave Curtis for the day and head to Mackinac Island, Soo Locks, Whitefish Point, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, Big Springs, or Fayette State Park.
Whether you love the outdoors or you just want to curl up with a good book by the lake, Curtis, Michigan is a great destination for family vacations and weekend getaways.
Submitted by property 321956
The “little finger,” of Michigan is treasured by many as one of the most beautiful places in the United States. The natural beauty in this area is unparalleled.
From the crashing shores of Lake Michigan, to crystal clear inland lakes, to the massive Sleeping Bear Dunes, to the acres of farms and vineyards, you do not want to forget your camera when visiting.
Submitted by Valerie Byrnes, property 320601
Come and surf the Great Lakes!
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