Experience Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan has everything you need for nearly any lifestyle. Northern Michigan Escapes vacation rentals can serve as you basecamp as you explore all that our area has to offer.

Local Lakes and Beaches

RELAX ON PRISTINE BEACHES and spend your vacation sunbathing and swimming in Northern Michigan. The best thing about beaches in Michigan is that there are many options to choose from. Whether you’re looking to find a pretty family beach with plenty of facilities or a beach graced with golden sands and ideal conditions for fishing, there is something for everyone. (Click here to see all Northern Michigan Waterfront Lifestyle Homes for Sale)

BEST BEACHES

All over Northern Michigan are incredible beaches, and here are some of the ones we think you should check out. Whether it's swimming in the Great Lakes, enjoying a walk amongst crisp warm sand, sitting back and enjoying sunny breezes or taking that evening stroll along the coast, these are some of the best beaches in Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Boyne City.

Deer Lake at Boyne Mountain

Spend the day down at The Beach at Deer Lake and enjoy a wide variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you stay dry on a paddle board or cool off with a quick dip, a day at the beach is a day well spent.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Canoe / Kayak Rental
Small Sailboat Rental
Swimming
Lawn Games - Putt Putt, Bean Bag Toss, and more!

Petoskey State Park

In addition to a wonderful sandy beach, the Petoskey State Park offers hiking trails, restrooms, biking on interior roads, picnic facilities, sand volleyball courts and a small playground.

Lake to Lake Concessions: Carries light concession items, hand dipped ice cream, camp store items, and park/region specific merchandise. Open in the summer from 10:00 - 8:00, 7 days/week.
Kayaks, paddleboards and bikes are available for rent.
Cross-country skiing is popular here. Novice skiers who choose to tackle these trails should be prepared for lots of hills. 1 mile of cross-country trails; total of 2.75 miles hiking trails.
Located between Petoskey and Harbor Springs.

Young State Park

Located at the east end of Lake Charlevoix, Young State Park offers not only a lovely beach, but also hiking trails, a picnic area, boat launch, beach house and playground. Winter enthusiasts will enjoy cross-country skiing. There are no large hills; beginners will find the trails tractable. 6.4K, 3 loops.

Thorne Swift Nature Preserve

The beach is small, but pristine and quiet - overall, a great place for families. Three easy hiking/cross country trails meander through 30 acres of wetlands and uplands to a pond and to the beach. Interpretive facilities are open seasonally. There is a $5.00 parking fee per vehicle for non-township residents. Season pass available for $15. Call 231.526.6401 for current programs or information. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the trail or beach.

Trail Hours
April 15-November 15 – Daily 10 am to sunset

Nature Center Hours
Memorial-Labor Day – 10am-7pm
Labor Day-October 23 – Weekends Only

Jones Landing Township Park & Beach

There's a nice beach here with wheelchair accessibility. Also a covered pavilion, restrooms and boat launch. Great place for families. The pavilion is for public use and may not be rented exclusively.

Magnus Park Beach

Located on Little Traverse Bay, Magnus Park City Beach offers 1,000 feet of shoreline and is within walking distance of downtown. It's a great place to hunt for Petoskey Stones.

Wine Country

IDEALLY LOCATED ON THE 45TH PARALLEL, along with notable other wine regions like the Rhone Valley, Bordeaux, and Piedmont, northern Michigan wine country is in good company. Discover how the fresh lake breezes from Little Traverse Bay create ideal conditions for vineyards to flourish. Wine tours are a fun way to take in the beauty of the area while sampling new, international award-winning wines.

PETOSKEY WINE REGION

Petoskey Wine Region is open for business. For details on each of the 14 local wineries, check out the following link: http://www.petoskey.wine/

Brew Tours

BEING IN THE TOP FIVE states for the number of craft breweries, you could say that Michiganders know (and love) good beer. Our area breweries are where you can drink in the best of northern Michigan. Have a glass or two crafted by people who are as passionate about making it as you are about enjoying it.

CALLING ALL CRAFT BEER DRINKERS

Northern Michigan is the perfect place to enjoy the lakes while sipping on a delicious Michigan craft beer. If you're looking for a fun Michigan brew tour, look no further than these local breweries.

Petoskey Brewing

Brewery tours available. Petoskey Brewing, est. 1898, Renewed 2012! Join us in our tap room for some great hand crafted beer and a fun atmosphere. Located at one of the oldest buildings in Michigan that was built as a brewery. Open seven days a week.

Beards Brewing

At Beards Brewery, we are devoted to making great beer. Stop by to watch us brew and enjoy a pint or two. Check to see if Open Mic or live music.

Stiggs Brewing

http://www.stiggsbrewingcompany.com/

Shorts Brewing

Located in downtown Bellaire, Shorts Brewing Company is open all year round. This bustling pub is an eclectic blend of northern Michigan life. Twenty beers on tap, which are all made in house, ranging from Locals Lager to Huma Lupa Licious IPA and beyond. Beer is also available to go in bottles and in growlers, a half gallon sealed jug, which can be refilled when empty. The menu includes snacks, Award winning homemade soups, sandwiches, pizzas and summertime salads. Children are always welcome, highchairs are available as well as kids pizzas and sandwiches. Entertainment is a big part of Shorts life, most summer nights and weekends all year feature the best local performers. The pub is close to Shanty Creek Resort, Torch Lake and a large number of rivers and Lakes.

Burnt Marshmallow Brewery

https://buy-beer-and-wine.square.site/

Lake Charlevoix Brewing Company

The area’s newest brewing operation is Lake Charlevoix Brewing, overlooking Round Lake in downtown Charlevoix. Located at 111 Bridge Park Drive (in the south end of the building which houses the Keweenaw Star and Beaver Island Boat Company), the 1200-square-foot pub offers 60 inside seats and an additional 50 in the outside Beer Garden, where grilling and live music are offered on select dates—weather permitting. Eight beers are on tap each day, including four rotating recipes crafted by the four-man brewing team on a 5-barrel system, purchased from Psycho Brew in Greenville (fabricated entirely in Michigan, from all American stainless steel). In addition to beer, a selection of wine and spirits is also served. The pub food menu features everything from grilled panini sandwiches and wraps to the area’s best tacos, quesadillas, and the unique Liquor Store Nachos.

Waterfront Wonder

ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE. Summer in northern Michigan is all about fun on the water! Whether you want to canoe, kayak, raft, tube or wake surf, there's an adventure waiting for you.

FUN ON THE WATER

Paddle a crystal-clear river, take a sunset cruise on a pontoon or test out your surfing skills with a wake boat. Nearby rentals, guided tours and day trips are available!

Local Farms

DISCOVER SOME OF OUR LOCAL TREASURES by exploring one of the area farms or farmers' markets. Enjoy walking in fields of lavender, learn how to make maple syrup, or taste some fresh local produce.

FRESH & LOCAL

From farms tours, to weekend farmers markets, there's sure to be something to pique your senses and please your tastebuds.

Mackinac Island

TAKE A DAY TRIP to one of Michigan's most historic landmarks. For centuries, visitors have found Mackinac Island to be the ideal vacation spot. No cars. No chains. Just pure paradise.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

From shopping to eating to enjoying the sights, downtown Mackinac Island has something for everyone.

For the Adventurer

https://www.mackinacisland.org/visit/activities/

For the Historian

https://www.mackinacisland.org/visit/activities/parks-historic-sites-museums/

For the Shopper

https://www.mackinacisland.org/visit/shopping/

Hiking

TAKE A HIKE. Little Traverse Conservancy nature preserves are protected in their natural states for all time. And they are open for enjoyment by you, your family, and all generations yet to come. Get outside, enjoy a hike, and take in all the beauty of Northern Michigan.

FIND YOUR PRESERVE

With more than 110 miles of hiking trails on protected lands, your perfect adventure awaits. Our Favorite Trails are as follows:

Oden Island Nature Preserve

McCune Nature Preserve

Hill Nature Preserve

Great Lakes Center for the Arts

THE AREA'S NEWEST addition to the art scene, the Great Lakes Center for the Arts offers a spectacular, state of the art space for dance, concerts, theatre, talks, and more. Located in the Village at Bay Harbor, this stunning building hosts a bevvy of events and attracts internationally acclaimed artists to its stage.

EVENTS & PROGRAMS

There's something for everyone all year round. Explore Great Lakes Center for the Arts' extensive and variable programming. Check out the below schedule of upcoming shows and events.

https://www.greatlakescfa.org/

Focused on Northern Michigan Investment Real Estate

Brook is focused on lifestyle real estate investment properties as most people want a vacation home to make lifelong memories that endure for their entire family, leave a profound legacy for generations, and they want a solid financial investment at the same time. While the area does have many good realtors, there aren’t many with the unique financial, vacation home investing, and technology marketing background. Brook uses his diverse skill set to help clients properly evaluate and determine whether a vacation home makes financial sense.

"I have significant experience buying and selling Northern Michigan real estate and I'd like to help you find the perfect home. or give me a call at 231.459.3179 to learn more today."

Continue Your Northern Michigan Real Estate Search
Explore homes and real estate in the Northern Michigan communities below or contact Brook Walsh to help you with your search.

Posted by Brook Walsh on August 21st, 2020