It all started simply enough. A local mother of four, thinking about the community where she was raising her family, asked why there wasn’t a Pride Festival in Traverse City. Five years (and countless hours of tireless planning) later, Up North Pride Week has become one of the Midwest’s premier celebrations of the LGBTQ community.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Michigan’s State Parks and several state parks will host special events this summer to celebrate!
Overcast, drizzly days and it’s-not-letting-up-at-all kind of afternoons definitely can dampen plans for outdoor excursions. And while I’m all about curling up on the couch with a great read and staying warm and dry inside, sometimes it’s just good to get out and about, regardless of what Mother Nature is dishing out.
What’s the best thing about a milestone birthday? It’s a good excuse to wrangle a best friend or 10 and have an adventure together! Here are a few ideas on how to celebrate turning 30, 40, 50, 60 or more in Traverse City.
Spring is often the most overlooked season in Northern Michigan. Event-filled summer days, breathtaking fall foliage and a snowy winter wonderland have come to define Traverse City. However, spring, signified by its beautiful cherry blossoms, has long held a special place in the heart of Old Mission Peninsula.
When you’re in a pretty great place, you tend to drink some pretty great stuff. And here in the land of 40+ wineries and tasting rooms, you know that the vino is no exception. Over the last 15 years the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula wineries have exploded in popularity, honing global attention and furthering the story of the Traverse City region. Recently the peninsulas have joined forces to promote their craft under one name, Traverse Wine Coast. We sat down with Paul Hamelin, owner of Verterra Winery in Leland, to learn more about the Traverse Wine Coast…and maybe sip a little red.
Northern Michigan’s wooded, winding trails are second to none, and the Vasa on the east side of Traverse City holds an extra special place in my heart. I grew up with these trails literally in my backyard and years later fell in love with running and mountain biking on these paths meandering through the Pere Marquette State Forest.
Vitamin N: nature. It fills our spirits and makes our bodies strong. And for visitors to the Traverse City area, a beautiful and health-giving year-round daily dose is readily had. Here’s our punch list of possibilities for getting outdoors in every season.
Northern Michigan is a prime summer spot for visitors, but we locals know it’s really a four-season destination. If you’re staying in the area over spring break, don’t miss these events and deals around town!
Getting out on the trails come winter is its own kind of beautiful experience. A quiet path blanketed with snow, sunshine piercing through the ice-encrusted branches, snowshoes crunching along the path the only sound I hear … and, oh, the fresh, cold air. It’s crisper and cleaner during our most frigid months.
