Travel guides for Northern Michigan — Traverse City, Petoskey, Mackinac Island, Torch Lake, the Leelanau Peninsula, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, and beyond. First-hand local recommendations from Michigan journalist Jill Halpin covering things to do, where to eat, beaches, wineries, and family travel across the region.
Last Updated: May 2026 The Leelanau Peninsula has some of the best beaches in Michigan — and I’ve been driving M-22 up and down this stretch of coastline for years to prove it. Bordered by Lake Michigan on one side and Grand Traverse Bay on the other, the peninsula packs more beach variety into one…
Last Updated: May 2026 Traverse City was recently named Midwest Living’s 2026 Food City of the Year and one of Food & Wine’s Top 10 Small U.S. Cities, but that national spotlight comes with a side effect: the “tourist trail” is more crowded than ever. After a decade of covering Northern Michigan travel for outlets…
Last Updated: May 2026 Moving to Traverse City Michigan has shifted from a quiet relocation trend to one of the most aggressive housing markets in the Midwest. Most of what you’ll find online is a glossy sales pitch from realtors or the tourism board—pictures of blue water and cherry blossoms. But after a decade covering…