Overview
Northern Michigan should not be confused with the Upper Peninsula. Although a bit inaccurate, the term "Northern Michigan" is used to refer to only the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan... the "fingers" of that mitten-shaped body of land.
Northern Michigan is popular for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including Michigan's premiere ski slopes, hunting, fishing, golf courses, and beaches.
1 things to do · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Northern Michigan
Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Traverse City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TVC Cherry Capital Airport, Traverse City — 40 mi away. Directions
- PLN Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County Airport, Pellston — 63 mi away. Directions
- GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids — 128 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day trip
- Day 1: Houghton Lake — Muskegon River, Reedsburg Dam, Houghton Lake Area Historical Society.
- Day 2: Gaylord — St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral, Alpenfest, Otsego Lake State Park.
- Day 3: Grand Traverse Bay Area — Cherry Bowl Drive In, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Dennos Museum Center.
Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Places in Northern Michigan
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Regions
Grand Traverse Bay Area
the pinky and ring finger
Mackinac Area
the tip of the middle finger
Northeastern Michigan
the index finger
Cities
- Arcadia
- Alpena-- Home of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve
- Bay Harbor - Luxurious Destination situated on five miles of Lake Michigan shoreline
- Cadillac
- Cheboygan
- Charlevoix -- Charming coastal city with vast waterfront and unique homes
- Frankfort
- Gladwin -- Where The North Begins
- Grayling
- Honor
- Harbor Springs -- Home to two ski resorts, Nub's Nob, and Boyne Highlands
- Mackinaw City -- Less expensive, modern alternative to staying on Mackinac Island
- Petoskey
- Reed City
- Traverse City -- Home of the National Cherry Festival - Traverse City Film Festival
- Atlanta
- Gaylord
Other destinations
- Bay Harbor
- Kalkaska
- Grayling
- Beaver Island
- Mackinac Island -- Car-free location of the world-famous Grand Hotel
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Houghton Lake
See
- The Mackinac Bridge - known as the "Mighty Mac" or (against the wishes of a certain burger merchant) "Big Mac", is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.
- Fort Michilimackinac - Founded in 1715 as a French fur-trading village and military outpost, Michilimackinac was later occupied by the British who abandoned it in 1780 to establish a new fort on Mackinac Island. What you see today on this site is a reconstruction of how the fortified village appeared in the 1770s, based on evidence gathered during the nation's longest archaeological excavation.
Do
- The Northern Michigan area is home to some of the best skiing in the Midwest including Nub's Nob Ski Resort, Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain. All of these ski resorts are located around the Petoskey/Harbor Springs/Boyne Falls area.
- - located in Boyne Falls
Buy
Eat
Eat Fred's Cosmic Bowling and Restaurant
Restaurant, bowling, bar, catering and party hall. 989-275-6565.
Nearby
Kalkaska
City / town · 1 listings · 20 mi away
Cadillac
City / town · 42 listings · 42 mi away
Traverse City
City / town · 137 listings · 42 mi away
Interlochen
City / town · 6 listings · 49 mi away
Bay Harbor
City / town · 28 listings · 50 mi away
Petoskey
City / town · 34 listings · 50 mi away
Charlevoix
City / town · 12 listings · 51 mi away
Leland
City / town · 13 listings · 54 mi away
My experience
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