CATEGORIES

GIVE THE GIFT OF AN UP NORTH GETAWAY

Experience Northern Michigan’s snowy season and surprise your loved one with a stay at one of these hotels and lodges with warm-you-to-your-toes amenities.

Hike to frozen waterfalls

A MAGNIFICENT WINTER ADVENTURE IN THE U.P.

Gangsters Up North

Was Capone in Leelanau County? Did Dillinger hide out on Bois Blanc Island? Did the Purple Gang dance until dawn at the Graceland Ballroom in Lupton? Using interviews, local newspaper accounts, land records and internet resources, Michigan author Robert Knapp carefully sorts truth from myth in “Gangsters Up North: Mobsters, Mafia, and Racketeers in Michigan’s Vacationlands.” The following are excerpts from Knapp’s historical non-fiction book.

Home for the Holidays

When I was a child, we spent every other Christmas at home.

Dashing through the Snow

MEET THE FOLKS AND THE HORSES THAT TURN A WINTER'S DAY INTO AN UNFORGETTABLE MEMORY

Downsized space, heightened style

AN INTERIOR DESIGNER REINVENTS THE IDEA OF HOME FOR HIS DREAM CLIENTS.

A Twist on a Classic

Rounds Restaurant offers a timeless take on a sweet breakfast staple.

TIN CAN TOURISTS

The Tin Can Tourists describe themselves as “an organization committed to the celebration of classic trailers and motor coaches through annual gatherings of owners and friends,” and they have a long and playful history of doing just that. The original Tourists founded the organization in DeSoto, Florida, in 1919.

On the Water

A meditative morning paddle on Benzie County's Crystal Lake

Leelanau's NEW RELEASES

Peninsula wineries refresh their summer lineup.

Explore Whaleback Natural Area

Climb this gentle slope to a ridge-top view of Good Harbor Bay, Pyramid Point and beyond.

Cedar River Marina Project

A community-led group is working to improve access to the Cedar River and make it easily explored by all.

A Resilient North

It is with such joy, gratitude and humility that we are able to bring you Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine, once again in print. We can’t thank our subscribers, small business advertisers and supporters enough for embracing the truly amazing digital magazines we were able to produce in May and June, and will continue to produce.

Armchair Travel

Let these books, and their beautiful Northern Michigan settings, inspire future vacations.

A SPLENDID FORAGED FEAST

THE GIFTS OF THE NORTHERN WOODS FIND A PLACE AT OUR TABLE AS FRIENDS COMBINE THEIR TALENTS FOR A FORAGED MEAL AND NATURE-INSPIRED TABLE.

HOME SWEET (MILLENNIAL) HOME

MILLENNIALS—THOSE BORN BETWEEN 1981 AND 1996—HAVE BECOME THE LARGEST GENERATION ALIVE. AND THIS GENERATION THAT MANY PREDICTED WOULDN’T FOLLOW A TRADITIONAL PATH, ACTUALLY ARE: THEY’RE BUYING HOMES.

A Taste of Home

I have a fascination with almost anything well made—things produced with pride and passion, regardless of whether or not I actually need or can afford them—a simple, hand-stitched felt sleeve for my laptop; small-batch Rhum agricole from Martinique; Winslow Homer paintings.

Lace, Linen & Legacy

Henrietta Gattle and her son, Otto, opened their first brick-and-mortar store selling fine European lace and linens in 1919. More than 100 years later, Henrietta’s family continues the tradition at Gattle’s new location in Harbor Springs.

Blossom Watch

FOR FULL IMMERSION IN THE SWEET SCENT OF PILLOWY SPRING CHERRY BLOSSOMS, TAKE THESE MEMORABLE DRIVES. GET A MAP AND DRIVING DIRECTIONS FOR EACH ROUTE AT MYNORTH.COM/BLOSSOMTOUR.

A GRAND OPENING

IT’S A BROADWAY HIT PRODUCTION THAT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING AT THIS VENERABLE LEGEND ON MACKINAC ISLAND, HONORING MONTHS OF BEHIND THE SCENES WORK AND ENSURING EVERY PERSON AND ITEM IS IN PLACE ON GRAND HOTEL’S OPENING DAY … RIGHT DOWN TO THE FLOWERS.

The Timeless cottage

A SEASONED NORTHERN MICHIGAN DESIGN-AND-BUILD TEAM CREATES A NEW HOME THAT FITS PERFECTLY INTO A VENERABLE OLD RESORT COMMUNITY.

The new urban cottage

WHAT TO DO WITH A VACANT LOT ON HARBOR SPRINGS’ WATERFRONT? THE COTTAGE COMPANY ANSWERS THE QUESTION WITH A MODERN INTERPRETATION OF COTTAGE THAT BLENDS BEAUTIFULLY WITH ITS GRACIOUS OLD NEIGHBORHOOD.

WINE WITH A VIEW

Soak up some springtime sunshine (bevy in hand) at these local wineries with bright blue bay views and plenty of outdoor seating.

BACKYARD BIRDWATCHING

Here’s the secret: If you want your backyard to be bird-friendly, start with bugs.

The Cat Ladies of Benzie County

I think you’re either a “cat person” or not. Is there an in between? I don’t know.

Pooch-Friendly Preserves

Many preserves and natural areas are dog-friendly, but remember, state law requires all dogs to be leashed (yes, even really well-behaved ones). Three local conservancies share some doggy do’s and don’ts.

EPIC DAY HIKE

THE JORDAN VALLEY PATHWAY IN A DAY. HIKE ALONG AS EACH MILE IS CAPTURED IN PHOTOS AND WORDS THAT DON'T JUST INSTRUCT, THEY INSPIRE.

DOGS. OF. THE. NORTH.

IT’S ONLY NATURAL THAT NORTHERN MICHIGAN DOGS WOULD BE KNOWN FOR ADVENTURE, SERVICE, FARM LIFE AND, OF COURSE, WATER. HERE ARE SIX WHO JOYFULLY LIVE THOSE LIVES IN THE NORTH.

Creating Art & Community

Jenny Clare’s love of art is designed to include us all.

A Beautiful Heritage Reborn

THERE’S A POLISH PROVERB, “FATE THROWS FORTUNE, BUT NOT EVERYONE CATCHES.” IT MUST HAVE BEEN FATE THAT BROUGHT KATHLEEN BITTNER KOCH UNWITTINGLY TO CEDAR. BUT IT WAS TO THE GOOD FORTUNE OF ALL.