Lounging on the springy nets of a catamaran, we watch the sun prepare to take a dip in Grand Traverse Bay. The August air is warm; a gentle breeze ripples through the sails above us. We snap a selfie, raise a toast and turn our attention to the golden glow. It's the last sunset of our annual Midwest Living Road Rally, this year in partnership with Pure Michigan. We've seen a lot of painted skies in the past week, as we explored the state's fittingly nicknamed Sunset Coast.
Our journey took us along Lake Michigan, from Saugatuck to Traverse City, stopping in towns with personalities as varied as the views. We sampled award-winning wines, caught (and ate) Great Lakes fish, got our hearts pumping on dune buggies and ziplines, and met fascinating makers continuing cultural traditions. Over the course of a packed itinerary, we managed to get in or on eight bodies of water-one Great Lake, one bay, two inland lakes and four rivers in vessels both motorized and not.
We also got a taste of Michigan's efforts to encourage more eco-friendly travel. The state has installed new electric vehicle charging stations along the Lake Michigan shore. These efforts help protect the beautiful yet fragile coastal ecosystem. When you break to charge, think of it as a chance to slow down, admire the scenery, "meet" a new place and maybe even catch a sunset.
DAY ONE
SAUGATUCK+FENNVILLE
WHO YOU'RE MEETING
SAUGATUCK
Laid-back with great taste, Saugatuck is like that friend with the arty decor and Pride flag bumper sticker. Located on the Kalamazoo River, the downtown has rainbow-stamped streets and brims with shops and restaurants in cute cottages.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
PENNYROYAL CAFE AND PROVISIONS
This story is from the Summer 2023 edition of Midwest Living.
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This story is from the Summer 2023 edition of Midwest Living.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
At Long Last - At sunny meadows flower farm in Columbus, Ohio, the same cutting beds that feed summer's fresh bouquets also provide bunches of everlastings for use in dried arrangements
At sunny meadows flower farm in Columbus, Ohio, the same cutting beds that feed summer's fresh bouquets also provide bunches of everlastings for use in dried arrangements and wreaths-both their own creations and yours. color us inspired.
NATURAL FIT
WITH LANDSCAPES NEAR AND FAR AS THEIR GUIDE, A MINNEAPOLIS COUPLE BUILT A NEW HOME THAT COMPLEMENTS ITS ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD AND SOFTENS THE LINE BETWEEN INDOORS AND OUT.
COLOR SHOW
FALL IS A BIT LIKE THE HOLIDAYS, WITH SPECTACULAR DISPLAYS OF COLOR AND LIGHT EVERYWHERE-EXCEPT NATURE DOES THE DECORATING. TREAT YOURSELF TO THE SEASON'S SIGHTS AND SOUNDS ON A VISIT TO ONE OF THESE DAZZLING PARKS.
IT'S CHILI TIME
AT A TAILGATE, A CAMPOUT OR JUST BECAUSE IT'S FALL, NOTHING HITS LIKE CHILI. AND FEW MEALS STOKE MORE REGIONAL PRIDE AND DEBATE. (TEXANS, WE SEE YOU. WE RESPECT YOU. BUT WE LIKE BEANS.) SO WE'RE GIVING YOU FIVE NEW CHILI RECIPES INCLUDING ONE FOR LEGIT CINCINNATI CHILI-PLUS CHEESY SCALLION CORNBREAD AND AN ODE TO CINNAMON ROLLS. (DON'T ASK. JUST READ ON.)
The GREAT ESCAPES
IN WISCONSIN AND MINNESOTA, HISTORIC LAKESIDE RESORTS KEEP ALIVE A CENTURY OF TRADITION. GENERATION AFTER GENERATION, THEY HAVE YET TO GO OUT OF STYLE.
TWO FOR ONE
PLAN A FALL WEEKEND TO BENTON HARBOR AND ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN, AND YOU'LL HAVE DOUBLE THE FUN.
DAY OF THE DEAD
DURING DÍA DE MUERTOS (NOVEMBER 1-2), TRADITION HOLDS THAT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SPIRIT AND LIVING WORLDS WEAKENS, ALLOWING A REUNION WITH PASSED LOVED ONES. HERE ARE SIX PLACES TO CELEBRATE.
MAIN ATTRACTION
FRESH LOCAL FARE AND SLEEK COFFEE SHOPS RUB SHOULDERS WITH STYLISH BOUTIQUES AND VINTAGE MARKETS IN MOUNT VERNON, IOWA.
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
GLACIERS ONCE SHAPED THE TERRAIN OF SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA. TODAY, PEOPLE DO. THEIR IMPRINT SHOWS EVERYWHERE IN A LIVELY FOOD AND COCKTAIL SCENE, THROUGH A KALEIDOSCOPE OF OUTDOOR ART, AND AT A WATERFALL PARK THAT LOOKS BETTER THAN EVER.
PEAR HUGS
AS COMFORTING AS A LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP (AND AS SPECIAL TOO), THESE PEARS COME WRAPPED IN PASTRY, DRIZZLED WITH CARAMEL AND INFUSED WITH GOOD FEELS.
