Our Communities

Welcome to Northern Michigan, home to miles of sandy beaches, crystal clear sparkling water, snow-covered gently sculpted hills and valleys - truly a year-round paradise. Whether it's a workout-worthy hike over rugged terrain or a day spent not moving a muscle on a sandy beach, Northern Michigan has you covered. Northern Michigan is home to Manistee, Benzonia/Beulah, Elk Rapids, Kalkaska, Charlevoix & Boyne City, Petoskey. And located in the heart of this paradise is Traverse City, Northern Michigan's metropolis. Here you will find a plethora of year-round activities all within a short drive.

If gambling is your thing, we have the newly constructed Turtle Creek Casino in Williamsburg & Leelanau Sands Casinos in Peshawbestown just a short 20 minute drive either east or west of Traverse City. If you want to explore a bit further, in Petoskey is the new Odawa Casino & Resort or south of Traverse City located in Manistee is the Little River Casino & Hotel.

Northern Michigan's ski & golf resorts offer some great entertainment as well. Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, Caberfae Peak Golf & Ski Resort in Cadillac, Crystal Mountain, The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor, The Otsego Resort & Conference Center in Gaylord, Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire and The Treetops Resort in Gaylord combined have over 300 downhill runs & more than 150 km of marked and groomed cross country trails. If you don't like or know how to ski, no need to worry. These resorts have a wide array of winter activities to choose from including snowboarding, dog sledding, tubing, ice skating & snow shoeing. At Boyne Mountain, you will find Avalanche Bay, Michigan's largest indoor water park.

Summer brings a whole new appeal to these resorts. With 23 challenging world-class golf courses to play, horseback riding, mountain biking, tennis & disc golf, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy. We can not forget to mention the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa when talking about golf. The Resort sought the help of Jack Nicklaus & Gary Player to help create The Bear & the Wolverine courses. Golf Magazine awarded the Resort their coveted Silver Medal for these courses. You don't have to check into one of the numerous resorts to enjoy golfing in Northern Michigan. Take your pick of over 20 golf courses in Northwestern Michigan.

Did you know that in Michigan you are never more than six miles from a natural water source or more that 87 miles from the Great Lakes Shoreline? Michigan has more than 12,000 inland lakes which allows for swimming, fishing, boating & more. Northwestern Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful inland lakes you will ever find including Torch Lake (2nd most beautiful lake in the world according to National Geographic) in Antrim County, Crystal Lake in Benzie County, Long Lake in Grand Traverse County, Lake Leelanau in Leelanau County, Starvation Lake in Kalkaska County, the list is endless. Not to mention the fact that Lake Michigan, the fifth largest lake in the world, or Lake Huron, the third largest lake in the world, are just a few minutes walk or drive (depending upon where you are in Northern Michigan).You'll find dozens of lighthouses dotted along the coasts of our Great Lakes, some of these are truly a beautiful sight.

With literally thousands of miles of lake shore & riverbanks to choose from, finding the perfect fishing spot shouldn't be too difficult. Whether ice fishing for walleye, spring steelhead, summer perch, trout, bass, or down rigging for salmon in the Great Lakes, Northern Michigan has it all. The State of Michigan also is a great place for hunting enthusiasts. Game species include Black Bear, Elk & everyone's favorite the White-tailed Deer, not to mention smaller game such as Waterfowl & Wild Turkey. If hunting is your sport, Northern Michigan is exactly where you belong. How can you go wrong with these kinds of opportunities?

Does snowmobiling, ATV or motorcycle riding rev you up? If so, you are in luck!! Michigan is known by snowmobilers nationwide for its unique combination of abundant and dependable snow, exciting terrain and extensive trail network. Northern Michigan offers some of the best riding in the state. More than 6,200 miles of designated snowmobile trails are located throughout the state of Michigan forests, three national forests and many acres of privately owned lands. Michigan is one of only three states that offer a large system of interconnected snowmobile trails. The ORV/ATV trail/route system covers 3,200 miles with 73% on state forests. Trails are lightly groomed and riders are likely to encounter many challenges to their riding skills.

Festivals - Northern Michigan has its fair share of festivals. From the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City in the beginning of July, Charlevoix Venetian Festival in mid-July in Charlevoix, The Film Festival in the beginning of August in Traverse City, the Mesick Mushroom Fest in early May or the Kalkaska Winterfest in January there is always something fun happening.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is truly a sight you must see to appreciate. Over 50,000 acres along the shore of Lake Michigan in Leelanau & Benzie Counties replete with hills & forests of birch, pine, beech and maple. The area encompasses numerous small lakes and rivers, sugar sand beaches and, of course, the massive coastal sand dunes and bluffs.