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Summertime in Northern Michigan

For many visitors and summer residents, summer is THE season in Northern Michigan. Where else can you golf on fabulous courses until 10 pm, or go for a swim in pristine waters as the sun rises? Activities abound Up North in the summer with everything from festivals, to concerts at Bay View, to Blissfest Music, to Ugotta Regatta.

Beaches

Life’s a beach and no where else is that more prevalent than Northern Michigan. We have miles of beautiful sandy beaches on Lake Michigan and inland lakes just waiting for a beach goer. Climb the dunes at Petoskey State Park, walk to the beach along a boardwalk at Thorne Swift Nature Preserve, or body surf in the waves at Sturgeon Bay. Harbor Springs has two beaches within the city limits, a rarity for most cities. Pack the sunscreen and hit the beach!

Boating

This is the place for water sports! Northern Michigan is your destination for sailing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, personal water craft boating, and fishing. Our many inland lakes are perfect for fishing. Walleye for dinner? Catch it yourself! The Little Traverse Bay is known for sailing. Youth sailing is important here with programs at Bay View and in Harbor Springs with the Little Traverse Sailors. Rent a pontoon boat on Crooked Lake and motor through the Inland Waterway to Lake Huron. Put your kayak in on Lake Michigan early in the morning and glide along the quiet waterfront. And when the water freezes, no problem! Ice boating is great fun and racing takes place throughout Northern Michigan in the winter months.

Activities

Northern Michigan is not the place where you’ll hear “there is nothing to do.” There is so much to do in the summer that keeping a daily calendar is a must. Concerts on the waterfront in Harbor Springs or Petoskey, concerts in the park in Petoskey, concerts and theater at festivals, to concerts at Bay View, music at Blissfest, sidewalk sales, gallery walks, and art fairs are just some of the organized activities to enjoy. Add to them golfing, hiking, kayaking, cycling, swimming, sailing, boating, fishing, shopping, dining, visiting with friends and…. well, you get the picture, the days are filled with wonderful opportunities Up North!

Summer Events

July 4th Up North

An amazing array of activities like parades, fireworks, and more, make the 4th of July a special day in Northern Michigan.

St. Ignace Car Show Weekend

St. Ignace Car Show Weekend

Hundreds of antique, custom, and celebrity automobiles take part in the internationally acclaimed St. Ignace Car Show Weekend.

East Jordan Freedom Festival

East Jordan Freedom Festival

East Jordan’s Freedom Festival has food, music, fun, entertainment, carnival, dancing, and more. Fun for the whole family!

Looking for more events in Northern Michigan?

Discover More of Northern Michigan's Seasons

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival

Spring in Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan appreciates spring after a long winter and holds lots of great activities to celebrate this time of year!

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival

Fall in Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan appreciates spring after a long winter and holds lots of great activities to celebrate this time of year!

Activities & Attractions in Northern Michigan

Harbor Springs History Museum

Harbor Springs History Museum

The Harbor Springs History Museum offers a unique look at the history of the community, starting with the first Catholic missionaries.

Beaver Island

Beaver Island Up North

Beaver Island is located 32 miles offshore of Charlevoix, Michigan and is the largest island in Lake Michigan.

Cross Country Ski Trails

Just a short drive from Harbor Springs or Petoskey are more than a dozen Northern Michigan cross country ski trails in Emmet County.

Up North Snowmobiling

With miles of scenic trails terrain and local snowmobile clubs, Northern Michigan is the place to bring the snow sleds in the winter.