Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay from high overlook of Old Mission Peninsula in the fall.
When one thinks of wine, the vineyards of France and Napa Valley comes to mind. But in recent years, Michigan has joined California, Oregon, and Washington as being top producers of grapes. Michigan’s cool climate region, along with sufficient water and nutrient rich soil, is the perfect recipe to grow quality grapes. From these grapes come delicious dry and semi-dry wines, sparkling wines, and dessert wines.
The major wine regions are along the Lake Michigan shoreline, from New Buffalo in the southwest, up through Saugatuck and into the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula in the north.
Here in central western Michigan, we have many vineyards and wineries that are producing top quality wines.
Traverse City is known as the “Cherry Capital of the World” and many of the wines produced here use this fruit flavor. White wines, such as Rieslings and Chardonnays first made their mark here, but now Traverse City wineries have branched out into making light reds like Merlot and Pinot Grigio. There are roughly a dozen wineries in Traverse City and Old Mission Peninsula. Visit the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail for more information.
The unique climate and steep slopes of the Leelanau Peninsula are the perfect combination for producing some of the country’s best wines. Within the towns of Leland, Northport, Suttons Bay and Glen Arbor you can visit close to 20 wineries. The architecture varies as much as the wineries themselves–you’ll find everything from old farmhouses to modern buildings to stately mansions. For more information, visit the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
A magnificent display of color; the Northern Lights can be viewed at the right time of year at the right place in West Michigan!
Find artifacts, photographs, and lots of information and stories about the rich history of Pentwater at this historic museum!
The Hart-Montague Bike Trail consists of 22.5 miles of paved paths for biking, snowmobiling, skating and more!
The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.
The Annual Show of the Western Michigan Old Engine Club is held the first weekend of August at Scottville’s Riverside Park.
