M22 LIFESTYLE
Northern Lake Michigan | M22 Lakeshore Trail
JOSH HARTMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
CAPTURES BOTH THE MOMENT
AND INCREDIBLE MOTHER NATURE
Recently, we had the distinct pleasure of re-living Elsa & Gabe's heartwarming celebration at Lake Bluff Preserve's gorgeous bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. Josh Hartman, a local Traverse City photographer, who specializes in weddings and family events, captured the event just perfectly. Looking over his pictures, it seemed we were still there celebrating!
Elsa's enchanting dress and their fusion of traditions made this day truly unique. Including their favorite pet brought back the moments that made us all smile. Josh has featured the day on his own site, JoshHartmanPhotography.com if you would like to see more.
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We are especially grateful for his work bringing the beauty of Mother Nature out for all to see. The Lake Bluff Preserve property is a little slice of what Northern Michigan is all about.
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The Lake Bluff property is available for rental for all to enjoy, not just family events and larger occasions. Why not call to reserve a few days for your fall tour this year? We have several week days still available.
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Weekends are filling up fast if you are considering our Lake Bluff property for a more extensive event. Please call soon to avoid disappointment! (231) 352-0101 lakebluffmgr@gmail.com
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Red Hot best winners 2023
the best of northern michigan
Check out our local Red Hot Best Contest in real life this summer … and a heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
More than 230,000 nominations and votes were cast in MyNorth’s sought-after 2023 Red Hot Best Awards, celebrating the people, places and experiences that make our region OURS. See who took home the gold, silver and bronze in our regions! From buzzing happy hours to great places to hang-out, we’ve got your go-to list for Benzie and Leelanau Red Hot Best Winners! (See the complete list at mynorth.com.)
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ART GALLERY
1) Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts
2) Gwen Frostic Prints
3) The Painted Bird
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BAKERY
1) 9 Bean Rows
2) The Bread Lady
3) Chimoski Bakery
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BEACH
1) Good Harbor Bay Beach
2) Van’s Beach
3) Esch Road Beach
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BREAKFAST SPOT
1) Pegtown Station
2) Fiddleheads
3) 45th Parallel Café
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BREWERY
1) Hop Lot Brewing Co.
2) Lake Ann Brewing Co.
3) Stormcloud Brewing Company
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COFFEE SHOP
1) Red Door Coffee House
2) Mundos Roasting & Co.
3) Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co.
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HAPPY HOUR
1) Lake Ann Brewing Co.
2) Northern Latitudes Distillery
3) Art’s Tavern
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HIKING TRAIL OR AREA
1) Empire Bluff Trail
2) Pyramid Point Trail
3) Sleeping Bear Point
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HISTORICAL LANDMARK
1) Fishtown
2) Point Bestie Lighthouse
3) Glen Haven Village
explore the manitou islands
in sleeping bear dunes
national lakeshore
The Manitou Islands in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are perched off the coast of Leelanau County. With their miles of undeveloped shoreline, towering dunes and thick forests, the Manitou Islands in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are an absolute must for any Northern Michigan vacation. The Manitou Island Transit Co. ferries passengers to both islands from Leland with twice-a-day runs to South Manitou and once-a-day runs to North Manitou. Which means, of course, that if you’re looking to do an island in a day, purchase your ticket for South Manitou. Under ideal conditions, the ferry ride from Leland to either North or South Manitou Island takes about 90 minutes; upper-deck or below-deck seating is available on the ferry, which can accommodate several dozen travelers. The ferries depart from Leland near Fishtown, a historic fishing district featuring dozens of 19th-century fishing shanties that now house small boutiques, galleries and shops. Day trips to South Manitou take about 7 hours total, so taking a packed lunch from Fishtown’s favorite sandwich shop, The Village Cheese Shanty, is an easy way to get a true taste of Fishtown while on the shores of a Manitou Island. For more information about ferries and to make reservations (which is highly recommended) contact Manitou Transit at ManitouTransit.com or call 231.256.9061
REQUEST A FREE MAP
"ALL IN A DAY" ADVENTURE
NORTHERN MICHIGAN STYLE
Enjoy summer weather in northern Michigan!
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Destination
The enormous sand dunes that are Michigan’s most striking geological feature are best explored at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a scenic 40-minute drive from Traverse City. Wind from the lake pushes up the sand in a conveyor-belt effect, creating a series of perched dunes. Access them on foot via the challenging 3-hour Dune Climb trail or by car on Skyline Drive, which has 11 different vantage-points. The park opens at dawn.
Along the Way
Lunch can be casual-elegant or casual-casual. Mill Glen Arbor serves a fancy light lunch (try a tomato and stracciatella salad) in a meticulously restored 1879 grist mill. Or drive to Fishtown in Leland to the Village Cheese Shanty for a hearty sandwich on chewy pretzel bread.
Wind-Down
Comb the nascent shopping scene in Sutton Bay for finds, then chill by knocking back a tart, bright-red pint of cider made from fermented Montmorency cherries—the main local varietal—at Tandem Ciders, a wood-paneled tasting room right outside the town.
Takeaway
A tea towel in a “Dear Clementine” pattern, handmade by owner Chelsey Skowronski of Sutton Bay shop Poppy Things. More delicious: the memory of the cheese bread and elegantly plated Copper River Sockeye at Modern Bird, owned by chefs Andy Elliott and Emily Stewart.
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CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN SPA SERVICES
ARE SURE TO RELAX AND REJUVENATE
At the heart of the Crystal Mountain community is Crystal Spa - a place of well-being in all seasons. The18,500-square-foot, LEED-Certified oasis at the heart of Crystal Mountain honors the art and natural beauty of northern Michigan in a setting that awakens and inspires. From the first moment you enter the doors of Crystal Spa, you'll appreciate the comforts of this elegant retreat. Plan a SPA DAY at Crystal Mountain and to connect to a healthier and more grounded you.
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SKIN CARE: Experience healthier, radiant and younger-looking skin when you book a facial. Licensed estheticians can also recommend skincare treatments and products that are best suited for your skin type.
MASSAGE: Choose from an array of massage services catered to meet your body’s specific needs. Massage services include deep tissue, Swedish, prenatal, oncology, hot stone massages and more. Enhance your massage with superb add-ons to help you truly relax.
BODY TREATMENTS AND NAILS: Body Services at Crystal Spa take rejuvenation to a whole new level. You’ll feel like a new person! Let us help you recharge your mind, body and spirit. Body Services at Crystal Spa take rejuvenation to a whole new level. You’ll feel like a new person! Let us help you recharge your mind, body and spirit
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Crystal Spa was honored with the #19 spot in Spas of America Top 100 Spas of 2022! For more information, call Crystal Spa at 888-968-7686 ext. 7200 or e-mail spa@crystalmountain.com.