This winter started off frigid and has since eased off for more temperate weather. Don't look now, but there's a deep freeze on the way and a rather unusual way to celebrate it.
Back for another year, the Traverse City Polar Plunge dives into February for a very deserving cause. Located at North Peak and Kilkenney's in Downtown Traverse City, you'll have the chace to raise money for the Special Olympics by taking a dip in a pool right on Front Street!
The event is just one of 28 similar pl...Locals know, if you want to make it through winter, you've got to do something you love and you have to have something you're excited about. For hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts all over Northern Michigan, both of those requirements come together into one big weekend: the North American Vasa!
The Vasa is an annual tradition that takes place on the Vasa Pathways on Traverse City's East Side. With the start/finish at Timber Ridge, skiers of all ages take off for a variety of events under the sh...Outdoor recreation is a big reason we love living in Northern Michigan, and one of the favorite activities is revving up the sleds in Kalkaska County!
You don't have to travel to have access to well-marked and well-maintained ORV trails near Kalkaska. The village just east of Traverse City has the reputation has a true mecca for sledheads, and with plenty of snow on the ground and more in the forecast, we're seeing (and hearing!) more and more enthusiasts hitting the trails. For many, getting...There are few things as simple, as enjoyable, and as memorable as the holiday open house. Nearly every small town or village has its own version; an evening of lights, parades, and the promise of seeing Santa for the first time of the season.
We have friends and clients all over Northern Michigan, and we love seeing and experiencing the festivities in small towns across the region. Communities like Traverse City, Kalkaska, and others see hundreds, even thousands of their citizens come togeth...Northern Michigan is home to the largest one-day mountain bike race in the the country, and you can watch it all happen in your backyard!
The Iceman Cometh Challenge, a point-to-point mountain bike race of roughly 30 miles from Kalkaska to Traverse City, is a staple for outdoor enthusiasts all over the region. A stape amongst locals, the event draws people from all over the United States and a few from Europe, Australia, Asia and even South America. Five thousand racers make the fast, sandy...The charms of small town living is alive and well in Acme! Just east of Traverse City, Acme's Fall Festival is a real treat for the whole family.
We love all of the area festivals and celebrations that run throughout the year. It's these activities that bring the community together and honor the seasonal traditions that have marked Northern Michigan living for decades. Harvest time is a special chance to enjoy the foods, the fall colors, and the family fun that marks the season in our area.Northern Michigan might be home to a number of small towns and cities, but that doesn't mean for a second that there is nothing going on. Far from it! We're lucky to be home to dozens of world-class events all year long. One of the absolute favorites, of course, is the Traverse City Film Festival. Since 2006, the festival has grown into an absolutely landmark for Northern Michigan, turning the eyes of the film industry north for five days each summer.
From July 25-30, over 100 features and 1...