Must-Visit Northern Michigan Attractions for Your Getaway

Planning a trip to Northern Michigan means signing up for crystal-clear lakes, charming small towns, and more adventure than you can possibly squeeze into a single visit. With so much to see, it helps to have a game plan before you arrive. That is where the local team at Visit Up North Vacation Rentals comes in. We know this region inside and out, and we have rounded up some of the must-visit Northern Michigan attractions worth adding to your itinerary. 

A Bucket List of Places to Visit in Northern Michigan

Whether this is your first trip north or your fifteenth, these spots deliver the scenery, history, and local flavor that keep travelers coming back year after year.

1. Climb the towering dunes and drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for sweeping Lake Michigan views at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, minutes from our Glen Arbor rentals. 
2. Wander the weathered docks and browse the shops tucked inside the old shanties of Leland’s historic Fishtown, one of the most photographed spots in the state.
3. Sip award-winning Rieslings at Chateau Grand Traverse, then stop by the Mission Point Lighthouse at the tip of the scenic Old Mission Peninsula.
4. Take in more maritime history at other area lighthouses, from the Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Leelanau State Park to Point Betsie near Frankfort. 
5. Stock up on cherry salsas, wines, chocolates, and every cherry treat imaginable at Cherry Republic, a beloved Northern Michigan stop.
6. Stroll Front Street in downtown Traverse City, where boutiques, ice cream shops, galleries, and Grand Traverse Bay views sit within a few walkable blocks.
7. Spend an afternoon boating, swimming, or lounging on the sandbar at Torch Lake, an inland gem known for its turquoise water. 
8. Explore the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a former state hospital now home to shops, tasting rooms, restaurants, and wooded trails near downtown. 
9. Catch a double feature under the stars at the Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre in Honor, a nostalgic Northern Michigan spot showing films since 1953.

Stay Close to the Fun with Visit Up North

The best way to see all the Northern Michigan attractions on your list is to set up home base right in the heart of it all. Our inventory of Northern Michigan vacation rentals includes cabins, cottages, and homes in Traverse City, Leelanau County, Glen Arbor, Leland, along Torch Lake, and beyond. Choose a waterfront rental with a private dock, a forest-view cabin surrounded by trees, or a pet-friendly home so the whole family can come along. Every rental offers the comforts of home, including fully equipped kitchens and spacious living areas. Call 231-922-8922 to speak with a reservationist and find your perfect Northern Michigan home away from home.