Check out #7 Hidden gems: As slow as summer was in arriving, it’s hard to believe in a little more than a month it will already be fall. With that in mind, the Petoskey News-Review — with help from a few local travel and business experts — developed a list of 10 lesser-known attractions to visitors and residents alike in Charlevoix and Emmet counties. With several more weeks of warm weather ahead, there’s still time to get out and enjoy what Northern Michigan has to offer. Our list, in no particular order, is here: 1.) Inland Waterway (Emmet and Cheboygan counties) Stretching from Crooked Lake in Conway to Lake Huron on the northeast tip of the Lower Peninsula, the Inland Waterway stretches about 40 miles of rivers and lakes. There are several highlights along the route, including what is described as the world’s smallest swing bridge in Alanson. The bridge connects River Street over the Crooked River, stretching less than 60 feet from one side to the other. Waterway visitors also might want to experience the Crooked River Lock, which regulates water levels between Pickerel and Crooked lakes and the Crooked River. Farther north, the Inland Waterway passes through Burt Lake, the Indian River, Mullett Lake and finally the Cheboygan River before reaching Lake Huron. 2.) North Country Trail The trail runs 4,600 miles from New York to North Dakota through seven states. In Michigan, the trail slinks up the middle and western part of the Lower Peninsula through Antrim and Charlevoix counties into Petoskey. From there, it continues up toward Harbor Springs and northern Emmet County into Wilderness State Park and continues on the other side of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula. Locally, the trail can be accessed at several points. For more information, visit northcountrytrail.org. 3.) Earl Young structures (Charlevoix) Born in Mancelona, Young’s family moved to Charlevoix around 1900. He studied architecture at the University of Michigan, but returned home after one year. In 1924, Young bought land on the Lake Michigan shoreline west of downtown Charlevoix and built 10 uniquely designed stone houses, all near the lake in the area of Boulder Avenue and Western Road. Several years later, Young built eight more stone houses a short distance away on a triangular block formed by Park Avenue and Grant and Clinton streets. The so-called “mushroom” homes are worth a short detour to take a look. More information is available at the Charlevoix Historical Society located at 103 State St. 4.) North Central Michigan College Harris Gardens (Petoskey) Jack Harris, a local businessman and philanthropist, started the gardens on the campus of North Central Michigan College with a generous donation in 2007. In the short time since, it has grown to a 21-sculpture collection. Harris died at 85 years old in April 2013, but the sculpture gardens are a symbol of the lasting impact he had on the college. An art enthusiast, Harris felt the sculptures would encourage more people to visit and enjoy the campus. Viewing of the sculptures is free and open to the public at any time. Each sculpture contains the name of the piece and the artist. The college is located at 1515 Howard St. in Petoskey. 5.) Deepest freshwater harbor in the country (Harbor Springs) Picturesque as it is, downtown Harbor Springs is also home to several historic sites. Among those is the deepest freshwater harbor in the country, which is protected by the Harbor Point peninsula. The city is working on a long-term waterfront expansion plan that will further develop the area around the harbor. 6.) McGulpin Point Lighthouse (Mackinaw City) Another historic site that was purchased and restored by Emmet County in 2008. A year later, it was open to the public. County officials estimate 25,000 people visit McGulpin Point each year. The site is open to visitors from May through at least the end of September. The lighthouse sits on 10 acres of county-owned property that includes 336 feet of shoreline at the northern-most tip of the Lower Peninsula. 7.) Fisherman’s Island State Park (Charlevoix) A few miles south of Charlevoix, the park features about six miles of undisturbed Lake Michigan shoreline. Rolling dunes and trees make it a popular spot for beachgoers, campers and other visitors in the summer. What used to be an island is now connected to the mainland because of lower water levels. 8.) Hemingway tours (Petoskey) Ernest Hemingway grew up in and around Chicago, but spent many summers vacationing in Northern Michigan. Local historians say there’s enough to see that you could fill up days visiting the various sites. Depending on your level of interest, you could still see plenty in a couple of hours. Information is available from several sources. The Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Little Traverse Historical Museum have copies of the Hemingway’s Michigan self-guided tour brochure. There are more than a half-dozen sites in Petoskey, including Stafford’s Perry Hotel. Other Hemingway sites are in the Boyne City and Charlevoix area. 9.) Headlands International Dark Sky Park (Mackinaw City) A new and still growing county-owned project in northern Emmet County, the park has already gained recognition as one of the premier areas in the world to view the night sky. In 2011, the International Dark Sky Association designated the park as such and the county is working to increase programming and improve the facilities at the park. The 600-acre Headlands property is part of 22,500 acres of protected Dark Sky Coast between Cross Village and Mackinaw City. It is about two miles west of downtown Mackinaw City and is easily accessed by taking Central Avenue west out of town until you reach Headlands Road. The park is a short distance south of Central Avenue on Headlands Road. 10.) Avalanche Preserve Recreation Area (Boyne City) The preserve contains more than 300 acres of woodlands on the southern end of Boyne City into Wilson Township. The sloping terrain and network of trails provide for good walking, hiking and other outdoors activities in the summer months, as well as sledding, skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. The park features a 462-step climb to a hilltop platform that oversees the city and Lake Charlevoix.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 01:38:20 +0000
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