The Best Northern Michigan Destinations
Don’t miss these Northern Michigan destinations on your next trip!
We may be a little biased in thinking we live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but the amount of people who visit Northern Michigan every Summer tells us we aren’t alone. Since we’re located in Traverse City, we have lots of recommendations for our beautiful town, (and will happily write a separate blog on just those!) but there are plenty of gorgeous spots all over Northern Michigan that really shouldn’t be missed on your next trip. Some of these places inspired us to create the Cabin Collection we’ve become known for, and some of them are simply our favorite places to visit on a regular basis. We put together our personal, tried-and-true list of the best Northern Michigan destinations so you can add them all to the itinerary for your next trip Up North. We’ve paired our favorite destinations with the Cabin Collection candles that they’ve inspired, and noted a few stops on your trip where you can find our candles IRL. Have a great trip!
No matter where the path takes you, this scent will keep you calm and collected with notes of citrus, amber, and sandalwood.
Scenic Route
We’ll kick off this road trip in Manistee, by getting on the classic M22 scenic highway with 116-miles tracing the Lake Michigan coastline. You’ll weave around inland lakes, rivers, dunes, rolling orchards and vineyards, and small harbor towns. There’s no shortage of great views on M22. Pull over at Arcadia Scenic Turnout (known locally as Inspiration Point), and climb the 120 steps to a viewing platform to soak in the stunning blue vastness of Lake Michigan. Make a quick stop at the Frankfort beach to walk out on the pier (you should only do this on a calm day,) and get a bite at Stormcloud Brewing Co. before heading to our next destination!
Always up for any adventure. Notes of citrus, oak moss, and cedar make this the perfect candle to burn to comfort your wandering nature.
Take a Hike
Roll through downtown Empire and take a short hike at North Bar Lake to get your first splash of Lake Michigan. Get in the water or search for Petoskey stones (fossilized pre-historic coral that is roughly 350 million years old!) along the shore. Just up the road, you’ll enter Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Wind down Pierce Stocking Drive for trailheads and viewing areas along the dunes. If you’re ready for a challenging hike, stop for the Dune Climb. My favorite hikes in Sleeping Bear are to Sleeping Bear Point, Pyramid Point, and the Empire Bluff Trail. If you’re looking for some great less-travelled hikes, my favorites are the Alligator Hill Loop and Otter Creek Loop (check out Esch Beach while you’re there!).
Smells like your favorite flannel after sitting around the bonfire with friends. Notes of smoke, sandalwood, and patchouli will keep you feeling cozy.
Campfire
After checking out Glen Arbor for some shopping and dinner, or kayaking down the Crystal River (so peaceful), bunker down for the night at a State campground or a nearby Airbnb. We love Roost North for vacation rentals around Traverse City.
Smells like roasting marshmallows at camp, while your best friend tells their Bigfoot sighting tale, again. Notes of sugar, embers, and oak.
Folklore
Roast s’mores around the campfire and look up our local legends for some scary stories after dark. Growing up in Northern Michigan, my brothers and I were always terrified of The Dogman. Make sure to listen to the ‘Legend of Dogman’ song by Steve Cook to really give yourself chills. Even as an adult I still catch myself blaming the Dogman for mysterious happenings.
For when your morning cuppa is gone but you still need a pick me up. Dark Roast is warm, uplifting, and rich. Notes of freshly ground coffee beans, with a touch of cream and sugar.
Dark Roast
Start the next morning with a great cup of coffee and breakfast at Mundos Roasting downtown. The coffee is top tier and they carry Ambush Candle Co., so you can smell some great candles and take home all your favorites! Take a walk around the downtown area while you’re there. Downtown TC has tons of cutie resale shops like Penny Lane, amazing restaurants like Poppycocks, plus boutique clothing shops, murals, and parks galore.
The nostalgic scent of the family cabin Up North. Old books, plaid pillows, beach sand on the porch, and warm days ahead. Notes of wood musk, bergamot powder, and vanilla.
Wish You Were Here
After a morning strolling through Traverse City, make your way out to Old Mission Peninsula for the Northern Michigan Winery Trail. Dry Reds are unique to the area so make sure to try a few while you take in gorgeous views of Grand Traverse Bay. If breweries are more your thing, stop at Stonehound Brewing Co. in Williamsburg as you make your way to our next destination! They also have a full menu and vegan options.
A true oasis. Airy and sweet notes of ozone, sea salt, and dark musk will give you all the perfect reasons to dive right in.
Jump in the Lake
As someone who grew up five minutes from Torch Lake, I can attest that it is worth the National recognition it’s been receiving in recent years. From a booming party spot on the sandbar to the clearest water you’ll see outside of the Caribbean, it is the perfect place to stop for a swim or rent jet-skis. Relax on the sandbar and order pizza, they’ll bring it out to you right on the lake. Check out the tiny downtown Alden and get ice cream at Higgin’s Store. (Just promise me you’ll take care of our waters by not polluting or littering in them when you visit. Love, a local.)
How many constellations can you find? Notes of plum and allspice make this scent as exciting and mysterious as the trillions of stars up above.
Night Sky
When it comes to night sky viewing, Alpena’s long, undeveloped stretches of Lake Huron coastline and trails are the perfect place for night sky viewing. Catch incredible views of stars, meteors, planets, moons and the aurora borealis. The Alpena area is home to three Dark Sky Preserves—Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park. Light pollution in these three preserves are among the lowest measured in the Great Lakes. Head to a preserve before dusk to explore caves, sinkholes, and beautiful beaches.
One of our all-time best sellers for a reason. This is a classic fresh pine scent with notes of cypress, cedar, and moss. Perfect for a quiet winter evening around the fire.
In the Pines
Now we’re heading across the iconic Mackinaw Bridge into the Upper Peninsula. Get breakfast in St. Ignace at Java Joe’s (so many great breakfast options and local color). Then we’re heading Northwest. I’d recommend making a quick stop at Kitch-iti-Kipi for a short wooden raft ride across this turquoise-colored hot spring before heading to our destination. It’s a must-see! Next up, Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park. This park contains some of the most beautiful hiking in Michigan and is one of my favorite destinations on this list. Start the morning at Lake of the Clouds, then take a hike down to Mirror Lake. End the day in the Presque Isle River area. Camp at the Union Bay Campground for views of Lake Superior.
Dreaming of a weekend getaway somewhere wilder? Notes of clove, sandalwood, and sugar smell as good as the fresh northern air.
True North
Our last stop is the truest North you can imagine. Copper Harbor is a wild and rural place. Their slogan is “Where the road ends and the adventure begins”, because, the paved road quite literally ends there. Despite the lack of pavement, there is plenty to do in Copper Harbor if you like an adventure—from mountain biking and ORV rentals, to fishing, kayaking, golfing, rockhounding (for Lake Superior Agates, and the famous glow-in-the-dark “yooper-lites” to name a few,) and bird watching. Don’t miss Brockway Mountain Scenic Drive, and if you’re wanting to get out to Michigan’s only National Park, Copper Harbor has daily ferries to and from Isle Royale National Park (please do your research to plan a visit).
When you leave Copper Harbor and head back to the Lower Peninsula I highly recommend taking the route through Marquette. Visit BabyCakes Muffin Co. downtown and jump off the Blackrocks at Presque Isle Park. Make your way over to Munising to see Pictured Rocks National Shoreline, tons of waterfalls, and never-ending beautiful views on the drive home.
We hope you enjoy this list of our treasured Northern Michigan destinations. This road trip is my ideal Michigan trip so I know you’ll have a great time! Feel free to comment with any great spots I might’ve missed, or haven’t been to yet.