By Isabel Prontes
Northern Michigan (also referred to as Northern Lower Michigan) is a popular tourist destination. From its many
beaches, camping locations and golf courses to its ski
resorts and snowmobiling and sledding locales, there is no shortage of things to do while visiting northern Michigan. The area also has many museums and historical sites.
Chippewa Nature Center
The Chippewa Nature Center features an ecosystem gallery, nature trails, a wildflower walking path, an arboretum, a sugar house and a farmstead home. There is no charge for admission. Check out the Wigwam reconstruction, which helps depict Native Americans who resided on the shores of the Chippewa and Pine rivers for thousands of years. This is a great place to learn about Native Americans from Midland County.
400 S. Badour Road
Midland, Michigan 48640
Tel: (989) 631-0830
Beaver Island Marine Museum
This museum is run by the Beaver Island Historical Society and has fascinating displays of artifacts and relics from the area's splendid maritime history. The museum depicts the days when the harbor was bustling and full of commercial activity. Check out the Protar Home on the grounds of the museum. This was the residence of a doctor who never accepted payment for helping neighbors with their ailments.
26275 Main St.
Beaver Island, Michigan 49782
Tel: (231) 448-2254
Camping
A great place for families to go camping while in northern Michigan is at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Indian River, Michigan. The camping site is full of kid-friendly recreational activities, such as games, swimming and wagon rides. The campground has sites with electricity and water available. There are also nature trails for hiking.
2201 East M-68
Indian River, Michigan 49749
Tel: (231) 238-8259
Golfing
A wonderful place to go golfing in northern Michigan is at the Indian River Golf Club, a stunning, serene 18-hole championship golf course that was beautifully carved out of virgin pine trees. There are four separate teeing sections for golfers of all skill levels.
3301 Chippewa beach Road
Indian River, Michigan 49749
Tel: (231) 238-7011
Jesse Besser Museum
The Jesse Besser Museum's galleries include artwork by photographers, painters and potters. Among the exhibits are ancient Native American relics, two Renoirs, a piece by Picasso, a planetarium and a vast array of mounted mammals from Michigan.
491 Johnson St.
Alpena, Michigan 49707
Tel: (989) 356-2202
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
