In Northern Michigan Summertime Is Pure Magic

By Christine Chitnis, Condé Nast Traveler, May 29, 2024

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While this sweep of the state has all the throwback charm and epic natural beauty it has always had, a recent wave of stylish lodgings, locally-focused cuisine, and a booming wine scene is bringing a fresh energy to its shores.

Where to Eat

The lakes might draw you here, but you should also take a moment for the food. Abundant produce thrives in the hearty Midwestern soil, and the lakes teem with whitefish, walleye, perch, and lake trout. Michigan is the runner-up in terms of agricultural diversity in the United States, second only to California, and although we’re well known for our sweet cherries, there’s plenty more bounty to celebrate. Gilchrist Farm Winery, a new vineyard in Lake Leelanau, debuted its Suttons Bay tasting room in August 2023, featuring wine and upscale, seasonal small plates, like berbere bison meatballs with smoked tart cherry coulis and summer corn agnolotti.

April Uhlir