/ PLUS: NORTHERN MICHIGAN WEDDINGS /
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HIGH FIDELITY I N S I D E
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SKI LIKE A LOCAL THE INTEL, UPGRADES AND OFF-MENU FINDS OF THE SEASON
JANUARY 2O26
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Winter is more than an outdoor destination in Manistee. The natural beauty is paired with the right combination of small-town hospitality, fantastic food and a unique dose of Michigan history and culture. Whether you are here for an epic winter adventure in the great outdoors or have more of a low-key getaway in mind, you are sure to be delighted by all there is to see and do in our corner of The Mitten. Discover all the ways to winter at: VisitManistee.com
Fishing on the Upper Big Manistee River
The Arcadia Overlook along Lake Michigan and the M-22 scenic highway
Downhill skiing at Caberfae Peaks
Fat biking at Big M Recreation Area
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106 E Front St. Traverse City, MI
Photo by Jess Marie Photography
Performing Arts at City Opera House: FRI
JAN
30
Invoke tHU
FEB
5
Interlochen Singer Songwriter SUN FEB
WEDDINGS HISTORIC | ELEGANT | DOWNTOWN
22
Puppy Pals Live! TUE
MAR
31
Women of Americana WED MAY
13
The Moth Radio Hour
EXPLORE THE VENUE www.cityoperahouse.org
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Building and Renovating Northern Michigan’s Finest Residences
joel@joelpetersonhomes.com • 516 E. Front St., Traverse City • 231.994.2168
Welcome to the Ottaway, Traverse City’s most luxurious building situated on East Front St. Full floor units feature 4 bedrooms, 3½ baths, private elevator access, top of the line finishes, two stalls in heated garage, protected West Bay views and a rooftop pool. Call Joel at 616-291-1816 for more information or visit www.theottaway.com
Celebrate your Tradition 231.994.2168
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features 01.26
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT UP NORTH PEOPLE, PLACES, FOOD AND EVENTS.
16
The Great Northern Glow-Up Michigan’s ski country has entered its self-care era: salt spas, tiki bars, faster lifts, fewer lines, delightful food. Here’s what’s making a ski day worth the drive this winter. BY CA R A M C D O N A L D
/22 22//
The Groove Lives On
The vinyl resurgence is having a moment. We’re here with the liner notes to help you turn on, tune in and drop the needle.
29// / 29 SPECIAL SECTION:
Northern Michigan
WEDDINGS
BY JOSEPH BEYER
P H O T O S BY M I C H A E L P O E H L M A N
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photo by Rachel Lefor, Boyne Mountain
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inspired spaces.
Design in action: the team reviewing samples in our new tile room.
Bay View Flooring & Design Center is proud to be an awardwinning Red Hot Best business—earning the title five years running—all thanks to YOU. Your support inspires our dedicated team of project managers and professional installation crews to deliver exceptional results every day. We’ve been hard at work updating our showroom, including the addition of a brand-new dedicated tile room, all with one goal in mind: to better serve our Northern Michigan community. By creating an inspiring and elevated surfaceshopping experience, we’re raising the bar for what a flooring and design destination can be in our region.
VISIT US FOR THE BEST FLOORING EXPERIENCE IN TOWN — YOU DESERVE IT
AREA RUGS
TILE & STONE
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HARDWOOD
231.947.6900
CARPET
RESILIENT
67 US 31 S., TRAVERSE CITY, MI 12/4/25 3:03 PM
NORTHERN
MICHIGAN A MyNorth Media Publication
Vol. 45 | No. 8
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Cara McDonald S. Nicole Lane Matthew Dursum
PROOFREADER
Caroline Dahlquist
EXECUTIVE EDITOR SENIOR EDITOR
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
Allison Jarrell Acosta Lissa Martin Meagan Francis Carly Simpson
ART DIRECTOR
Tim Hussey Theresa Burau-Baehr
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR, SPECIAL SECTIONS
Rachel Watson Lisa Froning
DIRECTOR OF SALES LOCAL SALE DIRECTOR
Sabrina Haskell
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Heather Houdek Carrie Iverson Paul Marek Jack Rutkowski
DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT/SUBSCRIPTIONS
Asher Considine
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Ashlyn Korienek
54
departments 07 | Editor’s Note 09 | Up North
EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES
415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: 231-775-3478 | Email: info@mynorth.com
The Leelanau Conservancy and Anishinaabe elders are re-imagining what it means to care for the Great Lakes region together.
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Visit MyNorth.com/Account to renew your subscription, change your address or review your account. Subscribe to Traverse Northern Michigan at MyNorth.com/Subscribe.
14 | Travel
Please email other subscription inquiries to info@mynorth.com or call 231-775-3478 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.
On the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Finnish spirit turns winter into a season of joy.
53 | Culinary North
Traverse Northern Michigan, (ISSN10713719) is published monthly by Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan, 415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Periodicals class postage paid at Traverse City, MI 49684 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Traverse Northern Michigan, 415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Advertising rates available upon request. Subscription rate: $39.95 for 12 issues. Single issue price: $6.50. All rights reserved. Copyright 2025, Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
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An elderberry cocktail to ward off winter’s chill. Plus, community comes to the table at India Garden.
64 | Love of the Land photo by Tim Hussey
T
Traverse
Explore one of winter’s most underrated hikes. ON THE COVER
The Groove Lives On Photo by Michael Poehlman
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