Alexandra Dailey | Author

Your Up North Memorial Day Weekend Itinerary

May 20, 2023

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer Up North. This weekend, all our favorite restaurants and shops will have opened for the season. The farmers markets will be showing off their spring bounty. And the water temperatures have warmed just enough that we’ll stick our feet in... Read More >>

Spring Couture

April 22, 2023

Like our four-legged friends—who seem to shed in giant poofs this time of year—we humans are itching to ditch the sweaters, wool socks, and fleece-lined pants for something lighter. To help you turn over a stylish leaf, meet Bohmey Beauty, l.a.cool, and Magnolia Boutique &... Read More >>

Express Yourself

March 25, 2023

Spring break is upon us in northern Michigan, and if you’re taking the staycation route rather than jet-setting to other locales, consider trying your hand at one of the many creative and art-focused activities—from fused glass to pottery to wooden signs—taking place bet... Read More >>

The Luck of the Michigander: Seven Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Northern Michigan

March 11, 2023

Each year, people all over the North gear up for the holiday of green: St. Patrick’s Day. And for 2023, we’re all feeling extra lucky because St. Patrick’s Day takes place on a Friday—ideal for all the shindigs featuring stout and songs, merriment and mirth. Open u... Read More >>

The Lost Art of Valentines: Three spots to find (or make) the perfect card

Feb. 4, 2023

Remember the days of giving valentines in elementary school? Of perfecting each card and sentiment and placing each sparkly sticker? (Or writing the names of your kid’s classmates for them because valentines were the last thing on their mind?)

The older we get, the more the ... Read More >>

13 Fresh Ways to Embrace a NoMI Winter

Jan. 21, 2023

As we all know, winters in northern Michigan can be long. So, in the name of staving off cabin fever and embracing the season, we’ve collected a handful of activities that may pique your interest while also keeping you active, engaged, and breathing in the fresh air in the coming we... Read More >>

Snowshoe Mania

Jan. 7, 2023

A renewed interest in one of the oldest forms of bipedal transportation—at least for the winter months—has bloomed in the last decade, blending ancient cultures with technological advances that have made the sport more accessible and enjoyable.

Combine a fascination wi... Read More >>

From Blog to Brick-and-Mortar Store

Dec. 10, 2022

Sometimes great ideas start small. It could be a word or phrase that inspires a novel, an overlooked ingredient that alters an entire recipe, or a glimpse of a sunset that provokes a painted masterpiece. And sometimes, that little inkling takes the form of a blog that sparks an idea for a... Read More >>

A Strong Sense of Craft

Nov. 26, 2022

Ahh, the holiday season, that magical time of year when we bust out our hot glue guns, knitting needles, special scissors, and fancy trimmings to decorate and create with joyous abandon. Sometimes we feel inclined to make gifts for friends and family, and other times we just want to get c... Read More >>

So Much More Than a Credit Card Holiday

Nov. 19, 2022

We all talk about Hallmark holidays—looking at you, Valentine’s Day—but no one ever discusses credit card holidays. Perhaps that’s because there’s really only one of note: American Express’ Small Business Saturday.

Started in 2010 during the rec... Read More >>

Making the Pitch

Nov. 12, 2022

Every day, we share our dreams with the world. We pitch our ideas to friends, coworkers, family members, baristas—anyone who’ll listen to us about what we think the next big thing could be or the plans we have for the future.

But what if you were given an actual elevat... Read More >>

To Gray or Not to Gray?

Nov. 5, 2022

Maybe you’ve asked yourself this question while gazing in the mirror and spotting yet another silver hair amid the black, brown, blonde, or red. Men have long embraced the distinguished “touch of gray” look, but women often get the short end of the silver fox stick, with... Read More >>

The Votes Are In for NoMi!

Oct. 29, 2022

It’s election week, and while most news stories out there take a more political approach, we’ve decided to share some less controversial, more down-to-earth votes from around northern Michigan. Here are the Up North spots that have hit No 1. in competitions across the country.... Read More >>

Up North Pride Week Returns

Sept. 24, 2022

Since 2014, Traverse City’s Up North Pride (UNP)—currently helmed by President & Programming/Events Co-Chair Nick Viox and a board of volunteers—has been fostering inclusion, providing education and resources, inspiring activism and advocacy, and producing a variety ... Read More >>

Top of the Pyramid

Sept. 3, 2022

Earlier this summer, two TC Cheer teams traveled south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the National Youth Activities Association (NYAA) Cheer Nationals. Overcoming odds and obstacles, the athletes of TC Vortex and TC Eclipse rose to the top—a testament to their determination, i... Read More >>

Your Labor Day Weekend Itinerary

Aug. 27, 2022

Labor Day weekend provides local and out-of-town revelers with a variety of fun ways to bid the summer season farewell. From music festivals and art exhibits to regattas, foot races, and equestrian tournaments, northern Michigan has an event for you and yours this weekend. (And if this li... Read More >>

Hot Dog Hot Spots

Aug. 20, 2022

There’s nothing like a late-summer neighborhood party where friends get together, fire up the grill, and create a smorgasbord-style potluck. If you’re nostalgic for those summer nights but can’t create your own backyard charcoal ambiance, we recommend you, your friends, ... Read More >>

Stone Hunting on the Shores...and in the Stores

July 30, 2022

There are a few things all northern Michigan visitors (and locals) love: soaking up the sun on a golden beach; noshing on fudge and ice cream from places like Kilwins or Murdick’s; sampling local restaurants; and exploring one-of-a-kind shops in search of souvenirs to commemorate th... Read More >>

Between the Shows

July 23, 2022

Joyously termed “The Return,” the annual Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF) is back in action July 26–31. The festival will host numerous film screenings featuring black and white classics, cult favorites, foreign films, shorts, documentaries, and immersive masterpieces.... Read More >>

Leland

July 2, 2022

The secluded spots and quaint towns tucked away in harbors and bays on the Lake Michigan coast have long been desirable destinations for those seeking a weekend respite or relaxing summer season away from the usual harried hubbub. Sandy beaches with hidden Petoskey Stone treasures bec... Read More >>