Things to do / Travel Guide
Visit northern Michigan, and you will find yourself agreeing with Ernest Hemingway and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the great American author-poets, on at least one matter: their love of Northern Michigan. Visit the broad, thunderous Tahquamenon Falls, to understand why Longfellow makes special mention of them in his famous “Song of Hiawatha.” Tour throughout northern Michigan for yourself to see why so many of Hemingway's short stories were inspired by its magnificence.
And who would not find inspiration in the pristine wilderness and preserved wildlife of the Great Lakes State? Northern Michigan is the premier location to experience exquisite, unspoiled treasures of the natural world: the low, doleful cries of loons echo across lakes; white-tailed deer, elk and timber wolves wander without restraint; and nearly 30 endangered animals and 200 threatened plant species find protection in the region. Northern Michigan is the only place in the world where the tiny, endangered Kirtland warbler breeds; and in the Upper Peninsula, bald eagles can be spotted almost as easily as robins, Michigan's state bird.
Michigan is the only state to touch four of the five Great Lakes; it has 3,000-plus miles of shore, more than any other state in the nation; and northern Michigan's shoreline and beaches especially are always popular summer destinations. Bucolic and agrarian countryside, startling views from rocky promontories, multicolored sandstone cliffs and underwater caves, all add to the beauty of northern Michigan's shoreline. Visitors to the region enjoy water in its myriad manifestations: glassy azure and aquamarine lakes; rushing rapids washed white; waterfalls-turned-rainbows in the sunlight's gleam; and translucent creeks with teeming trout.
Tourists in northern Michigan are as diverse as the native flora and fauna! Families planning an idyllic vacation with their children can do no better than to choose northern Michigan. Men and women looking for the nation's best outdoor recreation, leave satisfied at having done but half of their original itineraries.
Time Zone
All of the northern Lower Peninsula and most of the Upper Peninsula are on Eastern Time, three hours ahead of Pacific Time. Four Upper Peninsula counties (bordering Wisconsin) are located in the Central Time Zone, one hour behind Eastern Time and two hours ahead of Pacific Time. They are: Gogebic, Iron, Dickinson, and Menominee Counties.
Lyme Disease Prevention
While the northern Michigan is a relatively safe region for travel, it is good to beware of the existence of Lyme Disease. Wood ticks and deer ticks are prevalent in the area during spring, summer, and fall, and may be transmitters of Lyme disease. To avoid ticks, health departments suggest that you tuck long pants into socks and wear long-sleeved shirts; spray a DEET repellant on clothes; and wear shoes at all times (no sandals).
Bear Safety
Travelers hiking or camping in heavily forested areas of northern Michigan should also be aware of the black bears. You should educate yourself about their habits and tendencies.
Safe Driving
Deer cause thousands of accidents each year on Michigan roads, so keep a look-out for them at all times, particularly at night when visibility is reduced. If you will be driving in winter, you may want to change your tires to snow tires with a heavier tread. As a precautionary measure while traveling in northern Michigan, keep a shovel, warm clothes, blankets, a flash light and a flare in your trunk at all times.
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