Northern Michigan Attractions: The 10 Best Ways to Celebrate Labor Day

Northern Michigan Attractions: Soak up every last bit of your Northern Michigan summer in Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Aug 29, 2011 Lucy Perkins

The sun sets earlier and the school bells are distantly ringing, but hold on to summer for just a little longer. This Labor Day weekend, we’ve got 10 great ways to celebrate Northern Michigan’s favorite season Up North style.

1. Make it to Manitou

North and South Manitou are two of Northern Michigan’s most serene hideouts and sit just off the shore of the Leelanau Peninsula. Take the Manitou Island Transit from Leland for a day trip or for a weekend getaway. Once you get there, set up camp, hike, and swim. It’s a great way to drink in those final golden drops of summer. manitoutransit.com

2. Bike the Third Coast

Lake Michigan, fondly called America’s Third Coast, sweetly laps the edges of many gorgeous lakeside towns. Experience Michigan’s burgeoning blue waters up close on the Little Traverse Wheelway, a paved trail linking Charlevoix and Harbor Springs. 26 miles in length, the trail travels along the Lake Michigan shoreline, making for an easy to moderate ride. Grab a picnic at Scovie’s Gourmet Deli in Charlevoix and go! scovies.com

3. Walk over Water

Join thousands for the Annual Labor Day Bridge Walk in Mackinac September 5. The Bridge spans five miles above the sparkling waves of Lake Michigan. What could be a better way to end the summer? mackinacbridge.org

4. Get Decked-Out

After a day in the sun, spend the evening at The Boondocks in Glen Arbor. Burgers, beer and live music, seal one picturesque summer in Northern Michigan. 231.334.6444

5. Dunes in the Dark

Explore Sleeping Bear by moonlight. Smooth sand and starry skies are the perfect night cap to Labor Day in Northern Michigan. To find your dune, park at the Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum, head to the beach and turn left. Click to find out how to purchase a Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore pass.

6. Relax Over Dinner

Located on the historic State Hospital grounds in Traverse City, Trattoria Stella offers gorgeous classic cuisine with a local flair. A menu that ceaselessly changes with the seasons never disappoints natives or newcomers. stellatc.com

7. Race on an Island

Run Beaver Island’s annual marathon or half-marathon September 3 beginning at 9 AM. The course twists and turns throughout the Emerald Isle, guiding runners through the island’s untouched wilderness. beaverisland.org.

8. Find Solace

Summer always becomes busier and more chaotic than originally planned. This weekend, make time to relax and rejuvenate at Solace Spa at Boyne Mountain. Make it a final summer hurrah with the girls or a quiet retreat with a loved one, relaxation comes in many forms. Solace Spa offers a wide array of services and classes, creating a peaceful experience for all its guests.boyne.com/Spas/Solace/.

9. Sip Cider

Welcome another vibrant autumn season of sweaters and school the fun way at Tandem Ciders of Suttons Bay. Hand-crafted hard ciders like Farmhouse, Pretty Penny and Smackintosh lure you into fall.tandemciders.com.

10. Keep Summer Burning

Wood, matches, chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows and friends are all the ingredients you’ll for a perfect bonfire. In the glow of the fire share the spookiest ghost stories and your favorite summer moments under a diamond-studded sky.