northern michigan – Promote Michigan

THE BIG WILD: Jimmy Carter in Michigan’s Pigeon River Country

As an avid outdoorsman from childhood, one of Jimmy Carter’s favorite pastimes was to enjoy all that nature had to offer. After a canceled trip freed up the former president’s weekend, Carter journeyed up to the Pigeon River Country State Forest, seeking to finally capture a trophy that had long eluded him—the ruffed grouse. The hunt was successful, but more than that, Carter and his hunting crew left with a newfound appreciation for “The Big Wild” of Northern Michigan.

PORT OF CALL: Buoyed Boyne

The waterfront community of Boyne City boasts the best of all worlds as a tourism destination, a quaint award-winning business

Novel Destinations in the Petoskey Area

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to a locale featured within the pages of a good book—where the scenery, architecture, activities, or people were so inspiring that you just wanted to walk in the shoes of the story’s characters? There are a handful of novels and short stories set in and around the Petoskey area which are worth a read, followed by a first time or return visit.

Featured Destination

February 7, 2024 Dianna Stampfler

Author & Educator Valerie Hemingway to Lead 3rd Annual Walloon Lake Writer’s Retreat

The quaint northern Michigan village of Walloon Lake provides an idyllic backdrop for writers to discover and hone their skills and the 3rd Annual Walloon Lake Writer’s Retreat (April 18-21, 2024) offers an inspiring, intimate and collaborative setting for those seeking stimulation and ideas for their literary works. This year’s special guest moderator is Valerie Hemingway, author of the 2005 memoir Running with the Bulls: My Years with the Hemingways.

News Releases

December 14, 2023 Dianna Stampfler

Little Traverse Literary Guild establishes scholarship for burgeoning writers

Toward its mission to develop and support a community of writers, the Little Traverse Literary Guild is pleased to announce the creation of the Little Traverse Literary Guild Scholarship.

Hotel Walloon Welcomes John Patrick Hemingway

Featured Destination

February 6, 2023 Dianna Stampfler

Hotel Walloon Welcomes John Patrick Hemingway for 2nd Annual Writer’s Retreat Weekend

Author John Patrick Hemingway – grandson of Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author Ernest Hemingway – will be the guest of honor at the 2nd Annual Walloon Lake Writer’s Retreat coming up April 13-16 in Walloon Lake. Activities will be held throughout the event at Hotel Walloon, Talcott Center, Walloon Lake Inn and other locations meant to inspire and motivate budding writers.

A Ticket to Ride

Cruising the crystal blue waters of Little Traverse Bay has long been limited to those who have access to a boat. But, thanks to the community vision and historical reflection of the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company, a new water taxi is bringing service back to the region.

FAREWELL TO BACHELORHOOD: Ernest Hemingway’s Wedding in Northern Michigan

It should come as no surprise that Ernest Hemingway chose northern Michigan as the setting for his first wedding. This rural countryside was his first real love, so it was fitting that he and his muse would begin their marriage alongside the towering trees and flowing rivers which shaped his life. This year – September 3 – marks the 100th anniversary of the marriage between Hemingway (at the time, a life-long summer resident on Walloon Lake) and Hadley Richardson.

Promote Michigan Blog

December 20, 2020 Dianna Stampfler

Holiday Classic “White Christmas” Was Likely Written in Charlevoix

Each holiday season, we are inundated with hour after hour of movies about Christmas airing on television and now streaming services. A handful have ties to Michigan, like Prancer (1989) and The Polar Express (2004). But did you know the beloved 1954 classic White Christmas is believed to have actually been written right here in the Great Lakes State?

News Releases

January 23, 2020 Dianna Stampfler

The Homestead Announces Management Promotions for America’s Freshwater Resort

The Homestead, America’s Freshwater Resort, has announced the promotion of two key staff members to management positions. Adriene Kokowicz has been named Senior Vice President and Logan Sanders has been named Vice President.

News Releases

September 14, 2018 Dianna Stampfler

Michigan Hemingway Society Conference Focuses on Author’s Return Home from World War I in 1918

The theme for this year’s Michigan Hemingway Conference is “Hemingway and WWI” as 2018 is the centennial of his return home from Europe where he was wounded on the delta of the Piave River in Italy and then hospitalized in Milan. Dr. Verna Kale, Assistant Research Professor in English at the Pennsylvania State University, is this year’s Keynote Speaker.

News Releases

April 13, 2018 Dianna Stampfler

Daughter-in-Law of Famed Author Ernest Hemingway to share Stories with the General Public, April 28, in Walloon Lake

Valerie Hemingway, former personal assistant for and later daughter-in-law of the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author, is the guest of honor at a special program on Saturday, April 28 at t The Talcott Event Center in Walloon Lake. The event is part of a three-day “The Last Good Country: Walloon Lake, An Ernest Hemingway Occasion” weekend at the award-winning Hotel Walloon.

Featured Destination

March 13, 2018 Dianna Stampfler

Hotel Walloon presents The Last Good Country: Walloon Lake, An Ernest Hemingway Occasion

Hotel Walloon is pleased to present The Last Good Country: Walloon Lake, an Ernest Hemingway Occasion. This third annual event celebrating Ernest Hemingway’s connection to the northern Michigan area will take place Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29, with special guest Valerie Hemingway, who was both a personal assistant and daughter-in-law to the late author.