Perched on a bluff between Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake, Crystal Downs Country Club has been a Northern Michigan treasure since the late 1920s. Designed by legendary golf architect Dr. Alister MacKenzie, its rolling dunes, sweeping lake views, and a timeless clubhouse create an unforgettable setting. Currently ranked #19 in the world and #14 in the nation, according to Golf Digest, Crystal Downs offers a rare blend of natural beauty, history, and charm.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes legend tells of a mother bear and her two cubs who, fleeing a fire, swam across Lake Michigan. The cubs, exhausted, drowned before reaching the shore. The mother was devastated. She climbed a bluff and waited, eventually being covered by sand and becoming the Sleeping Bear Dune. The Great Spirit created North and South Manitou Islands to mark the spot where the cubs perished, so they could forever be near their mother.

Traverse City is proudly known as the Cherry Capital of the World, thanks to the perfect climate along Lake Michigan for growing sweet and tart cherries. Commercial orchards took off in the late 1800s and today the region produces over 200 million pounds of cherries each year. Even in the fall - after the harvest - you'll spot roadside stands, bakeries, and shops celebrating the fruit that put this charming lakeside town on the map.