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Why the Upper Peninsula is the Most Magical Part of Michigan

There’s a place in Michigan so enchanting that even lifelong residents speak of it with awe. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) feels like a world apart – a land of towering pine forests, sparkling waterfalls, and charming small towns frozen in time. The moment you cross the majestic Mackinac Bridge and head north, you enter a realm of natural beauty and nostalgia that families and seasoned travelers cherish. Even the folklore here is larger-than-life – campfire tales speak of Paul Bunyan and Hiawatha canoeing through “root beer”–colored falls, and sometimes the Northern Lights themselves dance overhead. It’s no wonder many consider the U.P. “God’s Country,” a place where everyday worries melt away amid untouched wilderness. Whether you’re planning a…

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What’s New in Ann Arbor’s Food Scene? Best New Restaurants and Bars

Ann Arbor’s dining scene is buzzing with fresh flavors and exciting new hangouts. In the past year, dozens of new restaurants and bars in Ann Arbor (and nearby) have opened their doors, adding even more variety to the local food landscape. Whether you’re a foodie looking for the hottest new spot or a family seeking a fun dinner outing, Tree Town’s newcomers have something for everyone. From a taco-filled double-decker bus to an upscale social house in Dexter, let’s explore the best new restaurants and bars in Ann Arbor – all opened within roughly the last year. We’ve listed 10 must-try spots highlighted on a recent Ann Arbor “Heatmap” plus a few other notable openings that locals are loving. Grab your appetite and let’s dig in!

42 North Social House,…

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Must-Try Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars in Detroit’s Midtown Neighborhood

Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood is a hub of creativity, culture, and culinary innovation. Located just over a mile from downtown, it’s home to beloved institutions like Wayne State University, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Little Caesars Arena — but for locals and visitors alike, the true magic lies in Midtown’s walkable streets lined with world-class restaurants, cozy cafés, and buzzy bars. Whether you're chasing bold global flavors, enjoying a casual patio hangout, or hunting down the best late-night eats, Midtown has something to offer every palate.

This updated, family- and foodie-friendly guide includes the best restaurants, cafés, and bars in Midtown Detroit — alphabetized for easy browsing and organized with locals in mind.

Bangkok 96…

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Michigan’s Lighthouses in Keweenaw Peninsula: Historic Stops to Light Up Your Road Trip

Ready for an Upper Peninsula adventure? Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula is a lighthouse lover’s dream, dotted with historic beacons that once guided Great Lakes ships and now make for unforgettable road trip stops. From rugged Lake Superior shorelines to quiet bays, these ten lighthouses offer a blend of history, scenery, and family-friendly exploration – truly some of the best things to do in northern Michigan for those seeking “Upper Peninsula travel” experiences. Our Metro Detroit-based travel expert invites you to pack up the car, head north, and let these shining landmarks light up your journey. Each stop comes with local lore, stunning views, and a chance to walk in the footsteps of lighthouse keepers from over a century ago. Buckle up for a scenic…

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Best New Outdoor Patios in Detroit: Stylish Spots to Dine and Drink

Detroiters know that when the sun comes out, so do the patio umbrellas. After a long winter, there’s nothing better than gathering on a great patio for food, drinks, and community vibes. The city’s bar and restaurant scene has exploded with new outdoor patios in Detroit just in time for summer 2025 – and these aren’t your run-of-the-mill picnic table setups. We’re talking chic rooftop lounges, spacious beer gardens, and sidewalk cafes perfect for outdoor dining Detroit style. From lively downtown rooftops during Movement Festival and Grand Prix weekend, to cozy neighborhood hideaways, we’ve rounded up the best patios in Detroit that are making a splash this season. Grab your shades and let’s dive into Detroit’s newest stylish spots to dine and drink al…

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Michigan's Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Was Named a Top 5 State Park by USA Today

Michigan’s best-kept wilderness secret just hit the national spotlight. In a stunning victory that has Metro Detroit nature lovers cheering, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park – affectionately known as “the Porkies” – was voted one of the Top 5 state parks in America in USA TODAY’s 2025 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This remote Upper Peninsula gem outranked some truly iconic destinations (yes, even beating Niagara Falls State Park and Ohio’s famed Hocking Hills in the rankings). For those of us who’ve long adored the Porkies, the award feels like a neighbor’s kid winning the state championship – we’re proud, but not too surprised. We always knew this 60,000-acre paradise was something special. Now the rest of the country knows it, too.

In this…

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Oysters Done Right: Metro Detroit’s Top-Rated Restaurants for Oyster Fans

Metro Detroit’s dining scene is experiencing an unexpected oyster renaissance. Shimmery, briny, and plump, oysters pack a flavorful punch that Midwesterners have grown to love. A quest for the perfect raw oyster might once have seemed out of place in Michigan, but local seafood enthusiasts have proven that you don’t need an ocean coastline to slurp top-quality bivalves. In fact, Metro Detroit now boasts an array of restaurants offering fresh oysters from both coasts – enough to warrant a guide for where to eat oysters in Detroit and its suburbs. From upscale raw bars to relaxed happy hours, the region’s oyster culture has truly grown, making now a great time to explore these top-rated local spots.

Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a lifelong oyster…

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Northwest Detroit Welcomes New 48-Unit Affordable Housing Development

In the heart of Northwest Detroit’s historic Old Redford neighborhood, residents are celebrating a long-awaited addition to their community: a new 48-unit affordable housing development. What was once a cluster of nine vacant, blighted lots has been transformed into the vibrant Orchard Village Apartments, offering much-needed homes for Detroit families. Neighbors, city officials, and community leaders recently gathered for a joyful ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking this development as a hopeful milestone in the city’s ongoing neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Local families immediately feel the impact. “I used to pass by here and look at the progress they were making, and I liked it,” said Vera Cotton, one of Orchard Village’s first residents, noting…

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What Is the Richest Town in Michigan? The Answer May Surprise You!

Michigan is a state of contrasts when it comes to wealth. From revitalizing urban centers to struggling rural towns, the economic landscape varies widely. Amid this diversity, you might assume Michigan’s richest community is a well-known suburb like Bloomfield Hills or a lakefront enclave in the Grosse Pointes. But the answer may surprise you: the richest town in Michigan is actually the small city of Orchard Lake Village. This quiet Metro Detroit suburb, tucked amid several lakes in Oakland County, boasts an eye-popping median household income that far outpaces the rest of the state. In an era of growing wealth disparity, understanding where wealth is concentrated – even in an unassuming lakeside village – is eye-opening for locals and newcomers alike.…

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Michigan Folklore: Top Myths, Legends & Tales: Stories from the Great Lakes

Michigan is a place where history and local lore intertwine amid city streets, dense forests, and deep blue waters. As a real estate insider in Metro Detroit who’s trekked from old Victorian mansions to Upper Peninsula ghost towns, I’ve learned that nearly every corner of the Great Lakes State has its own myth or mystery. In this article, we’ll journey through haunted locations, legendary cryptid creatures, ancient Indigenous myths, and mind-boggling unexplained phenomena that have become beloved Michigan folklore. Settle in for a conversational tour of these tales – equal parts spooky, fascinating, and uniquely Michigan – told with the warm, knowledgeable tone of a friendly neighbor (who just happens to know a lot of local legends).

Each section below…

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