Stargazing in Northwest Michigan

Written By Kira

One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Northern Michigan is simply looking up. The lack of light pollution means you’ll have unparalleled views of the night sky, opening up opportunities to witness shooting stars, constellations, and even the Milky Way galaxy in all its glory. Read on for a few of our favorite stargazing locations:

Headlands International Dark Sky Park
15675 Headlands Road, Mackinaw City, MI
Headlands Dark Sky Park is a 550-acre county park which preserves more than 2 miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline south and west of McGulpin Point Light in the Straits of Mackinac. The Headlands became one of the first 10 International Dark Sky Parks in the world in 2011, a prestigious designation bestowed by the International Dark Sky Association in Tucson, Arizona, after a rigorous application and review process. Entrance into the park is free.
More info

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
While not yet an official dark skies park, Sleeping Bear Dunes is committed to sharing the natural night landscape with visitors. In the summer time you can join the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society for monthly star parties - which are guided explorations of the night sky.
More info

Lanphier Observatory
The Leelanau School Beach
The public is welcome to attend “Lanphier Observatory Public Viewings” on Wednesday & Thursday nights from 10 pm-Midnight (clear sky permitting!) at Leelanau School Beach, June 21st-August 24th. Donation Students $4, Adults $5.

You’ll see plenty of heavenly objects in bright, brilliant detail, and learn from Norm Wheeler, a local authority and guide. Visitors may park in any Leelanau School lot and walk down the scenic boardwalk, across the Crystal River, to the Lanphier Observatory or adventurous types may walk in from the beach. The Lanphier Observatory is easily visible to passersby, being tucked just between the Lake Michigan shore and the trees.
More info 

Do you have a favorite star gazing spot? Shoot us a note and let us know! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for the latest in Up North activities and events: https://www.instagram.com/myupnorthkids/

Kira

Strategic Websites, Built for Growth

Your website isn’t just a digital storefront—it’s the foundation of your brand and a powerful tool for growth. As the founder of Fresh Coast Marketing and a former corporate marketing executive, I bring 20+ years of branding and growth experience to every site I build. That means when you work with me, you’re not just getting a beautifully designed Squarespace website—you’re getting the strategic expertise of a seasoned marketer who knows how to turn visitors into customers.

I’ve led marketing for Salesforce, CareerBuilder, and many tech startups, crafting strategies that drive engagement and real results. Now, I help businesses like yours create conversion-focused websites that not only look great but also work hard for your business. From branding and copywriting to site structure and SEO, I build websites with marketing in mind—so your message is clear, compelling, and designed to grow your audience.

As a Squarespace Gold Circle Member, I specialize in seamless, user-friendly designs tailored to your unique brand. Whether you’re launching a new site or refreshing an outdated one, I’ll bring a strategic approach to ensure your website aligns with your goals and sets you up for success.

Let’s build a website that works as hard as you do. 🚀

https://www.freshcoastmktg.com
Previous

Kids Bowl Free This Spring and Summer!
Next

Cherry Blossom Minis Roundup