Up North Stories & Travel Tips

What You'll Find on Our Blog

Our blog is where we share the same local knowledge we’d give a friend booking their first Northern Michigan trip. Expect guides to the lakes, trails, and towns near each of our properties, seasonal ideas for what to do before and after your stay, and day trip itineraries built around Traverse City, Gaylord, and everywhere in between. It’s written by the McNeal family, so it comes from people who actually live here and stay in these towns year-round, not a stock travel site. The goal is simple: the more useful this page is before someone books, the easier it is for them to picture their trip and choose one of our properties directly, instead of scrolling through a search engine full of strangers.

Suitcase being packed for a trip
Northern Michigan weather shifts fast — here's what our family packs for every season, from summer lake days to.
Vibrant fall foliage along a Northern Michigan lake
Cooler air, fewer crowds, and unbeatable color — here's why fall is our family's favorite season in Northern Michigan..
Travel planning with a map and laptop on a desk
Same homes, same family hosting you — here's exactly how booking direct compares to booking through a big platform..
Evening view from a hot tub deck
A hot tub for cool evenings and e-bikes for the trails — here's what makes our Eclectic Condo a.
Warm fireplace flames on a winter night
No third-party fees, no call centers — just a family who lives here and hosts every stay themselves..
Scenic highway leading toward Northern Michigan
Driving from Detroit, Chicago, or flying into Traverse City — here's how to plan the trip up..