St. Ignace/Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island view from incoming ferry

The gateway to the Upper Peninsula, St. Ignace is the first stop for travelers crossing the Mackinac Bridge. From there, it's just a ferry ride to Mackinac Island, a place that has been stopped in time featuring a former British fort and the beautiful Grand Hotel. Mackinac Island is also the home of the Governor's Mansion, a summer residence for the state's top official. St. Ignace offers tourists a large variety of Upper Peninsula "specialties," such as pasties, smoked fish and fudge, as well as beautiful views of the Straits of Mackinac, which connect the mighty Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

Farmers' markets are taking over the U.P. this summer

Joe Baur Wednesday, May 22, 2013

We all want to eat the best we can, and for a lot of folks, that means choosing local or maybe organic foods. One way to find good, fresh food in your local community is to stop by a farmers' market. Long a staple in more agricultural-friendly areas, they are now hitting the U.P. too, and seem to just keep growing by the year.

Michigan hosts architectural and industrial design event of the year

Brian Conway, Michigan State Historic Preservation Officer Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office will launch a blockbuster show June 14 at Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills, displaying how the state contributed to the American Modernism movement in art, architecture and design.

Be safe this Memorial Day week

Sam Eggleston Wednesday, May 22, 2013

We here at U.P. Second Wave want to pass on our hope that everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend (and every day after as well!). We, personally, will be spending time with family and friends and will not publish next week, but will return with all-new content on June 5. Until then, enjoy your extended weekend and we will see you in two weeks!

North Country Dreamland video captures imaginations of many

Shawn Malone Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Lake Superior Photo owner and Second Wave managing photographer Shawn Malone is one of the best there is at capturing the Northern Lights and other celestial events. Her recent time-lapse video showcasing a year's worth of night skies is stunning.

GUEST COLUMN: The quest for walkability

Lloyd R. Matthes Wednesday, May 15, 2013

CUPPAD's executive director, Lloyd Matthes, talks about the elements that can make up a walkable--or unwalkable--city.

UPWARD Initiatives take local economy to new heights

Neil Moran Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Often you read about a study being done to improve this or that and you never hear anything more about it. UPWARD Initiatives is using a study done in 2009 to bring together 180 volunteers to improve the quality of life for residents of the Upper Peninsula and two counties in Wisconsin.