BayHarborBayHarborexplore A DESTINATION FOR ALL SEASONS EXPLORE LAKE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES COMPLIMENTARY CENTER FOR THE ARTS — COPY THE GRAND OPENING Greetings from BayHarbor Welcome to our home, one of the most breathtaking and pristine waterfront settings in the world. Nestled along the north shore of Lake Michigan, Bay Harbor is an extraordinary resort community where the water and the air are crystal clear, the recreational opportunities are boundless, and the people are warm and friendly. Here, residents and guests gather year-round to enjoy the one-of-a-kind beauty of Northern Michigan as well as our exceptional Bay Harbor amenities. Within the pages of this magazine, you’ll discover all the things there are to love about Bay Harbor, from family-friendly happenings and competition on the golf links to cruising Little Traverse Bay by boat and enjoying exceptional dining experiences. No matter whether you’re young or young-at-heart, there’s fun, relaxation and most of all, new friends to be found along our shore. Whether you’re looking for a new vacation spot, a wedding or conference venue or a new business location, or you’re searching for the perfect place to put down roots, we invite you to visit — anytime. Every season offers its own special magic here on Little Traverse Bay. We look forward to sharing our wonderful home with you. Come visit us soon, and welcome to Bay Harbor! With warmest regards, Bay Harbor Community Council 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Explore Bay Harbor 6 34 52 26 18 42 68 Clane Gessel Photography Photos courtesy of: Mike Schlitt Photography, David Bruce, Joe Nachtrab, Boyne Resorts, Inn at Bay Harbor, Bay Harbor Company, Bay 56 Harbor Yacht Club, Bay Harbor Golf Club and 12 Harbor Sotheby’s International Realty. 34 | Bay Harbor Hospitality 52 | An Event-Full 60 | Farm to Table The perfect vacation destination. Year-Round Festival A Northern Michigan staple Create one-of-a-kind memories, 28 no matter the time of year. 4 | Northern Michigan: 36 Sip Sip Hooray 64 Drive Happy! Paradise around Every Corner | | Photography by Mike Schlitt Northern Michigan’s exciting The GEM® Revolution Discover all that the Northern Michigan 30 Where Passion microbreweries and wineries. 55 | Discover clean travel — the best way area has to offer. Comes Alive to experience Bay Harbor! One-of-a-kind performing art destination. 16 | A Site to Behold 38 Home Sweet Home Unique Events | 8 | Getting to know Bay Harbor. Explore over 30 unique 76 | Bay Harbor Nights and Area Traditions 30 | A Destination for All Seasons neighborhoods in Bay Harbor. Views that will take your breath away, A chance to try something new 56 | BHYC Activities and memories to last a lifetime. or celebrate a favorite tradition. Something for everyone all year round. 18 | Stroll Our Sidewalks & The social center of the Bay Harbor Walk the Waterfront Community, everything needed for a 44 | A New Era at Bay grand social life. The Village at Bay Harbor is positioned Harbor Yacht Club The Club Is the Hub The Preserve 12 | on the Marina Waterfront and filled 32 | Even more places—and reasons—to The Bay Harbor Yacht Club — where with boutique shops, restaurants A storybook setting for a lifetime “meet at the club”. Explore Bay Harbor magazine has been written and produced by Cotton and Company, it all comes together. and much more. of memories. Stuart, Florida. For more information, please visit our website at www.thecottonsolution.com. Explore Bay Harbor Magazine 3 northern MichiganPARADISE AROUND EVERY CORNER or 200 years people have argued about From the wine country of the Leelanau Peninsula to Alpena’s Thunder where Northern Michigan actually begins. Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the region abounds with festivals in every F“Somewhere” north of an east-west line season. The cherry harvest attracts huge numbers of visitors and celebrities running through the state — that’s about as honoring centuries-old traditions devoted to cherries and their delicacies. specific as most Michiganders are willing to Farm stands along area roads offer fresh pies, cider and the fruit of the be. Where that line is will always be the big season, from apples to blueberries and peaches to strawberries. The spring question. But everyone agrees that once and fall are nothing short of glorious, from the masses of eye-popping cherry you arrive, you’ll know. Northern Michigan blossoms in May to the grape harvests and blazing leaves of September is a region of enchanted forests generously and October. Winter is a season of nonstop activity on snowshoe and cross- populated with wildlife, lakescapes offering country skiing trails and exciting downhill ski slopes. An amazing variety endless unspoiled panoramas stretching Photography: Mike Schlitt of delightful winter events are held all over Northern Michigan. Summer to infinity, and a peninsula embraced by a brings back vacationers and families who maintain second homes in the seemingly infinite shoreline of crystal-clear region. The Great Lakes and countless inland waterways are waiting to be water. It’s surprisingly easy to get here, with explored, not to mention the rich history of the Lake Michigan lighthouses multiple airport options and quick highway and, of course, the world-renowned Mackinac Bridge. Hiking and biking access. Visitors also arrive by boat from all trails abound. While the region has loads of charming villages ready for points on the Great Lakes, seeking the serenity discovery, the conveniences of urban life are also readily available in and natural beauty of Northern Michigan. Northern Michigan. Some of the most spectacular golf courses in North With dozens of wonderful parks and national America are right here. From the comforts of luxury resort living in Bay lakeshores throughout the region, there is Harbor to stunning pristine wilderness, Northern Michigan has it all in always a fabulous day trip waiting. every season. Explore Bay Harbor Magazine 5 Stroll along the brick paths in the Village at Bay Harbor, where you’ll find a variety of unique specialty retailers and tempting restaurants. Take a walk down to beautiful Bay Harbor Lake Marina and have a bite to eat and perhaps a cocktail. You’ll marvel at the impressive array of sleek sailboats, elegant yachts and custom sport fishing boats bobbing up and down in the quiet waves. Enjoy an Active Lifestyle Choose from three stunning golf courses at the nationally acclaimed Arthur Hills–designed Bay Harbor Golf Club, swimming with the kids on sandy beaches, superb fishing for salmon and bass, biking along the Little Traverse Wheelway, nightly s’mores at the Inn’s fire pit, festivals, events, shopping in the Village and so much more. The Bay Harbor Fitness Center even has the largest pool in the region. The $25 million Great Lakes Center for the Arts in the heart of Bay Harbor will provide year-round world-class entertainment including concerts, theatrical productions and lectures. There truly is something for everyone here at Bay Harbor. If you’re interested in extending your stay, Bay Harbor has two internationally recognized luxury hotels, the Inn at Bay Harbor and Village Suites Bay Harbor, offering a superb variety of rooms, suites, cottages, penthouses and vacation rental homes to make your visit unforgettable. And as a Top 100 U.S. Resort Spa. The Stay for a day, a week... Spa’s signature spa and salon treatments cater to your every need. Of course, for those who never want to leave, there are excellent real estate opportunities in a wide variety of home styles and price ranges. or a lifetime. Carved into the natural landscape and wrapped around Little Traverse Bay’s scenic delights, Bay Harbor features homes high on a bluff, here are some places that, once visited, remain in your and gently rolling topography create a peaceful haven away from at water’s edge or on the greens of our championship golf courses mind’s eye — and in your heart — forever. That’s the the noise of everyday living. overlooking Lake Michigan. But you’ll never know the many charms of Texperience people have when they visit Bay Harbor. But Bay Harbor’s charms don’t end where Mother Nature Bay Harbor unless you stop and spend a day here — or a week. So try Perhaps it’s the natural beauty — the serene lake views of crystal- leaves off. This is a sophisticated, upscale resort community Bay Harbor living. Perhaps this very special place will cast its spell on clear water, the lush woods or the star-filled sky. It may be the with so much to offer visitors and residents. If you’re planning you, too. residents’ friendly, welcoming approach or maybe just a perfect a trip to the area, Bay Harbor is the perfect place to spend the day spent doing what you love — with the people you love. day. Flanked by two coastal parks perfect for fishing, kayaking Bay Harbor is a world-class luxury resort community that or just reading a book, Bay Harbor extends along the coastline. meanders along 5 miles of Little Traverse Bay on the shores of The resort’s unparalleled amenities include the Bay Harbor Lake Michigan. Over 30 unique neighborhoods feature upscale Yacht Club, a Distinguished Emerald Award™ winner as one of homes, boutique hotels, shopping and dining, a stunning the finest private clubs in the world. The Yacht Club serves as deep-water marina, and championship golf courses with more the social center of the community for boaters and non-boaters freshwater frontage than any other course in North America. Bay alike. Bay Harbor has a calendar rich with exciting four-season Harbor is both a charming resort and a picturesque community.