There’s a reason you vacation Up North. Lush woods. Big beaches. Gurgling rivers. Hushed meadows. Infinite stretches of water, sand and sky. So why would you, for a week, a weekend or even overnight, wake up to a view of anything but? With these 21 gorgeous getaways—each steeped in eye and soul-inspiring surroundings—you won’t ever have to. Make a plan for your Northern escape. The world you love waits right outside the window.
Sunset Bahle’s Bayside Cottage, Suttons Bay
Four steps. That’s all that stands between 100 feet of private beach on West Grand Traverse Bay and the petite, perfectly weathered cedar-clapboard nook you can call your own. The fairytale cottage’s two bedrooms, wide-windowed kitchen and living room with fieldstone fireplace are notable niceties, but come summer, nearly nonessential; most guests find the sunrise-side porch sitting on the bay proves all the accommodation necessary. $1,700 weekly June through august’s end; $750 weekly or $200+ nightly in off-season (two night minimum). 231-271-5800, bahlecottage.com.
The Rose Room, House on the Hill, Ellsworth
Despite its name, the king-sized Rose Room doesn’t dabble in anything frou-frou except its shamelessly pretty panorama across this country inn’s perfectly manicured grounds, all the way down to the curves of St. Clair Lake. $175, 231-588-6304, thehouseonthehill.com.
Victorian Room, Stone Waters Inn, Bellaire
High up in a canopy of trees, Stone Waters Inn’s wintry-white Victorian Room looks out over Bellaire’s Intermediate River, a cascading garden of hostas and lilies, an outdoor hot tub and, at night, a torch-lit walkway. $75+, 800-336-3860, stonewatersinn.com.
On deck, Tall Ship Manitou, Traverse City
Snoozing in the belly of this 1800’s-style cargo schooner is hard to resist; the classic two-bunk cabins are cozy as can be. But if it’s sublime sights you’re after, Captain Dave McGinnis welcomes guests of this floating bed and breakfast to stretch out on a sleeping pad on deck and snuggle up under the stars, the moon and the morning sunrise. Single night B&B cruises include an evening sail and picnic meal plus hearty breakfast, music, wine tasting, and gourmet chocolate and storytelling adventures—include all meals and start at $685 per person. 800-678-0383, tallshipsailing.com.