Watermark Bar & Grille’s lunch and dinner offerings include everything from salads and surf & turf choices to gnocchi bread bowls and lakeside favorites. Photos courtesy of Watermark Bar & Grille A nice summer night, waterfront dining, and a tiki bar. What more could you ask for? What sets the Watermark Bar & Grille apart is that it has the best view on the Nautical Mile, plenty of parking, and it’s easy for boats to dock on-site. The Nautical Mile is a stretch of Jefferson Avenue between 9 and 10 ½ Mile roads in St. Clair Shores. A string of restaurants is tucked away there, e ..read more

Brad Reed Day 189 of 365, July 8 2010 Summer brings a rejuvenating energy, especially along Ludington’s picturesque coastline. In Ludington, the season offers an opportunity to embark on a unique journey that encapsulates the area’s rich maritime heritage—a voyage aboard the historic SS Badger carferry. The experience is a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. The SS Badger: A Legacy of Michigan’s Maritime History The SS Badger is more than just a ship—it’s the last coal-fired passenger steamship in operation in the United States. Providing a fun, reliable, and affordable shortcut across ..read more

Michigan ranks as a top state in the nation for pontoon ownership. You can try one out through rental programs on various inland waterway routes. Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock Michigan is, indeed, a water wonderland. Heck, it’s even part of our nickname. So, it’s no wonder that we have some unique places to bolster that brag. One of those places is something many of us have only caught a glimpse of from I-75 at Indian River in the northern Lower Peninsula, while traveling elsewhere. Peer over the bridge and, on the west side, you’ll see a shore lined with homes, a marina or two, and perhaps bo ..read more

O’Grady Development’s Kyle, Vicki, Kevin, and Kevin O’Grady. Photos courtesy of O’Grady Development Michigan BLUE magazine enjoyed an insightful chat with Kyle O’Grady, a 28-year-old partner at O’Grady Development in Traverse City. O’Grady — together with his brother, Kevin, 29, and their father, also named Kevin — runs the 30-year-old company. “It’s a small family business,” says O’Grady, who explains that he handles sales and project development, while his brother is project manager. The company, once called Insight Building Co., was originally based in metro Detroit. Over time, they’ve buil ..read more

This large bowl, made from an American hardwood, showcases the wood’s beauty and comes in handy for large gatherings. Photos courtesy of Holland Bowl Mill Most people know the West Michigan harbor town of Holland for its Tulip Festival and Dutch ancestry, but for nearly a century, the Holland Bowl Mill has been a destination for people looking for wooden bowls of all shapes and sizes. Today the bowls are still turned by hand — nearly a lost art in our modern world — and they’re so sturdy, they come with a lifetime guarantee. What started in 1926 as a wooden shoe factory run by Chester VanTonge ..read more

Whether you catch them yourself or purchase them at a specialty market, fish suitable for grilling are plentiful in Michigan. Photo courtesy of Todd Marsee, Michigan Sea Grant The birds are chirping excitedly as dawn breaks, and we may even wake up with a bright tune in our head or on our lips (Here Comes the Sun? It’s a Beautiful Morning?). And although many of us have enjoyed being outdoors in the winter months — hiking, skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling — there’s nothing quite like the coming of spring, with its longer (and warmer) days, and more opportunities to absorb some natural and muc ..read more

The purple martin Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock Joseph Swatzell thinks of his grandfather, Joel Swatzell, quite a bit during his workday as he looks over the magnificent landscape at Mission Point resort on Mackinac Island. As the grounds supervisor, Joseph continually ensures that all is looking pristine, from the gorgeous swathes of tulips and daffodils that spring forth every year in May to the towering purple martin birdhouse that’s located along the resort’s shoreline.  The birdhouse is near and dear to Joseph’s heart, thanks to an idea he had in 2022 that involved inviting his ..read more

Photo Courtesy of Kim Zahnow 1Pinots ’n’ Paintings: Located on Michigan’s Art Coast in Douglas, J. Petter Galleries invites patrons to sip and see. You can enjoy a glass of wine while checking out unique paintings, sculptures, and more. Boutique wines, artisan cheeses, and hand-poured chocolates in the wine bar and shop await. jpettergalleries.com Photo Courtesy of Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council 2 Follow the Guide: There’s been an explosion of new wine, beer, spirits, and cider offerings in southwest Michigan. For a tasty look at what’s new, check out the Makers Trail Passport app, whic ..read more

As the snow melts away and the first signs of spring breathe new life into the picturesque town of Ludington, it’s time to shake off the winter blues and make plans to visit. Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, Ludington beckons with its stunning natural beauty, vibrant community, and a plethora of activities that promise a renewing getaway. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a culture aficionado, or a foodie in search of new flavors, Ludington offers a unique blend of experiences that cater to all this Spring. Outdoor Adventures: Ludington is an idyllic Spring destination for nature e ..read more

The homeowners’ Harrison Township retreat includes beautiful views of the water. Photography by Joe Tiano Matthew and Lori Schulz live in East Grand Rapids, but they wanted a retreat downstate where they could entertain their relatives and moor their boat during the warm summer months. They found a perfect corner-unit condo in Harrison Township on Lake St. Clair, but the décor wasn’t their style. Thanks to a recommendation from a mutual friend, the couple called Jennifer Asmar of Asmar Interiors in Troy to help them make their condo sing.  “They wanted to transform the space so the second ..read more