This Beautiful Michigan Town Named One Of The Best For Northern Lights

The northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are stunning, magical pillars and waves of colorful light. They dance in the sky to watchful eyes. To most people it is both beauty and a mystery as to why this natural phenomena actually happens. You can see them in many parts of the world. And we are lucky enough right here in Michigan to see them more often than a lot of other states.

In Michigan, it all depends on the strength of the storm as to where it will be visible. Most chances happen in the Upper Peninsula, unless its strong enough to reach the rest of Michigan. So for those of us here in Michigan, seeing the northern lights is often a life-long chase with many tries and many losses for a reason. There is typically only a 3 day-out prediction for when they will hit so planning a trip in advance is more difficult than say booking a trip to Norway because its happens so often that you will likely see them whenever you book your trip. But none of that matters if the skies are not clear! And be sure to bring a camera as they typically aren't visible to the naked eye. As you can see, there are so many factors that go into the chase.

But there's always hope for us aurora chasers that we'll see at least one success of seeing them in person in your lifetime because it’s an experience you will never forget! I personally have been on the chase several times and was only lucky once to see them peeking behind clouds.  husband and I were by the Mackinaw Bridge and get a rare chance to see them under cloudy skis when there was a break in the clouds. This is the picture you see above.

We saw them in Mackinaw City, but according to The Discoverer Blog the best place in Michigan, and one of the best in the entire U.S. is, drumroll please, Copper Harbor which is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Look to where ( see map below)

So why Copper Harbor? It is on the Keweenaw Peninsula. And you can see on the map (above), it is at the northern most point of Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. It gives a great view of Lake Superior which is awesome because you want to be looking towards the northern hemisphere for the northern lights. Plus, they now have the most recent dark sky park in Michigan to view the lights and other things in astronomy. This is awesome because dark sky parks limit the amount of artificial light pollution around the area so the sky is clear to see and doesn't drowned out the light of the stars etc.

If you'd like to learn more about the science behind it all, check out any current predictions, best spots to look when they are visible, camera settings, and so much more I highly recommend this Facebook page that I follow Michigan Aurora Chasers.  You can also check out more info on The Keweenaw Peninsula or Cooper Harbor here.

Happy Hunting!

It's never too early to start planning an exciting winter getaway, especially since the most popular winter vacation spots get booked up quickly. The good news, though, is that most people take vacations in the summer, so traveling in the winter can be a bit more relaxing. You are also able to usually find better travel rates during the winter season, except during the holidays. If you don't have to travel during the holidays, just don't, because it's a mess. So, what are the best winter getaways in the U.S.?

I've researched some of the most popular winter vacation destinations in hopes of finding the perfect spot. The following list includes not just sunny, warm getaways, but also some areas that people who love snow can enjoy. Honestly, many people who live in a warm climate like to flock to a snowy location for a bit during the winter to get that seasonal experience, even if that seems counter intuitive. Of course, those who live in the northern parts of America love to go to a warm spot and get away from their daily lives filled with snow and ice.

I'm a Michigan girl, so I'm very familiar with the cold and ice in the winter. Not that I like it. Each year, I say I'm going to escape, even if it's just for a few days, to a warmer location. But, I never do. Maybe this year will be different. Looking at vacation rates, it's fairly easy to find some good deals, again, if it's not during the holiday travel season. Read on for some of the bets winter getaways in the U.S., based on my research. What's your favorite winter vacation spot? Reach out to me on social media here and let me know. Have a fantastic winter, and stay warm.

If you're looking for a mild getaway, Savannah, Georgia, is a great choice. It's pretty mild in the winter, so not too cold or too hot. The Historic District is a popular winter vacation spot, too.

https://visitsavannah.com/

The beautiful area of Asheville, North Carolina, has plenty of gorgeous snowfall, and it's less dangerous than many other areas with snowfall. Lately, Asheville has one up in population, but it's still a popular tourist destination. One choice spot is the French Broad River, with lots of winter activities, breweries and restaurants.

https://www.exploreasheville.com/

If you want to enjoy a winter vacation and learn about history, Philadelphia is a great vacation spot. Sure, it's won't be like sunny Florida. But, Philly has lots of great museums and historical spots to enjoy indoors, while staying toasty.

https://www.visitphilly.com/

I know what you're thinking. Why go to Michigan in the winter? Well, if you love snow, then it's worth the trip. Traverse City, Michigan, is a quaint town, but it's big enough to have lots of things to do and places to stay. It's also cold in the winter but not as cold as, say the Dakotas.

https://www.traversecity.com/

If you want to get away from the snow and ice, go to Key West, Florida. It's considered one of the finest tropical spots in the U.S. during the winter months. Soak up the sun and have a margarita, because why not?

https://keywest.com/

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