The village of Ellsworth, in Northwest Michigan, should be on every outdoor recreation enthusiast’s list of “must-visit” places. Called the “Heart of the Great Outdoors”, it is close to just about every outdoor activity there is. Pick a favorite Ellsworth bed and breakfast and plan to visit it again and again.

The waters of nearby Grand Traverse Bay are ideal for all water sports. Paddlers will enjoy exploring hundreds of miles of coastline, while sailors will love the winds that blow from the north most afternoons between May and October. Anglers head out early each morning in search of fish, especially smallmouth bass. Mile after mile of sandy beach invites lounging and swimming during the summer.

From about December to April, zen-like ice-fishermen take up residence on the inland lakes of Northwest Michigan. Stay in a bed and breakfast when fishing the nearby waters of Ellsworth Lake, Six Mile Lake, and Wilson Lake, so each day will start with a delicious, warm breakfast and each evening can include a hot soak and a sit beside a fire.

Golf and hike when the weather is warm, cross country ski and downhill ski when snow covers the ground. Enjoy scenic drives in the fall to nearby Michigan lighthouses on the shores of Lake Michigan, or down to the Michigan wineries along Grand Traverse Bay. Visit the Ellsworth Farmers Market for famous Northwest Michigan cherries, or visit some nearby farms and pick your own.

The quiet town of Ellsworth comes alive each June for the Annual Pig Roast and Games. Book a room in a bed and breakfast early for this incomparable event that demonstrates the best of small-town America. Pull up a chair for the Grand Parade, witness an old-fashioned horse pull, and take part in games for the whole family. Lunch is delectable roast pork followed by homemade desserts. Mmmm.