Features

Floating into Wellness

A deep dive into float therapy

By Abby McKiernan | Dec. 21, 2024

Imagine weightlessly drifting in a cocoon of warmth and silence, your body freed from gravity and your mind gently untangling its knots. This serene escape is what float therapy offers—and why it’s gaining popularity as a wellness practice in the region. To understand the appeal, we spoke with two local businesses specializing in the art of floating: Solitude Float & Wellness Spa in Traverse City and Willoway Spa in Petoskey. The Basics: … Read More >>

New Year’s Up North: 15 Ways to Celebrate 2025

Ball drops, parties, dinners, and more!

By Rachel Pasche | Dec. 21, 2024

Staying up to ring in the New Year? Welcome 2025 with a ball (or other object!) drop, a staycation at a resort, festive fun at a local restaurant or bar, or a dinner party that’s sure to wow. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to celebrate the end of one year and the start of another. COUNTDOWN DROPS 1. CherryT Ball DropTraverse City is ringing in the new year with … Read More >>

Spa-liday Shopping

Expert-approved products for skin, hair, nails, and more

By Brighid Driscoll | Dec. 21, 2024

Winter can be a drag. A beautiful drag, but a drag nonetheless. Nights come early, days come late, and it’s easy to fall into a monotonous routine. So this year, find something that makes you feel good. Whether that’s a cozy activity at home or dedicated time spent outside, now is a chance to pursue pleasure. Bonus points if it makes you look good too. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up … Read More >>

Urgent Care: What's the Rush?

Answering your four top questions about urgent care

By Anna Faller | Dec. 21, 2024

For most of us, the term “urgent care” conjures images of a multi-use walk-in clinic. It’s where you could get a sprain wrapped at night, get tested for mono and strep throat in college, or refill that important prescription you forgot to pack on holiday. In all of these cases, you’d be right. Urgent cares and their services, though, especially in the wake of COVID, have since grown to meet community needs … Read More >>

Community Resolutions

Local leaders look to 2025

By Art Bukowski | Dec. 21, 2024

Regardless of your profession, there’s something special and refreshing about the promise of a new year. Northern Express asked local civic leaders within our 13-county coverage area about their resolutions for the coming year. Amy Shamroe, Mayor of Traverse City In 2025, I look forward to working as a city with our surrounding governments and nonprofit partners on addressing the issue of housing and homelessness in our community in very impactful ways. … Read More >>

Redefining Healthcare in Northern Michigan

Table Health opts for direct primary care, expands to mental health services

By Hanna Lee-Kleb | Dec. 21, 2024

In an era when healthcare can feel impersonal and rushed, Table Health of Traverse City is hoping to redefine the patient experience in Up North. Founded in 2018 in Traverse City by Dr. Jill Butryn, MD, and Christa Kiessel, Table Health operates on a direct primary care (DPC) model that aims to eliminate traditional insurance barriers and emphasize transparency, authenticity, and value. The practice has since expanded to a second location in … Read More >>

The Christmas Bird Count

Dec. 21, 2024

Is there a partridge in your pear tree? Have you seen two turtle doves, three French hens, four calling birds, six geese a-laying, or seven swans a-swimming? We ask because each year, the National Audubon Society does a Christmas Bird Count! The count was established in 1900, when scientists and bird watchers were concerned about  over-hunting and declining bird populations. For the count’s 125th anniversary, tens of thousands of people will count … Read More >>

Starting the New Year in Balance

By Jamie Kauffold | Dec. 21, 2024

Yoga for Health Education in Traverse City is teaming up with Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to host a fundraiser for the preservation of Elberta Beach and Betsie Bay, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 3-4. Friday begins at 8:30am with Yoga with Weights, followed by many different classes until 7:45pm. These include Gentle Yoga, Yin Yoga, Slow Flow, Beginning & Beyond, Chair Yoga, and many others. Saturday starts with Sunrise Flow at 7:30am, … Read More >>

A Kilkenny’s Christmas

Stuff We Love

Dec. 21, 2024

Ready to go all in on the final week of festive fun? Head to Kilkenny’s Irish Pub in Traverse City, where they have their Christmas Bar Pop-up running through Jan. 4, 2025. The bar is decked out in true Griswold Christmas fashion, from tinsel and twinkle lights to cozy spots to curl up with eggnog served up in a moose mug. Other signature cocktails for the pop-up include Mele Kalikimaka, Hallelujah, Where’s … Read More >>

Winter Fun for Everyone

Nine ways to stay busy over holiday break

Dec. 21, 2024

Need to keep a full house busy this holiday season? Here are a few of our favorite pastimes for all ages. Ski with Santa on Christmas Eve at Crystal Mountain. Drive through the holiday light display at the 20th annual Sparkle in the Park in Bear Lake. Sign up for winter sleigh rides and guided snowshoe hikes at Gaylord’s Treetops Resort (running Dec. 26-30 and Dec. 27-28 respectively). Dance the night away … Read More >>