Episode 702: Keweenaw Peninsula, Zehnder's boutique hotel, Love Ludington and Meijer Gardens (May 31-June 1, 2025)

Summer is underway, and that means events are in full bloom across our beloved Michigan. Here on Behind the Mitten, we'll visit with friends from all over to hear about new festivals, great beaches, new hotels and more on this edition of Behind the Mitten. 

Jesse Wiederhold is a verfiable Keweenaw Peninsula enthusiast, and his excitement about this part of the state is infectious. We are lucky that Jesse works for Visit Keweenaw, and gets to actually just be excited for his job. He also gets to come up with crazy new ideas to celebrate all the cool things about the Key. He's the man behind Pasty Fest, which returns August 16. He also reveals a brand new festival occuring the weekend of June 20, the Juhannas Summer Solstice Celebration.

The Mill at Zehnder Park, a 13,700-square-foot boutique hotel, with four individual large suites is set  to open for bookings in early 2026. A former flour mill, the property was purchased by the Zehnder family in 2022, and renovations promptly began. The new hotel is set to open in 2026, and we go  behind the scenes on this exciting project.

Now Ludington gets named as a "best beach" it seems like every year, moving into the national category in the last few years, and we won't lie, it's incredible. In fact, one of our favorite summer events are the beach bonfires held here the third Thursday of every month, with bands, food trucks, and so much fun. Brandy Miller joins us to share all the cool things happening this summer season right on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Finally, we catch up with our friends from Frederik Miejer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Summer is when the gardens really shine, sparkle, and shout, with all the outdoor spaces open to visitors and the ampitheatre open for incredible concerts. I'm a personal fan of the children's garden, no matter your age, for awesome interactive exhibits, and the Japanese Garden for quiet gorgeous solitude. Seeing a show here is divine, but get your tickets early, lots of shows sell out.