LENAWEE CO. — Michiganders say if this were their final New Year’s Eve, they would keep it close to home.
A new statewide poll asked residents how they would choose to spend one last New Year’s Eve, and the top answers centered on northern Michigan.
The number one choice was the CherryT Ball Drop in Traverse City, where crowds gather downtown for the annual cherry-themed countdown marking midnight.
The second most popular option was stargazing at Sleeping Bear Dunes near Glen Arbor, with respondents favoring a quieter end to the year under dark skies along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The results suggest Michigan residents are drawn to experiences that combine local tradition and natural scenery, rather than large, crowded celebrations.
While other destinations nationwide were mentioned, Michigan locations stood out for their sense of place, familiarity, and connection to the landscape.
As another year comes to a close, the poll shows many Michiganders would choose either a hometown celebration or a peaceful moment outdoors to mark the moment.