Rent a car and explore this neck of the woods. Forested lands that go on forever, it seems, often concealing secluded slices of heaven.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is located within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, west of Traverse City. A 7.5-mile paved road that climbs to the top of the dunes and offers stunning overlooks of Lake Michigan, the dunes and countryside around Glen Lake.

Tunnel of Trees follows a 30-mile section of M-119 that stretches from Petoskey northward to Cross Village. The road cuts through the hill country north of Harbor Springs and then hugs the shoreline along forested bluffs. The trees are so thick that at times they form a canopy over the highway. Occasional breaks in the wall of trees offer panoramic views of Lake Michigan and distant Beaver Island.

Leelanau Ramble follows M-22 north out of Traverse City to Northport. The road hugs the Grand Traverse Bay shoreline most of the way. Continue following M-22 from Northport back to Empire as it loops down the west side of the peninsula offering glimpse of Lake Michigan, Manitou Islands and many of the dunes located within the National Park. At Empire, follow M-72 east to Traverse City. Round trip is about 75 miles, and you pass through several small, charming lakeside towns along the way.

Sunrise Side Drive follows M-23 as it leaves I-75 near Standish and cruises the Lake Huron shoreline for the next 200 miles before rejoining I-75 in Mackinaw City. The shoreline highway offers glimpses of small towns, cottages and a slower, more laid-back pace of life than you find on the Lake Michigan side of the state. You won't find any mega-resorts on this side of the Lower Peninsula.

Old Mission Peninsula follows M-37 northward from Traverse City to the tip of the peninsula and the Old Mission Lighthouse Park. You're on the 45th Parallel. You catch glimpses of both East and West Grand Traverse Bay from higher elevations and drive through many of the orchards and vineyards that dominate the north end of the peninsula along this 26-mile drive. Several vineyards have wine tasting rooms. Stop for lunch at the Old Mission Tavern and view paintings that are on loan from local artisans.