The Great Lakes are a gift of nature, whose beauty and bounty enrich our lives and identify our region. This section of the Town Hall is dedicated to celebrating all that the Lakes offer. Here you’ll find stories, photos, books and music that express how we all experience the Lakes in our lives - whether we're playing at the beach, fishing the Lakes, hunting the Northwoods or southern forests, spending a solitary dawn birdwatching, or even going about our daily lives at home.

And, if you're feeling inspired, we want to hear the same from you. What do the Great Lakes mean to you? If you're a writer, please share your favorite Stories. Or, if you prefer to express yourself with a camera, send us some of your favorite Photos of time spent at the Lakes.

If you're a natural-born explorer, we need your help in our Hidden Treasures section. A great thing should be shared, so post your favorite Great Lakes getaway. Maybe it's a sweet fishing spot outside of Thunder Bay, a little forgotten inn on the Keweenaw Peninsula, the perfect marsh for birdwatching, or the best cherry pie in Michigan. Don't be stingy, share your secrets!