Do you ever go "up north"? I go up north a few times a year.

Farthest north I've been is Inuvik. An amazing place.

John

Do you say "up north"? I was interested to see where the people who resonded were from. One time a guy is Japan guessed that I was from Wisconsin because I had used the term "up north". I know people in MI, MN and maybe IL also use that term. But I don't think it's a common phrase around the rest of the country. And I have no idea about Canada.

But I know that when some northern Wisconsinites and Minnesotans say "up north" they mean into Canada or the Boundry Waters.

I'd never thought of it. We go up north, down east, out west and down south.

Where are east, south and west for you?

John

I don't go "up north" - around here we say "up state" as in "I'm going up state NY this weekend for a gig."

The furtherst north I've been is Buffalo, NY.

Michiganders go Up North-
For us dats da U.P. eh.

Translation for the Yooper impared.
We go to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Not quite leaving the state of Michigan, but it sure feels like it.
The U.P. is like, Alaska Lite.

Gwyd

Even when we go North West to Ludington, we call it "Up North". Which is particularly funny, because its right across the lake from you Vandy. So you live Up North.

I live in Oregon. I've been to Washington lots of times, Canada once, so, yep, I've been up North. Also, the High School I went to is called North Eugene high, So I guess that would be another yep.
Bob.

I'm from Cadillac, I haven't been back to visit in 10 years ... it's like David Lynch's Twin Peaks (the people that is).

I know it. Especially to the people from Illinois.
As far as your Ludington trips, the same thing happens here. There are people who go from Milwaukee to La Crosse (which is a little north, but mostly west of here) and say "we're heading up north". To people around here, "up north" is almost more a state of mind than anything to do with a compass point.

I use the terms; up north, down south, out west and back east when giving directions. Some people, when giving directions will say "Go down to the corner and turn right." but they are talking about going north and turning right. "Down" is south, "up" is north, "back" is east and "out" is west no mater where you live. It drives me crazy when people use these terms the wrong way.

Up North to us is Los Angeles! Took me awhile to get used to that.

Farthest I've been is Fairbanks. That was enough.