Pure Michigan Travel - Museums Highlights

My Pride is Showing

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:32:22 GMT

Last week a friend of mine from New York City came to visit, and I did my best to show her the wonder and splendor that is Michigan. We visited a casino (and drove past 3 others), rode past Ft. Custer, toured the restored capitol building, looked over Little Traverse Bay from Petosky, ate at Big Boy's, lived at the Alpenfest, visited Ft. Michilimackinac, photographed the Mighty Mac from the Lake Huron side, saw Grand Rapids twinkle in the night, went to the Michigan Historical museum, saw deer run across the road, and worshipped at a great church. Touring the Great Lake State in ths way renewed my zealous love for all that Michigan is. As you roll through the hills of northern I-75, it is reminicent of North Carolina. Viewing the marshy inland lakes, you can see a little Florida Everglades there. Atop just the right hill on M-32 you feel like you're in Tennessee. I'm pretty sure the idea for California's PCH came from the vistas of the UP's Hwy 2. And the Brooklyn Bridge has nothing on the majesty of the Mackinac Bridge. We're not as corny as Kansas, but we've got plenty of sugar. (Sugar beeets, that is.) A little bit country, a little bit Kid Rock & roll, a little Memphis and a whole lotta Motown; we got 4H and soul. If you're thinking about vacationing somewhere in America, make it Pure Michigan. Its a package deal of many places rolled into one.

Seeking Rembrandt? Check Out Michigan.

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:30:35 GMT

Over the Labor Day Weekend, I traveled to Detroit and Ann Arbor ostensibly to take in their art museums. As someone who usually goes to places like New York, London, and Paris for art, I was surprised when a Google search for Rembrandts took me to the Detroit Institute for the Arts site. But this is what I wanted to see and after e-mailing my colleague, a Michigan native, she highly encouraged me to check out DIA **as well as** U of M's art museum in Ann Arbor. I did find a number of Dutch masters at DIA and Rembrandt drawings at the UMMA. She also suggested a number of places and sights she thought I'd find interesting. I am not your ordinary tourist, but the kind of person who would take in the unusual and be willing to, for example, witness the changes of Jefferson Avenue as she drove west to east to the Grosse Pointe area. As part of social commentary, I found this fascinating and indicative of American history. She told me about Corktown with its some sort of revival via young artist and alternative types who have brought new life to an otherwise blighted area. (It also helped that there was an NPR feature on this side of Detroit.) I took this suggestion also and found a charming bistro that also grew vegetables in their gardens. I was also treated to that Midwestern hospitality at a charming inn in Ann Arbor, which took care of me, met my rather complicated dietary needs, and provided an overall lovely ambience in which I, as a stranger to that community, could relish. (I wasn't after all, going to a conference or taking my kid to college.) As for the art, I found that neither my colleague nor the DIA site was exaggerating about these institutions. There is a wealth of resources here and it does seem to match DIA's claim that it is one of the most important museums west of Philadelphia. The museums are not expensive therefore making art accessible to a lot more people than what you would find in the usual places. Because they are not so crowded, there is also space and time for visitors to really see the works and appreciate them without having to jockey for viewing space.

St Ignace is a GEM

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:27:16 GMT

What a thrill to see Pere Marquette's gravesite, eat a pasty, climb castle rock, devour sticky buns from Freshwater Foods Bakery, picnic at Bridgeview Park on whitefish pâté, explore the Mystery Spot, hang out in Totem Village, chat with locals and tourists at the weekly wine and cheese festival, meander through St Ignatius Church (St Ignace is named after St Ignatius of Loyola, the patron saint of Pere Marquette), walk out the pier to Chief Wawatam's loading spot, chow down at The Driftwood and The Galley and check out all the history of the area in Fort de Buade. And to think, St Ignace is the third oldest (continuous) city in the United States. Accommodations were wonderful both at the Best Western Harbour Pointe and the Moran Bay Motel. Wifi is abundant in the UP!

Fun filled Motor Trek Weekend

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:34:59 GMT

We arrived early Friday (6/19) and went to Detroit Science Center to experience the Star Trek Exhibition. It was really cool. We drove around downtown Detroit seeing the sculptures and buildings. It was great to be back home. We toured Hitsville U.S.A.(Motown Museum) and loved seeing everything there on display. Saturday we toured the Greenfield Village seeing awesome sites like Edison's work place, the glass blowing and many others. The Motor Muster car exhibit was in full swing. So many cars to see it was hard to be sure to see all of them and the regular exhibits all in one day. The following day (Sunday 6/21) we toured The Henry Ford Museum and the Rock Stars, Car and Guitars exhibit. We were blown away. I am a school bus driver and thought it was so cool to see the first school bus. We are truly amazed that someone could be so forward thinking that they preserved so many wonderful things for generations to come to view. Lots of memories of growing up in the 60's and 70's while we went through the decades section. I would recommend these places to anyone and everyone. We are hoping that maybe some year in the future we could enter our own car (1974 Dodge Charger) in the Motor Muster exhibit. It would be an honor for us. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Across the Mighty Mac

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:58:13 GMT

Whenever we get the opportunity, we love to go to the Upper Peninsula. As soon as I -75 takes you to the exit at the welcome center, you know you have come to a special place! The rock formations that greet you are beautiful! A word of warning to newcomers, you are going to be referred to as "fudgies!" If you don't know what that means, be sure to stop at one of the several fudge shops while you are there. Then you'll know what I mean! My family and I always park our R.V. in St. Ignace. In this day and age, you need to conserve fuel whenever you can! But that is your choice. We make day trips to the Soo, to watch the ships go through the locks. Then we go around Whitefish bay, always stopping at the many turnoffs, so the boys can run around after being cooped up in the car. You can go to Whitefish point to see the lighthouse, and museum. But be sure to turn and go see the Tahquamenon Falls. Wherever you go in Michigan, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience

Beyond the race

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Written by Julie Royce with permission from Michigan BLUE Magazine.

Hosted by Detroit-based Bayview Yacht Club, the now 85-year-old Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race tempts thousands of visitors to Port Huron’s shores come July--yet reasons to venture here begin long before the starting cannon’s crack and continue long after the showy sails are but specks on the horizon. Here on Michigan’s Sunrise Side, visitors will find they can shoehorn a summer’s worth of activity into a long weekend.

Ever since the Sauk and Ojibwa canoed the connected waterways of Lake Huron and her rivers, the water has demanded center stage. Today utility melds with pleasure. While ocean-bound freighters the length of two football fields navigate their heavy cargos through the St. Clair River beneath the soaring Blue Water Bridges connecting Michigan to Ontario, the picturesque Huron Lady II offers narrated charter cruises, including one to the starting line on race day. And while shipwrecks beckon bold divers from below, dropping a fishing line from above over the side of a small boat remains as popular today as a century ago.

The Great Lakes Maritime Center, at the juncture of the Black and St. Clair rivers and heart of the globe’s largest inland shipping route, attracts freighter watchers with coffee, doughnuts, comfortable chairs and panoramic views of river traffic; fans can also listen in here to what’s happening via onboard radios. Outside, indulge in a salty snack from the French Fry Truck, a frosty concoction from the Ice Cream Trailer, or fresh flowers and produce during farm market hours.

More maritime treasures emerge at any of Port Huron’s five intriguing museums:

Explore shipwrecks, discover how to build a schooner and step into a pilot’s house as it looked in the early 1900s in the Carnegie Center’s Marine Gallery. This must-see stop also unveils the Blue Water area’s engaging nautical legacy.
The Thomas Edison Museum showcases the life of Port Huron’s favorite son. It occupies the Fort Gratiot Depot that provided employment to 12-year-old Thomas, who hawked newspapers and snacks on the Port Huron-to-Detroit runs between 1859 and 1863 to finance the burgeoning costs of his experiments; the clever lad had marked every vial “poison” to discourage tampering. Recreation of his chemistry lab, printing shop and interactive displays await.
The Coast Guard Cutter Bramble, commissioned in 1944 at a cost of nearly $1 million, participated in “Operation Crossroads,” the first test of an atomic bomb’s effect on surface ships. The Bramble later served a distinguished career of search and rescue, icebreaking, and law enforcement throughout the Great Lakes. Decommissioned in 2003, visitors now board the Bramble at the Acheson Ventures Seaway Terminal. Here they also can board Acheson’s 154-foot topsail schooner, Highlander Sea, for learning excursions, tours, day and overnight sails.
The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Michigan, serves as sentinel for one of the busiest waterways in the world. Climb her stairs for a sweeping view of the St. Clair River’s entryway to Lake Huron.
Finally, tour the floating Huron Lightship museum, docked at Pine Grove Park. During its working days it displayed a light at the top of its mast and anchored in spots too deep, expensive or impractical to construct a stationary lighthouse.

Even Port Huron’s galleries indulge the local obsession with water: Don’t leave without a stop at Studio 1219. Started by a “Cool Cities” grant to nurture budding artists, Studio 1219 displays (for both your visual enjoyment and potential purchase) the artwork of more than 100 local artists.

Meanwhile--downtown amongst myriad boutique shops including home and garden accessory trove Weekends and memorably scented BackYard Soaps – Cap’n Jim’s Gallery focuses on maritime art and lore. By race week, Cap’n Jim Clary will unveil, in an acrylic original painting and giclee prints, a near bow-on view of the world’s only seven-masted schooner, Thomas W. Lawson, constructed in 1901.

While in town, be certain to ascend the 188 steps of the McMorran Tower to the observation platform for an aerial view of the Blue Water Bridges--as well as the race’s starting course.

Doing so will undoubtedly work up your appetite. Courses of another kind can be found high atop the Port Huron Office Center in The Fogcutter, which serves up renowned waterfront views in addition to fresh seafood, choice meat cuts and variety of other fine dining fare in a casually elegant atmosphere. Other local favorites include The Black River Café, a welcoming bistro with inventive offerings such as perch tacos, heirloom tomato trout with risotto cakes and omelet croissant sandwiches; The Vintage Tavern – Cheers meets Wolfgang Puck with a splash of Napa Valley – for flavorful items including teriyaki salmon, afternoon wine flights and unique brews served indoors or out overlooking the Black River; and the culturally, musically, culinary hip Raven Café, located in a Civil War-era building, for live entertainment and creative fare.

To learn more, visit www.bluewater.org. Michigan-based writer Julie Royce has authored "Traveling Michigan's Thumb" and "Traveling Michigan's Sunset Coast" (Thunder Bay Press).

Michigan BLUE Magazine, Michigan's Lakestyle Magazine, is published bi-monthly by Gemini Publications. Lisa Jensen is the editor.

Travel Michigan has received permission to reproduce this article.

My Granddaughter Got Worn Out!

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:40:13 GMT

My three year old granddaughter, Dellaunna, got worn out at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. Really. Her first fascination was the child size gate into the children’s garden. I didn’t see it, but she did, and went in and out several times before we could get her to the next attraction, a fountain and statue (of course you could get wet in the fountain!) Another water feature, very welcome on a hot day, was a large replica of the great lakes where children could sail boats and build bridges out of tinker toys. The children’s garden appeals to a wide age range. Grandma enjoyed looking at the map inscribed in concrete around the “lakes”. Dellaunna wasn’t too interested in the sensory garden yet, an area emphasizing the five senses, but Grandpa was. Our next major stop was the giant sand pile, where there were fossils to uncover, conventional sand toys, and a child sized backhoe to operate. Then it was on to the tree house, a fantastic array of platforms and connecting bridges inhabited by denizens like giant spiders. While Grandma read about the insects and birds, Dellaunna ran the bridges and scrambled from platform to platform. Children’s fun doesn’t end with the children’s garden. We walked the boardwalk and wooded path to the farmhouse yard, where children enjoy such chores as pumping water, hanging clothes, or painting a fence. When Dellaunna finally wore out gathering eggs, Grandpa was sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch and Grandma was learning to play hoops on the lawn.

Bike Beaver Island

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:00:00 GMT

By Elizabeth Edwards with permission from MyNorth.com.

Whether you come by air or sea, Beaver Island's 60 square miles of beautiful terra firma beg exploring. The quiet back roads that wend out of Beaver's only hub, the village of St. James, lend themselves to mountain biking (fat tires are a must for the island's miles of clay-gravel roads). Bring your own bike, or stop by Lakesports' Paradise Bay Gifts and rent one (231-448-2166). Once your wheels are turning, set your sights on the picturesque 46-foot Beaver Head Light on the island's south end. There, you'll climb the circular wrought-iron staircase for a big blue lake vista. You might turn around before you make it the full 18 miles (remember, you'll need to ride back to St. James to catch your ride to the mainland). That's okay, the spectacular tapestry of forest, rocky shoreline and dune beaches you pass along the way are a destination unto themselves.

Stoke up for your ride at Dalwhinnie Bakery and Deli (231-448-2736), where everything from the bread to the bear claws are homemade. Pack along a ham and cheddar on cheese bread for a beach picnic. As you head south on King's Highway, take a moment to stop into the Old Mormon Print Shop Museum (231-448-2254) to learn about this island's rich history—and why the road is called King's Highway. (Hint: Beaver Island once had a king.) Pick up Elizabeth Whitney Williams's book Child of the Sea. The author grew up at the Beaver Head Lighthouse in the 19th century. Now get pedaling. You'll want time to lounge on the beach by the lighthouse and let Williams's book make this beautiful spot come alive.

Getting to Beaver Island: The 32-mile flight over Lake Michigan from Charlevoix is less than a half hour (Island Airways, 800-524-6895; Fresh Air Aviation, 888-359-7448). The ferry the Emerald Isle takes two hours (888-446-4095), but the payoff for the extra time is freshwater spray on your face. For island lodging info contact the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce (231-448-2505).

MyNorth.com, the vacation site of the North, is refreshed daily by the staff of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine. Deborah Wyatt Fellows is editor-in-chief.

The New UMMA

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:00:00 GMT

$41.9 million dollars and 53, 000 extra feet later the U-M Museum of Art reopens with an around-the-clock meet and greet that brought out a whole lotta love... from Ann Arborites, that is.

And what's not to love? The museum has undergone a major restoration, doubled its collections space, added galleries, class rooms, public programming, a curatorial research centerand a 225 seat auditorium and café.

It's more than doubled the amount of its collection (18,000 pieces collected over 150 years) on display and rededicated itself to becoming a cultural anchor for not just the university but the city of Ann Arbor.

Click on the YouTube video below for the unveiling.

Story Courtesy of http://www.concentratemedia.com/

Travel blog visits Detroit, leaves impressed by architecture, music and the people

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Acclaimed travel blog, gadling.com, visits Detroit and does a good job at discovering the city.

Excerpt:

But the Motor City, the land of the Model T, Motown and Madonna (and other famous musicians too numerous to mention) isn't just an empty shell. Nearly a million people still live here, for starters. As startling as its collapse is the fact that the city continues to move on as if things were almost normal. For sure, this is a place of grand ruins, hopeless politicians, monstrous mansions and grinding poverty, but somehow it all just works. Sometimes just barely. Sometimes surprisingly well. There simply isn't any place like it. Not in the Rust Belt, not in the Midwest, not anywhere.

Even as times get tougher, there are so many reasons to drop in on Detroit. You can come for the music, for the art, the bars, the history, the cars. Come for the gambling, or the grand architecture. Don't be surprised, though, if you leave most impressed by the people.

Some of the most genuine folks you'll find anywhere in the country live in Detroit. Sure, the streets may appear mean, but mostly, the people are anything but. So, talk to strangers. Ask them questions about the city. Find out where they like to go drinking. Don't worry about coming off like a crazy person – around here, that can often work to your advantage.

Read the entire article here.

Story Courtesy of http://www.modeldmedia.com/

Kayaks and a King

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:45:56 GMT

I love Lake Michigan, I love history. So I jumped at the chance to go to Beaver Island, the only place in the continental US to have had a king. I ended up falling in love with both the islanders and the island. When we arrived, no one looked askance when we said we wanted to walk the mile or so to our motel. I knew this was my kind of place. A woman saw us hunched over on the ground hunched over and stopped to ask if we were alright. Yes, we told her, we just trying to identify a flower. She said the “toy lady” would know. A few minutes later she came back with the name of the flower. I don’t remember the name, but I remember the kindness. We experienced Lake Michigan in a new way, learning to sit, paddle, and steer a kayak with Ken of Inland Seas. We kayaked to a remote point on the island, ate a picnic, then held our kayaks together and Ken unfurled a big kite. The wind propelled us back to the harbor while we watched the stars come out. We rented a car to see more of this beautiful island. At the south end, visitors can climb the 209 steps of the old lighthouse. Close by there is a sandy beach and swimming in Iron Ore bay. To see how dramatically a beaver dam can affect the surrounding area, we went to Sand Bay and walked the 15 to 20 minute trail over boardwalks to yet another beautiful beach. The trail goes through a marshy land of flowers and ferns (and mud!), some of it in perpetual twilight because of the thick vegetation overhead. We found mention of King Strang throughout the island, and the historical museum has a large exhibit on him. Strang, who founded a Mormon colony here in 1846, declared himself king in 1850. According to legend, he was assassinated by two followers whom he had had horsewhipped. Their offense? Their wives had dared disobey King Strang’s dress code. “We are not sure that is the real reason for the assassination”, Joyce, the museum docent, told us, “but people think it is a good story to tell the tourists”. Whatever the reason, the assassins were regarded as heroes. However, shortly after the deed Mormons were run off Beaver Island. We spent 2 hours talking to Joyce, a wealth of information on island history. Beaver Island- a place of beauty, beaches, history, and wonderful people- we want to go back!

Impression 5

Thu, 29 May 2008 19:05:14 GMT

My granddaughter Dellaunna needed to burn some energy, the weather outside was awful; Impression 5 Museum in Lansing was the perfect solution This is NOT a museum with rules like "Quiet Please" or "Do Not Touch". At this hands-on museum, children use their muscles as well as their minds, and the 5 senses really are all engaged in exploring a myriad of subjects; broadcasting, water, sound, the heart, color, to name a few. There are exhibits for a range of ages. A room for smaller children is furnished with toys such as small slides, a water table, a kid size kitchen, and puzzles. In one corner is a separate, padded area for those not yet walking. Many of the exhibits appeal to a wide range of ages. My husband likes the electric trains downstairs Four year olds have their own way of exploring. Dellaunna was fascinated that she could lift herself off the ground (pictured). Later, she will be interested in the pulley system that made it possible. The facts of air pressure don't interest her yet, but launching the bottle rocket (using air pressure) sure does. For now, she is more interested in making noise than learning the science of musical instruments, but her mom is interested in the science. Impression 5 is a great place for kids to have fun, burn energy, explore, and even learn things. We usually spend about 3 hours there.

Our tour of the State of Michigan

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:07:26 GMT

This August, my husband, Doug and I, along with our three year old daughter, Elizabeth, visited Michigan. We go on a big road trip for 2 weeks every August and try to see new states each year. We are from Southern Missouri, right on the Arkansas line, so we had not seen many northern states. After watching Modern Marvels, on the History Channel, where they build the Mackinac Bridge, my husband suggested we travel to Michigan to see it. I really did not know what to expect, was I pleasantly surprised! Michigan is so beautiful and the summer weather is wonderful. We came in on the south west corner and traveled all the way to the Upper Peninsula. We stopped an had picnics at several of your Roadside Parks, the nicest I have ever seen. We visited the Navel Museum, saw the Lakes, bought cherry pie at a roadside stand, and of course, crossed the Bridge. I can't brag on the Roadside Parks enough! They are all so nice and shady, with nice, clean restrooms. We had the best time picnicing and feeding seagulls. Elizabeth loved feeding the birds and she loved going across the bridge and seeing the Great Lakes, something not many kids from our area have done. I can honestly say that Michigan is one of my favorite places. We will be back! Thanks for the memories! Doug, Michelle, and Elizabeth