State of Michigan Travel Blog | Pure Michigan Connect

Traverse City Summer Getaway Now Live on MyCokeRewards.com

May 16, 2012

In March, we announced an exciting partnership between Pure Michigan and Coca-Cola^®. As a part of this effort, people across the country have the chance to win one of four Pure Michigan vacations through MyCokeRewards.

Today, we’re excited to share that the Traverse City prize package, which includes airfare and travel, is being featured on MyCokeRewards now through June 6^th. Visit MyCokeRewards.com to learn more!

Additional Pure Michigan prize packages include Mackinac Island, Detroit and the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

By teaming up with Coca-Cola^®, Pure Michigan is looking forward to introducing Michigan to new audiences and showcasing what makes our state a terrific travel destination.

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Spot the Pure Michigan Mustang this Summer

May 15, 2012

in Events,Posts by Region

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The Pure Michigan 400 Mustang at the 2012 Tulip Time Festival

Since we announced the Pure Michigan 400 Mustang sweepstakes last month, have you spotted the vehicle on the road?

Starting with the Tulip Time Festival in Holland last week, the custom-made Roush Mustang began making its way around the state. Now through the Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in August, let us know if you spot the car at various Pure Michigan events!

Here are a few places to look out for the Mustang:

Hot Rod Power Tour
What better place for the Pure Michigan Mustang than at the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour? The tour will come to Muskegon on June 3^rd, and will include a performance fair with booths and displays of everything on the car enthusiast’s wish list.

Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
In advance of the Pure Michigan 400, head to the Irish Hills on June 17^th for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400 at Michigan International Speedway. Besides the Mustang, see NASCAR stars, such as former MIS winners Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, who will return to MIS for this action-packed day of side-by-side racing.

International Bridge Walk
On June 30^th, walk one of the most picturesque 2.8 mile walks during the Sault Sainte Marie International Bridge Walk. People of all ages and at all fitness levels are encouraged to take part in this walk to enjoy fantastic views while snapping pictures (maybe one of the Pure Michigan Mustang) that will last a lifetime.

National Cherry Festival
From July 7^th – 14^th, enjoy family fun in Traverse City at the annual National Cherry Festival. Look out for the Pure Michigan Mustang while taking in colorful parades, marching bands, music shows, sporting events, amusement rides and more.

Let us know if you see the Mustang on the road or at events this summer by posting a photo to the Pure Michigan Car Culture Facebook page or tweeting us at the Pure Michigan cars Twitter handle.

For more information on how you can win the custom-made ride, visit michigan.org/mis.

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Artistic Expressions

May 14, 2012

in Events,Fairs & Festivals,Guest Blogger

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Karman Hotchkiss, contributing writer for Michigan Travel Ideas, shares insider tips on how to successfully navigate and get the most out of any art fair this season.

This year, I plan to kick off the art fair season with a one-two punch of festivals—the East Lansing Art Festival and the Michigan State University Arts and Crafts Show. These dual events—across the street from each other in East Lansing—give me a taste of just about every kind of art you can imagine.

As you head to art fairs in your area this summer, here are a couple of tips:

Pack a cheat sheet with measurements and paint colors. My friend Susan doesn’t venture into an art show without her little zipper bag of home data. She knows the exact measurement of that space above the fireplace and has paint chips for her hard-to-match lavender bathroom. So when she falls in love with a painting, vase or rug, she knows if it will fit or match.
Chat with the artists. Art fairs usually put you face-to-face with the creators. What a great way to learn the story behind each piece. At last year’s East Lansing show, I learned delightful details about wood turning from Michigan artist Ted July, whose wooden bowls with bark rims intrigued me. This year, you’ll find him at booth #94.
Don’t miss the kid art. Most festivals sponsor a hands-on area for children and display works from local schools. This is a wonderful place to experience the pure joy of unaffected artistic expression. It might even draw out your inner artist.
Check out companion shows. Wherever there’s a sophisticated juried art show, you can bet there’s probably a grassroots arts and crafts fair nearby. (In East Lansing, a mere boulevard separates the two.) These craftier shows offer plenty of fun, interesting, sometimes more practical finds that complement the work of the professional artists.
Go home with something. If a big piece isn’t in your budget (or won’t fit in the car), you can still go home with a memento. Many artists sell note cards, magnets or other small reproductions of their work. These are a great way to celebrate artistic spirit without spending a lot.

For a listing of art shows in Michigan this summer, please visit michigan.org.

Karman Hotchkiss, a native Midwesterner, is a contributing writer for Michigan Travel Ideas. Every time she attends an art fair, she wants to go home and lock herself in her crafting room for a week.

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Biking in Pure Michigan

May 11, 2012

in Biking,Outdoors

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Did you know that May is National Bike Month? In honor of that, we thought it would be fun to roundup some of Michigan’s bike trails. With more than 1,300 miles of bike trails of Pure Michigan, there are plenty of options to explore.

To learn more about biking in Michigan, visit michigan.org.

Paint Creek Trail
From the City of Rochester north through the City of Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Orion Township, and the Village of Lake Orion, the Paint Creek Trail follows the Paint Creek as it meanders through fields, prairies, woodlands, and marshlands. Approximately 8.9 miles long by 8 feet wide, the trail’s all-weather limestone surface makes it ideal for year-round activity.

Potawatomi Trail
The Pinckney Recreation Area is an ideal destination for picnicking, fishing, boating, and of course – bike riding along the Potawatomi Trail. The area includes modern campsites, rustic camping and backpack camping along the trail, making it the perfect spot for a weekend long adventure.

Bald Mountain Loops
If you’re interested in mountain biking, check out the Bald Mountain Loops at the Bald Mountain Recreation Area. The picturesque park area has some of the steepest hills and most rugged terrain in southeastern Michigan, and includes 15 miles of marked hiking and biking trails.

Copper Harbor Trails
Award-winning Copper Harbor Trails offers a variety of natural obstacles, challenging climbs and fun downhills. Located at the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, riders can enjoy scenic streams, woods and rock bluffs along the trails.

Lakeshore Trail
The Lakeshore Trail offers riders scenery of Lake Michigan, Muskegon Lake, dunes, parks, and the City of Muskegon. The nearly 10 mile, paved Lakeshore Trail is designed to provide users a convenient, relaxing and safe cycling environment, ideal for beginners with plenty of places to park and rest along the trail. The trail also gives riders pedestrian access to historic and maritime attractions, dining venues, lodging options and seasonal festivals.

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From Our Community: Mother’s Day in Pure Michigan

May 10, 2012

in Holiday,Posts by Region

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With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, we asked our Facebook fans to tell us what they think the best way to celebrate with moms in Michigan is. Whether you’re spending the day with mom, friends, family or loved ones, it’s most importantly a day spend time together.

Below are some of our favorite responses. Happy Mother’s Day to all Pure Michigan moms!

“At the Watervale Inn on Lowering Herring Lake. Lovely Mother’s Day dinner which all mothers will adore.” – Cindy Engdahl

“Go to local park and take a walk/play with entire family!” – Julie L Jimkoski-Isabell

“My Mom and I use to head to Saugatuck to see what shops had opened and this weekend the Tulip Time is still going on so lots to see and enjoy. My favorite part if the weather was nice enough was just taking a walk on the beach with her. It was a gift to use both.” – Melissa Craig Derrick

“My Mom and I enjoy going to Frankenmuth for the afternoon – lunch and walking around and shopping ” – Judy Munro

“An ideal mother’s day is if all of my kids can get together with me. A BBQ in the yard and play a game of baseball.” – Ann Momski

“Going to the Grand Rapids Art Museum.” – Dara DeVries

“Heading to the Grand Hotel with Mom and daughter!” – Cheryl Fritze

“Having your kids come home to spend time with me on Mother’s Day. Not doing anything in particular… just spending time.” – Lynne Swietoslawski Stenger

“A breakfast picnic on the beach at South Haven!” – Loreen Hall Atkinson

“Spend more time with your Mothers. That is the best gift EVER!” – Helen Warner

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