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From Our Community: 29 Must-Do Activities in Pure Michigan

February 29, 2012

in East Central,Northeast,Northwest,Posts by Region,Southeast,Southwest,Upper Peninsula,West Central

In honor of Leap Day (February 29th), we asked fans on our Facebook page what they would include on a list of 29 must-do activities in Michigan.

In no particular order, here are 29 of our favorite suggestions. Thanks to everyone who responded!

“Go to Frankenmuth and visit Bronner’s, swim in Lake Michigan” – Robin Lynn Humble
“Visit the Tulip Time Festival in Holland in May.” – Karen Zuverink Heyboer
“Ride across Lake Michigan from Ludington to Wisconsin on the Badger!! Visit House of Flavors in Ludington!” – Becky Davis
“Kayak across Lake Huron to Turnip Rock!!” – Autumn Richards
“Traverse City, the bay, the wineries, cherry festival. Stay at the Cherry Tree Inn.” – Thomas Batzmarowsky
“Sunrise side of the state! Visit the harbors in Lexington and Port Sanilac!” – Marianne Kern
“Watch a U of M vs. MSU game, eat at Zingerman’s, and fall asleep on the lawn in the Diag. You can’t do that anywhere else in the world!!” – Lisa Robinson
“Definitely….Tunnel of Trees just north of Petoskey! ” – Donna Ryan-Shyrock
“Make your own snowshoes at Ludington State Park.” – Kristi Kiki Dunigan
“Visit Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Visit any of our wonderful lighthouses. See Pictured Rocks and Tequamanon Falls. Visit Hartwick Pines.” – Ric Booth
“Climb Sugarloaf Mountain near Marquette on a clear day, and take panoramic photos.” – Lisa Guenther
“Definitely Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!” – Ruth Snyder Wass
“A short drive to Grosse Point Pier. Just beautiful on a sunny day!” – Brian Williams
“Have a cinnamon roll at the Hilltop Restaurant in L’Anse! By the way, this “cinnamon roll” could feed a family of four…..hahaha” – Laurie Napp VanHorn
“Driving on the M-22 Coast!” – Amy Kozlowski Murrin
“Wade in every great lake. I have just one more to go! Lake Ontario!” – Amanda Marie Wilk Ames
“4th of July fireworks show in Bay City. 50th anniversary this year…bigger and better show than ever before!” – Mike Metzler II ‎
“Frankenmuth and of course attend a Wings game!” – Jill Stern
“Keweenaw Peninsula….breathe the cleanest, freshest air in Michigan.” – Christa Larson-Bazzi
“Visit a Michigan winery — yum!” – Julie Dean Wingett
“Go to the Ann Arbor Art Fair. A treat for all the senses.” – Felicity Gologram
“Get your vote in at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids!” – Erin Barkel
“Go to Charlevoix and listen to music in the park” – Noah Muszall
“PLAY GOLF!!!!” – Jason Leonard
“Attend the Woodward Dream Cruise.” – Nancy Perkins
“Tahquamenon Falls! Hike there, snow shoe, ski, snowmobile. Whatever your pleasure you can do it all here in Paradise Michigan!!!” – Laurie Winkler
“Bells Brewery in Kalamazoo!!” – Emily Ferenc Powell
“Lake Michigan sunset.” – Tom Fischer
“Go to Mackinac Island!!! My favorite place in the World!!!” – Susan Senn

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Our 500th Blog Post: Let’s Take a Trip

January 31, 2012

in Northeast,Northwest,Outdoors,Posts by Region

Michigan celebrated a big birthday in January, and this blog’s 500th post gives another great excuse for cake! In honor of the milestone, we looked at roads less traveled and came up with a 500-mile (OK, 504 miles) “Top O’ The Mitten To Ya” road trip that encompasses all the natural beauty and relaxation of Pure Michigan.

Start in Muskegon, home to Michigan’s Adventure Amusement and Waterpark. If the season’s not right for the “Shivering Timbers” rollercoaster (or Muskegon’s 27 miles of beach), explore life as an old-timey lumber baron at the Hackley and Hume Historic Site.

Heading north will lead you to the beaches, trails, lighthouses and dunes of beautiful Ludington, where you (and your car) can cruise Lake Michigan aboard a real steamship. While a honey badger might not care, the S.S. Badger does.

Next, head northeast to Manistee – home to quaint Victorian shops, the world-class Arcadia Bluffs golf course and Little River Casino. Manistee County is also one of the best places in the world for rainbow trout and salmon fishing.

Again heading north, stop in at the Sleeping Bear Dunes Natural Lakeshore. Encompassing 35 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Sleeping Bear Lakeshore is also home to an 1871 lighthouse and an extensive rural historic farm district.

Now, head east, with a quick detour north to the wine country of Suttons Bay. You won’t find a parking meter or stoplight, but you will find art, antiques and Ciccone Vineyard & Winery, owned by the family of a little-known entertainer by the name of Madonna.

Head south again for Traverse City. Grand Traverse Bay is a four-season destination, featuring 180 miles of sugar sand shoreline and extensive snowmobile and ski trails. Chances are good you’ll find cherry everything, among other delicious eats.

Continue northeast towards Charlevoix, where you can catch a ride on the Beaver Island Ferry and Petoskey, known for its fresh air, historic architecture and lending its name to Michigan’s state stone.

From Petoskey, head south towards the charming Alpine delights of Gaylord, and Grayling, for canoeing, kayaking, fishing on the AuSable and Manistee rivers, and snowboarding, sledding and ice skating in the winter. Grayling is even a great place for downhill skiing.

Head southwest towards the Traverse City Forest, and on to Cadillac. In the winter, Cadillac offers 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and 34 downhill ski runs with over 485 feet of vertical drop. Year-round, Cadillac offers 90,000 acres of state and national forest.

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and this trip winds down in Big Rapids. One of Michigan’s better-kept secrets, Big Rapids offers swimming in the summer, gorgeous color in the fall, snowshoe trekking in the winter and lakefront picnic ground in the spring.

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Pure Michigan Holiday Tree Lightings

November 11, 2011

in East Central,Events,Holiday,Northeast,Northwest,Posts by Region,Southeast,Southwest,Upper Peninsula,West Central

Photo by Valerie Hoffman

Today, nothing evokes the holiday spirit quite like a brightly-lit tree, but light wasn’t part of the original concept. The celebratory tree tradition traces all the way back to decidedly low-tech 15th century Germany. The first instance of decorative light – in the form of wax candles – wasn’t recorded for another 300 years.

Candle-lit holiday trees took off as an American tradition after 1850, when a drawing of Queen Victoria’s “Christmas Tree” appeared in Philadelphia’s “Godey’s Lady’s Book.” Electric lights became a popular trimming after President Coolidge flipped the switch on the first “National Christmas Tree” in 1923.

If you can’t make it to Washington for the lighting of the 89th National Christmas Tree this December 1, there are plenty of towns across Michigan hosting their own tree lighting ceremonies this month and next. The list below likely includes a celebration near you.

Grand Haven Light Night
November 18, Grand Haven
Enjoy downtown Grand Haven as the lights begin to turn on in the trees for the first time in the holiday season. Participating stores will be holding their holiday open houses with excellent ideas for everyone on your holiday list.

Silver Bells in the City
November 18, Lansing
Celebrate the season with 80,000 attendees of downtown Lansing’s annual electric light parade, including the lighting of Michigan’s official Christmas tree and a beautiful fireworks display cascading over the capitol dome.

Christmas in the Village
November 18 – 19, Manchester
This Manchester event features horse-drawn wagon rides, a parade, Santa greetings, a bake sale, and the annual Christmas tree lighting.

Frankenmuth Holiday Celebration & Candlewalk
November 25, Frankenmuth
The perfect way to start the Christmas season. Hot chocolate and cookies at 6pm. Candlewalk from the River Place to the Chamber Platz for the lighting of the Tannenbaum. Santa will be in the Pavilion from 6:30-8:30pm on Friday, November 25.

Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting
November 25, Plymouth
Santa arrives in Kellogg Park, November 25 at 5:40pm with a Christmas carol sing-a-long and tree lighting to follow. After caroling, Santa will be escorted to his house.

Au Gres Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade
November 26, Au Gres
The tree lighting starts at 5:45 pm, followed by Christmas Parade at 6. The parade ends at Au Gres City Pavilion, on North Main Street with hot chocolate and Santa visits!

Family Christmas – Muskegon
November 26, Muskegon
Hackley Park hosts the Muskegon tree lighting on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Santa will be there, and hot chocolate and hot dogs available for purchase.

Festival of Lights
November 26, Pentwater
Pentwater is decorated for the season with shopping, dining, carolers, music, chestnuts roasting, horse drawn carriage rides and other fun scheduled throughout the day. The Pentwater tree lighting and Santa’s arrival takes place on the Village Green at 5 pm.

Santa’s Arrival and Courthouse Lighting
November 29, Midland
Santa’s arrival parade starts at the Tridge at 7:00 pm, followed by the Courthouse lighting ceremony and the opening of Santa’s magical house on Main Street.

Les Cheneaux Old Fashion Christmas
November 25 – December 4, Les Cheneaux
Tree lightings take place on the 25th and 26th, with the Les Cheneaux Holiday Arts and Crafts Bazaar on November 26.

Goodrich’s Downtown Christmas
December 1, Goodrich
The Goodrich tree lighting ceremony includes Santa, choirs, carol singing and the reading of the Christmas story. Throughout the downtown area there will be street vendors, music and more.

Santa’s Arrival in Traverse City
December 2, Traverse City
Santa will join the carols, receive the key to his house from the Traverse City Mayor and then help light the tree at 6 pm, before spending the rest of the evening (6-8 pm) visiting the little ones at his holiday house across at Cass and Front Streets.

Cadillac’s Downtown Storybook Christmas
December 2 – 3, Cadillac
Downtown Cadillac will bustle with activity all weekend. Enjoy store specials, holiday menus and Santa’s arrival before Christmas trees are lit around the lake front.

Victorian Sleigh Bell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend – Manistee
December 1 – 4, Manistee
The Festival of Trees follows an authentic Victorian parade complete with period costumes and horse-drawn units.

Lexington Christmas Tree Lighting & Merchant Candle Walk
December 3, Lexington
Join in the Lexington Christmas Tree Lighting and merchant Candle Walk. Santa arrives at 7 pm, followed by a sing along, trolley rides and more.

Circle of Trees – North Muskegon
December 4, Muskegon
Walker Park in North Muskegon hosts the annual Circle of Trees, including a lighting ceremony, dog parade and community carol sing-a-long.

The Big, Bright Light Show – Rochester
November 28, 2011 – January 1, 2012, Rochester
All the buildings on Main Street from the south bridge to Romeo Rd. will be covered in over a million points of light, along with East and West Fourth Street. Also, there will be large, lighted displays on Walnut from Third to University, The Dazzling Tree of Lights at the Depot Plaza (E. University & Water), and The Snowflake Spectacular on the Western Knitting Mill on Water Street.

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Guest Post: Quiet Places in The Most Beautiful Place in America

October 13, 2011

in Guest Blogger,Northwest,Outdoors

Many people are aware that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was recently voted the Most Beautiful Place in America on ABC’s “Good Morning America” show. But besides the obvious beauty of the dunes, there are some lesser-known parts of the park well worth exploring. I recently explored some of these and wanted to share them with you.

If you enjoy solitude with your beauty, there are several less-traveled parts of the park that enjoy the same great beaches or sand dunes of the busier areas. I discovered a very secluded beach at the end of Peterson Road. This road is a gravel and dirt road in the park that is located just about opposite the end of Benzie County 708 at highway M-22, just north of the busy Platte River area. Out at the end of the road is a beautiful beach with few people! If you’re staying at the Platte River Campground, you can even hike out to this beach; it’s less than 1.5 miles away.

Another pleasant place is Esch Road Beach, where Otter Creek empties into Lake Michigan. This stream is much smaller than the Platte River and consequently it’s not crowded with tubers, canoeists and other watercraft. But at the beach, it’s still a fun stream flowing into the lake, complete with a sandbar to wade on. And just like the Platte River, Otter Creek is a warm water creek that contrasts nicely with the cold water of Lake Michigan where they merge. This spot is located at the end of Esch Road; turn west off highway M-22. Besides the beach, there is a trail system so you can hike to Otter Lake and other small lakes. Maybe the creek’s namesake river otter are up there, or maybe beaver.

Whether you’re hiking or driving through Sleeping Bear Dunes, make sure to enjoy the wildflowers. There is a constantly changing seasonal display, with big white trillium blossoms covering whole hillsides in the early spring, or bright red cardinal flower patches in the marshes in late summer. Field areas in midsummer have purple milkweed and orange butterfly weed, both providing chances to watch butterflies as a bonus.

Of course you’re here to see the dunes too and there are some quiet spots with vistas to rival any along the busy Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. You won’t see these other dunes from your car though; you’ll have to hike a bit. The area at the end of Peterson Road that I mentioned earlier has one such scenic outlook. Two others can be accessed from here also. One is a hike of about a half mile west, and the other is about 1.2 miles east. But if you enjoy your viewing away from the crowds, these are good locations. I hope you’ve enjoyed discovering some of Sleeping Bear Dune’s hidden gems as much as I did!

Donald Dale Milne is a former traffic engineering technician and currently makes maps for county road commissions and others. He loves to travel, especially enjoying hiking the woods. He is currently writing a travel blog at http://www.roadtrip62.com/, where he discusses travel in the context of the year 1962.

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Fall for a Pure Michigan Road Trip

October 10, 2011

in East Central,Events,Northeast,Northwest,Posts by Region,Southeast,Southwest,Upper Peninsula,West Central

The leaves are changing in the Great Lakes State, which can mean only one thing: Fall is here in Pure Michigan!

Now is the perfect time to hit the road and marvel at Michigan second-to-none annual color show of reds, golds, oranges and yellows splashed across the state. No matter where you are in Michigan you’re never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake, and with so many other natural and man-made wonders, from waterfalls to museums, it’s easy to plan a fun-filled road trip that is Pure Michigan.

Take a cruise down these fall color driving routes that follow winding, two-lane roads to scenic spots, historic sites, small towns and recreation areas around the state. Bring the binoculars to wildlife viewing areas along the way, like Pigeon River Country State Forest – home to the largest free-roaming elk herd east of the Mississippi – or venture to the Upper Peninsula to catch a glimpse of free-ranging moose.
For those a little less adventures, there are numerous historic covered bridges throughout the state, including White’s Covered Bridge over the Flat River in Ionia County that dates back to 1867. Don’t forget to plan a shoreline tour to see some of Michigan’s 115 Great Lakes lights and lighthouses; you can even stay at a choice of lighthouse Bed & Breakfast inns overlooking Lake Superior.

While you’re on the road, make sure to stop along the way and taste the many flavors that Pure Michigan has to offer. From cider mills, wineries, artisan breweries, and foodie tours, Michigan has something to please every palate. Microbrew enthusiasts will want to be sure to check out the Detroit Fall Beer Festival at the city’s Eastern Market on Oct. 22, and wine lovers won’t want to miss The Round Barn Winery’s Jammin’ in the Vineyard each Saturday and Sunday through October.

For more events and activities, visit michigan.org and sign up for the free Pure Michigan eNewsletter for updates on fall colors, festivals and events, special promotions, and more.

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