Discover What’s New in Pure Michigan in 2019

Release Date

 

New Attractions and Things To Do

ADVENTURE & OUTDOOR RECREATION

  • Kayak Flint services will open May 3, 2019, for a full run through the end of October. The livery will operate Friday through Sunday, weather permitting, offering kayak rentals and shuttling to visitors.
  • The original Imagination Station in Grand Haven was taken down and replaced by the community funded and volunteer-built Imagination Station 2.0. The new durable and accessible play-space is a place both children and parents can enjoy.
  • Ludington installed a temporary ice skating rink at James Street Plaza downtown open to the public to skate through March. While skating is free, participants need to supply their own skates.
  • The Friends of Ludington State Park group built a universally accessible playground at Hamlin Lake beach, the first new playground in the park in fifty years. Built on a poured-in-place rubber surface, the playground has ADA-accessible ramps to the first level and accommodates to those with sensory impairments.
  • Opening in spring 2019, the Arcadia Marsh Universal Access (UA) trail built by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (following the new UA Overlook Trail at Arcadia Dunes) is three-quarter miles long with an accessible boardwalk that allows visitors to easily explore the marsh.
  • Pilgrim Haven Park, located just north of Van Buren State Park, has a new a one-third mile of easy trail through woods and meadows that leads to Lake Michigan overlooks and barrier-free, paved access to the beach.
  • Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens features 54 acres that include woodlands, ponds, an apple orchard, meadows and a stream. Guests of all ages and abilities are immersed in the forest on the nation’s longest canopy walk that is 1,400 feet long and soars up to 40 feet above the ground.
  • The City of Jackson has announced the construction of the city’s first disc golf course located in Ella Sharp Park.
  • The community in Alpena opened a new outdoor ice skating rink at Bay View Park that is free to all and nearby coffee shops and retail stores downtown.
  • St. Anthony’s Pocket Park offers picturesque views of St. Anthony’s Rock, a sea stack common in the straits area. Nestled in the middle of downtown St. Ignace, visitors can enjoy their coffee or ice cream at a picnic table while taking a rest from walking downtown.
  • A new bicycle repair station quietly debuted at the British Landing Nature Center on Mackinac Island last summer. This station has an air pump and tools necessary for small bike repairs and is 100% free of charge. 
  • The “Sounds of the Forest” interpretive stop on the Evergreen Hiking Trail in Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park allows guests to be immersed in the varying sounds of the forest on Mackinac Island, including wildlife and man-made sounds.

EVENTS & SPORTS

  • The Ultimate Hunting Expo (March 15, 2019) has moved to the Ellison Place in Gaylord. This event bills itself as “the largest collection of hunting and fishing exhibits ever assembled under one roof in northern Michigan.”
  • Gaylord has been selected as a host city for the Back to the Bricks Promo Tour (June 10, 2019). Main Street will close down to host the show, which will bring in approximately 300-350 classic cars.
  • Bay City’s Rockin’ on the River boat races (July 13-14, 2019), formerly called the River Roar, will return in 2019. The races will take place at Veterans Memorial Park and Wenonah Park on the riverfront.
  • The Michigan Snowmobile Festival (February 23, 2019) has undergone some changes and will now be a one-day event centered on riding! There is no cost to register for Michigan’s Richest Snowmobile Fun Run, and riders will stop at five Gaylord locations to be entered for prize drawings. 
  • Bay City will be a host port for the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® (July 18-21, 2019), a series of races and rallies organized by TALL SHIPS AMERICA. In 2019, Bay City celebrates eighteen years of award-winning maritime festivals and has been awarded the coveted “Port of the Year” four times by TALL SHIPS AMERICA – more than any other host port in all of North America.
  • The Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (July 17-20, 2019) will debut at Midland Country Club this year and is an official LPGA Tour event. This week-long tournament will feature the world’s best female golfers competing in a 72-hole, team event and family-friendly activities for fans to participate in. 
  • Michigan’s new and only professional soccer team, Lansing Ignite, will kick off their inaugural season in spring of 2019 as a part of USL League One. Secure your seats for the hottest sport in the world at Cooley Law School Stadium.
  • Flint will relaunch the successful and historic USL League Two soccer team, the Flint City Bucks (formerly known as the Mid-Michigan Bucks of Saginaw), this year. The team will play at Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium near downtown Flint. 
  • Located in downtown Ludington, the Soup-er Bowl (February 2, 2019) is a new, free event that offers a fun way to warm up in the winter by visiting downtown merchants for soup samples. Grab a ballot and vote on your favorite for a chance to win a prize.
  • The South Course, the ninth golf course in Manistee County, is an 18-hole, 310-acre course off of M-22, 1.5 miles south of Arcadia Bluffs. Constructed on an old orchard with 60 feet of elevation change, the South Course is an enjoyable experience with world-class conditions that golfers expect at Arcadia.
  • The City of Manistee celebrates its sesquicentennial in 2019 – 150 years from its founding date of March 15, 1869 – when it was a lumber boomtown. Numerous events are planned throughout the year (see below), as well as an original play performed by the local high school, historic trolley and walking tours, classic movie events and a presentation at the Vogue Theatre.
  • LaborFest (September 31, 2019) celebrates the Manistee County region’s rich industrial history and the laborers who support the salt, lumber and sand industries. The festival features bands, kids’ games, food trucks and a parade. 
  • The Three Stacks Music Festival (June 22, 2019) will feature an outdoor stage with live music mixed with activations and pop-up performances throughout REO Town. The event will also showcase REO Town-based culinary experiences, Lansing-area food trucks, Michigan’s booming craft beer scene and a selection of local artists and crafters.
  • The city of South Haven is celebrating 150 years in 2019. Check out southhaven.org/150 to learn about the city’s history and upcoming events to celebrate this milestone.
  • Now combined with Harborfest in South Haven, Mermaid MegaFest (June 14-15, 2019) is where mermaids and mermen gather for an event of imagination, science and family-fun through the wonder of mermaid folklore.
  • Celebrate Michigan State Parks’ 100th anniversary at Ludington State Park’s Centennial Celebration Day (May 11, 2019), featuring a park history walk and a Civilian Conservation Corps History program. The history program, as well as a display of tools and photographs, will be held on the upper level of the Lake Michigan Beach House.
  • The second annual Minnehaha Brewhaha Music Festival (August 31, 2019) is a local Michigan craft beer tasting and music festival will take place in Arcadia.
  • The West Michigan B&B Christmas Cookie Tour (December 6-7 and 13-14, 2019) is a weekend event that celebrates the joy of baking during the holiday season. Visitors can stop at 10 bed and breakfasts and gather Christmas goodies to take home. The package includes a two-night stay at a participating B&B. Tickets not connected to an overnight stay will be available.
  • Ludington will hold a Guinness World Record-Breaking Attempt (June 8, 2019) by hosting the World’s Largest Dessert Party, featuring desserts from downtown Ludington. The first 4,999 people at the event will receive free dessert and be part of the record.
  • Historic White Pine Village’s Pioneer Christmas event (December 14, 2019) in Ludington is where visitors can memorialize Christmas as it was celebrated more than 125 years ago. Decorated in true pioneer Christmas fashion, enjoy hearing caroling and music and join in for sleigh rides and sledding. 
  • MINI on the Mack (August 3, 2019) will be back again this year with a new twist: the Cheeseburger in Paradise themed after party on the marina is changing to the Brews and Blues Festival. This celebration will feature more than a dozen Michigan craft breweries with dancing under twinkle lit canopies at the marina.
  • Celebrate the holidays in St. Ignace at Christmastime. This tradition includes a tree lighting, hot cocoa and snacks, visits with Santa and evening parade with floats and Christmas lights. Enjoy downtown shopping and holiday specials as well.
  • The St. Ignace Car Show Weekend will be expanded to 4 days this year, with Antiques on the Bay moving to the Thursday of the big show. Awards are moving to Sunday morning and Saturday will conclude the event with a Mackinac Bridge World Record Crossing attempt with hot rods galore.
  • Mackinac State Historic Parks will offer a special themed weekend every month during the season with evolving and changing programs. The themes for 2019 include “Rendezvous at the Straits: Voyageur Culture” in June, “Pastimes in Times Past: Fun and Games” in July, “Gardens and Good Things to Eat” in August and more.

ARTS & CULTURE

  • Located in Duck Park in Alpena, the Departure of the Great Blue Herons sculpture by Iron One Studio is made of raw steel, burnished stainless steel, concrete and stone.
  • Alpena’s History of the Industry Sculpture Series, depicting the history of the city’s industries, can be viewed along the Alpena Bi-Path by the Thunder Bay River. The series includes a hand-forged, historic high-wheel bicycle made of steel and copper.
  • In a collaborative effort to put world-class art in public spaces, Flint neighborhood murals are bringing international artists to the area. Recent additions include a bookshelf mural along the side of Totem Books.
  • This Spring, a mural depicting the history of south Jackson will go up on the Martin Luther Equality Trail near Francis Street. The mural will depict prominent leaders, historical places in the community and the youth of Jackson.
  • Hamilton is coming to the Wharton Center for Performing Arts (May 14-June 2, 2019). Based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton, this award-winning musical features book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical direction and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.
  • Lansing’s African American Heritage Trail is as old as the city itself. Lansing’s first African American resident of record is James Little, a freed slave from New York state. Little came to Lansing in 1847 (the year of the city’s founding) and started a farm.
  • The Comedy Project is a comedy and cocktails theater in the Grand Rapids’ westside business district. The theater will host improv, sketch, comedy variety shows, a comedy training center and private event hosting.
  • The Port of Ludington Maritime Museum will be opening the new "Coast Guard Ludington: Seventy Years of Service” exhibit that explores the personnel of Coast Guard Station Ludington over the 70 years. Visitors will also hear memories of Coast Guardsmen who served at Station Ludington and children can join a hands-on activity to learn the meaning of signal flags.
  • The Ludington Area Center for the Arts will be hosting their “An Intimate Evening with…” series the second Thursday of each month through March 2019. Listen to new performers and artists as they demonstrate their craft and share an open dialogue with audience members.
  • Hardy Hall at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is being reconstructed with a new look to re-open next spring as the Hardy Hall Art Gallery, a space featuring rotating exhibits throughout the year with four planned for 2019 already.
  • Vogue Theatre of Manistee will be showing the Port City Documentary Series on the last Tuesday of every month. This new series brings the biggest and the best in documentary films to Manistee to enjoy in this historic, 1938-era Art Deco movie theatre with state-of-the-art sound.
  • The Mackinac Island Artist-in-Residence program will debut in 2019. The resident artist will provide at least two public workshops during the residency, as well as a piece for the Mackinac State Historic Parks collection.
  • New exhibits will debut at Fort Mackinac. The renovated Office exhibit will feature updated period settings and new gallery spaces interpreting the training and duties of the fort’s officers. The new North Blockhouse exhibit plunges visitors into an immersive, multimedia presentation, allowing them to step back in time to the War of 1812 and experience the drama of the British capture of Fort Mackinac.
  • A different year will be interpreted at Colonial Michilimackinac. This year, visitors are stepping back in time to 1776, when the American Revolution spread. The “Michilimackinac 1776: First Strike Program” will also be debuting this season and a new interactive space in the barracks will allow visitors to experience the lives of British soldiers in the 1770s.

SHOPPING

TOURS & CLASSES

  • The Keweenaw Adventure Company, located on the shores of Lake Superior on the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, is now offering Beginner Mountain Bike Tours. These tours will traverse three miles of new, Easy Rated trails at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.
  • Goat Yoga Michigan is part yoga and part animal-assisted therapy. Located at Williamston’s scenic Hilltop Views Farm, Goat Yoga is home to smart, social and profoundly loving goats that join students during their yoga class.
  • Demented Mitten Tours is a Mid-Michigan's premier true crime and paranormal touring company. Specializing in the weird and macabre, the tours run from March through October and take participants to historically notorious and rumored haunted locations.
  • Based out of Portage Lake in Onekama, Inn Fun Cruises provides day and sunset private cruises along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Tours include light snacks and beverages and can be customized for a better vacation experience.
  • Kat’s Art School opened in Brooklyn, offering classes in painting, drawing and more to both children and adults.
  • The new MSU Broad Art Lab pilot project welcomes visitors to experiment by breaking outside the confines of the museum walls. This laboratory in East Lansing houses exhibitions, workshops, events and social gatherings for individual and collective interactions with art and culture.
  • Sandcastles Children’s Museum in Ludington will offer four STEM classes geared for ages 5-8 and 8-14. Courses include digital photography, Photoshop, stop motion video production and chroma key/green screen video production.
  • New and updated tours and demonstrations at Fort Mackinac for the 2019 season include a “People of Fort Mackinac” walking tour, a “Women of the Fort” walking tour and a Bayonet Drill Demonstration.
  • Natural history presentations followed by guided hikes through Historic Mill Creek State Park will take place daily during the main season. These hikes will be led by trained Naturalists and will be unique to the individual leading it, so a different experience can be expected each time.

MORE ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO

  • Studio Park will house the Studio C Listening Room and nine-screen Studio C movie theatre, as well as multiple restaurants, a four-star hotel, retail spaces and a large piazza that will be programmed year-round and serve as a central gathering spot.
  • The new Tom Izzo Hall of History (via the Gilbert Pavilion), located at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center, celebrates the heritage of Michigan State University’s unique basketball program through videos, photos, trophies, player information and more.
  • Bull’s Eye Axe Throwing (BEAT) is Lansing’s only indoor axe throwing venue. Whether you are a first timer looking to try axe throwing, an experienced timber sports veteran who wants to practice their skills or a competitor in our leagues, BEAT is your spot.
  • The new Escapology experience at Spare Time Entertainment Center in Lansing is fun for the whole family with four different escape rooms to choose from. Spare Time also offers over 30 lanes of bowling, a great arcade, bumper cars and sand volleyball.
  • Planet 3 Extreme in Flint Township offers over 15,000 square feet of indoor, interconnected trampolines. The brand-new facility features activities like Extreme Dodgeball, trapeze, launchpads, foam pits, dunk zones, a battle beam and a state-of-the-art ninja obstacle course
  • G&D Alpaca Farm & Deb’s Boutique is a new petting zoo and specialty shop that is home to male, female and baby alpacas. Deb’s Boutique is a seasonal shop that sells alpaca yarn and other local goods.
  • The new Escape Room located in the basement of the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee will feature a story of an old, disgruntled vaudeville actor from the 1930s. More details will be released soon.
  • A webcam is scheduled to be installed by the City Elk Park in Gaylord so elk herd can be viewed online at all times. A link will be available on the Gaylord Tourism Bureau’s website as soon as it is up and running.
  • Fenton’s new family-friendly Ninja warrior gym, Tri County Ninja, offers the ultimate playground where guests can go head-to-head with their closest friends or fiercest rivals. This new gym offers personal trainers, group classes, team building, parties and an open gym.
  • The St. Ignace Trolley Company offers convenient transportation in Downtown St. Ignace. With a $1 fee to ride anywhere throughout town, historical commentary is also available while onboard.
  • New escape games at Intrigue Escape Games​ in Downtown Mt. Pleasant feature a mix of classic and high-tech puzzles.

 

New to Eat and Drink

RESTAURANTS, CAFES & BAKERIES

BREWERIES

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Expansions and Improvements

FOOD & DRINK

  • Iron Fish Distillery, a “soil-to-spirits” distillery in Thompsonville, has added a new kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven. Now, visitors can enjoy a delicious pizza in addition to a hand-crafted cocktail.
  • Flint’s original Starlite Coney Island, which opened in 1966, is set to expand with new locations in Burton and Clio.
  • Halo Burger, a hamburger chain that originated in Flint back in 1923, is now serving breakfast for the first time in nearly a decade. Breakfast items are only being sold at their Saginaw Street, downtown Flint location, but will be available at all Flint & Genesee locations by the end of January 2019.
  • Two downtown businesses in Gaylord, Snowbelt Brewing Company and the Iron Pig Smokehouse, were able to expand their establishments late in the fall. They now both have more seating (indoor and outdoor), extra room for entertainment and can host parties, meetings or events. 
  • Taco 'Bout It Mexican Fusion is a family-owned, authentic Mexican and fusion food business started as a food truck and is opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the heart of Manistee in March 2019.
  • The Mackinac Grille restaurant in St. Ignace has added an authentic double-decker bus to their property and converted it into the Mackinac Double Decker Ice Cream shop.
  • The Cellar, located on the lower level of upscale bistro Table 14 in Ludington, is an intimate space available for private parties, dinners, business meetings and tastings. It shares the same aesthetic as the upstairs dining room, features a staffed private bar and seats up to 34 people. 
  • Ponder Coffee Company in Mt. Pleasant has opened a second location with extended hours near Central Michigan University’s campus. Coffee lovers can now enjoy the uniquely roasted beans at both locations in Mt. Pleasant.
  • Mitchell’s Gourmet Deli & Market of Shepherd has expanded and has a new location in Mt. Pleasant. Mitchell’s offers signature sandwiches, hand tossed pizzas, fresh Amish meats and cheeses and a growing selection of unique Michigan-made products.
  • The Only Cannoli, an Italian pastry shop in Muskegon, will open its first brick-and-mortar storefront.

HOTELS & RESORTS

  • Located in St. Clair, the St. Clair Inn is slated for reopening in 2019 after the completion of its large-scale restoration.
  • Vitek’s is under new ownership and has been renamed the Firehouse Inn. Check out this quaint motel on your next stop through St. Ignace.
  • The Cadillac House in Lexington has been remodeled to its 1800s splendor.
  • The historical Harrington Inn in Port Huron has been purchased and is currently being updated. The inn will reopen as a hotel in late 2019.
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Flint/Grand Blanc, on Rashelle Drive, Flint, will go through a renovation that is scheduled to be complete in December 2019. They are also celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2019.
  • The Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Grand Blanc is working on renovations, which should be completed in 2019.
  • The Hobby Crest Resort in Ludington has re-opened under new management. Seven cottages have been renovated and restored, each offering a unique theme with beautiful lakefront views. This quaint, family-owned resort has been open since 1938 on Hamlin Lake.
  • The Gaylord Inn, formerly the Holiday Inn, underwent an extensive remodeling project and will become a Best Western in 2019.
  • Renovations are underway at the Holiday Inn Muskegon-Harbor in Downtown Muskegon that will transform the hotel into an "upper upscale" Delta by Marriott.

PARKS & OUTDOOR RECREATION

  • Manistee County’s Explore the Shores Program, a network of sites providing barrier-free access to recreation and fishing, is expanding its universal accessibility in Magoon Creek Natural Area and Bear Lake.
  • The Iron Belle Trail expansion in Gaylord will be complete in 2019. When fully completed, this trail will run all the way from Belle Isle near Detroit to Iron Mountain in the Upper Peninsula.  This trail will also connect to the North Central State Trail, which currently runs from Gaylord to Mackinaw City. 
  • Once the snow melts, work will begin on the new trailhead located in downtown Gaylord as well. Scheduled for completion in Fall 2019, this trailhead will be available to bicyclists, snowmobilers and hikers utilizing the North Central State Trail and the Iron Belle Trail extension.
  • The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is expanding Ludington State Park, one of Michigan’s most popular state parks, by 100 acres. The new acreage includes 60 acres of pristine sand dunes as well as wetlands and forests. A public planning process will be established in 2019 to determine how to use the new property.
  • The Mason County Cultural Trails provide an interactive experience for visitors to celebrate Mason County’s heritage, culture and environment. Visitors can scan a QR code or dial a phone number to hear stories at each stop along the trail. Three new trails have been added, which include the Maritime Heritage Trail (coming soon), Sculpture Trail and Music Trail.
  • The Black River Park and Boat Launch in South Haven has undergone improvements and now has a universally accessible kayak launch.
  • New softball fields are scheduled for construction at Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace, allowing more tournaments to come to the area.
  • The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy in Mt. Pleasant has been hard-at-work. They have restored and built new trails and have created various opportunities for passive recreation, including, hiking, birding, trail running and fishing.

MORE EXPANSIONS & IMPROVEMENTS

  • A new expansion project at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will include a new welcome center, covenant learning center, transportation center for the outdoor tram tours, expanded and upgraded amphitheater and more. It is planned to be completed in 2021.
  • The Frankenmuth Cheese Haus has moved to a two-story building that offers more room for product and demonstrations. The new location will offer an array of cheeses, as well as wine and beer tastings. The second-floor hospitality area will be able to accommodate groups, motor coach travelers and special events.
  • The Lucile and George Heeringa Civic Center, formerly known as the Holland Civic Center, recently underwent a renovation. The newly refurbished venue can now host larger concerts and receptions, sporting events and meetings. 
  • The Hurst Planetarium at the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History now has new seats and shows in 2019.
  • Ludington Area Center for the Arts recently completed a sound system upgrade to the performance hall that will enhance visitors’ concert-going experiences. The performance hall also will get a seating upgrade and is creating a new workspace for pottery and fused glass.
  • The Sandcastles Children’s Museum will begin renovating its third floor in January for the construction of a new exhibit that will explore big equipment, bridge building and more with an educational focus on science, technology, engineering and math.
  • The Mason & Oceana Railroad Locomotive exhibit at Historic White Pine Village is expanding in summer 2019. Featuring a 1924 locomotive, this summer a flat car with logs will be added to demonstrate the railroad’s original purpose of hauling logs from Mason County woods to lumber mills in Buttersville.
  • The Port of Ludington Maritime Museum will debut the third expansion of its Lumbering Days on Pere Marquette Lake exhibit designed around the 100-foot panorama painting by businessman, artist and historian, Jacob Lunde. The expansion will explore Ludington's lumbering era and industries in greater depth.
  • The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History is opening in their new location in April 2019. Visit the museum to not only learn about the past, but also the future with features and exhibits showcasing the latest scientific research.
  • The Jackson School of the Arts is relocating to the iconic Masonic Temple in Downtown Jackson with renovations on the building expected to be completed in Fall 2019.
  • Flint’s Capitol Theater will be updated with a mechanized orchestra pit lift. The new equipment will effectively and efficiently provide more flexible configurations for a variety of performances at the Capitol, which re-opened in 2017.  
  • A new Kettering University gateway can be seen on the corner of Chevrolet Avenue and Glenwood Avenue to welcome guests to campus.
  • Renovations to Grand Haven’s lighthouses and south pier have been completed with the catwalk scheduled to be reinstalled in Spring 2019.
  • PohlCat Golf Course in Mt. Pleasant has a newly renovated banquet facility that seats up to 300 guests and is a perfect location for weddings and corporate events.
  • Formerly known as Mt. Pleasant Hot Yoga, Yoga on Main offers alignment-based vinyasa yoga in a heated room. The studio now offers massages, non-hot yoga classes and holiday drop-in classes.
  • Downtown Muskegon’s L.C. Walker Arena recently underwent renovations that include expansions like a pavilion, beer garden, “kid zone,” party decks, executive suites with private seating and more.

 

New in Lodging and Meetings

  • CityFlatsHotel in Port Huron is scheduled to open in the summer of 2019. This new hotel will feature 36 boutique hotel rooms, a ballroom and indoor and outdoor restaurants.
  • The Inn On Water Street in the historic Marine City is now open. At this boutique hotel, guests can enjoy picturesque views, dining at The Inn Kitchen and the attractions and unique retail shops of Marine City.
  • A new Fairfield Inn & Suites in Flint/Grand Blanc opened in early December. Located in Grand Blanc off I-75 and Holly Road, this new build offers 97 rooms and suites, meeting space and limited food service.
  • A new Hyatt Place hotel will open in the Flint/Grand Blanc area in August 2019 and is being built at US-23 and Hill Road.
  • A new AC Hotel by Marriott, which features a combination of European design and comfort, is expected to open in May 2019 in Downtown Grand Rapids.
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton in Downtown Grand Rapids will offer 250 modern suites and is expected to open in May 2019.
  • A new Hampton Inn & Suites in Grandville, just fifteen minutes from Downtown Grand Rapids, is expected to open February 14, 2019, with 101 rooms.
  • Home2 Suites Grand Rapids North by Hilton is only twelve miles from Gerald R. Ford International Airport, pet-friendly and close to shopping, dining and entertainment options. The hotel is scheduled to open April 2019.
  • A new Hyatt Place with stylish rooms and suites and 24-hour dining will be coming to Downtown Grand Rapids. The hotel is expected to open in November 2019.
  • The new TRU by Hilton hotel is just a few minutes away from Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids and nearby shopping, dining and attractions in Kentwood.
  • Midland will be home to a new Fairfield Inn & Suites that is expected to open summer 2019.
  • A new Home2 Suites by Hilton in Holland is an extended stay hotel close to the beaches of Lake Michigan, Holland State Park and downtown dining and retail.
  • Expected to open in Holland in fall 2019, Springhill Suites by Marriot is a modern, all-suite hotel.
  • Staybridge Suites by IHG will be opening fall 2019, offering visitors spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens, free laundry services and more.
  • Jackson’s new Townplace Suites by Marriott accommodates both extended stays and short-term visits and is near attractions like Falling Waters Trail, Jackson Crossing Mall and downtown Jackson.
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Okemos is located just minutes away from Michigan State University's Campus and the MSU Pavilion. With 112 rooms, this hotel also has access to local shuttle services to businesses, restaurants, shopping centers and MSU Campus.
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton is a beautiful all-suites hotel located in Lansing’s Eastwood Towne Centre, featuring spacious rooms that are ideal for business travelers, families, leisure and extended stay guests. The new hotel is near Frandor, downtown Lansing and a short drive from Michigan State University.
  • Located in Williamston, The Willowicke Inn Bed and Breakfast is a beautiful country estate complete with five lovely guest rooms, picturesque barns and curious Llamas. The old farmhouse was built in 1905.
  • The new SpringHill Suites by Marriot in East Lansing is conveniently located near Michigan State University, Breslin Center, Spartan Stadium and other attractions in East Lansing and Downtown Lansing.
  • A Hilton Garden Inn will be opening in Lansing with 125 rooms and an open and inviting space.
  • A new Courtyard by Marriott in Okemos will offer 120 rooms, free WiFi and a 24-hour fitness center.
  • The Lake House in downtown Ludington has an estimated opening of summer 2019 and will offer a new, two-story waterfront event venue available for weddings, meetings and parties. The venue will have an outdoor patio and balcony to take advantage of its lakeside location and views of Ludington’s pier, lighthouse, sunsets and the S.S. Badger.
  • The Green Buoy Resort in Onekama will open in spring 2019. This cluster of quaint cottages is strategically located on M-22 across from Portage Lake, with lodging options ranging from a three-bedroom chalet to a stone cottage, and one-bedroom cottages to studio rooms.
  • At South Haven KOA, pitch a tent, pull up an RV or stay in a cabin at this camping destination.
  • Find comfortable vacation rentals near North Beach on Lake Michigan in South Haven at A&R North Beach Cottages.
  • The new American 1 Credit Union Event Center at James J. Keeley Park will offer a flexible space for celebrations and events both large and small. With ample parking available as well, the center can be customized for any occasion.
  • The Otsego Resort in Gaylord is under new ownership. This once-private resort is now fully open to the public for lodging, dining, skiing and golf. They are also hosting events for guests and the community to attend regularly, including a large assortment of live musicians. 
  • There is a new meeting space above the Mackinac Island Visitor’s Center. This yet-to-be-named space will be available for small meetings, workshops and gatherings and features a one-of-a-kind view of Haldimand Bay and Marquette Park.
  • Mt. Pleasant is home to a new Holiday Inn & Suites. The hotel is five minutes from Soaring Eagle Casino and Downtown Mt. Pleasant and has 5,400 square feet of function space.
  • A Holiday Inn Express and TownPlace Suites by Marriott are currently under construction in Muskegon with an expected opening date in fall 2019.
  • A new convention center in Downtown Muskegon will break ground in May of 2019. The convention center will connect a full-service hotel, a 45,000 square foot convention center and the L.C. Walker Arena.

 

Milestones and Anniversaries

165 Years

Ingham County Fair – Mason

 

150 Years

City of Manistee

City of South Haven

 

145 Years

Annual Alpena County Fair

 

100 Years

Bay County Historical Society Museum – Bay City

Kettering University – Flint

Michigan State Parks

Sugar Bowl Restaurant – Gaylord

 

90 Years

Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium – Flint

Lansing Symphony Orchestra

Saginaw Children’s Zoo

Tulip Time Festival – Holland

University Club at Michigan State University – East Lansing

 

80 Years

Manistee Civic Players

 

70 Years

Pit & Balcony Community Theatre – Saginaw

 

60 Years

Art Craft Display – Lansing

 

50 Years

Capt. Phogg Balloon Rides – Fenton

Frankenmuth Cheese Haus

La Grande Vitesse – Grand Rapids

 

45 Years

Annual Brown Trout Festival – Alpena

 

40 Years

Annual Log Cabin Day at Besser Museum – Alpena

Castle Museum – Saginaw

Kettering University Atwood Stadium Races – Flint

The Plant Professionals – Lansing  

 

35 Years

Silver Bells in the City - Lansing

St. Johns Mint Festival

 

30 Years

Breslin Student Events Center at Michigan State University – East Lansing

Frankenmuth Oktoberfest

Michigan History Center - Lansing

 

25 Years

River Classic Offshore Powerboat Race – St. Clair

Be A Tourist In Your Own Town – Lansing

Keweenaw Adventure Company – Copper Harbor

 

20 Years

Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club – Arcadia

Common Ground Music Festival – Lansing

Little River Casino Resort – Manistee

 

15 Years

Jazz on Jefferson – Saginaw

 

10 Years

Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum – Mackinac Island

Sun Dried Music Fest – Mason

Tight Lines for Troops – Manistee

 

5 Years

Michigan Chicken Wing Festival – Lansing

Pure Ludington Brrrewfest

 

1 Year

SVRC Marketplace – Saginaw

 

 

About the Michigan Economic Development Corporation:

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.