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Michigan

Overview of Michigan

Holland State Park
Photo credit: Shirl
The northern state of Michigan consists of two peninsulas that extend into the Great Lakes, actually touching four out of five of the magnificent bodies of water that contain 80 percent of the United States' fresh water. Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas are divided by Lake Michigan and linked by one of the longest suspension bridges in the world, stretching across the Straits of Mackinac. The glorious freshwater shoreline, extending for 3,000 miles (4,828km), is also made up of Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie.

People in Michigan are never more than six miles (10km) from a river or stream, and never more than 85 miles (137km) from one of the Great Lakes, making the state an obvious favourite with boaters. Most of Michigan is well forested, with the Upper Peninsula home to a variety of wildlife, and boasting trout fishing lodges and winter ski resorts. The southern part of the Lower Peninsula is mainly characterised by rural farmlands and industry, but the west coast offers several popular beach resorts.

With all this water and forest, hunting, fishing and sailing are major drawcards for sportsmen in Michigan, but the other main attraction in the state is its large industrial city, Detroit, birthplace of the motor car: the city that put the world on wheels. The legendary names of the original automobile manufacturers such as Ford and Chevrolet still resound loudly in Detroit, which offers numerous institutions and attractions paying homage to the car. It is a gritty, fascinating city, hit hard by economic woes in the past decade but with a resilient character that keeps its population famously proud despite recent hardship.

Although it is the spot where the development of Michigan truly began back in 1701, when it was founded as a trading post, Detroit is not the capital. The attractive Victorian State Capitol stands in Lansing, chosen in 1879 for its location in the centre of the Lower Peninsula, which made it less vulnerable to invasion by British forces from Canada. Back then Lansing was a simple sawmill settlement, but today it is home to about 120,000 residents and vies with Detroit as a major motor manufacturing centre.

map of Michigan


Key Facts

Language:
English is the most common language spoken but Spanish is often heard in the south-western states.
Passport/Visa:

It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from them travel destination. A visa is required for short visits unless travellers qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for a stay of up to 90 days without a visa. Visitors under the VWP need to register online three days before travel and have an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This allows the US government to screen all visitors before travel. Visitors entering the country under the VWP must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) that has a barcode on the photo page. Travellers under the VWP must have passports that include biometrics if they wish to enter the country without a visa, which means that passports must contain unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All passports must contain a digital photo image in order to travel visa-free. All visitors to the USA have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling visa-free under the VWP.

As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport is required by immigration authorities. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Currency:

The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), which is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards are widely accepted. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Electricity:
Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Plugs are mainly the type with two flat pins, though three-pin plugs (two flat parallel pins and a rounded pin) are also widely used. European appliances without dual-voltage capabilities will require an adapter.

Travel Advisories

Travel to Michigan

Climate

The Great Lakes influence the climate in Michigan by generally warming the winters and cooling the summers, creating more moderate temperatures in relation to nearby regions, but that doesn't mean that the winters are mild. The lakes also create more humidity and moisture throughout the year. Snowfall is heavy in winter and Lake Erie is often iced over. The north of the state generally experiences cooler weather than the south, but the climate in Michigan is unpredictable and changes rapidly, particularly during the spring and autumn months. In mid-summer (July) temperatures in Michigan can rise as high as 86F (30C), while in mid-winter (January) temperatures average below freezing point.

Health Notes when travelling to United States of America

There are no specific health risks associated with travel within the USA. Medical facilities are excellent, but expensive. Only emergencies are treated without prior payment and treatment can be refused without evidence of insurance or proof of funds. Good medical insurance is essential. Visitors must be fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to travel to the United States by plane if they are non-U.S. citizens.

Safety Notes when travelling to United States of America

Travel within the United States is generally trouble-free, though travellers should be aware that the US shares with the rest of the world, an increased threat from terrorist incidents. Security has been heightened, particularly at airports. Restrictions on hand luggage apply and travellers are advised to check on the latest situation with airlines in advance. Travellers should also be alert to the dangers of car and street crime in cities and should use common sense and take basic precautions. Hurricanes are common between June and November, putting the southern USA, including the Gulf Coast and the eastern US at risk. There is a risk of wildfires in many dry areas in the US, particularly on the West Coast from March to November.

Customs in United States of America

Laws vary from state to state, including speed limit, fines and punishment. The age at which alcohol may be legally bought and consumed is 21 years.

Duty Free in United States of America

Travellers to the United States who are returning residents of the country do not have to pay duty on articles purchased abroad to the value of $800 provided their stay was longer than 48 hours and their duty-free allowance was not used in the 30-day period prior. For passengers arriving from Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, a duty-free allowance of $1,600 is allowed. The following items are included in this: 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars and 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 150 millilitres (5 fl. oz.) of perfume containing alcohol. Restrictions may apply to goods from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Burma (Myanmar), Angola, Liberia and Sudan. It is prohibited to import Cuban cigars from any country.

Travellers to the United States who are non-residents do not have to pay duty on the following items: 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes and gifts to the value of $100 provided their stay in the USA is not less than 72 hours and that the allowance has not been used in the preceding six-month period.

Prohibited items for residents and non-residents include meat or meat products, poultry, narcotics, absinthe, plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects and other living plants or animal pests. Fish is prohibited unless it carries disease-free certification. Wildlife and animals or their by-products carry restrictions. Dairy products and eggs from specified countries are not allowed. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed without the necessary license and permit.

Doing Business in United States of America

In such a large country, filled with so many diverse groups, business practices may differ according to each state, however rarely to any large degree. The East Coast is traditionally more formal than the West Coast, though in states such as California, dress code and conservative appearance are as common as they would be in New York. Punctuality is important throughout the country and it is considered rude to be late for a meeting. Gift-giving is uncommon as it may be construed as bribery. Appropriate titles (Mr, Mrs, Ms) are used upon introduction and until otherwise stated. Americans favour politeness and greetings of 'Hello' and 'How are you?' are often expressed with sincerity. Business hours may vary in each state, but an 8am start and 5pm finish Monday to Friday is the most common with an hour over lunch.

Status and age are not necessarily indicative of seniority, nor do they carry much weight in themselves. Those doing business in the States should be mindful of this fact; foreigners should never make assumptions about someone's position or rank. Best practice is to be respectful to all parties. That said, the US upholds a hierarchal business structure, in which 'the boss' is the ultimate decision-maker. Senior leaders have the power of the last word, and can go against the grain just as easily as they can follow popular opinion. Foreigners should concentrate on winning over this individual, even if the greater group seems unsupportive. Americans value a direct style of communication. In this fast-paced, consumer culture 'time is money', and small-talk is viewed as unnecessary and wasteful. It's best for foreigners to get to the point quickly, speak about issues in a frank and open manner, and to avoid taking offence if someone questions or challenges them outright.

Communication in United States of America

The international country dialling code for the United States is +1. Mobile networks cover most of the country, especially all urban areas, and WiFi is widely available.

Tipping in United States of America

A 15 percent tip is expected by taxi drivers, bartenders, hairdressers and waiters, but travellers shouldn't tip in fast-food or self-service restaurants. In expensive restaurants or for large parties, the tip should be 20 percent of the bill. It is normal to tip staff such as valets and porters in hotels; this is discretionary, although a minimum of $5 is expected. Most services are customarily tipped if the service is good.

Passport/Visa Note

It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from them travel destination. A visa is required for short visits unless travellers qualify for entry under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the US for a stay of up to 90 days without a visa. Visitors under the VWP need to register online three days before travel and have an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This allows the US government to screen all visitors before travel. Visitors entering the country under the VWP must have a machine-readable passport (MRP) that has a barcode on the photo page. Travellers under the VWP must have passports that include biometrics if they wish to enter the country without a visa, which means that passports must contain unique personal data such as fingerprints or iris details. All passports must contain a digital photo image in order to travel visa-free. All visitors to the USA have a photograph and two fingerprints taken by an inkless scanner on arrival, including those travelling visa-free under the VWP.

As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers travelling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean region are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. If departing from the USA, a valid passport is required by immigration authorities. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Canadians:

The most important requirement on entering the U.S. is providing proof of Canadian citizenship. A valid Canadian passport is the best document to prove Canadian citizenship and the right to return to Canada. However, several other documents can serve, depending on the mode of transport. Generally, Canadian citizens do not require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States from Canada, though there are some exceptions.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

UK nationals require a passport valid for duration of stay. Most passport holders can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Programme, which allows travel to the US for up to 90 days. The VWP includes tourism, certain types of business visit and transit to another country.

Entry requirements for Australians:

Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay. If visiting the US for fewer than 90 days, Australian nationals may be eligible to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and enter under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Passports must be valid for duration of stay. Irish nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

Passports must be valid for duration of stay. New Zealand nationals can get an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme for entry into the United States.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South Africans must hold a passport valid for duration of stay. A visa is required.

Currency

The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), which is divided into 100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are widespread and credit cards are widely accepted. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.

Exchange rate for 1 USD - U.S. Dollar
0.00 BMD
Bermudan Dollar
0.93 EUR
Euro
0.80 GBP
U.K. Pound Sterling
152.99 JPY
Japanese Yen
1.37 CAD
Canadian Dollar
0.91 CHF
Swiss Franc
1.52 AUD
Australian Dollar
39.40 UAH
Ukrainian Hryvnia
443.91 KZT
Kazakhstani Tenge
93,075.00 LBP
Lebanese Pound
4.86 LYD
Libyan Dinar
6.86 BOB
Bolivian Boliviano
0.00 NPR
Nepalese Rupee
0.00 OMR
Omani Rial
0.00 QAR
Qatari Rial
1.35 SGD
Singapore Dollar
10.82 SEK
Swedish Krona
0.00 TTD
Trinidad Tobago Dollar
0.00 VEF
Venezuelan Bolivar
58.11 DOP
Dominican Peso
0.00 HRK
Croatian Kuna
16.95 MXN
Mexican Peso
610.53 XOF
West African CFA Franc
0.00 PGK
Papua New Guinean kina
0.00 BSD
Bahamian Dollar
0.00 FJD
Fiji Dollar
0.00 HNL
Honduran Lempira
133.87 DZD
Algerian Dinar
0.00 MMK
Myanma Kyat
0.00 BWP
Botswana Pula
3.72 PEN
Peruvian Nuevo Sol
938.44 CLP
Chilean Peso
386.84 AMD
Armenia Dram
23.29 CZK
Czech Koruna
17.63 MDL
Moldova Lei
139.89 ISK
Icelandic Krona
12,582.40 UZS
Uzbekistan Sum
3.72 ILS
Israeli New Sheqel
0.71 JOD
Jordanian Dinar
0.00 KWD
Kuwaiti Dinar
38.15 UYU
Uruguayan Peso
0.00 MUR
Mauritian Rupee
0.00 NIO
Nicaraguan Córdoba
10.88 NOK
Norwegian Krone
4.03 PLN
Polish Zloty
3.75 SAR
Saudi Riyal
0.00 LKR
Sri Lanka Rupee
36.79 THB
Thai Baht
3.66 AED
U.A.E Dirham
5.09 BRL
Brazilian Real
4.63 RON
Romanian New Leu
7.81 HKD
Hong Kong Dollar
610.53 XAF
Central African CFA Franc
25,405.70 VND
Vietnamese Dong
878.36 ARS
Argentine Peso
0.00 XCD
East Caribbean Dollar
0.00 GTQ
Guatemalan Quetzal
10.06 MAD
Moroccan Dirham
0.00 BHD
Bahrain Dinar
1.00 PAB
Panamanian Balboa
1.70 AZN
Azerbaijan Manat
3,920.00 COP
Colombian Peso
88.42 KGS
Kyrgyzstan Som
362.00 HUF
Hungarian Forint
10.89 TJS
Tajikistan Ruble
16,073.70 IDR
Indonesian Rupiah
47.95 EGP
Egyptian Pound
1,358.84 KRW
South Korean Won
7,456.52 PYG
Paraguayan Guaraní
4.74 MYR
Malaysian Ringgit
508.31 CRC
Costa Rican Colón
1.67 NZD
New Zealand Dollar
277.87 PKR
Pakistani Rupee
91.39 RUB
Russian Rouble
18.51 ZAR
South African Rand
3.13 TND
Tunisian Dinar
0.00 BBD
Barbadian Dollar
1.82 BGN
Bulgarian Lev
32.33 TRY
Turkish Lira
57.28 PHP
Philippine Peso
32.31 TWD
New Taiwan Dollar
1,164.84 NGN
Nigerian Naira
0.00 XPF
CFP Franc
0.00 GHS
Ghanaian Cedi
0.00 JMD
Jamaican Dollar
0.00 ANG
Neth. Antillean Guilder
0.00 BND
Brunei Dollar
108.90 RSD
Serbian Dinar
7.24 CNY
Chinese Yuan
6.94 DKK
Danish Krone
3.49 TMT
New Turkmenistan Manat
83.42 INR
Indian Rupee
       
Exchange Rate for
Euro to U.S. Dollar

1 EUR = 1.07 USD

Exchange Rate for
Canadian Dollar to U.S. Dollar

1 CAD = 0.73 USD

Exchange Rate for
U.K. Pound Sterling to U.S. Dollar

1 GBP = 1.26 USD

Exchange Rate for
Australian Dollar to U.S. Dollar

1 AUD = 0.66 USD

Exchange Rate for
New Zealand Dollar to U.S. Dollar

1 NZD = 0.60 USD

Exchange Rate for
South African Rand to U.S. Dollar

1 ZAR = 0.05 USD

Airports in Michigan

Saginaw Airport (MBS)
MBS International Airport
http://www.mbsairport.org

Location: Saginaw The airport is situated in Freeland, Michigan, serving the nearby cities of Midland, Bay City and Saginaw.

map of Saginaw Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Getting to the city: Taxis, shuttles and rental cars are available at the airport.

Car rental: Car hire companies represented at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.

Airport Taxis: Travellers can book taxis from Griffin Transit.

Facilities: Airport facilities include ATMs, baggage carts, cable television, infant-changing stations, lost-and-found facilities, a snack bar and newsstand, and vending machines.

Parking: Short-term parking is free for 15 minutes and $2 per half hour thereafter, up to a daily maximum of $12. Long-term parking costs $2 per hour, $8 per day.

Bishop International Airport (FNT)
Bishop International Airport
http://www.bishopairport.org

Location: Flint The airport is situated about five miles (8km) from downtown Flint.

map of Bishop International Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Getting to the city: Taxis and rental cars are available.

Car rental: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Alamo, Dollar and Thrifty are represented at the airport.

Airport Taxis: At least three taxi companies service the airport. Generally taxis can be found waiting outside the terminal, but they can be ordered by phone if necessary.

Facilities: Airport facilities include a business centre, an ATM, a bar and lounge, two restaurants, shoe-shine services, and a few shops.

Parking: Short-term parking costs $2 per half hour, up to a daily maximum of $15. Long-term parking costs $4 per hour, up to a daily maximum of $10. In the Economy Lots the daily rate is $8, and a free shuttle transports passengers to the terminal every five minutes.

Detroit Airport (DTW)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
http://www.metroairport.com

Location: Detroit The airport is located 20 miles (32km) southwest of downtown Detroit.

map of Detroit Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 734 147 7678.

Transfer between terminals: 'Terminal-to-Terminal' vans provide a free shuttle service between the two terminals.

Getting to the city: SMART public buses connect to central Detroit from the lower level near the Ground Transportation offices at the North Terminal. Taxis and sedan services are also available. There are car hire companies represented at the airport. It takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to the city centre by car or taxi, and about 45 minutes by bus.

Car rental: Car hire companies represented at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.

Airport Taxis: MetroCars and MetroCabs are available from the airport, and should take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to the city centre.

Facilities: The main concentration of restaurants, bars, cafes, and fast food outlets are in the McNamara Terminal, although the other terminal also has bars and eateries. There are numerous shops located throughout the airport, including duty-free. ATMs, wireless internet and bureaux de change are available in both terminals. The on-site hotel offers conference and business facilities. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should inform their airline in advance.

Parking: There is plenty of parking at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, starting at $4 per half hour. Daily rates are available for $14 in the Green Lot, the cheapest long-term option. There is a free shuttle service from the parking lots to the terminal buildings.

Lansing Airport (LAN)
Capital Region International Airport
http://www.flylansing.com

Location: The airport is located three miles (5km) northwest of downtown Lansing.

map of Lansing Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Contacts: (517) 321-6121

Getting to the city: Capital Area Transit Authority (CATA) provides a fixed route bus service to Capital Region International Airport seven days a week along Route 14.

Car rental: Car rental companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are located across from the main entrance. Courtesy phones for booking taxis are located in the baggage claim area.

Facilities: Airport facilities include an information centre, an ATM, a cafe and pub for refreshments, a private lounge for frequent flyers, meeting rooms, and a lost and found.

Parking: Parking is free for the first 15 minutes in both parking lots. Short-term parking costs $2 for the first hour, and $3 for each additional hour, up to a daily maximum of $14. Long-term parking costs $2 per hour, $10 per day, and $50 per week.

Kalamazoo International Airport (AZO)
Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport
http://www.azoairport.com

Location: Kalamazoo The airport is situated three miles (5km) southeast of Kalamazoo.

map of Kalamazoo International Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Getting to the city: Kalamazoo Metro Transit buses service the airport, departing every hour between 7am and 10pm Monday through Saturday. Taxis and rental cars are also available.

Car rental: Car rental companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.

Airport Taxis: A ground transportation counter is situated in the baggage claim area of the terminal, providing information on taxi companies and fares. Taxis are available at the airport and usually do not have to be ordered in advance.

Facilities: Airport facilities include free wifi, a restaurant, a gift shop, an information centre and a lost and found.

Parking: Short-term parking costs $2 each half hour up to a daily maximum of $15. Long-term parking costs $4 per hour up to a daily maximum of $9 and a weekly maximum of $63.

Marquette Airport (MQT)
Sawyer International Airport
http://www.sawyerairport.com

Location: Marquette The airport is situated 19 miles (31km) south of Marquette.

map of Marquette Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Getting to the city: A Marq-Tran bus shuttle services the airport roughly every hour, operating from around 6am to 7pm on weekdays, and between 7.30am and 5.30pm on Saturdays. The buses travel to downtown Marquette and Gwinn. Taxis and rental cars are also available.

Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, National and Thrifty.

Airport Taxis: Taxis are available at the airport.

Facilities: Facilities are limited at this small airport, but an ATM, postal services, vending machines, a snack bar and a lost and found are provided.

Parking: Parking is provided right outside of the terminal building. The first two hours of parking are free and every additional two hours cost $1 to $2, up to a daily maximum of $5. Weekly parking costs $35.

Pellston Regional Airport (PLN)
Pellston Regional Airport
http://www.pellstonairport.com

Location: Pellston The airport is situated two miles (3km) northwest of downtown Pellston.

map of Pellston Regional Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Getting to the city: Taxis, shuttles and rental cars are available at the airport.

Car rental: Car hire companies at the airport include Avis, Budget and Hertz.

Airport Taxis: Taxi, limousine and shuttle companies operating at the airport include Mackinaw Shuttle, Straits Taxi Service and Up North Rides.

Facilities: Pellston Regional Airport is small but very attractive, with rustic charm and pleasant waiting areas. There is a restaurant, an observation deck, and conference facilities at the airport.

Parking: Free parking is provided at the airport.

Traverse City Airport (TVC)
Cherry Capital Airport
http://www.tvcairport.com

Location: Traverse City The airport is situated five miles (8km) southeast of downtown Traverse City.

map of Traverse City Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).

Getting to the city: Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) provides an airport bus service, with single fares costing $1.50. Rental cars and taxis are also available.

Car rental: Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.

Airport Taxis: Taxi companies servicing the airport include Up North Taxi and Odawa Country Taxi Cab.

Facilities: The airport is small, but facilities do include gift shops, as well as food and beverage vendors.

Parking: Short-term parking costs $2 each half hour, up to a daily maximum of $12. Long-term parking costs $2 each hour, up to a daily maximum of $8. There is a cell phone lot for pick-ups.

Mackinaw City

Mackinaw City
Photo credit: Bobak Ha'Eri
Mackinaw City, situated in Michigan's Cheboygan County at the top of the state's Lower Peninsula, is linked to the Upper Peninsula by one of the world's longest suspension bridges. The city has become Michigan's most popular holiday destination, offering many historical and cultural attractions and acting as a gateway to the scenic Upper Peninsula with its hiking trails, state parks and recreation areas, and sandy beaches.

The city itself has a rich history, having been first settled after French explorer Jean Nicolet negotiated with the local tribes in 1634. It became a fur-trading post and later the site of a busy fort and trading store. By 1882 the settlement had become a flourishing town; today it is a popular shopping destination, with many unique stores and restaurants lining its main street, and boasting more than 50 hotels and holiday resorts. Regular ferry services connect the city with historic Mackinac Island, just offshore.

The most popular time to travel to Mackinaw City is during summer (June to August), when cool breezes from the ocean moderate the summer heat, making conditions ideal for beach-going and outdoor activities. The population of this small town swells enormously during high season, so if travellers want to avoid the crowds holiday in Mackinaw City in spring or autumn, when days are mild and nights cool.

map of Mackinaw City

Sightseeing in Mackinaw City

A holiday in Mackinaw City means days full of fun and activity in one of Michigan's favourite holiday destination. The pretty town is a mix of old and new, with some historic attractions such as a lighthouse and Fort Mackinac, complemented by numerous modern institutions such as a thrilling waterpark, more than 100 shops, laser light shows, and quality golf courses. For nature lovers there are parks and, of course, lovely sandy beaches. Many also travel to Mackinaw City for ferry access to the delightful Victorian outpost of Mackinac Island. A holiday with Mackinaw City as a travel hub provides access to attractions of all kinds and should ensure everybody from toddlers to grandparents is entertained.

Visitors to Mackinaw City can make use of the Mackinaw Trolley Company, which offers two and a half hour tours of the city, pointing out attractions and narrating its history. There are many charter buses all over the city as well as Shepler's ferry, which carries passengers to and from Mackinac Island in a little over a quarter of an hour. Rental cars are available for hire and drivers require a valid driver's licence. Travellers should note that Mackinac Island has banned motor vehicles.

Mackinaw City Attractions

Colonial Michilimackinac

Colonial Michilimackinac
Photo credit: Mark Goebel
Michilimackinac, about a mile (2km) from the centre of Mackinaw City, was the first stop for new arrivals back in the outpost days, around the 1700s. Today it remains the first destination for tourists visiting the area, being the site of a reconstructed 1715 French fur-trading village and military outpost that was later occupied by the British. The working colonial village is a living history exhibit that fascinates visitors, while within the stockade, archaeological excavations continue at the site. The historic park includes a vivid audio-visual recreation of a soldiers' barracks, a unique permanent underground archaeological tunnel exhibit displaying hundreds of original artefacts, a recreated Native American summer encampment illustrating life on the shores of the Great Lakes in the 18th century, as well as musket and cannon firing demonstrations and workshops illustrating pioneer skills such as blacksmithing and open-hearth cooking.

map of Colonial Michilimackinac

Website: http://www.mackinacparks.com


Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

Forest on Mackinac
Photo credit: N8huckins
Mill Creek, located on US-23, a few miles southeast of Mackinaw City, was constructed by Scotsman Robert Campbell in 1780, making it one of the first industrial sites in the Great Lakes area. The mill, now faithfully reconstructed, provided sawn lumber for the Mackinac Island settlers. Today, the water-powered sawmill sits in a delightful wooded setting among nature trails and forest management displays, providing an interesting attraction for numerous visitors. Demonstrations are given of logs being sawn, craftsmen in period dress show how houses were built, and a nature programme to encourage visitors to discover the area's flora and fauna is offered. The site includes a picnic area, and there is a cookhouse serving lunches and snacks. The surrounding area includes four miles (6km) of nature trails that bypass an active beaver colony.

map of Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

Website: http://www.mackinacparks.com


Mackinac Island

Arch Rock
Photo credit: Michael Barera
Visitors who step ashore on Mackinac Island from one of the three ferry services from Mackinaw City can be forgiven for believing they have stepped back in time into a Victorian village. The small population of about 500 permanent residents has preserved the island settlement and the surrounding natural beauty to the point that no motor vehicles are allowed on the island; the only way to get around is on foot, by bicycle, or horse and buggy. The island, 80 percent of which is a state park, boasts 140 miles (225km) of roads and trails, ideal for hiking. The longest route is right around the island, following the scenic eight-mile (13km) Lake Shore road. Other popular walks include the Turtle's Back, Tranquil Bluff Trail, and British Landing nature trail. Every year in early June the island comes alive during the Lilac Festival, featuring the world's longest horse-hitch parade, fireworks, hayrides, country line dancing, free outdoor concerts, boat cruises, and garden tours.

map of Mackinac Island

Website: http://www.mackinacisland.org


Fort Mackinac

Fort Mackinac
Photo credit: Conal Gallagher
From its stoic position on Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac has stood sentinel over the Straits of Mackinac for more than 115 years, having been built by British soldiers during the American Revolution. The original fort has been restored as a National Historic Landmark and is one of Michigan's favourite attractions. Visitors can stroll through the 1780 officer's stone quarters, play dress-up in the discovery room, enjoy an audio-visual presentation in the Post Commissary, view the exhibits, and watch lively demonstrations. The fort is a must for anybody exploring the region and generally receives rave reviews from visitors of all ages.

map of Fort Mackinac

Website: http://www.mackinacparks.com


Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

Shipwreck Museum
Photo credit: Doug Coldwell
About an hour's drive north of the Mackinaw Bridge, situated in one of the most scenic spots on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, lies the intriguing Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, alongside the historic Whitefish Point Light Station on the shore of Lake Superior. The museum is the only one of its kind, dedicated to highlighting the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes. It brings to life the dramatic shipwreck legends of the area with artefacts and exhibits telling stories of the ships and sailors who came to grief on the treacherous lakes. The lighthouse on the site is the oldest active lighthouse on Lake Superior. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the restored 1861 Lightkeepers Quarters, a duplex building with period furnishings, descriptive panels and artefacts from the days when keepers and their families lived here.

map of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

Website: http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com


Detroit

Detroit Skyline
Photo credit: Shawn Wilson
The sprawling industrial city of Detroit, one of the oldest cities in America's Midwest, began life as a trading post when French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac landed on the banks of the Detroit River in 1701 and established a fort. He was later removed because of bad conduct, but unlike its outpost commander, the settlement of Detroit was flourishing. In 1796 Detroit officially became American, and by the early 19th century had already earned a reputation as a centre for the manufacturing industry, particularly kitchen ranges. As most people now know, however, Detroit did not go on to become the stove-making capital of the world. The city is renowned as the automotive centre of the globe, birthplace of the motorcar and home to some of the nation's top brands. Originally automobile empires were established by Detroit families such as Ford, Olds, Chevrolet and Dodge, which have become household names, thanks to the invention and perfection of the motor vehicle production assembly line, which began in Detroit.

It is not only hard work and industrial enterprise that drives Detroit, however. The city in southeast Michigan is also famous for the Motown record label, founded by former autoworker Berry Gordy Jr, which has introduced the world to stars such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, the Temptations and Diana Ross, to name but a few.

Modern 'Motown' Detroit is a little decayed and shabby, having suffered a decline in fortunes, but efforts are being made to increase the city's appeal as a tourist destination, and there are several attractions worth seeing. In the downtown area new hotels and restaurants are appearing to complement the sports stadium, and there is a focus on the arts, particularly in the city's historic theatre district. The Renaissance Center, a group of seven interconnected skyscrapers, provides the best views of downtown Detroit.

map of Detroit

Getting around in Detroit

There is not much in the way of public transport in Detroit, and the Motor City is still geared resolutely towards the car. Driving is not too challenging and parking is relatively easy to find, but rush hours should be avoided. To hire a car drivers must be 21 years old and have a valid driver's license; sometimes an International Driving Permit is also required. However, should one choose to rely on public transport, the People Mover is an elevated monorail that provides a quick and easy way to get around most of the downtown area, while DDOT buses operate a meagre inner-city service and the SMART buses serve the suburbs, but service is sparse on weekends. Taxis are a convenient form of transport and can easily be found or ordered by phone. Rideshare services include Lyft and Uber.

Climate in Detroit

Detroit has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and very cold winters. Mid-summer average temperatures can rise as high as 83F (28C), while in the coldest month, January, the mercury usually stays well below freezing point. Rainfall is spread fairly evenly over the year, with a few inches being recorded each month. Snow usually falls between November and April.

Sightseeing in Detroit

Sport, the history of the automobile, the distinctive Motown sound, and a rather unique downtown riverfront, are some of the reasons why people choose to holiday in Detroit, the bustling major metropolis of the state of Michigan. Motor City has fallen on rather hard times, but efforts are being made to revitalise the great city as a tourist destination.

Travellers visit Detroit to appreciate the birthplace of the automotive industry, to catch a show in the renowned Woodward Avenue theatre district, to experience the vibrancy of the Motown legend, to watch a game at the Comerica Park Stadium, to eat, drink and be merry in Greektown, but also to tick a major box in your exploration of the great cities of the US, and to see one of the most powerful industrial centres in the world. Detroit may have become something of a symbol of urban decay in the US, but even this dilapidation is fascinating to some visitors, with photographers lured by the street art and the greenery that has overgrown parts of the city.

Hordes of visitors descend on Detroit for the North American International Auto Show, held each January. However, for anyone who isn't car obsessed or employed in the industry, it is more pleasant to visit the city in the summer months, between June and August.

Detroit Attractions

The Henry Ford Museum

Henry Ford Museum
Photo credit: Dsdugan
Henry Ford, the son of a farmer, built his first car in Detroit in 1896. There was nothing too amazing about this feat, as cars had been around for some time. What was unique to Ford's invention was the moving assembly line, which enabled him to literally put the world on wheels. Henry Ford's legacy is found at every turn in his hometown, Detroit, so it is unsurprising that the city's most popular and prominent tourist attraction was founded by him in 1929. The Henry Ford Museum is spread over more than 36 hectares (90 acres) in Dearborn, just outside of metro-Detroit, and encompasses five different venues. Together they bring the whole American experience to life, using exhibits, demonstrations, programmes, and re-enactments to showcase American life and its people. Ford amassed most of the exhibit collection, including tens of thousands of ordinary objects, items associated with illustrious Americans, and numerous inventions documenting technological advances. Among the exhibits is the limousine in which John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Edgar Allan Poe's writing desk, and George Washington's camp bed. For lovers of Americana this attraction is a joy.

map of The Henry Ford Museum

Website: http://www.thehenryford.org


Automotive Hall of Fame

Automobile Hall of Fame
Photo credit: Karrmann
Car buffs the world over are drawn to Detroit's Automotive Hall of Fame, close to the Henry Ford Museum in Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, which is the public programme and exhibition centre for the worldwide motor vehicle industry. The venue features entertaining and enlightening exhibits about the people who drive the industry. Visitors can indulge in interactive events such as designing their own car and taking part in safety demonstrations. Even those who do not consider themselves petrol heads should enjoy a visit to this attraction; one can hardly explore Detroit without gaining some insight into the car manufacturing industry upon which the city was built.

map of Automotive Hall of Fame

Website: http://www.automotivehalloffame.org


Detroit Historical Museum

Detroit Historical Museum
Photo credit: Goldnpuppy
The Detroit Historical Museum, in downtown Detroit, allows visitors the chance to tour the scope of the city's history, from Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac's landing on the banks of the Detroit River through to the city's emergence as an industrial capital. In the museum it is possible to walk through the streets of Old Detroit and explore 19th-century shops. Visitors can also find out about Detroit's role in the Underground Railroad that helped slaves escape from the South. The interactive Glancy Trains toy train exhibit delights young and old. The museum is an interesting time travel exercise and provides a good general overview of the city's history, with some fascinating exhibits.

map of Detroit Historical Museum

Website: http://www.detroithistorical.org


Detroit Institute of Arts

Institute of Arts
Photo credit: Frankdegram
One of America's largest fine arts museums, the Detroit Institute of Art boasts more than 100 galleries, displaying a collection of about 65,000 works, ranging from mummies to Matisse, and Asian antiquities to American Impressionists. The Institute of Arts is conveniently situated in downtown Detroit, along with many of the city's top attractions. The highlights of the permanent exhibition include masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Bureghel the Elder, Botticelli, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, and Caravaggio. From January till May the Film Theatre screens an impressive selection of international films and shorts, and the museum hosts regular temporary exhibitions and special events.

map of Detroit Institute of Arts

Website: http://www.dia.org


Motown Historical Museum

Hitsville USA
Photo credit: Blob4000
Detroit's famous Motown sound originated in two simple buildings on West Grand Boulevard, downtown, at Hitsville U.S.A. Visitors can see the original control room and recording studio where stars such as the Jackson Five, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder made hit records between 1959 and 1972. The museum also contains some costumes worn by the stars and Motown founder Berry Gordy's apartment, still as it was in the 1960s. This attraction is great fun for music fanatics, particularly lovers of this particular genre, and captures the spirit of the period in Detroit very well.

map of Motown Historical Museum

Website: http://www.motownmuseum.com


Ludington

Ludington
Photo credit: Pentachlorphenol
Michigan boasts some wonderful sandy beaches on its western coastline, winding along Lake Michigan. Some of the best of these, with miles of sand and wild dunes, are near the ferry port town of Ludington. The Ludington State Park offers 14 miles (23km) of hiking and biking trails in beautiful virgin forests and dunes, miles of sandy beach, and three campgrounds. There are several other popular beach resort towns along Michigan's west coast, within easy reach of Detroit, which are known collectively as 'The Riviera of the Midwest'. Silver Lake resort boasts its world-renowned living sand-dunes and what is known fondly as the world's smallest newspaper. Grand Haven has a magnificent boardwalk along its spectacular beaches lined with restaurants, marina facilities and shops. Holland, as one might expect, has a Dutch flavour inherited from its founder, a Dutch clergyman. St Joseph, in the south, has a famous lighthouse and a French fort to explore.

map of Ludington


Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor shopping
Photo credit: Scott Kashkin
The city of Ann Arbor in southeast Michigan, 45 miles (72km) west of Detroit and just north of the Ohio border, is home to the University of Michigan, one of the country's top universities. The city and surroundings have a great deal to offer visitors in the form of historic and cultural attractions. Ann Arbor's downtown area is extremely vibrant with never a dull moment, from live music shows to a plethora of libraries, galleries and museums, restaurants offering everything from romantic dinners to cafe society, some of the country's best bookstores, and often a street party. Among the many museums of interest is the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, housed in a 100-year-old firehouse, which features more than 250 interactive science and technology exhibits. There are numerous restored 19th-century houses and farms to visit for a taste of life in days of yore, and even an original old main street blacksmith shop still operating in the satellite town of Manchester. Museums in the area cover everything from geology to classic cars, early American manuscripts, dentistry, and old fire-fighting equipment. On the university campus, the Natural History Museum contains the state's largest collection of dinosaur fossils and a planetarium features a 360-degree domed screen offering weekend stargazing shows.

map of Ann Arbor

Website: http://www.annarbor.org


Saugatuck-Douglas

Saugatuck, Michigan
Photo credit: Ross Graham
The small resort towns of Saugatuck and Douglas are close enough together to be considered one holiday destination. Popular for weekend getaways from Detroit and Chicago, the towns are located along the shore of Lake Michigan, in the southwest of the state. The area is known for its eclectic and artistic feel, with dozens of art galleries and plenty of good restaurants and bars. Saugatuck-Douglas offers a number of activities for visitors, including fishing, hiking, sailing, golf, bowling, horseback riding, kayaking, dune buggy outings, and lake cruises. There are also some small sandy beaches that offer scenic spots for swimming and sunbathing.

map of Saugatuck-Douglas

Website: http://www.saugatuck.com


Airports in Detroit

Detroit Airport (DTW)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
http://www.metroairport.com

Location: Detroit The airport is located 20 miles (32km) southwest of downtown Detroit.

map of Detroit Airport

Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).

Contacts: Tel: +1 734 147 7678.

Transfer between terminals: 'Terminal-to-Terminal' vans provide a free shuttle service between the two terminals.

Getting to the city: SMART public buses connect to central Detroit from the lower level near the Ground Transportation offices at the North Terminal. Taxis and sedan services are also available. There are car hire companies represented at the airport. It takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to the city centre by car or taxi, and about 45 minutes by bus.

Car rental: Car hire companies represented at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.

Airport Taxis: MetroCars and MetroCabs are available from the airport, and should take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to the city centre.

Facilities: The main concentration of restaurants, bars, cafes, and fast food outlets are in the McNamara Terminal, although the other terminal also has bars and eateries. There are numerous shops located throughout the airport, including duty-free. ATMs, wireless internet and bureaux de change are available in both terminals. The on-site hotel offers conference and business facilities. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should inform their airline in advance.

Parking: There is plenty of parking at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, starting at $4 per half hour. Daily rates are available for $14 in the Green Lot, the cheapest long-term option. There is a free shuttle service from the parking lots to the terminal buildings.

Michigan Attractions

Overview

Michigan regularly graces lists of the Top US states for tourists, attracting around 7.5 million visitors annually, and is well-loved by both American holidaymakers and foreign travellers. The primary appeal of the state is its wealth of lakes, which make it a playground for boaters, fishermen, and watersports enthusiasts of all kinds. The state is actually said to have more beaches than the entire Atlantic Coast of the US. Michigan is also blessed with swathes of pristine forests, often traversed by nature trails, and boasts some fascinating pioneer history for cultural sightseeing.

Originally settled by various Native American tribes before being colonised by the French and later the British, Michigan has a rich colonial heritage and played a role as a British territory in the American Revolutionary War. The state has taken care to preserve historical sites and travellers can explore faithfully maintained and recreated trading outposts, forts and villages that bring the past to life. These attractions are primarily grouped around Mackinaw City, which is Michigan's primary tourist hub.

Quite apart from the natural and historical wealth, the other big drawcard of Michigan for tourists is the state's domination of the US automotive industry. Detroit has long been the home of American cars, with companies such as General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler dominating the state's industry. There are many sightseeing attractions that pay homage to this industrial heritage and petrol heads will be delighted by visits to places such as the Automotive Hall of Fame and the enormous Henry Ford Museum.

The Henry Ford Museum

Henry Ford Museum
Photo credit: Dsdugan
Henry Ford, the son of a farmer, built his first car in Detroit in 1896. There was nothing too amazing about this feat, as cars had been around for some time. What was unique to Ford's invention was the moving assembly line, which enabled him to literally put the world on wheels. Henry Ford's legacy is found at every turn in his hometown, Detroit, so it is unsurprising that the city's most popular and prominent tourist attraction was founded by him in 1929. The Henry Ford Museum is spread over more than 36 hectares (90 acres) in Dearborn, just outside of metro-Detroit, and encompasses five different venues. Together they bring the whole American experience to life, using exhibits, demonstrations, programmes, and re-enactments to showcase American life and its people. Ford amassed most of the exhibit collection, including tens of thousands of ordinary objects, items associated with illustrious Americans, and numerous inventions documenting technological advances. Among the exhibits is the limousine in which John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Edgar Allan Poe's writing desk, and George Washington's camp bed. For lovers of Americana this attraction is a joy.

map of The Henry Ford Museum

Website: http://www.thehenryford.org

Automotive Hall of Fame

Automobile Hall of Fame
Photo credit: Karrmann
Car buffs the world over are drawn to Detroit's Automotive Hall of Fame, close to the Henry Ford Museum in Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, which is the public programme and exhibition centre for the worldwide motor vehicle industry. The venue features entertaining and enlightening exhibits about the people who drive the industry. Visitors can indulge in interactive events such as designing their own car and taking part in safety demonstrations. Even those who do not consider themselves petrol heads should enjoy a visit to this attraction; one can hardly explore Detroit without gaining some insight into the car manufacturing industry upon which the city was built.

map of Automotive Hall of Fame

Website: http://www.automotivehalloffame.org

Detroit Historical Museum

Detroit Historical Museum
Photo credit: Goldnpuppy
The Detroit Historical Museum, in downtown Detroit, allows visitors the chance to tour the scope of the city's history, from Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac's landing on the banks of the Detroit River through to the city's emergence as an industrial capital. In the museum it is possible to walk through the streets of Old Detroit and explore 19th-century shops. Visitors can also find out about Detroit's role in the Underground Railroad that helped slaves escape from the South. The interactive Glancy Trains toy train exhibit delights young and old. The museum is an interesting time travel exercise and provides a good general overview of the city's history, with some fascinating exhibits.

map of Detroit Historical Museum

Website: http://www.detroithistorical.org

Detroit Institute of Arts

Institute of Arts
Photo credit: Frankdegram
One of America's largest fine arts museums, the Detroit Institute of Art boasts more than 100 galleries, displaying a collection of about 65,000 works, ranging from mummies to Matisse, and Asian antiquities to American Impressionists. The Institute of Arts is conveniently situated in downtown Detroit, along with many of the city's top attractions. The highlights of the permanent exhibition include masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Bureghel the Elder, Botticelli, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, and Caravaggio. From January till May the Film Theatre screens an impressive selection of international films and shorts, and the museum hosts regular temporary exhibitions and special events.

map of Detroit Institute of Arts

Website: http://www.dia.org

Motown Historical Museum

Hitsville USA
Photo credit: Blob4000
Detroit's famous Motown sound originated in two simple buildings on West Grand Boulevard, downtown, at Hitsville U.S.A. Visitors can see the original control room and recording studio where stars such as the Jackson Five, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder made hit records between 1959 and 1972. The museum also contains some costumes worn by the stars and Motown founder Berry Gordy's apartment, still as it was in the 1960s. This attraction is great fun for music fanatics, particularly lovers of this particular genre, and captures the spirit of the period in Detroit very well.

map of Motown Historical Museum

Website: http://www.motownmuseum.com

Ludington

Ludington
Photo credit: Pentachlorphenol
Michigan boasts some wonderful sandy beaches on its western coastline, winding along Lake Michigan. Some of the best of these, with miles of sand and wild dunes, are near the ferry port town of Ludington. The Ludington State Park offers 14 miles (23km) of hiking and biking trails in beautiful virgin forests and dunes, miles of sandy beach, and three campgrounds. There are several other popular beach resort towns along Michigan's west coast, within easy reach of Detroit, which are known collectively as 'The Riviera of the Midwest'. Silver Lake resort boasts its world-renowned living sand-dunes and what is known fondly as the world's smallest newspaper. Grand Haven has a magnificent boardwalk along its spectacular beaches lined with restaurants, marina facilities and shops. Holland, as one might expect, has a Dutch flavour inherited from its founder, a Dutch clergyman. St Joseph, in the south, has a famous lighthouse and a French fort to explore.

map of Ludington

Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor shopping
Photo credit: Scott Kashkin
The city of Ann Arbor in southeast Michigan, 45 miles (72km) west of Detroit and just north of the Ohio border, is home to the University of Michigan, one of the country's top universities. The city and surroundings have a great deal to offer visitors in the form of historic and cultural attractions. Ann Arbor's downtown area is extremely vibrant with never a dull moment, from live music shows to a plethora of libraries, galleries and museums, restaurants offering everything from romantic dinners to cafe society, some of the country's best bookstores, and often a street party. Among the many museums of interest is the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, housed in a 100-year-old firehouse, which features more than 250 interactive science and technology exhibits. There are numerous restored 19th-century houses and farms to visit for a taste of life in days of yore, and even an original old main street blacksmith shop still operating in the satellite town of Manchester. Museums in the area cover everything from geology to classic cars, early American manuscripts, dentistry, and old fire-fighting equipment. On the university campus, the Natural History Museum contains the state's largest collection of dinosaur fossils and a planetarium features a 360-degree domed screen offering weekend stargazing shows.

map of Ann Arbor

Website: http://www.annarbor.org

Colonial Michilimackinac

Colonial Michilimackinac
Photo credit: Mark Goebel
Michilimackinac, about a mile (2km) from the centre of Mackinaw City, was the first stop for new arrivals back in the outpost days, around the 1700s. Today it remains the first destination for tourists visiting the area, being the site of a reconstructed 1715 French fur-trading village and military outpost that was later occupied by the British. The working colonial village is a living history exhibit that fascinates visitors, while within the stockade, archaeological excavations continue at the site. The historic park includes a vivid audio-visual recreation of a soldiers' barracks, a unique permanent underground archaeological tunnel exhibit displaying hundreds of original artefacts, a recreated Native American summer encampment illustrating life on the shores of the Great Lakes in the 18th century, as well as musket and cannon firing demonstrations and workshops illustrating pioneer skills such as blacksmithing and open-hearth cooking.

map of Colonial Michilimackinac

Website: http://www.mackinacparks.com

Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

Forest on Mackinac
Photo credit: N8huckins
Mill Creek, located on US-23, a few miles southeast of Mackinaw City, was constructed by Scotsman Robert Campbell in 1780, making it one of the first industrial sites in the Great Lakes area. The mill, now faithfully reconstructed, provided sawn lumber for the Mackinac Island settlers. Today, the water-powered sawmill sits in a delightful wooded setting among nature trails and forest management displays, providing an interesting attraction for numerous visitors. Demonstrations are given of logs being sawn, craftsmen in period dress show how houses were built, and a nature programme to encourage visitors to discover the area's flora and fauna is offered. The site includes a picnic area, and there is a cookhouse serving lunches and snacks. The surrounding area includes four miles (6km) of nature trails that bypass an active beaver colony.

map of Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park

Website: http://www.mackinacparks.com

Mackinac Island

Arch Rock
Photo credit: Michael Barera
Visitors who step ashore on Mackinac Island from one of the three ferry services from Mackinaw City can be forgiven for believing they have stepped back in time into a Victorian village. The small population of about 500 permanent residents has preserved the island settlement and the surrounding natural beauty to the point that no motor vehicles are allowed on the island; the only way to get around is on foot, by bicycle, or horse and buggy. The island, 80 percent of which is a state park, boasts 140 miles (225km) of roads and trails, ideal for hiking. The longest route is right around the island, following the scenic eight-mile (13km) Lake Shore road. Other popular walks include the Turtle's Back, Tranquil Bluff Trail, and British Landing nature trail. Every year in early June the island comes alive during the Lilac Festival, featuring the world's longest horse-hitch parade, fireworks, hayrides, country line dancing, free outdoor concerts, boat cruises, and garden tours.

map of Mackinac Island

Website: http://www.mackinacisland.org

Fort Mackinac

Fort Mackinac
Photo credit: Conal Gallagher
From its stoic position on Mackinac Island, Fort Mackinac has stood sentinel over the Straits of Mackinac for more than 115 years, having been built by British soldiers during the American Revolution. The original fort has been restored as a National Historic Landmark and is one of Michigan's favourite attractions. Visitors can stroll through the 1780 officer's stone quarters, play dress-up in the discovery room, enjoy an audio-visual presentation in the Post Commissary, view the exhibits, and watch lively demonstrations. The fort is a must for anybody exploring the region and generally receives rave reviews from visitors of all ages.

map of Fort Mackinac

Website: http://www.mackinacparks.com

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

Shipwreck Museum
Photo credit: Doug Coldwell
About an hour's drive north of the Mackinaw Bridge, situated in one of the most scenic spots on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, lies the intriguing Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, alongside the historic Whitefish Point Light Station on the shore of Lake Superior. The museum is the only one of its kind, dedicated to highlighting the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes. It brings to life the dramatic shipwreck legends of the area with artefacts and exhibits telling stories of the ships and sailors who came to grief on the treacherous lakes. The lighthouse on the site is the oldest active lighthouse on Lake Superior. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the restored 1861 Lightkeepers Quarters, a duplex building with period furnishings, descriptive panels and artefacts from the days when keepers and their families lived here.

map of Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

Website: http://www.shipwreckmuseum.com

Saugatuck-Douglas

Saugatuck, Michigan
Photo credit: Ross Graham
The small resort towns of Saugatuck and Douglas are close enough together to be considered one holiday destination. Popular for weekend getaways from Detroit and Chicago, the towns are located along the shore of Lake Michigan, in the southwest of the state. The area is known for its eclectic and artistic feel, with dozens of art galleries and plenty of good restaurants and bars. Saugatuck-Douglas offers a number of activities for visitors, including fishing, hiking, sailing, golf, bowling, horseback riding, kayaking, dune buggy outings, and lake cruises. There are also some small sandy beaches that offer scenic spots for swimming and sunbathing.

map of Saugatuck-Douglas

Website: http://www.saugatuck.com

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Tuesday October 25, 2022
Longest Timber-Towered Suspension Bridge To Open In This Midwest State — Where To Find It
The world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge will open to the public on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Located at Boyne Mountain Resort, a year-round destination in northern Michigan, the new SkyBridge Michigan is a “peak to peak” pedestrian bridge rising 118 feet off
Travel Awaits
Tuesday October 04, 2022
The Northern Lights Could Make an Appearance in the Lower 48 This Weekend
Three weeks ago, the Northern Lights, a phenomenon that sees ethereal streamers of colored light pirouette across the night sky, made a rare appearance in the Lower 48, coloring the skies in places like Wisconsin and Michigan. For those who missed it, fear not, as you may have
AFAR
Thursday September 29, 2022
The First Model T
On this day in 1908, the first production Model T automobile left the factory at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford's vision for an automobile for the masses was realized. Mass produced with
Travel Research Online
Tuesday September 27, 2022
650 Miles Of New Bicycle Routes Were Just Added In The U.S., Here’s Where You Can Ride
The largest cycling membership organization in North America has named three new U.S. Bicycle Routes in Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Delaware. The Adventure Cycling Association is also adding routes through Indiana and Michigan, all adding more than 650 miles to the U.S.
Travel Awaits
Tuesday July 12, 2022
Delta Air Lines offered passengers $10,000 each to get off an oversold flight
Passengers on a flight from Michigan to Minnesota say that the airline grew desperate for volunteers and kept increasing cash offers for anyone willing to give up their seats.
Yahoo News
Friday July 01, 2022
Octantis cruise ship draws admirers in Detroit
The ship, on its inaugural voyage through the St. Lawrence Seaway, made its way down the Detroit River for its first port of call in Michigan.
Detroit News
Wednesday May 04, 2022
Cruise ships returning to west Michigan for busy travel season
Muskegon is expected to be one of 10 expected stops for one of the cruise ships expected to traverse the Great Lakes this summer.
Fox News Detroit
Monday January 31, 2022
The First Model T
On this day in 1908, the first production Model T automobile left the factory at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford's vision for
Travel Research Online
Monday September 27, 2021
The Ghost Airline That Has Linked Cairo and Tel Aviv for Decades
In 2007, Michael Paley went to Cairo to visit his daughter, Naamah, a junior at the University of Michigan who was spending a semester in Egypt studying Arabic. He had a work trip in Israel scheduled for a few weeks later, so he asked one of the trip administrators to book him a ticket directly from Cairo to Tel Aviv. It’s a 50-minute flight on a clear day. “I wasn’t nervous before about it,” he says, recalling
Atlas Obscura
Friday April 24, 2020
Princess Cruises Vow Renewal Ceremony Sets World Record
This week, 1452 couples sailing on three Princess Cruises ships—Regal Princess, Royal Princess and Crown Princess—made an indelible mark on history. On February 11th, 2020, they participated in the largest multi-location vow renewal ceremony, topping the previous record of 1201 vow renewals once set in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their accomplishment is slated to appear in the 2021 edition of the Guinness Book
Forbes
Wednesday February 12, 2020
The Best Things I Ate And Drank In My 2019 Travels—And The Trends I Encountered
Food trends flew by in a relentless fashion this past year. I drove to Chicago and Canada, flew to New York and New Orleans and explored my own Michigan back yard in search of interesting things to eat. Sometimes, I discovered good food on the way to and from other food. These are the meals and dishes that stood out to me this year. Two entire meals. Everyone who had ever eaten at
Forbes
Monday December 16, 2019
A 'historic' storm will snarl holiday travel as 20 million people face brutal weather. Here's what you need to know
Millions of Thanksgiving travelers in the US will get walloped this week by several storms, including a dangerous system threatening parts of the West Coast. From California to Michigan, more than 20 million people are under winter weather advisories, watches or warnings, CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said. And we're still 26 days from the official
CNN
Tuesday November 26, 2019
Thanksgiving weather forecast: Big storm could disrupt travel in central USA
A sprawling storm in the central U.S. could wreak travel havoc in the days before Thanksgiving: Snow, rain and even thunderstorms are possible across the region. On Tuesday and into Wednesday, there is the potential for heavy snow and winterlike travel conditions with substantial delays to spread from eastern Colorado and northeastern New Mexico to parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan
USA Today
Thursday November 21, 2019
The First Model T
On this day in 1908, the first production Model T automobile left the factory at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford's vision for an automobile for the masses was realized. Mass produced with completely interchangeable parts on assembly lines, the Model
Travel Research Online
Friday September 27, 2019
Peek At This Luxurious Grand Hotel With The World's Longest Porch: Mackinac Island Magic
Take a seductive step back into yesteryear at the posh Grand Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, on picturesque Mackinac Island, affectionately known as America's Summer Place, which is located in Lake Huron, between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas
Forbes
Monday August 12, 2019
America Has a New National Park — Take a Look Inside
Indiana has a new national park. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was officially renamed Indiana Dunes National Park in mid-February, and it is now the 61st U.S. national park. The park encompasses 15 miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline and 15,000 acres of beaches, woods, prairies, and marshes. The varying landscapes within the park and its soaring dunes provide
Travel+Leisure
Tuesday February 26, 2019
There's a new national park. Find out where.
Indiana may have been the 19th state to enter the United States, but it took until 2019 for the Hoosier State to get its first national park. A 15,000-acre area in northwestern Indiana along the shore of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is now the country's 61st national park. It's about 50 miles from from Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States
CNN
Wednesday February 20, 2019
Poland an undiscovered, un-crowded travel destination
Michigan’s connection to Poland is palpable. There is even a link to the late U.S. President Gerald Ford, who was raised in Grand Rapids, where he is now laid to rest. Ford’s gaffe, which he uttered in a presidential debate during the 1976 campaign, was in insisting “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.” Ford’s statement is now a
Lansing State Journal
Monday January 07, 2019
United Refunds Michigan Soldier, Offers Free Travel After Cancellation
United Airlines is making up for the expensive cancellation hiccup that forced a Michigan soldier to spend thousands of dollars to make it home for Christmas with his family. United spokesman Madhu Unnikrishnan confirmed Monday that the airline will be sending the family a check to cover the money
Detroit Free Press
Wednesday December 26, 2018
A Delta Air Lines Passenger Was Allegedly Told He Could Sit on a Feces-Covered Seat or "Be Left Behind"
Delta Air Lines passenger flying from Atlanta to Miami on November 1 was allegedly told that he could either sit in a seat that was covered with feces or be left behind. Matthew Meehan, of Michigan, said that after boarding the Delta flight he quickly discovered not only a bad smell—but feces on the seat, floor and wall of the plane. After sitting in
Newsweek
Wednesday November 07, 2018
Jamaica resorts facing a 'historic' sexual assault problem
In a dark laundry room at a Jamaican Sandals resort, pinned to the floor by a hotel lifeguard, a Michigan teenage girl lay paralyzed with fear as the man bit her lip and raped her, violently robbing her virginity. When her mother found her after the assault, trembling and holding herself
USA Today
Wednesday October 31, 2018
The First Model T
On this day in 1908, the first production Model T automobile left the factory at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford's vision for an automobile for the masses was realized. Mass produced with completely interchangeable parts on assembly lines
Travel Research Online
Thursday September 27, 2018
Campaign Planned to Attract Cruise Ships to Great Lakes
A coalition of government and business groups is kicking off a campaign to attract cruise ships to the Great Lakes. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and other officials are scheduled to attend an announcement of the "Cruise the Great Lakes" initiative Thursday on Mackinac Island. The announcement will coincide with a port of call by Victory 1
Chicago Tribune
Thursday August 30, 2018
Airline Passenger Convicted of Sexually Abusing a Woman On a Plane
A man accused of undressing and fondling a Spirit Airlines passenger while she was asleep could spend the rest of his life behind bars. Prabhu Ramamoorthy, 35, was convicted of sexual abuse on board an aircraft for digitally penetrating the victim, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan said. His sentencing date is set for December 12, and he could
CNN
Tuesday August 21, 2018
Urban Glamping? This Chicago Hotel Offers A Suite Adventure
The Gwen is admittedly not one of the first hotels I would list if you asked me to name the top luxury hotels in Chicago. It's conveniently located on Michigan Avenue and connected to Shops at North Bridge, but it used to be a Conrad Hotel and is often
Forbes
Thursday July 05, 2018
St. Jane Chicago Now Taking Hotel Reservations
ichigan Avenue’s newest hotel, the soon-to-open St. Jane Chicago, is now taking reservations for stays starting July 1. Rooms are listed in the online reservation system for as low as $159 for certain days in July — not a bad price for a prime location in the historic Carbide and Carbon Building. For more than a decade, the art deco skyscraper at 230 N. Michigan Ave. had been home to the music-themed Hard Rock Hotel, which closed late last year to make way for St. Jane.
Chicago Tribune
Monday June 04, 2018
Searching for a Secret Ski Destination? Try Michigan
We Michiganders say, you shall know us, from Aspen to Zermatt. Our mountains, with their 500-foot drops, some call hills. But the resorts of northern Michigan have a tradition of teaching by European experts that goes back to the earliest days of skiing in the United States
New York Times
Monday December 11, 2017
Yule jewel: World's Largest Christmas Emporium Supersizes Holiday Fun
The family-run emporium has been a perennial favorite in this Bavarian-themed mid-Michigan town for more than 70 years. Today, it lays claim to being the world’s largest Christmas store and attracts 2 million visitors annually
The Boston Globe
Wednesday November 22, 2017
The First Model T
On this day in 1908, the first production Model T automobile left the factory at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan
Travel Research Online
Wednesday September 27, 2017
Spirit Airplane's Failing Engine Sends Metal Shards Flying Over Michigan Neighborhood
On Sunday night, residents of Dearborn Heights, Mich., reported hearing mysterious metallic objects crashing around their homes, only to go outdoors and discover hot metal shards falling from the sky. The cause? A Spirit flight overhead was experiencing engine failure, sending pieces of its blown-apart turbine engine raining down on Dearborn, according to the FAA
Fox Travel News
Friday September 22, 2017
Michigan Avenue's Hard Rock Hotel to become St. Jane Chicago — for Jane Addams
Michigan Avenue's Hard Rock Hotel will have some playful new features but a serious name when it reopens as an independent brand next year. The new name, the St. Jane Chicago, pays homage to Chicago social worker and activist Jane Addams
Chicago Tribune
Tuesday August 29, 2017
Michigan's Hottest Destinations Offer Something For Everyone
Spectacular scenery, family-friendly activities, and diversions to entice even the most avid sports enthusiast: That’s just the start of a Michigan vacation
USA Today
Tuesday July 18, 2017
Floating Water Park Coming to Indiana's Lake Michigan Shores
Workers at Whihala Beach in northwest Indiana have started installing a floating water park along Lake Michigan
Chicago Tribune
Tuesday June 20, 2017
Influential Textile Designer's Work Displayed in Michigan
“Alexander Girard: A Designer’s Universe” opened Saturday at the Bloomfield Hills museum. It features hundreds of examples of Girard’s work, including furniture, textiles, graphics, architecture, drawings and sculptures
The Washington Post
Tuesday June 20, 2017
From Bar to Barber shop: Visit Hemingway Haunts in Northern Michigan
For much of his early years, the novelist didn't move much beyond Oak Park, where he was born, and Northern Michigan, where his family had a vacation cottage. Far from getting away from himself, his experiences there figure into his earliest writing
Chicago Tribune
Monday June 19, 2017
Exploring Underground Railroad ties in Southwest Michigan
It takes just two hours to get from Chicago to this don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it town in Cass County, but the drive through farmland and small towns in Southwest Michigan ends in a destination steeped in history
Chicago Tribune
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Why You Should Visit Ann Arbor, Michigan
A-squared, as locals call it, is a city on the cusp, like a student ready to graduate from classroom to cubicle. The mellow cousin to bigger, burlier Detroit — 50 miles to the east — Ann Arbor is the birthplace of Students for a Democratic Society and home of the annual Hash Bash
The Washington Post
Friday May 12, 2017
TSA travel tip: How to fly with pies and more this Thanksgiving
How to fly with a pie? Traveling back from Michigan, I found myself wondering what the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA)'s stance is on whole pies
Fox Travel News
Wednesday November 23, 2016
The First Model T
On this day in 1908, the first production Model T automobile left the factory at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan
Travel Research Online
Tuesday September 27, 2016
A great lake vacation along Michigan's harbor towns
Lots of Chicagoans flock to the shores of Southwest Michigan in the summer. Capt. Rich Greenwood says he's always amazed at how many of them skip the best part of a lake vacation: that is, getting out on the lake, in a boat
Chicago Tribune
Tuesday July 12, 2016
Road-trip time: A guide to southwest Michigan's booming brewery scene
Nick Kuhn and I sat on the front porch of the brewery he opened last summer in a pastoral slice of southwest Michigan hugged by farms and trees. A two-lane road sat at the end of his curving driveway, but there wasn't a car in sight — just a handful of beer sippers on a languid Friday afternoon and Kuhn's two kids kicking a soccer ball on the broad lawn
Chicago Tribune
Thursday May 26, 2016
2 Michigan islands are close but so different
Michigan's historic Mackinac and rustic Beaver islands are only 50 miles from each other, but they feel like worlds apart
Chicago Tribune
Monday April 25, 2016
Over 400 islands of wilderness
Wildlife and camping opportunities abound within Lake Superior off of the coast of Michigan.
USA Today
Monday December 14, 2015
Alpena a Haven for History Buffs and Outdoor Enthusiasts
History buffs seeking outdoor adventure will believe they've struck gold when visiting the city of Alpena on Michigan's east coast. Alpena is rich with both -- many times in the same activity or attraction.
The Huffington Post
Thursday November 12, 2015
A Tour of the Middle East, and More, in Dearborn, Michigan
A sprawling Arab museum, a detour to the Henry Ford Museum, and a Lebanese meat market, where all is not as it seems
New York Times
Friday October 16, 2015
48 hours in Detroit
Architecture, grassroots development and new flights make this Michigan city enticing