State of Michigan Tourism InformationWhat’s New
• Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum: This historic structure has been renovated to house a permanent collection of fine and decorative arts.
• 150th birthday anniversary of W.K. Kellogg: Remembering the man behind the famous cereal. Celebrations include the unveiling of a statue honouring Kellogg and his work, an exhibit at the Art Center of Battle Creek and themed tours at his Gull Lake Manor House.
• Michigan Culinary Tourism Alliance: Encourages the use of local foods and food products, and promotes the state as a culinary travel destination.
• Milestone events: It’s the 150th anniversary for two Michigan communities founded in 1860. Manistique, in the Upper Peninsula and Whitehall, on the Lower Peninsula’s West Coast.
Attractions
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: This scenic area comprises multi-coloured sandstone cliffs, beaches, dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes, forests and wildlife. On Lake Superior between Munising and Grand Marais.
• Motown Historical Museum: Long known as Hitsville, and home of the world-famous Studio A. Detroit.
• The Henry Ford: See JFK’s limo, Rosa Parks’ bus and thousands of uniquely American innovations at the museum. Dearborn.
• Detroit Institute of Arts: Among the top 10 museums in the U.S. Offering more than 100 galleries with art from ancient to modern times. Detroit.
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Celebrating its 15th anniversary celebrations with two special exhibitions and a tribute concert at its amphitheatre. Grand Rapids.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Features spectacular mountains of sand, and 56 kilometres of Lake Michigan shoreline. Offers hiking, motor trails and a new 2-1/2 to 3-hour boat cruise. Northwest Lower Peninsula.
•Silver Beach: New development includes the interactive Whirlpool Compass Fountain; Silver Beach Amusement Park Museum; Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone; Shadowland Ballroom and Silver Beach Carousel. St. Joseph.
Events
• Winter Carnival (February), Houghton.
• Tulip Time Festival (May), Holland.
• National Cherry Festival (July), Traverse City.
• Woodward Dream Cruise (August), Detroit.
• Great Lakes Folk Festival (August), East Lansing.
• Oktoberfest (September), Frankenmuth.
Places
• Frankenmuth: Bavarian-style architecture, attractions and events, Michigan’s “Little Bavaria”.
• Greenfield Village: Historic homes, buildings and workplaces that include the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop and the Henry Ford Museum. Dearborn.
• Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge: More than 250 species of migrating birds, and over 100 songbird species and waterfowl. Deer, beaver and muskrat also inhabit the area. Saginaw.
• Tahquamenon Falls State Park: The Upper Falls drops nearly 15 metres and is more than 60 metres across. Downstream is the Lower Falls; a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island.
Hidden Gems
State of Michigan Tourism Information• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve: The first Great Lakes sanctuary in the National Marine Sanctuary system protects a collection of more than 100 shipwrecks. Alpena.• Interlochen Center for the Arts: Features children’s arts camp programs; a fine arts boarding high school; two 24-hour public radio stations; year-round arts programs for adults; and 600 arts presentations annually. Interlochen.
Did You Know?
State Motto: If You Seek A Pleasant Peninsula, Look About You
State Flower: Apple Blossom
State Bird: Robin
Fast Facts
Region: GREAT LAKES
America’s Byways: Copper Country Trail, River Road Scenic Byway, Woodward Avenue.
Direct Flights: Air Canada, Northwest Airlines
Sales Tools: Michigan Travel Ideas magazine; high-resolution images at www.michigan.org/imagelibrary.
Info: Travel Michigan
1-888-784-7328
www.michigan.org