Have you ever dreamed of traveling to a locale featured within the pages of a good book—where the scenery, architecture, activities, or people were so inspiring that you just wanted to walk in the shoes of the story’s characters? There are a handful of novels and short stories set in and around the Petoskey area which are worth a read, followed by a first time or return visit.
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Snowy days make for magical get-aways at these quaint fairytale Michigan inns.
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A combination of cross-country skiing and dogsledding, skijoring—a name derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring, meaning “ski driving”—involves a person on skis being pulled behind a dog (or dogs), for recreation or competitive racing. The skier wears a skijoring belt connected to the dog via a line, while the dog wears a pulling-specific harness. The dog is motivated to run solely by responding to the skier’s voice commands.
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Midwestern hospitality, history, and culture are found at every turn throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region – encompassing three counties (Bay, Midland, and Saginaw) and six communities (Bay City, Midland, Saginaw, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, and Birch Run).
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October is Michigan AgriTourism month…a colorful and flavorful time to celebrate the state’s rich bounty. Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state in the country (behind California) and its position in the heart of the Great Lakes creates the ideal “cool climate” conditions to grow more than 200 different commodities. From the tapping of the first maple tree in the spring to the harvest of the 1.05 billion pounds of apples statewide each fall, Michigan is a “Mitten of Plenty” waiting to be savored.
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There’s been a flutter of activity lately around the plight of pollinators like bees and butterflies, specifically the monarch, and how creating or maintaining habitats help ensure the future of these vital winged insects. In the past year, several northwest Michigan communities — Elk Rapids, Kalkaska, Boyne City, Beaver Island and Melrose Township (Walloon Lake) — have become members of a national initiative called Monarch Cities USA, pledging to protect and provide for these butterflies.
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For Derrick Jones, the sky’s the limit when it comes to pursuing his hobby. He was just 8 years old when he began crewing on the ground for local balloon pilots in Battle Creek and, four years later, he took his first balloon flight — setting the course up, up, and away for a lifelong passion.
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Nearly a century ago, the Federal Commercial and Savings Bank opened at the corner of Military and Water streets along the Black River in downtown Port Huron. Its stately facade would later house the Michigan National Bank (a name which remains boldly emblazoned on the side of the building) before being recently transformed into the latest CityFlats boutique hotel at 405 Water Street.
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Each fall, Michigan puts on a magnificent show as nearly 150 species of trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, gold, and yellow, adorning more than 18.5 million acres of forests set against a backdrop of evergreens and the deep blue waters of the Great Lakes. The northern Lake Michigan shoreline, from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs, boasts countless attractions and activities to enhance your coastal color tour.
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Michigan’s smallest village (by land area) is doing big things to enhance the community offerings for its residents and visitors alike. Ahmeek encompasses just 0.068 square miles (45.52 acres) and is the only incorporated municipality in Keweenaw County (on the Keweenaw Peninsula), sitting about three miles north of the Houghton County village of Calumet.
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The concept—a framed, backlit image—is simple. Yet, Helmscenes become much more than the sum of their parts once plugged in and switched on. Beloved by collectors today as ambiance-creating décor, Helmscenes transport their views to scenes near and far—and serve as physical reminders of the years in the mid-twentieth century when they were produced in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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Michigan has many monikers – like the Great Lakes State. According to the , it is also known as The Trails State, with thousands of seasonal routes crisscrossing the state – from hiking and biking to paddling and skiing, and so much more. These various paths are so important to the state’s image that a designated Michigan Trails Week is even held every fall, this year September 17-24.
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The first patented drive-in theater was opened in 1933 in New Jersey, launching a national trend for outdoor family entertainment fueled by the growing automotive industry. Over time, as many as 5,000 drive-ins operated throughout the country.
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