“There are still places that can slow the world down just long enough for us to catch our breath," reads Michigan’s official travel and tourism website. (See References 1) Families can leave stress behind when experiencing Michigan's cultural attractions, fun-filled amusements and natural scenery. Tourism in Michigan provides something for every family member, from the nature seeker to the casino lover.
Traverse City contains a total of 180.8 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline plus a large number of lakes and sand dunes. The city is an ideal starting point for a boating getaway or a historical dockside tour. Visitors flock to Traverse City’s Ottawa and Chippewa Indian reservations, where local casinos offer poker, roulette and blackjack. The city’s peninsulas boast 29 wineries, many of which offer off-site tasting rooms. The town is home to various art studios, photography galleries and jewelry boutiques. Traverse City was rated the number one foodie city in America by the Livability Poll. (See References 1) Foodie tours of its restaurants, butchers, cheese and candy shops and breweries are available for tourists.
Historic Mackinac Island, a quiet getaway, can only be accessed via Arnold Transit or Great Lake Air. (See References 2) Tourists come for the Lilac Festival, or to tour the area’s finest restaurants during "A Taste of Mackinac." Free guided tours of the Governor’s summer residence are popular during The Grand Parade and Fourth of July festivities. The island’s boreal forest attracts fall visitors who enjoy the color display, making it the ideal locale for Destination Dream Wedding Weekend. Shoppers are lured with fall bargains just before the holiday season. Tourists partake in snowshoeing and Nordic skiing in the snowy landscape during winter.
Sunrise Coast stretches from Largo Springs to Lake Huron along the Au Sable River. Tourists searching for a family getaway will discover an open invitation to turquoise blue waters ,historic lighthouses and historic small towns. Tourists enjoy salmon fishing, boating and kayaking on the waterway. The 200 miles of shoreline contain various beaches where visitors can snorkel and scuba dive. Nine state parks and sanctuaries preserve forested woodlands, and there are pathways and bike paths for recreation. Guests can explore shipwrecks, ride riverboats or attend the Annual Great Lakes Lighthouse festival.
