The UP, the upper peninsula of Michigan, is most commonly referred to by Michiganders as "Up North." If you want to go Up North, a good choice is to take a scenic trip on the Two Hearted River in the eastern section of the UP during the summer. The river experience offers canoeing, fishing and camping, all which are top-rated by visitors. You might want to take along a copy of Ernest Hemingway's book, "Big Two-Hearted River," in case you get tired of hauling in all those freshwater trout. To find out about canoe trips, camping and lodging in the area go to the Exploring North website.
Michigan is the only state with a thumb. Thumb? Hold out your hand, keeping your fingers together with your thumb pointing toward the right. This is the outline of the lower peninsula of Michigan. The Thumb region of the state is chiefly an agricultural area. The space between the thumb and first finger represents Saginaw Bay. This bay is the largest freshwater wetland in the United States and bird watching here is fantastic throughout the year, but best in the spring when the chicks are born, or in early fall at the start of migration. If you want to catch a glimpse of a Trumpeter Swan, American White Pelican, Black-crowned Night Heron or Great Heron, then grab your binoculars and come to the Bay. Visit the Audubon Society website, and click on "Michigan," then "Saginaw Bay," for more information.
The largest city in the state, Detroit, is situated in southeastern Michigan at the edge of the river separating the U.S. from Canada. Music buffs will want to visit Hitsville USA, the birthplace of the Motown sound. It was at this recording studio that The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Temptations and many more music greats got their start. Hitsville is now open to the public as the Motown Historical Museum.
Greenfield Village is a 90-acre history extravaganza located in Dearborn. Greenfield Village is composed of seven districts, telling the tales of life spanning from the 1600s to the early 1900s in America. Visitors will tour Henry Ford's actual home, a replica of his first factory, visit Edison's laboratory and the Wright Brothers bicycle shop. The companion to the Village is the Henry Ford Museum. An example of anything mechanical is most likely on display there, including cars, planes, farm equipment and household machinery.
The Ford Motor Company's Rouge Plant is open to the public for tours, if you are interested in seeing how today's cars are made. The factory, Ford Museum and Motown Museum are open the winter, but the Village is only open during the summer, so plan your trip accordingly.
