Michigan is the state in the Midwestern part of the United States, in the Great Lakes region. It is surrounded by the great Canadian city of Ontario on its northern and eastern border, and by Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, the strait of Mackinac, Ohio and Indiana on its southern side. Illinois and Wisconsin states border in the west. A total area of the state is 58,527 square miles. Michigan state is also known as the Great Lake State because it is surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. This part of the state, best known as the Upper Peninsula, is separated from the rest of the state by Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Moreover, it is known with its longest freshwater boundary. Michigan State takes the 9th place among 50 states in the USA according to its population. The state is divided into two areas: the upper peninsula and the lower peninsula. It is the only state to consist of two peninsulas.
The state’s climate is continental. The southern region of the Lower Peninsula has a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters, while the northern part of Lower Peninsula has a more inclement climate with warm summers and very cold winters. The capital city of the state is Lancing, and most famous and the largest city of Michigan State is Detroit. It attracts people from all over the world, which make the state’s tourism industry higher.
First of all, as the state is bordered by the Great Lakes, the most developed and widely spread entertainment is water rides. It is Canoe Trails, which is situated in the Southwest part of the Michigan state. It suits the novice and experienced paddler. There is a great range of options for paddling excursions for canoers, who come to the State. Southwest Michigan's padding excursions give people great opportunity to explore historic sites and natural wonders of the state. There you can bring your own canoe or rent from a local rivery.
Another option for travelers, who come to the State of Michigan, is car shows, which is carried out annually in Charlotte town, Michigan. You can see cars of all makes and models. There you can find a great variety of different cars: vintage cars, modern cars, and even motorcycles. It is one of the biggest entertainments, which takes place every year and where you can come with your family to have a great time and enjoy a day of entertainment, music and good food. Moreover, you can spend your time watching car races, amazing paints and different car models.
The biggest city of Michigan state is considered a famous for its museums. Many of the state's most amazing museums are situated in Detroit. One of the well-known museums is The Henry Ford Museum, which was begun as Henry Ford's personal collection of historic objects that he started collecting in 1906. However, today the things in the museum are not limited only by the collections of Henry Ford, but there are various works of different American inventors. Nowadays Greenfield Village is considered as the part of the same museum complex, and it is best known as a "living history" museum. It offers fascinating glimpses into a great collection of antique machinery, automobiles, pop culture items, aircraft, locomotives, and other items, which attract numerous people from all over the world. The best thing in the museum is the IMAX theatre, where it is shown different historical documentaries and major feature films as well. In the mentioned museum there are collected various historical items such as an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, a model of the nuclear-powered Ford Nucleon automobile, Buckminster Fuller's prototype Dymaxion house, a working fragment of the original Holiday Inn "Great Sign", Thomas Edison's alleged last breath in a sealed tube, a collection of several fine 17th and 18th century violins including a Stradivarius and others.
If you are planning to bring your family to Michigan and looking for activities that all can enjoy, you can visit one of the Michigan state’s many zoos. It can demonstrate many learning experiences. One of the biggest and the most popular zoos in the Great Lake State is Detroit Zoo, which opened in 1928 and today considered as Michigan’s largest family attraction. Nowadays, the zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals, which represent more than 250 species. Many animals from different geographic zone live there. For example, zebras, gnus and giraffes from African Grasslands, red pandas, Amur tigers, and other animals from Asian Forest. In addition to the variety of animals, the zoo provides numerous amusement rides, a gift shop, a cafeteria-style restaurant, snack bars, and rental strollers and wheelchairs.
In early October, Annual Harvest Festival in the city of Bangor, where it is celebrated abundant apple harvest. This festival is two-day event, also known as the Apple Festival, which includes an arts and craft show, cooking contests, children's activities and live music. It is also an ideal event for the whole family.
One of the best places to visit for the whole family is Warren Dunes State Park, which is located in the southwestern part of Michigan state. It reveals 1,952 acres and allows us to explore and climb the huge sand dunes that parallel the shore. It also offers six miles of hiking trails and three miles of sandy beaches, where all visitors can enjoy the waters and great scenery of Lake Michigan. There are gigantic, windblown sand dunes, which reach up to 260 feet in height. You can climb to the top of it for a picturesque view of the Michigan Lake and its surrounding. It undoubtedly will leave an unforgettable impression that you will never forget.
One of the most amazing festivals held in Michigan is the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, which takes place in the end of June. It's the four-day festival, where you can go with your family and have a great time. The hot air balloon festival, presented by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce and has been held annually since 1984. You can also be a witness of the great open carnival before the festival starts. Also, it can offer visitors a children’s activity area and live entertainment and a balloon fly-in competition followed by fireworks in the evening.
Mackinac Island is an island and resort area with amazing nature, which is still continuing to attract tourists from all over the world. It is located in Lake Huron. It is also considered the state’s historical area, which is, nowadays, known for its numerous cultural events and its architecture. There are many things you have to do and see visiting Mackinac Island. You can go to the island by private boat, by small aircraft, and by snowmobile in the winter. Also from there, ferry service is available to the island throughout the day. On the island there is Mackinac State Park, which includes Fort Mackinac that is famous for its historic downtown and harbor. The main thing on Mackinac Island that draw visitors’ attention is the lack of automobiles. There are only horse-carriages serve people. There are also carriage tours available on will take you around the island.
The state has a surprising number of ski areas available. Michigan's Upper Peninsula is well-known for skiing and snowboarding resorts. As the winter in this part of the Great Lake state lasts a bit longer than in the other parts of the state, skiing and snowboarding are considered as the most popular activities in the Upper Peninsula. This part has heavy snow in winter times. It is best known as "lake effect snow" among the local people. Sometimes people use snow machines in order to fill the gaps. You have to wear special clothing and have the right, proper equipment in order to make your trip safer. If you do not have your own clothing you can easily rent it there. Moreover, you have an opportunity to take lessons from very experienced professionals so you can keep your snowboard under control. The lodges at Indianhead Mountain in Wakefield are on the top of the mountain, so you can see a breathtaking view from there. It also can offer many other attractions and lodging options. There are many outdoor winter activities in the Michigan State, which include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating. Visitors can also spend the day ice fishing at Pleasant Lake or Fishers Lake, or hunting for deer, elk or bear.
One more thing I would like to emphasize about the State of Michigan is that Tahquamenon Falls is the great option for people who like spending time outside. The Upper Tahquamenon Falls are considered as the second biggest waterfall in Mississippi after Niagara Falls. Every visitor who came to the State of Michigan have to see the wonderful nature of this area, Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The park can offer us a great variety of outdoor activities like fishing, skiing, camping, birding, sightseeing, snowshoeing, cross-country hiking, and snowmobiling. Furthermore, you can see wild animals that you cannot meet in other places. Once you see a beautiful picturesque scenery of the park and you will never forget it. There is a great opportunity for all of you to visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park at any time of the year. In addition, there are many pubs, where you can go to have dinner with your friends. The quarter-mile trail to the Upper Falls from the parking lot and the Brew Pub is handicap accessible and partially paved. There's also a slightly longer nature trail leading to the falls overlook. Tahquamenon Falls State Park has two main campground areas. The largest is adjacent to the Lower Falls. There are 188 sites with electrical service and modern washrooms in it.
Michigan state is also popular for its campgrounds, which is also a great option for outdoor activity. Bessemer city, which is situated in the eastern part of the Great Lake State and borders with Lake Superior and the Ottawa National Forest, is considered as the center of the campgrounds. It allows visitors to spend great time fishing, swimming and boating.
The last but definitely not least is the Isle Royale National Park, which is located in Lake Superior. It is a densely forested part of the island, which best known for its its immigrant wolves, moose, loons, beaver, fox, and other small mammals. It is an amazing chance for travelers to explore the wild nature and find out more about its beauty. You can enjoy an island sunset and watch the northern lights in the sky.
Finally, I would like to say if you are planning to visit the state of Michigan, be sure that you will not have any problems with attractions and activities. You are always free to bring your family and friends and have the time of your life.
Reference
Clever Bald, F. (1954). Michigan in Four Centuries. New York: Harper & Brothers. 498pp.
Federal Writers' Project (1981). Michigan: A Guide to the Wolverine State. Reprint. New York: Somerset.
Fine, S. (1996). Civil Rights and the Michigan Constitution of 1963. Ann Arbor: Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.
Fuller, George N. (1939). ed. Michigan: A Centennial History of the State. 5 vols. Chicago: Lewis.
Hershock, M. J. (1996). Liberty and Power in the Old Northwest: Michigan, 1850–1867.
The Legislative Process in Michigan: (1995). A Student's Guide. Lansing: Legislative Service Bureau,
Rubenstein, B. (1995) A. Michigan, A History of the Great Lakes State. Wheeling, Ill.: Harlan Davidson
