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Guidebook Michigan
Geographical Description:
Michigan has been shaped, literally and figuratively, by the
Great Lakes. Carved by glaciers, its two peninsulas are
surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes. Dotted with more
than 11,000 inland lakes, laced with 36,000 miles of rivers and
streams and defined by a coastline more than 3, 200 miles and
with more than half the state covered by forests, Michigan
affords a wide variety of recreational experiences.
Climate: A maritime climate provides Michigan with long
daylight hours in the summer, and a steady stream of snow-laden
winds for winter sport enthusiasts. Summer temperatures average
32 C, and winter temperatures –5 C.
Population: 10,079,985
What to see and do:
Attractions
Camper and Canoe Photo Credit: Terry W. Phipps
and
Michigan.org Camper and a canoe on a lake in the
Upper Peninsula near Paradise.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Multicolored
sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes,
streams, forests and wildlife comprise this scenic area on Lake Superior
between Munising and Grand Marais. Activities include sightseeing,
camping, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, fishing, hunting, picnicking,
boating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, a maritime
museum, a lighthouse and a visitor’s centre.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Encompasses a
56-km stretch of Lake Michigan’s eastern coastline, as well as North and
South Manitou Islands. Outstanding natural features include forests,
beaches, dune formations and ancient glacial phenomena.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park: One of the largest
waterfalls east of the Mississippi, the Upper Falls has a drop of nearly
15 meters and is more than 60 meters across. Six kilometers downstream
is the Lower Falls, a series of five smaller falls cascading around an
island.
Events
Winter Carnival (February): The beauty of winter is
enhanced during Winter Carnival at Michigan Technological University in
Houghton. Engineering students put their skills to the wintry test by
constructing large snow and ice sculptures, some up to nine metres high.
Enjoy sleigh rides, food and the snow. Houghton.
Blossomtime Festival (April-May): The party begins
with the Blessing of the Blossoms ceremony and continues all week at
Michigan’s oldest and largest multi-community festival. Take a
self-guided driving tour through blossoming orchards, and then sit
curbside to watch the Grand Floral Parade. Flower-decked floats and
marching bands from 24 area towns participate. Benton Harbor/St. Joseph.
Tulip Time Festival (May): May 2004 will mark the 75th
anniversary of the Tulip Time festival. Tulip Time is one of the largest
flower festivals in the United States. Scheduled events include
performances by Jim Brickman, Pat Boone and The Oak Ridge Boys. Other
activities include music and variety performances, parades, trolley
tours, fireworks and much more.
Great Lakes Folk Festival (August): This new event in
East Lansing showcases the region’s rich cultural heritage through
music, dancing, food, storytelling and crafts. A sampling of what’s in
store: 100 musicians and dancers, craft demonstrations, hands-on
activities and a food court.
Octoberfest (September): This festival provides a
European marketplace atmosphere with German music, food, beer, and
dancing in the fest tents. Enjoy the smell and taste of grilled
bratwurst and soft pretzels hot from the ovens. Taste the full-bodied
flavor of authentic Hofbrau Haus German beer while listening to the
“oom-pah-pah” sound of German bands. Frankenmuth.
Places
Mackinac Island: A picturesque summer resort island
still steeped in the 19th century – where the automobile has yet to
intrude.
Frankenmuth: With its neat homes and businesses,
Bavarian-style architecture and two of the country’s largest family
restaurants, Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” hosts three million visitors a
year.
Greenfield Village: This 33-hectare village museum at
Dearborn, near Detroit, includes more than 80 historic homes, buildings
and workplaces including the Wright Brothers Bicycle Shop.
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge in
Saginaw supports more than 250 species of migrating birds, more than 100
songbird species and waterfowl. Deer, beaver and muskrat also inhabit
the area.
Michigan Fun Facts!
Michigan offers a quality of living that is
unsurpassed!
Over 1,000 public golf courses – more than any
other state in the nation
960,014 registered boats – more than any other
state in the nation
Over 3,200 miles of shoreline – more than the
entire Atlantic seaboard
11,000 inland lakes
600 campgrounds
3 IMAX Theatres
5 professional sports teams: Tigers, Lions,
Pistons, Red Wings, Shock
99 state parks
Michigan is home to the nation’s
first automobile
first traffic light
oldest state fair – the Michigan State Fair,
first held in 1849
first “Boston Cooler”
first typewriter
largest free jazz festival, the Montreux Detroit
Jazz Festival
Michigan is also
the automobile capital of the world
the home of Motown
the potato chip capital of the world
the softball capital of the world
the cherry capital of the U.S.
the blueberry capital of the U.S.
Information and photos submitted
by:
Travel Michigan
300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, Michigan 48913
(888) 78-GREAT |
www.michigan.org |
travelinfo@michigan.org
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