Distance: 5 miles Walking time: 1 hour, 50 minutes Stop #1: Chinook Pier / Coal Tipple A tall concrete structure that towers over the town was used to feed coal into steam locomotives, which went obsolete in the 1950s when diesel powered locomotives took to the rails. The rail yard was abandoned about 20 [...]
Southwest Michigan has a lot going for it: beaches, blueberries, wineries, antique shopping, gorgeous views. It’s easy to be entertained and amused yet impossible to see everything. If you like being outside, however, don’t pass up the Kal-Haven Trail. You can hike, bike, and even cross-country ski. This beautiful, linear trail that opened back in [...]
Mileage: 38 miles Driving Time: 1 hour, 2 minutes Holland is affectionally known as “Dutch Town,” thanks to the heritage of its settlers. Home of the Tulip Time festival each spring – and yes, they do wear wooden shoes and traditional garb – Holland is a homey mid-sized town that sits conveniently on the shores [...]
Part 1: Southwest Lower Michigan Mileage: 122 miles Time to travel: 2 hours, 29 minutes West Michigan has been a favorite summer destination, especially for Chicagoans, for more than 100 years. Beachside living was ideal compared to the hot, smelly city streets. They would head north, stopping all along the coast, basking in the freshwater [...]
The Upper Peninsula gets a lot of the recognition when it comes to finding a quiet, dark spot to stargaze. There’s no question you’ll be able to point out the Big Dipper or see a shooting star in this less congested area of the state, but you can find stargazing spots all along the western [...]
When you’re surrounded by major bodies of fresh water, it stands to reason that there are lighthouses built to help guide ships who take to those waters, both large and small. Michigan is home to 129 lighthouses, with 44 of them on Lake Michigan alone. For this driving tour, you’ll visit six of these lighthouses [...]
Upper Peninsula Want something off the beaten path? The southern Garden Peninsula, as it’s so known, is a land mass that juts out into Lake Michigan to form Big and Little Bays de Noc. In August and September, the cedar trees around Peninsula Point Lighthouse Park between the bays is a popular stopover for thousands [...]
Trolling along on a big lake, casting a line off a dock or pier, spending an afternoon knee-deep in a stream with a rod in hand… fishing tends to conjure up memories of quiet days and exhilarating catches for recreational anglers – and dreams of such for neophytes. There are fishing guides who can recommend [...]
Being outside and enjoying the beauty of the state’s diverse landscape and waterways is the best part of camping in Michigan. Whether it’s by walking, riding, or paddling, there’s something that will pique the interest of every nature lover and outdoor enthusiast. Northwest Whether you tube, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, the Platte River in [...]
There is history and culture that can be experienced outdoors across west Michigan. This driving tour stretches from southwest Michigan to the Mackinac Bridge and stops at some of the most popular destinations along the way. Distance: 332 miles Time: 6 hours, 1 minute Windmill Island, Holland Website: www.cityofholland.com/471/Windmill-Island-Gardens You’ll feel like you’re in [...]
