Two Outstanding Michigan Vacation Destinations: Detroit and Mackinac Island
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If you enjoy being near the water, touring historic sites, attending sporting events, going to museums, attending the theater, or just love a great night out on the town, you belong in Detroit. Due to a lot of negative media hype, I used to be one of those "avoid Detroit at all costs" travelers. After spending some time in this wonderful city, I've left the stereotypes behind for good. I'm not a big sports fan, but it's impossible not to catch on that Detroit is a huge sports town. The pride the city takes in the new Comerica Park (home of the Detroit Tigers) is almost contagious. I visited in September, but it seemed the Red Wings, the Lions, the Tigers and the Pistons were the topics of conversations, news stories, and ads practically everywhere. A city that's that excited about its sports teams has to love to have fun and enjoy life. Where was all the doom and gloom? I'm sure there's plenty of doom and gloom throughout areas of Detroit, but this is true of just about any city you'll visit on vacation. What I found in Detroit was beautiful landscapes and charming sidewalk cafes. I was delighted by the diverse range of top quality attractions I could visit - far too many to see in the limited time I had for my stay. I love cultural attractions and historic sites, and there are tons to visit in Detroit - the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Museum of African American History, the Detroit Science Center and the Motown Historical Museum are just a few. Two Attractions to Enjoy on Belle Island
Animal lovers and families will want to visit the zoo and aquarium on Belle Island. I spent time at the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory viewing stunning displays of beautiful plants and flowers, many of them quite rare. Locally known as the "flower house," the conservatory also features a Lily Pond garden and other formal gardens outdoors. I also visited the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Island - the place to learn all about Detroit's fascinating maritime history. There's a terrific array of artifacts, ships (both full-sized and models), and reconstructed ship areas at the Great Lakes Museum. Championship hydroplane racing boat Miss Pepsi and the 40-ton, reconstructed pilot house of the Great Lakes ore freighter S.S. William Clay Ford are just two of the highlights of a tour of this museum. Have Fun in Greektown Besides Belle Island, my favorite place in Detroit was the lively, diverse Greektown with its many, many attractions. If you like gambling, you'll love the Greektown Casino. Gaming aside, it's an incredibly beautiful place to eat, have a drink, or just hang out. The Casino is definitely a hot spot here, but it's just one of many options. There are tons of restaurants and bakeries, clubs, and shops to explore in Greektown. The outstanding baklava is just the beginning! Step Back in Time on Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is mostly undeveloped, and what is developed seems at first glance to be nothing more than a Victorian Village! The downtown hustle and bustle on Mackinac Island consists of pedestrians, horseback riders, horse and carriages and bicycle traffic only, as no private motor vehicles are allowed. You feel like you've been transported back in time to the 1800s when you arrive, but what at first seems strange quickly becomes charming - and very entertaining. The biggest draw on the Island is undoubtedly the spectacular Mackinac State Park, although a number of special events and festivals are apparently held here throughout the year. You could explore this Park for a week and still not have seen every cave, swamp, rock formation or spectacular view that's available. Mackinac Island is also home to a variety of historic attractions - restored buildings, museums, and battlefields from the War of 1812 are all located here. Fort Mackinac overlooking the harbor is one popular attraction on the island you won't want to miss.
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