Detroit and the automotive industry might be what come to mind when you hear about Michigan, but big-city life only makes up a tiny portion of what makes Michigan unique. If you haven’t heard about Michigan’s natural beauty, made popular by the state’s Pure Michigan ads, here’s a handful of facts about the Mitten State.

• Comprised of two peninsulas, Michigan has more than 11,000 inland lakes, more than 36,000 miles of streams and the longest freshwater shoreline in the world. No point in Michigan is farther than six miles from a body of water (lake or river), and standing anywhere in the state, a person is within 85 miles of one of the Great Lakes²
• One of the longest suspension bridges in the world, the Mackinac Bridge connects Michigan's two peninsulas, spanning five miles over the Straits of Mackinac, which is where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet.³
• Michigan has more than 300,000 acres of sand dunes. Silver Lake has the only dunes people can drive on east of the Mississippi River, and Sleeping Bear Dunes is a registered national park.⁴ (Read more below.)
• Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state.¹
• Michigan lakes and streams are home to 154 species of fish.⁵

While there is no shortage of natural beauty and history, there is plenty to see inland of the Great Lakes. If you’re planning a visit, here is a summary of some of Michigan’s biggest cities (and one peninsula) and attractions.

Detroit | There’s no shortage of the things to do in Detroit. It’s just a matter of how much time you have to explore. The city’s attractions include the Detroit Institute of Arts; Renaissance Center, a set of interconnected skyscrapers Fox Theatre, a performing arts venue; Comerica Park and Ford Field, homes of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions, respectively, and so much more. One of the most popular spots in Michigan’s largest city is Belle Isle Park, a 982-acre island park located in the Detroit River. This park, now operated as a state park,  features Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a nature zoo, an aquarium, a conservatory, a golf range, a fountain and the Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse. Every January, Detroit hosts the North American International Auto Show — fitting since the city is often referred to as the Motor City and birthplace of the automotive industry.

Grand Rapids | On the west side of Michigan near Lake Michigan and its popular beaches, Grand Rapids is home to several craft breweries, museums (including the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum) and the Frederik Meijer Gardens. One of the most popular annual events in Grand Rapids takes place every September when artists submit independent works to ArtPrize. ArtPrize features art from around the world at 160 venues within 3 square miles.⁴ Did we mention the event is free? 

Ann Arbor | Home to one of the oldest public universities in the country (established in 1817), the University of Michigan was originally named Catholepistemiad and located in Detroit. The name changed in 1821, and the University of Michigan moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Classes began there in 1841.⁶ Today, its sprawling campus also boasts the sprawling Michigan Stadium, home of the Michigan Wolverines football team and the largest stadium in the United States.

Lansing | This is Michigan’s capital city. Its Capitol Building, completed in 1879, is designated as a National Historic Landmark.⁷ Next door to Lansing is East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, which was founded in 1855 as the nation's first land-grant university and served as the prototype for 69 land-grant institutions established under the Morrill Act of 1862.⁸ It was the first institution of higher learning in the nation to teach scientific agriculture.

Traverse City | A popular destination along Highway 22, Traverse City is often a destination for people who want to explore Michigan’s natural beauty. Sitting on the shore of Lake Michigan, the area is home to beautiful beaches, parks, golf courses and wineries. It's also the largest producer of cherries in the United States. Near the time of cherry harvest each year, the city hosts the weeklong National Cherry Festival in the first full week of July, attracting approximately 500,000 visitors annually. Read more about Traverse City — location of Gleaner’s 58th Biennial Convention — below.

Upper Peninsula | If you’re not from Michigan and you hear people refer to “the U.P.,” know that it's short for the Upper Peninsula, and it’s a sight to behold. Pack a picnic and hike to a few of the Upper Peninsula’s 100-plus waterfalls. If canoeing or kayaking is more your thing, explore the multicolored Pictured Rocks cliffs off the shore of Lake Superior. Arch Rock, a geological formation on Mackinac Island, is another favorite of tourists. Fishing and hunting are also popular in the region. The Upper Peninsula is also home to Sault Ste. Marie, founded by Father Jacques Marquette in 1668. It is the oldest city in the Midwest.²

Gleaner selects Traverse City as host for the 58th Biennial Convention

If you attend Gleaner’s 2017 Biennial Conference, you will be in northern Michigan near the peak of its fall foliage, so be prepared to take in the state's breathtaking natural beauty. From lighthouses to trails and golf to wineries, there is something for the entire family.

Sleeping Bear Dunes | The towering Sleeping Bear Dunes rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan and are home to the dwarf lake iris, the state wildflower. During October, visitors can enjoy beautiful fall foliage, climb the dunes and fish (license required). Hike the Empire Bluffs Trail or take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a 7.4-mile loop that features a covered bridge.

Cherries | Michigan ranks first in the nation for tart cherry production and fourth for sweet cherries. Though peak cherry season is in July, you will be able to find cherry beverages, cherry candy, cherry salsa and cherry jam in October in stores throughout the area. 

Craft beers and wine | If you want to sample wine or craft beer, Traverse City is a perfect destination. The area has over 50 wineries, including Aurora Cellars, Black Star Farms, Boathouse Vineyards, Bonobo Winery, Chateau Fontaine, Leelanau Cellars and Northern Latitudes. If specialty beers are more to your taste, plan to visit The Filling Station Microbrewery, North Peak Brewing Co. and Rare Bird Brewpub.

Golf | Here's what TCgolfguide.com has to say about the Traverse City area and its 50-plus golf courses: “Boasting an inherently golf-friendly sandy soil, glacially sculpted terrain and proximity to large bodies of fresh water, the region boasts some of the best natural golf conditions you can find anywhere in the world. This in turn has given golf architects the fantastic canvas upon which they created some of the best golf designs in the nation.”

Shop | Downtown Traverse City features unique boutiques, clothing stores, toy stores and specialty shops to fulfill your shopping needs.

Hike | Fall in Traverse City is the perfect time to hit the trails, and there are plenty of them for hikers of all skill levels. Old Mission State Park Trail has an easy 4.5-mile loop that features a lake. Hunt for wildflowers on Brown Bridge Quiet Area Trail, a 4.1-mile loop that is also popular with bird-watchers. Empire Bluffs Trail allows visitors to experience Sleeping Bear Dunes while they hike.

Lighthouses | Grand Traverse Bay is home to Mission Point Lighthouse. Built in 1870, this historic fixture is now part of a park with beaches, historical exhibits and trails.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned resident of the Mitten State, there is plenty to do and see as you bask in the state's natural beauty. So, whether you plan to visit for the conference or make a summer trip, enjoy the natural beauty that makes Michigan special.

 

¹ http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,4669,7-192-29938_30245---,00.html

² http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/publications/GettingToKnowMichigan.pdf?20161116091426

³http://www.mackinacbridge.org/about-the-bridge/frequently-asked-questions/

⁴ http://www.michigan.org/blog/outdoors/beaches/five-places-to-discover-amazing-sand-dunes-in-michigan/

⁵ http://www.michigan.gov/kids/0,1607,7-247-49069-56001--,00.html

⁶ http://bicentennial.umich.edu/

⁷ http://capitol.michigan.gov/

⁸ https://msu.edu/about/thisismsu/facts.html