Travel Information: Some Tourist Attractions in Michigan

Besides the colorful nature scenery, there are many well known national and international tourist attractions as well as small cultural-rich towns around the entire state.

During the early October, Michigan is getting cooler. The northern area of lower peninsula is around 45 to 55 degrees (Fahrenheit)  during day time and the central and south areas are around 50 to 65 degrees during the day time and about 5 to 10 degrees lower during the night. Fall season is quite sunny and dry. It is a beautiful season to enjoy.

Mt. Pleasant is located at the central area of the lower peninsula. It is about 2 and half hours to every corner of the lower peninsula.

Below are some popular tourist attractions in the lower peninsula of Michigan (within two and half hours driving distance on free way).

1. Mt. Pleasant: The largest Native American casino in the State of Michigan, Soar Eagle Casino, where our conference is held, is located in Mt. Pleasant. Other than the casino, it has a variety of entertainments and shows. Nearby the casino, there is a native American culture center, the Ziibiwing Center.

2. Mackinac Island: One of the most popular and famous tourist attractions in Michigan. The island is about 30 minutes of ferry ride off the shore on the north-east of the lower peninsula.  By the end of October, it becomes quite cold on the Island. It will close for business at the end of October. If you plan to visit the Island, make sure you check the weather and wear warm enough cloth. Direction from Mt. Pleasant to Mackinac Island:

• By car from Mt. Pleasant to Mackinaw City or St. Ignace, then take ferry to the Island. There are several ferry companies. Every half hour, there is a ferry departure from early morning. The last returning ferry is at 7:00 pm.
• The entire trip usually begins from early morning (8 - 9 am) leaving Mt. Pleasant, arriving Mackinaw City around 10:30 to 11:30 am. Take ferry, enjoy the beautiful nature scene by horse riding, biking or walking on the Island. Take the late afternoon ferry back to Mackinaw City, enjoy the delicious sea food cuisine at Mackinaw City. Drive back to Mt. Pleasant by 9 - 10 pm.

3. Frankenmuth: A unique culture-rich German town. It is famous for the world largest Christmas shopping mall and wonderful breweries as well as one of the most unique and decorated streets for tourists to walk around and shop in many unique stores. There is a river tour (walking along the bank or by boat) and a shopping mall around the river. The traditional German food, beer and the famous chicken Buffet dinning will for sure make your day there. The direction from Mt. Pleasant to Frankenmuth:

• It takes about one hour from Mt. Pleasant by car. The city is located on the south east of Mt. Pleasant near I-75.
• The trip may start early in the morning, enjoy the delicious lunch, and then take a swing-by trip to the largest outlet mall in Michigan, the Burch Run Outlet Mall (about half hour south of Frankenmuth near I-75). If shopping at the Outlet mall is not your interest, you may start your tour late in the morning, enjoy a unique lunch and tour the city in the afternoon, then, enjoy a wonderful dinner there before coming back to Mt. Pleasant.

4. Sleeping Bear Dune National Lake Shore and Traverse City: Sleeping Bear Dune is a national treasure for the famous of the geographical beauty and the ancient Native American legend story about the area. Traverse City is a beautiful city by the Lake Michigan. It is famous for the summer Cherry Festival and nice beach. By early October, the Sleeping Bear Dune National Lake Shore is becoming windy and cold. 

There are many other attractions. You may visit, for example,  the web site http://www.michigan.org/attractions/.