Where to Visit in Michigan

Oct. 4 -- There are many places to see in Michigan, from Detroit — the Motor City that is home of Motown — to Mackinac Island, an authentic Victorian village, population 500, where transportation is limited to horse and buggy, bicycle or foot.

Ann Arbor, a college town that is known for the University of Michigan, is also a mecca for golf, shopping, dining, culture, fairs and festivals.

There are smaller places, too.

Frankenmuth, considered Michigan's No. 1 visitor destination, annually gets about 3 million to 3.25 million guests in town, even though the population is just under 5,000. Founded by German settlers in 1845, Frankenmuth built on its Bavarian heritage and turned it into a yearlong Octoberfest.

But enough from us. Here's what we heard from Michigan residents via e-mail about some places they felt Diane and Charlie might want to visit in their home state. (To find out about accommodations in any of these places, go to the state tourism office's Web site, at Michigan.org)

From Janine:

Western Shoreline: Everyone knows Michigan is famous for its cereal and automobiles, but there is another area that is famous in Michigan and is the sand dunes on the Western shoreline of the state.

Approximately 20 miles West of Hart is Lake Michigan and the Silver Lake Sand Dunes that run between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan. A great resort area in the summer with Craig's Cruisers, Mac's Dune Rides, fruit trees (cherry, apple, peach, plums) and of course the No. 1 crop is asparagus. We have an Asparagus Festival in Hart shared with Shelby, and a Cherry Festival in Traverse City. So you see everything doesn't center around the cities of Detroit, Lansing and Flint. The out of the way areas has some very great areas to visit that no one really knows about. Try us, you will like us!!!!

From Chris:

Monroe: I understand you may be visiting Detroit, Michigan soon. You should stop in Monroe (40 miles south of Detroit). We have a wonderful county historical museum with a great exhibit dedicated to General George Armstrong Custer. We are also the home of La-Z-Boy Chair Co., and also have an exhibit at museum on their 75th anniversary. (I work at museum, thus my bias!!)