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Michigan, which derives its name from Lake Michigan, is the largest state east of the Mississippi river if territorial water is included. Bound by four of the Great Lakes, the state has the longest freshwater shoreline in US.
LOCATION The state borders Indiana and Ohio to the south, and Wisconsin to the southwest. The state also borders Minnesota, Illinois, the Canadian province of Ontario, and the Canadian First Nation (Indian) reserve of Walpole Island, but only on water boundaries in the Great Lakes system.
REGIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Upper Peninsula Region
Mackinac Island Butterfly House has more than 500 to 700 butterflies from all over the world.
Soo Locks Boat Tours has the largest waterway traffic system on Earth. Take a cruise to travel along the international shoreline of the lower harbor. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and excitement of the state's oldest city, Sault Ste Marie.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is the only one of its kind that showcases hazards of maritime transport. It is located at Whitefish Point, site of the oldest active lighthouse on Lake Superior.
Garlyn Zoological Park is home to black bear, wolves, wallaby, camel, reindeer, whitetail deer, sika deer & more.
Fort Wilkins Historic Complex is an example of mid-19th century army life on the northern frontier.
Keweenaw Peninsula is an underwater preserve. Enjoy the water trail, skiing and snowmobile in winter.
The Iron County Historical Museum and Mackinac Seaplane Tours are also interesting.
NORTHWESTERN REGION
Michael and Barbara Dennos Museum Center is the center for arts and culture. It has three rotating exhibition galleries, a sculpture court, a "hands-on" Discovery Gallery and a gallery of Inuit art.
Grand Traverse Lighthouse exhibits foghorns, shipwrecks and Fog Signal Building. The restored air diaphone foghorn is a beauty and is demonstrated throughout the year. Visitors can climb the tower for a spectacular view of Lake Michigan.
Just A Plain Farm: As the name goes, this is a scenic farmland, which produces 100 acre of pumpkins, squash, gourds, ornamental corn, veggies & sweet corn.
Michilimackinac, founded in 1715, is the gateway to Mackinac State Historic Parks. You can explore the colonial fur-trading village and military outpost of the 1700s with costumed interpreters as your guides.
Friske Orchards has a temperature-controlled fruit stand, an Old World Bakery, the Orchard Cafe and an old-fashioned general store.
NORTHEASTERN REGION
JESSE BESSER MUSEUM features artworks, photographers, potters and other artists drawn from across the area, state and country.
ALCONA PARK: Huron National Forest surrounds this 1,100-acre-park. The river provides quality fishing of Walleye, Pike, Perch, Bass and Trout. Canoeing, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing are all popular activities for visitors.
Also visit Deer Acres Storybook Amusement Park and the acoustically superb, Victorian theatre, Cheboygan Opera House.
CENTRAL REGION
Silver Lake Sand Dunes are the only dunes east of the Mississippi River that allow you to drive and explore them.
Frankenmuth Historical Museum is an entertaining look at the people, and the motivations of the immigrants who framed the history as well as the future of Frankenmuth.
Outdoor Discovery Center, a 110-acre preserve south of Holland, Michigan, is home to several major ecosystems, walking trails, wild and captive animals and interpretive educational displays.
John Ball Zoological Garden features animals such as snow leopards, grizzly bears, otters, and Siberian tigers.
Also visit Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park & Wild Water Adventure.
SOUTHWESTERN REGION
The Public Museum of Grand Rapids is a non-profit educational institution, which collects, preserve, and present the natural, cultural, and social history of the region. At Grand Rapids Children's Museum check out Thomas the Tank Engine.
Curious Kids' Museum is a hands-on children's museum that tries to stimulate the curiosity of children with exhibits and programs.
Kalamazoo Nature Center is recognized as one of the nation's best nature centers. It is a 1,000-acre nature preserve with live birds of prey and other animals on display, a variety of interactive, educational exhibits, and extensive programs in environmental education and research.
The Grand Rapids Art Museum collection includes over 5,000 works of art.
>Binder Park Zoo's centerpiece is Wild Africa, a 17-acre savanna forest, which is one of the nation's largest herds of giraffe roams with gazelle, ostrich, zebra and more.
Tri-Cities Historical Museum, situated on the banks of the Grand River, provides a glimpse of the regions nautical heritage.
SOUTHEASTERN REGION
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village has seven restored mills, as well as several buildings important in Henry Ford's life, including Henry Ford's birthplace.
Alfred P. Sloan Museum has more than 100,000 artifacts, photographs and documents catalogued in its collections.
Also visit:
The Detroit Institute of Arts
Andy T's Farms
Minibeast Zooseum & Education Center
Yankee Air Museum
Holocaust Memorial Center
Uncle Johns Cider Mill
Talbert and Leota Abrams Planetarium
THINGS TO DO IN MICHIGAN
Curious Kids' Museum is a hands-on children's museum that tries to stimulate the curiosity of children with exhibits and programs.
Olde World Canterbury Village is a designated historical site in the state that extends over 21 acres and hosts 18 specialty shops and has many wonderful features and year round family attractions.
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