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Take your pick--from meandering the mitt to paddling the peninsula, these Michigan spots are fodder for family vacation folklore. Whether you relish the wilderness or are lured by luck and luxury, the adventure of a lifetime awaits you in Michigan!

DAY ONE
Visit the intriguingwildlife art gallery at Jackson'sElla Sharp Museum complex. Top off your day at theCascades' summertime water-music-light show with a sundae from theParlour.

DAY TWO
Peek into a copper mine at theMichigan Historical Centerin Lansing, near the 1879 state capitol. Find urban-chic shops and nourishment in revitalized Old Town.

DAY THREE
ExploreMichigan State University museums, then head to Mount Pleasant to try your luck or take in a show atSoaring Eagle Casino and Resort.

DAY FOUR
Lunch at the family-ownedDoherty Hotelin Irish-centric Clare. Kick back at aHoughton LakeorHiggins Lakecottage or campground.

DAY FIVE
HikeHartwick Pines'old-growth forest or hitGaylord's golf mecca. Treat yourself to dipped potato chips atAlpine Chocolate Hausor homemade ale atBig Buck Brewery.

Whatever your fancy happens to be, we have a driving tour that ventures across nearly every corner of the state. Check ourroad tripsand plan your next getaway.

Slip on your scuba gear and wet suit for a Great Lakes underwater exploration. See shipwrecks and artifacts at nine fascinating Michigan underwater preserves, which include nearly 1,900 square miles of Great Lakes bottomland--an area nearly the size of the state of Delaware.

French voyageurs called Lake Huron "la mer douce" (the sweet sea), but that doesn't always reflect its temperament, especially near Alpena. There, an estimated 200 vessels, from an 1844 sidewheel steamer to modern freighters, rest in "Shipwreck Alley." Thanks to Lake Huron's cold water, many remain largely intact.

TheThunder Bay National Marine Sanctuaryprotects 116 of the wrecks in a 448-square-mile area. Scuba divers have long explored the site. And because some of the ships are in water less than 20 feet deep, the area also is attracting snorkelers (you can rent gear at Thunder Bay Scuba). For a complete list of Michigans underwater preserves,click here.

Wetsuits aren't required at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, where visitors can explore shipwrecks via live video feeds. The center, also headquarters for the Marine Sanctuary, hosts exhibits and programming about maritime history on the inland seas, and is home to an archaeological conservation lab that works to preserve shipwrecks.

Michigan is home to one of the worlds great art museums, the Detroit Institute of Arts, as well as several smaller and well-respected art institutions including those in Ann Arbor, Flint, Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Traverse City. But not all works of art are confined to traditional museum settings, or to permanent exhibits. There are art shows and fairs, outdoor sculpture exhibits, art trails and an innovative competition designed to allow the public to choose the winner of the worlds largest art prize. Heres a sampling of exciting art happenings across the Great Lakes State.

Anniversary Art

In honor of its 15th anniversary, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is hosting a special exhibition. Youll also be able to see the permanent collection of works placed throughout the grounds by more than 30 sculptors.>more

ArtPrize

In its second year, ArtPrize is a 17-day event that draws artists from around the country to exhibit their art at specific venues in the Grand Rapids area. Cast your vote to see who wins the grand ArtPrize.>more

Tour-riffic

Visitors can tour a route to various studios or galleries to take in the many works of art. Youll see restorations as well as creative spaces where you may see artists at work. >more

Fall for Art Fairs

Summer may be winding down, but there are some great art events on the late summer schedule. Be sure to look for arts & crafts booths at Michigans many harvest festivals throughout September and into October, as well.>more

Midwest Sculpture Initiative

Through April 2011 you will have the opportunity to visit several Michigan venues for unique outdoor art exhibits. >more

If youve ever wondered about the life of a lighthouse keeper, falling asleep to the sound of waves under a blanket of stars and waking to unparalleled views, youve come to the right state. Michigan leads the nation in number of lighthouses with more than 115 dotting the shores of the Great Lakes Huron, Superior, Erie and Michigan. Many of them are accessible to the public as museums and some welcome overnight guests as Bed & Breakfast inns.

Others offer pay to play Lighthouse Keeper programs, meaning you pay for the privilege of a working vacation for a weekend, a week, or more. No two lighthouses are alike and so the tasks and accommodations vary by site, but typical duties include greeting visitors, offering tours or information about the lighthouse, tending the gift shop, light cleaning and maintenance, and providing for your own meals and tidying-up.

Be a Lake Huron Lighthouse Keeper

Awake to the sun rising along Lake Huron when you volunteer at one of these lighthouses.>more

Be a Lake Michigan Lighthouse Keeper

Spring, summer, fall or winter there are keeper opportunities along Lake Michigan all year round.>more

Be a Lake Superior Lighthouse Keeper

Volunteering at one of these lights will take you to Paradise. Or, check out other opportunities along the Superior shore.>more

Saddle up and see the Michigan countryside on a short trail ride, day trip or overnight adventure. Whether youre an old hand or a greenhorn, the horse handlers will do their best to match a mount to your level of experience.

Michigan's dude ranches offer plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors via horseback. Hit the hay in a spacious bunkhouse at the 110-acreZ Farmsranchin Howell. Enjoy five miles of trails, 40 acres of pasture and an indoor arena.

Another working horse ranch, theOutback Lodge Riding Stable and Bed & Breakfastin Stanwood, just south of Big Rapids, is open year round. There are seven cozy guest rooms and common gathering spaces overlooking horse pastures, a small lake or forest. With 700 surrounding acres to explore, the Outback's guided trail rides, wagon rides and seasonal sleigh rides guarantee a "back to nature" experience.

The name says it all at the LogHaven Bed, Breakfast & Barnin West Branch, where you and your horse can relax in comfortable accommodations and explore miles of trails and the beauty of the Huron National Forest surrounding its West Branch location.

You dont have to go any further west than Lake Michigan to find great western fun. So, load up the family or that special someone and get ready for outstanding horseback riding at one of the following ranches:

• Double JJ Ranch & Golf Resort
• Wolf Lake Ranch
• Double R Ranch

Go ahead, harness the horsepower, partner. The camaraderie of the other riders and harmony with your horse will make you want to get back in the saddle again real soon.

A wealth of family-oriented attractions awaits you in Michigan with activities and pure fun for all ages.

Spend the day atAdventure Islandin Cadillac and enjoy Mountain Golf, 18 challenging holes with waterfalls and caves, or try out some of the most exciting karts in Michigan on our Go Kart Track. You can try out your swing in the Batting Cages, enjoy a spin in 2-person bumper boats, or have fun in a state-of-the-art video arcade game center. Cool down in our waterpark on an open bodyslide or hydrotube-speed waterslide.

A magnificent steam railroad and a living history village of 34 historic structures, including Masters Cider Mill are on tap atCrossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroadin Flint. Friendly villagers in period dress welcome you to the homes, mills and shops where they demonstrate crafts and skills of the 1800's. Live entertainment in the Opera House, vintage amusement park rides and a beautiful paddlewheel riverboat add to the fun.

Michigan's Adventure Amusement Park and WildWater Adventure Waterpark in Muskegon offer guests thrills and chills for all ages. Get soaked on Grand Rapids, a 1,500-foot-long rapid river ride that will carry riders through a rocky canyon filled with geysers and a waterfall. Michigan's largest amusement park offers over 60 rides and attractions, including Shivering Timbers, their world class roller coaster that has consistently ranked as one of the top 3 wood roller coasters in the world.

Whether you fly high or stay grounded, Michigan zoos are special places for both kids and adults.

TheBelle Isle Nature Zoo (BINZ),bringing the wilds of Michigan to the heart of Detroit, now features thirteen fallow deer that once roamed the island and are enjoying a new one-acre enclosure and barn at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo. The exhibit is part of a multi-phase project to convert the former nature center on Belle Isle into a Nature Zoo focusing on Michigan wildlife, flora and fauna.

Take the kids on an African safari at theBinder Park Zooin Battle Creek. Discover spectacular views of wild animals from elevated boardwalks. Explore Wild Africa, a 50-acre immersion experience with a 17-acre savanna where one the nation's largest herd of giraffe roam with gazelle, ostrich, zebra and other wildlife. Take a ride on the Zoo & O. Railroad for a special tour of the zoo grounds.

Hop to TheDetroit Zooin Royal Oak to see the new Australian Outback Adventure exhibit. Instead of looking through glass or over a moat, patrons will have the chance to get face to face with 17 red kangaroos. Visitors move along a winding path bordered by knee-high cables on both sides, while the kangaroos will be free to bound wherever they want. Specially trained volunteers are on hand to assist visitors with numerous interactive learning opportunities. There's plenty more to see from the Arctic Ring of Life to fascinating Zebras on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits with 1300 mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates of 250 different species.

Children's Zoo at Celebration Square in Saginaw offers entertaining and educational experiences for everyone from the young to the young-at-heart, in a garden-filled park-like setting. Animals from various parts of the globe make their home at the Children's Zoo. Take a walk among the butterflies in the Butterfly Encounter; feed the sheep and goats in the petting zoo; watch the kids dig up dinosaur bones in the Fossil Find; ride a hand-carved carousel and antique train and get up close and personal with all kinds of critters at live Amphitheater shows.

John Ball Zoological Garden, located in Grand Rapids, has over 1,000 animals. It is located in a 140-acre park about a mile west of Grand Rapids. The Zoo has an aquarium, children's zoo, and African area, with a chimpanzee exhibit. New this year is the Sting Ray Lagoon, a special interactive exhibit that will offer guests a chance to not only see, but to actually touch, feel and experience these graceful sea creatures. Sting Ray Lagoon will feature a 5,000-gallon outdoor aquarium containing two species of sting rays and a variety of colorful aquatic animals.

Located in Lansing, thePotter Park Zooopened in 1915. Over the years, the Zoo has been expanded to 85 acres and renovated with new exhibits, educational programs and special events. Potter Park offers a scenic landscape next to the Red Cedar River, visitors can go biking, jogging, in-line skating, have a picnic or take a walk. One of the main attractions for kids at the zoo is the Barnyard and petting zoo. Some special areas are The Bird and Reptile the Feline/Primate House with lions and tigers. There's a lot more to discover and more adventures like taking a ride on a Dromedary Camel.

En route to your vacation make a stop in Birch Run and enjoy Wilderness Trails Zoo, a 56-acre walk through animal park with over 60 species of exotic animals, picnic grounds, petting area, and a play area. This is a unique zoo experience with a mile long trail that winds past trees, ponds and over 50 species of exotic and native animals. Exhibits are constructed so guests may see the animals much closer than at a typical zoo, while maintaining as much of Michigan's natural beauty as possible. A petting area is available and throughout the park are feed stations where one can purchase feed for a specific animal for a quarter.

From an urban oasis in the Detroit River to a wilderness retreat in Lake Superior, Michigans waters---the Great Lakes, inland lakes and rivers---are home to hundreds of islands. Some are mere specs on the map and many are uninhabited. And there are those islands that offer nothing but relaxation and recreation, whether that means a game of golf, a scenic hike, a night in a luxurious suite, or backcountry camping. Escape to a Pure Michigan island.

Southeast Michigan Islands

Belle Isle Park is the largest island park in the U.S. A 985-acre retreat in the Detroit River that features extensive picnic and sporting grounds, a beach, nine-hole golf course, historic flower conservatory, bike paths, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Nature Zoo, and more.>more

Northeast Michigan Islands

Boise Blanc is the other island at the Straits of Mackinac. Take the ferry across with your car or bike and enjoy the beaches, general store and views of Lake Huron.>more

Northwest Michigan Islands

Beaver Island, the most remote inhabited island in Michigan, is a two-hour ferry ride from Charlevoix. Spend a day or more relaxing, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, fishing, and exploring the islands natural attractions and its rich---and somewhat bizarre---history of the home of Americas only king.>more

Upper Peninsula Islands

Drummond Island, located off the far eastern tip of the U.P. is a nature lovers paradise thats also home to a top rated golf course and one of the countrys largest closed loop trails for off-roading. With 150 miles of Lake Huron shoreline, also has 34 inland lakes, plus forests and unusual geographic features that make it an 83,000-acre playground for hiking, birding, biking and paddling.>more

With 14 clubs in your bag, you can set out to conquer any one of the more than 800 golf courses in Michigan. From luxury resorts to public fairways, there are plenty of ways to challenge your skills and hundreds of fun and exciting things to take on off the green as well.

When off the greens you can treat yourself to visit one of themore than 50 Michigan wineriesfor tastes and tours. After a round at Grand Traverse take a short drive to visit seven picturesque wineries onOld Mission Peninsulasituated at the globe's 45th parallel--the ideal climate for growing varietal wine grapes. Michigan has five wine trails and plenty of golf options with scenic vistas nearby. For something different, book a sailing on Tall Ship Manitou out of Traverse City for glorious sunsets, wine tasting events and entertainment.

With great wine comes food and you will find gourmet restaurants at top resorts and nearby cities. You might even catch a glimpse of one of Americas top chefs, Mario Batali, who makes Michigans north country his summer home. If you are a foodie, Michigan offers many culinary experiences for dining and learning.

Jaw-dropping views and great golf go together atArcadia Bluffs Golf Club, an hour north of Ludington. The course is built on the bluffs above the shore of Lake Michigan and sits on approximately 245 windswept acres of lakefront property. The course drops 225 feet from its highest point down to the bluff, 180 feet above sea level and has 3,100 feet of Lake Michigan shore frontage. In 2009, Golf World Magazine rated the Arcadia Bluffs course #7 of the Top 50 Public Courses in the United States.

It has 81 holes, five distinct courses and it has been named one of the nations finest golf facilities, behind only Pebble Beach and Pinehurst. Tee off atTreetops, located in Gaylord, with dramatic views, contours and rolling terrain for world-class golfing. The resort offers a Ladies Golf Escape package, junior clinics, and is the home of the Rick Smith Golf Academy, earning the distinction of one of the top 25 Golf Schools in America. Along with golf, Treetops offers tennis courts, two pools, and fly fishing lessons and excursions.

Looking for an ultimate golf resort experience a little lower in Michigans mitten? Consider a round atThe Resorts of Tullymore and St. Ives, located in Stanwood just 45 minutes northeast of Grand Rapids and 30 miles west of Mt. Pleasant. Get ready for five-star play and scenery that includes wildlife, wetlands and lakes. Tullymore Golf Club is one of the top rated courses in the United States, according to a 2009 Golf Digest rating, which placed it at #14 among Americas 100 Greatest Public and Resort Golf Courses and among the prestigious list of Americas 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

Book your tee time now by using Travel Michigansonline tee time reservation system.

From Motown to Rap
TheMotown Historical Museum,"Hitsville USA," is located in a pair of houses that contained the original studio and headquarters of Motown Record Corporation. From 1959 to 1972, Barry Gordy created a cultural revolution here, creating the Motown sound.

Exhibits include lots of rare photographs, gold records and Motown memorabilia-including Michael Jackson's famous sequined glove and the shimmering dresses once worn by the Supremes.

Motown put Detroit on the map musically, but the city's sound continues to evolve. Detroit has a strong jazz culture and is home to what's said to be the oldest continuously operating jazz club in the country, Baker's Keyboard Lounge. Aficionados hang out in old upholstered booths and sometimes jump onstage to join impromptu jam sessions.

Jazz may claim a long reign, but rap, hip-hop and techno now dominate the scene. Rapper Eminem grew up here and still calls Detroit home. He filmed his movie, 8 Mile, in various old haunts such as The Shelter at St. Andrews, an alternative club in an old church in Bricktown, next door to Greektown.

The African American Museum
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the world's largest monument to the African American experience. The 120,000-square-foot facility houses seven exhibition galleries, a theatre, a cafe, and a gift store. The strikingly modern building of earth-toned stone topped with a glass dome is an architectural attraction in its own right.

The museum's thousand of exhibits and artifacts follow the African-American experience from the origins of African culture through modern-day struggles and triumphs. Much mostly forgotten history is remembered here: Africans were some of the very earliest discoverers and settlers in the new world-as well as pioneer inventors, social and political leaders, artists, and followers of other callings who contributed much to American progress and culture.

The artifacts and exhibits tell only part of the story. Passionate, articulate guides-scholars in various branches of history-relate the journey of a people.

Holocaust Memorial
The horrors of Nazi Germany and World War II concentration camps aren't left to the imagination at theHolocaust Memorial Centerin Farmington Hills, a Detroit suburb. The mood is solemn, as visitors move through state-of-the-art exhibits. You'll hear survivors tell their own stories in heart-wrenching recordings, and watch old newsreels vividly capture the terror. A memorial flame honors the estimated six million who died.

On the same campus, the Museum of European Jewish Heritage educates visitors about the culture and way of life that were destroyed during the Holocaust and to bring about an awareness of the ethical, moral, spiritual, educational and cultural contributions of the Jewish people.

The International Institute of the Righteous presents a message of the best attributes of human nature and a vision of a better future. The museum pays tribute to the men and women who, throughout history, have rescued and supported their fellow human beings, even at great risk to themselves and their families. Exhibits include portraits and biographies together with governmental and organizational histories that highlight altruistic acts. The museum draws attention to even the quiet acts of valor.

Sporty Detroit
If music is Motown's soul, sports are her heart. Elated hockey fans coined the nickname Hockeytown after back-to-back Stanley Cup triumphs in the 1990s. Then there are the Pistons-taking on the Lakers in 2004 and trouncing them in the NBA finals.

Comerica Park, the Tigers' character-rich new brick stadium that rose nearby in 2000 followed by Ford Field, the Lions' home next door, has given the city something it hasn't had in a long time-a destination, a gathering place replete with restaurants and pubs in Foxtown, where people hang out after games and shows. Fans pack the pubs and fill the sidewalks on game nights. If you're not a sports fan, you can take in a play at theGem & Century Theatres, then join streams of fans headed for Hockeytown Cafe, with its collection of game memorabilia and a great rooftop deck.

Eastern Market
Detroit's ber browsing venue, theEastern Market,is one of the nation's largest and oldest of its kind. Saturdays, the surrounding area fills with farmers and street vendors. The air smells like a mixture of spices and the earthy scent of plants and ripe fruits. Shoppers pull red wagons through pavilions brimming with crafts, herbs, gourmet products, fresh meats and vegetables, fish, jams and eggs.

Overlooking Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsulas north shore, the historic city of Marquette has been named one of the 100 Best Art Towns in America and one of the 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The largest city in the U.P. (population of about 20,000) boasts handsome red sandstone buildings that give the downtown its architectural interest and house one-of-a-kind shops, galleries and restaurants.

The home ofNorthern Michigan Universityoffers the variety of cultural and sporting events expected of a college town, and the citys location near abundant woods and water offer four seasons of outdoor recreation.Silent sportsare within minutes of Marquette: A bicycle path that winds through town and along the lakefront, hiking trails to suit all abilities, mountain biking, downhill and cross country skiing, rockhounding along the Lake Superior shore---as well as extreme sports such as ice climbing, winter surfing and sea kayaking. And then there are the scenic drives to see lighthouses, wildlife, waterfalls and historic sites that make Marquette a unique city that is Pure Michigan.

For area information, contactMarquette County Convention and Visitors Bureau.