Articles

What We Talk About When We Talk About Detroit

Americans often criticize Detroit, reflecting a history of significant challenges. Once a prosperous hub, the city has been severely affected by job outsourcing, political corruption, racial tensions, and suburban migration. These factors have collectively contributed to its economic and social decline, making Detroit a symbol of urban struggle in the United States. In my hometown, when the subway is running late, you’ll often hear someone say, “Well, it could be worse: it’s not Detroit.” People will even ding Detroit in ...

Shaun Bernard

November 5, 2022

Detroit Museum: History, Art and Science

I love family outings that require no planning, keep the kids completely engaged, and cost very little. Sunday was one of those days. In four hours, we were able to visit the Detroit Historical Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Here is my adventure in the Detroit museum. Detroit Historical Museum With a $5 parking lot located next door (enter off of Kirby Street), the Detroit Historical Museum was a great place to start our day. This museum recently underwent a 6-month, ...

Lindsey

November 4, 2022

6 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues in Detroit

We know you are sick of this weather. We are too. The piles of snow, the cold, the roads filled with potholes! We want spring! But since that darn groundhog was right, and it doesn’t look like spring is coming any time soon, here are a few ways to beat the winter blues. In Detroit, of course! 1. Detroit Institute of Arts The DIA is a great place to be in any weather, but especially nice in the winter. Escape into a ...

Lindsey

November 3, 2022

Best Dinosaurs Museum in The US

Are you a parent who’s interested in scheduling children to visit a museum? You will soon discover that you have a great unlimited variety of museums to choose from. You should know that numerous old and young children find dinosaurs awesome. For this reason, consider your next family museum stop by be into a dinosaur memorial. There is certainly room for debate on building the definitive list of U.S. museums for dinosaur lovers. The diversity of species, the number of ...

Lindsey

November 2, 2022

Best Place To See Sled Dog Race in Michigan

Winter in Michigan is a great time for snow sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, but if you’re looking for a different type of winter sports action, then you won’t want to miss the UP 200 and other sled dog races around Michigan. We made this interactive guide to Michigan dog sledding to help you plan your trip. The UP 200 The UP 200 is one of the best dog sled races in the United States. Every winter, mushers ...

Lindsey

October 31, 2022

6 Exceptional Things to Do on Mackinac Island

Growing up in the central Upper Peninsula made it easy for my family to take day occasional day trips to Mackinac Island. My Dad would pack up the car in the early morning, and about three hours later, my mom, Dad, sister, and I would be on a ferry to the island. Those early memories include horses (lots of horses), fudge and ice cream, the hustle and bustle of the downtown area, and bike rides around the island. They’re fond ...

Lindsey

October 30, 2022

Yates Cider Mill: Generations of Tradition

A trip to a Michigan cider mill for some apple cider and donuts is a true sign of fall in Pure Michigan. Yates Cider Mill was born in the days of Lincoln, years before the electric light bulb made its debut. Six generations later, Yates continues to be a gathering place for many in and around the Rochester area. Yates is a place where people come to share traditions, memories, and a special sense of community. The Yates mill operation ...

Lindsey

October 29, 2022

Delicious Fall Desserts in the Upper Peninsula

Autumn is harvest time and as we all know, along with the harvest comes delicious fall desserts. I caught up with a few of the Upper Peninsula’s best bakers this month to highlight some of their fall-inspired favorites. Sour Cream Apple Walnut Pie – Joe’s Cakes Joe’s cakes, within the historic Landmark Inn in Marquette, is a standout Upper Peninsula bakery, and Joe’s sour cream apple walnut pie is one of his most popular desserts. When Joe Heck’s grandmother immigrated ...

Lindsey

October 26, 2022

Beauty & History at the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival

Michigan lighthouses bring history, beauty, and uniqueness to our coastline. Each year, visitors can take an in-depth tour of some of these lighthouses at the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival. Visiting the coastline of Lake Huron and stopping at a Michigan state park, fond memories can be made so easily. Although modern navigational technology has made lighthouses nearly obsolete, some still do serve as a guiding light for ships on the Great Lakes. More than 115 lighthouses dot Michigan’s Great Lakes ...

Lindsey

October 21, 2022

Fall Fishing Adventure in Manistee River

The Manistee River, which runs approximately 232 miles through the Northern Lower Peninsula, passes through several villages before reaching Lake Michigan at the City of Manistee. The river’s rocky bottom, fast-moving cool water, and vigorous currents with calm pools make it a perfect habitat to hold and reproduce an abundance of fish. You can expect to catch steelhead as well as Chinook salmon and coho salmon on your fall fishing adventure in Manistee River. Manistee River Fishing Report Most people ...

Shaun Bernard

October 20, 2022

Nemo 500 Outhouse Races

The Nemo 500 Outhouse Races is a unique and hilarious concept where people participate in a race across the historic downtown with their clever outhouse designs. It is an annual event in Coopersville and invites plenty of fun, laughs, and lots of fun activities and food. So whether you are planning to take part in the mad race or just go as a spectator, get ready to have a wonderful time at this year’s Nemo 500 Outhouse Races. About The ...

Lindsey

October 19, 2022

Find a Wild Beauty at Yellow Dog Falls

Yellow Dog Falls are a collection of drops at the on the lower Yellow Dog River, near Big Bay. They are relatively easy to access, only a short .75 mile from the road to the main drop. The riverside trail is pretty well marked by footprints of other waterfall enthusiasts. You do have to cross a creek or two, but there are makeshift bridges along the way. The saying goes something like “you’ll find it when you are not looking ...

Lindsey

October 17, 2022

Paint Your Way to Happiness at Hot Plate Pottery

Alright, I’m not an artist by any means. Ask me to draw a person, and I’ll draw you a stick figure. Ask me to draw a tree; it’s going to be a brown trunk with a giant green blob on top of it. This is why I did not go to Hot Plate Pottery for the longest time, despite working right across the street and staring at it almost every day. But then I finally drew up the courage to ...

Lindsey

October 15, 2022

7 Ways To Have The Best UP Fall Beer Fest Ever

Superior water, superior beer, superior people, these are the traits found only at the UP Fall Beer Festival. This September 12th will mark the 7th year of the event. After several annual trips to the taps, I’ve compiled a list of tips to help you find the Beer Fest of your dreams. 7 Tips To Have The Perfect Up Fall Beer Fest 1. PRELOAD Up Fall Beer Fest is a 5-hour event dedicated to the best local beers in Michigan. ...

Lindsey

October 13, 2022

Michigan’s Seven Best Paddling Trips

Summer may be rapidly coming to a close, but there is still plenty of time for a kayak trip in one of Michigan’s famous bodies of water. Whether you seek lakes or rivers, I have had the pleasure of polling fellow readers and compiling a list of Michigan’s favorite waterways. Stand-up paddling might look like a new sport, but it’s been around for a long time. The water sport is now growing the fastest around the world. One reason is ...

Lindsey

October 11, 2022