Great Lakes USA - Official UK Tourist Board

10/06/2024

Fun for all the Family in MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

Marquette offers adventure for all ages. Nestled on the shores of Lake Superior and tucked under breath-taking views of the Upper Peninsula sky, this is one family holiday sure to be unforgettable. Here are a few ideas when visiting with kids 😄

Take in breath- taking views of Lake Superior and make memories on a lighthouse tour. Then, soak up the sun on Marquette’s sandy beaches.

Break out your wheels and hit the trails on a family bike ride. Whether you seek a multi-use path for all abilities and fitness levels or an off-road adventure that incorporates climbs, contours, and gorgeous waterfall views, there’s a trail for everyone to explore.

Hiking in Marquette is always a crowd favourite, come snow or shine. Springtime hikes feature roaring waterfalls and peaceful forest walks. When the flakes fly, take an easy stroll through the picturesque winter wonderland.

Kids love to create. But let’s be honest, it can get quite messy. HotPlate Pottery and Clayworks offers you a creative atmosphere where you can take art classes, paint your own pottery, and make the perfect souvenir.

You know that sign in museums that says, “Don’t touch?” You won’t find that at Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum. Educational and fun interactive displays encourage children to learn about the world around them. Play grocery store, crawl through a fantastic forest, and visit turtles at the touch tank all in one trip.

Virtual reality is the wave of the future, and Edge of Reality VR Arcade is here for it. The virtual reality arcade features over 50 games for families to explore. Watching someone play with a VR headset is not only fun, but it also inspires you to see the world through their eyes!

📸Aaron Peterson📸

Pure Michigan Travel Marquette

07/06/2024

The soft sandy beaches of HOLLAND, MICHIGAN are calling your name! 🏊

Nestled along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, Holland, offers visitors an oasis. Holland State Park Beach and Tunnel Park Beach provide idyllic settings for sunbathing, swimming, and family fun. These pristine beaches invite you to unwind and savour the tranquillity of the Great Lakes.

Adventure enthusiasts can indulge in water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing, while nature enthusiasts can explore the nearby parks and hiking trails.

The iconic Big Red Lighthouse, overlooking the vast expanse of Lake Michigan, adds a touch of maritime charm to these spots. Whether you're basking in the sun, building sandcastles with your children, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll along the water's edge, the beaches in Holland promise a rejuvenating experience.

📸AirliftVisuals📸

Michigan Discover Holland

05/06/2024

For a hiking, biking, horseback riding adventure along the Great Rivers and Routes of Southwest Illinois 🚶‍♀️look no further than Pere Marquette State Park! 🌿

With nearly 8,000 acres of scenic beauty, Pere Marquette State Park is one of the most picturesque and beautiful locations on the Illinois River. As the largest state park in Illinois, visitors love coming to the park for hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and scenic drives. The centrepiece of the park is the massive lodge and cabins. Built in the 1930s, the lodge has a distinct flavour of native stone and rustic timbers.

The most prominent feature of the lodge is the 700-ton fireplace in the Great Room Lobby along with the life-size chess board and pieces. Elegant dining services are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lodge is famous in the area for their family-style fried chicken dinner and Sunday brunch buffet. The lodge works great with groups during the busiest seasons of the year - fall colours and eagles.

The Pere Marquette Visitors Centre is located at the entrance of Pere Marquette State Park. The visitors centre has several displays telling the story of the famous explorers Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet. Visitors can also learn about the evolution of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.

Maps of hiking trails and reservations for the campgrounds can also be obtained at the centre. In the winter, the centre is the starting point for numerous eagle tours from late December through February.

Enjoy Illinois

03/06/2024

Take a look at the Lakefront, parks and nature centres of CHICAGO'S NORTH SHORE 😍

The spectacular lakefront, beautifully landscaped public parks, lively playgrounds, and scenic lakefront jogging and biking trails captivate families and "kids" of all ages. During your visit, make time to play a round or two of golf, take a swim in Lake Michigan or visit one of the water parks, miniature golf courses, boating, or recreational facilities available throughout the area.

Check out listings ⬇️
https://www.visitchicagonorthshore.com/Beaches

31/05/2024

Curious about some of the top places to visit in Michigan 🤔 Click here for a regional guide and interactive map - a useful tool to plan your getaway ⬇️

https://www.michigan.org/regions-and-cities

Michigan

29/05/2024

Get to know the neighbourhood's of BUFFALO when planning your visit to this amazing city! 🦬

Buffalo and Erie County are bursting with colourful neighbourhoods, each offering its own unique niche. Whether you’re interested in a small-town feel that’s rich in history or an up-and-coming, hot-spot sprinkled with art galleries and live music, Buffalo's got it. A laid-back beachy scene, or a culture-heavy shopping experience? Those can be found here too!

Buffalo's flourishing neighbourhoods, distinct in their traits, are ready for you.
Get out and explore 😎

Here are a few ideas to get you started: The Elmwood Village was named one of the country’s top neighbourhoods by the American Planning Association and is home to some of the city’s favourite shops.

The Allentown neighbourhood is the funky and fun bohemian part of town filled with bars, restaurants and galleries.

The bucolic Parkside neighbourhood in North Buffalo is home to tree-lined streets filled with beautiful turn-of-the-century Victorian homes and the Buffalo Zoo in nearby Delaware Park.

In the Five Points neighbourhood you’ll find a diverse range of small businesses, restaurants and artisans. The corner of Michigan and Broadway is the heart of Buffalo’s African-American history and heritage.

The Old First Ward is one of Buffalo’s oldest neighbourhoods and has become one of Buffalo’s hippest places to be with new breweries, distilleries, a climbing gym and kayak rentals.

East Aurora is home to a classic American Main Street that’s perfect for walking and gawking at the many shops and boutiques.

Head to the rolling hills south of Buffalo to the lovely little village of Springville.

📸 Mike Shrivers 📸

Visit Buffalo Niagara

27/05/2024

Hit the town in Green Bay, Wisconsin! 🕺

As the sun goes down, watch Green Bay’s bar and nightlife scene come alive. With over 30 bars and nightlife venues in Green Bay, you’ll have no problem finding one that fits whatever mood you’re in.

If you’re in the mood for a relaxed atmosphere and a place to get lost in conversation with friends, check out one of the wine lounges. 🍷

Looking to catch live music and enjoy some craft brews, Green Bay has that too. Local sports bars are the best places to catch the game, cheer on our team, and enjoy some wings or juicy burgers. 🍔

Speaking of craft brews 🍺

A rapidly growing craft beer industry has found its niche in Green Bay. The flavors that a craft brewer can add to their product makes the beer uniquely their own. In Green Bay, craft brewery entrepreneurs are thriving on their successful creations. All of Green Bay's brewery owners are local...born and raised in North-eastern Wisconsin.

Discover Green Bay Travel Wisconsin

24/05/2024

With an endless supply of activities, attractions, bars, breweries, restaurants, and shops, there’s always something new to explore in GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 😁.

But lets take a a closer look at the museum, arts and history scene 👀

By far one of the best things to do in Grand Rapids is wandering around one of the city’s many museums. Head to the Grand Rapids Public Museum on Pearl Street, where the story of West Michigan is on display. A highlight of the Public Museum is its planetarium, which puts on regular shows and presentations.

With the family? then makes sure to stop by the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, where kids can get a hands-on learning experience at rotating exhibits that make science and history fun.

Arts and culture aficionados will appreciate the Grand Rapids Symphony, which has been around since 1930. With concerts and educational programs every month, there’s always a chance to appreciate music when you visit.

If visual art is your favourite medium, check out the Grand Rapids Art Museum or Centre Art Gallery, and stop by the Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives or the Voigt House Victorian Museum to learn more about local history.

22/05/2024

Explore Downtown MACKINAC ISLAND. MICHIGAN👀

For the foodie 🍝 Whether you’re in the mood for succulent Great Lakes whitefish or your sweet tooth is craving some world-famous Mackinac Island fudge, Mackinac Island boasts nearly 50 restaurants of all kinds, offering everything from kid-friendly fare such as pizza and burgers to a variety of multicultural cuisine and fine dining, too.

For the shopper 🛍 While there are several areas where you can shop, the downtown shopping district includes many unique, specialty boutiques. Whether you’re looking for clothing, jewellery, toys, souvenirs or art, you can find it and more in downtown Mackinac Island.

For the nightlife lover 🕺Whether it’s the sound of big band, folk, rock, country, jazz or blues, many of the restaurants and pubs on the island host live music. Or maybe the sound of waves, foghorns and the clip clop of horse hooves is more your speed. Whatever your style, there’s plenty to do after the sun sets.

For the adventurer 🚴‍♂️Downtown is the perfect place to start an adventure that goes out into the beautiful state park that occupies more than 80% of Mackinac Island. Hop on a horse-drawn carriage tour, rent a bike for a ride all the way around the island, saddle up on a horse or head off on foot to beautiful spots like Arch Rock, East Bluff or Fort Mackinac.

For the historian 🔍Mackinac Island has a rich cultural history and downtown is full of must-see attractions. You can see Fort Mackinac high on the bluff as you approach in the ferry boat. But there are several other historic sites, too. A ticket to Fort Mackinac also gets you into the McGulpin House, the Biddle House Mackinac Island Native American Museum, the Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum and the Mackinac Island Fur Co. and William Beaumont Museum.

For the visitor who loves to relax 💆‍♀️Unwind on Mackinac Island! Take a book and head to Windermere Point or Marquette Park to soak in the gorgeous views and get some peace and quiet. There also are several spas on the Mackinac Island where you can enjoy a massage, facial and other relaxing treatments.

Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau Pure Michigan

20/05/2024

Discover Michigan's Amazing Sand Dunes 😎

Michigan has more than 300,000 acres of sand dunes that offer breath-taking views or thrilling experiences across the state! Here are 6 of the best ⬇️

1. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Empire

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations and ancient glacial phenomena. The dunes are a great place to spend the day hiking with the family, camping at the state park, or enjoying the shoreline

2. Saugatuck Dunes State Park – Saugatuck

The Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a day-use park along a secluded strip of Lake Michigan shoreline, Saugatuck Dunes State Park offers 2.5 miles of shoreline. The park has fresh water coastal dunes that are over 200 feet tall. The park's terrain varies from steep slopes to rolling hills.

3. Silver Lake Sand Dunes – Hart, Mears and Pentwater

The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are a beach paradise! These massive dunes are nestled along the shore of Lake Michigan and Silver Lake —the only sand dunes in Michigan where you can drive your own ORV—and miles of pristine shoreline beaches designed for pure family fun and adventure.

4. Grand Sable Banks and Dunes – Munising

Five square miles of Grand Sable Dunes are perched atop the 300-foot high Grand Sable Banks. Left by enormous glaciers, the Grand Sable Dunes dwarf comprehension. A portion of the Grand Sable Dunes is set aside as a Research Natural Area.

5. Warren Dunes State Park – Sawyer

Warren Dunes has three miles of shoreline, six miles of hiking trails and is open year-round. It also has a dune formation that rises 260 feet above the lake with spectacular views and 1,952 acres of recreational opportunity. Here, there are 221 modern & rustic campsites and three modern mini cabins.

6. Arcadia Dunes – Arcadia

Arcadia Dunes offers everything from beginner to more challenging trails for hiking and mountain biking. Arcadia Dunes Nature and Recreation Area includes the Old Baldy Trail and St. Pierre Trail just north of Arcadia's Inspiration Point on M-22's scenic overlook.

📸Silver Lake

17/05/2024

LANCASTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA! 😍

When you visit Lancaster, you'll experience a countryside steeped in history, art, creativity, fun and most importantly, that Pennsylvania Dutch Country goodness. There's no shortage of unique and exciting things to do in Lancaster, no matter why you choose to travel.

Whether you're thinking of visiting Lancaster for an authentic Amish experience, to shop until you drop, for exploring the vibrant downtown, to enjoy great outdoor activities, or for sharing memories with the whole family... Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has something for you.

Discover Lancaster visitPA

15/05/2024

The whole world knows it – Detroit is THE Motor City! 🚗

From Henry Ford to the Dodge Brothers, Detroit is widely known to put the world on wheels. If loud engines, car cruisin’ and car history are your thing, then Detroit is your place!

Here are some top picks for the car enthusiast whilst visiting Detroit:

The Henry Ford -----------------------
3 must-see attractions. 250 acres of unexpected. 1 awe-inspiring experience. At The Henry Ford, discover America - the culture, inventions, people and can-do spirit and hundreds of hands-on ways to explore it, enjoy it and be inspired by it. Prepare to be astounded by these attractions: Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village and Ford Rouge Factory Tour.

GM Renaissance Centre ----------------------
One of Detroit’s most famous buildings, and is home to General Motors. Located on the Detroit riverfront, this iconic Detroit building looks like a fortress and is also home to the Detroit Marriott, several businesses, a GM showroom, and amazing views of both Detroit and Canada. You can also visit the former homes of Detroit’s most famous auto barons.

Ford House -----------------------
Discover the private estate of one of America's most iconic automotive families. The stunning architecture, expansive lakefront gardens and grounds and historic cars all give a glimpse into the Ford family's life at the estate.

Meadow Brook Hall ----------------------
Visit the historic home built by Matila Dodge Wilson, widow of John Dodge and explore the expansive gardens, recreational facilities and farm buildings whilst there.

Pure Michigan Visit Detroit

13/05/2024

😍Starved Rock, Illinois 😍

A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month. 🦅

The area known as Starved Rock Country contains so much more! Nearby Matthiessen State Park and Buffalo Rock State Park offer more views of the landscape. Don’t miss some of the great restaurants, like The Lone Buffalo or The Pink Chihuahua in Ottawa, IL for some tasty bites.

There are even great indoor adventures, including exploring the historic Hegeler Carus Mansion in LaSalle or tasting some of the great wines from August Hill Winery in Utica.

Starved Rock is more than a day trip, and is definitely full of more adventure than you would expect! 🙌

12/05/2024

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