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Why
Travel to the Great Lakes?
Chicago is a
must see for those interested in tall cities. Architecture is big
here, so it's one of the best places in the world to see 20thC architectural
styles.
If you like lakes then it doesn't get any better than this, there
are thousands - from tiny to absolutely monstrous.
Downside:
The weather can be cold and wet, or
windless and baking, so consider carefully when you plan to travel.
When
to Travel to the Great Lakes:
Best: May-October, but midsummer can
be a trifle hot for some.
Worst: November-April, sometimes it
[still] snows in April, but as Chicagoans entertain each other through
the winter months, it can be culturally interesting.
Main Attractions:
Illinois**
Hosting a popular, cultured
city as well as architectural interest, this is the top state in
the region for the intellectual traveller.
Chicago***
the original skyscraper city courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright and
followers, which although still offering gritty industrial moments
also has excellent museums, renowned theater and live music. Thus
a top ten US city, more info
Galena* a pleasant 19thC historic
town set in an attractive landscape.
Stroll along to the Galena Historical Museum for the background,
then on to the Ulysses S Grant Home, Vinegar Hill Lead Mine and
some historical houses such as Belveder Mansion.
Springfield and Petersburg* [for Abraham
Lincoln***] Springfield is the state capital with Lincoln Home,
the Old State Capital, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, the Train
Depot and Lincoln's Tomb.
It also has a Wright designed house, the State Museum and modern
State Capitol.
Petersburg offers further Lincoln attractions with the Lincoln's
New Salem Historic Site.
Oak Park* the Frank Lloyd Wright Home
and Studio plus some buildings.
Michigan**
Holds
some of the best outdoor recreational attractions in the region
as the state is on the shores of most of the great lakes and contains
thousands more little lakes, though there are also some good urban
attractions.
Upper
Peninsula:
Isle
Royale National Park** this island in Lake Superior requires a good level of self sufficiency
from its visitors. No vehicles, but there are wolves; get there
from the mainland via Houghton.
Porcupine Mountains State Park* a
wilderness tract of forested highlands worth your footprint.
Tahquamenon
Fall State Park* based around a large waterfall with lower cascades, east of Sault
Ste Marie.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore* near Munising, a
pretty area of coloured sandstone with excellent hiking.
Lower
Peninsula.
Lake
Michigan** the biggest tourism draw in the state is the shoreline of this lake,
with resort towns set amidst beaches and sand dunes.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offer some of the best hiking,
but you could also try Ludington State Park with its Nordhouse Dunes,
or Muskegon or Grand Haven State Parks.
Consider also Little Traverse Bay for sailing and high class living.
Ann Arbor* a cultural highpoint in
the state, with some good museums such as the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology,
and the Exhibit Museum of Natural History.
Detroit [for soul]*** has suffered
greatly from post industrial hang-ups but is trying hard.
Hart Plaza is the cultural riverside hangout, with summertime concerts.
Get round the city using the elevated People Mover railway.
Highlights include the Belle Isle zoo, regional museum and aquarium,
the Museum of African American History, and a must see for soul
fans, the Motown Museum.
Dearborn for automobilia*** for the
Henry Ford Museum, Automotive Hall of Flame and the massive Ford
Wyoming Drive-in, or for less automation the Greenfield Village
of relocated historic properties.
Major
Festivals and Events:
17th
March, St Patrick's Day Parade,
Chicago, Illinois
Memorial
Day Weekend, May, Indianapolis
500, Indianapolis, Indiana.
June, 1st weekend, Blues Festival; June, 2nd weekend, Gospel Festival;
June, last weekend, Country Music Festival; July, last weekend,
Latin Music Festival; September, first weekend, Jazz Festival,
all in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois.
June, Freedom Festival, Detroit, Michigan.
July, Independence Day Concert, Chicago, Illinois.
4th July, Independence Day.
August, Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Labor Day Weekend, Montreux-Detroit Jazz festival, Hart Plaza, Detroit,
Michigan.
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