While attending EMU you are not limited to just Ypsilanti and the surrounding cities
in
the area. Michigan is a huge place and has a variety of things to offer
for people to see. So I have compiles a list of the top 10 places that I
think are a must see when your in Michigan.
10. The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
The Museum not only shows the
life of Henry Ford and the history of the Ford Motor Company but also
shows artifacts from America's history as well. Some of these artifacts
are the bed used in army camps by President George Washington, the
chair President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated
and the limousine President John F. Kennedy was riding in when he was
assassinated.
Next to the
museum is Greenfield Village which is a living history museum that shows
life in America in its early days. It also includes a farm, Thomas
Edison's workshop and a Ford's Model T car.
9. Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth a.k.a "Muth" a.k.a.
"Little Bavaria", is a little German city in Michigan. The town was
founded by Bavarian immigrants from Germany back in 1845 and the town
(as well as the surrounding towns) still holds on to these roots. The
city is mostly known for Bronner's Christmas Wonderland which is supposedly the worlds largest Christmas store.
Me and my family used to visit
every year to visit the Bavarian-themed shops and restaurants. It really
is an interesting little town and I recommend anyone in Michigan to
stop by.
8. Mackinac Island
To get to this gorgeous little
place you take a ferry boat and once you finally get there you are taken
back to a Victorian time. Motorized vehicles are banned so bicycles,
horseback, and horse-drawn carriages are the norm. The island is a
national historic site and the majority of the island is a national
park. I have never been there myself but the island hosts lilac, fudge,
and music festivals.
7. Sleeping Bear Dunes 
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a
National Lakeshore that takes up a large portion of Michigan's eastern
coastline. This park was mainly established for its beauty and it
includes forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial
phenomena.
I have never been to this park either
but in 2011 the area won the title of "The Most Beautiful Place in
America" from Good Morning America.
6. Great Lakes
Michigan is surrounded by three lakes: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and
Lake Erie. Lake Michigan has the largest surface area of any freshwater
body in the world and tons of people come here to camp, swim, picnic,
fish and hike. On the coastline of the lakes include beach towns,
wineries, golf courses, lighthouses, and amusement parks. I have had the
privilege to visit all of these lakes as well as 4 of the 5 total great
lakes (the fourth being Lake Ontario). All of them are equally gorgeous
so you only need to visit one.
5. The General Motors Building
The General Motors Building
is the tallest building in Michigan and is still home to General Motors
and sits in the city of Detroit. Inside the building includes shops,
restaurants, a hotel, and other businesses that you can visit. Also the
building houses a movie theater that me and my friends used to regularly
visit which shows movies for 5$ before 6:00 p.m. Behind the building is
the river walk which sits on the Detroit river across from Canada. You
can walk up and down this riverfront and just enjoy the sights or go get
an ice cream and ride the carousel. It is a nice change from the hustle
and bustle of the city.
4. Dearborn
The city of Dearborn was the home of Henry Ford
and is the world headquarters of the Ford Motor Company. Even though
this city was settled by French farmers in the 18th century, it is known
for having the most people of middle eastern descent outside of any
middle eastern country. So because of this fact it is not uncommon at
all to see signs in Arabic or buildings, shops, and restaurants
dedicated to middle eastern culture.
3. Belle Isle 
Belle Isle is an island state
park located on the Detroit River and is between the US and Canada. It
is connected to Detroit by the MacArthur bridge and is the largest
city-owned island park in the US. The island is home to the Belle Isle
Aquarium, the Belle Isle Conservatory, the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, the
Detroit Yacht Club on an adjacent island, the James Scott Memorial
Fountain, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, a Coast Guard station, a
municipal golf course and many other numerous monuments.
2. Ambassador Bridge/Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
The Ambassador Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Detroit
with Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. It is the busiest international border
crossing in North America and is one of the only two Canada–US border
crossings, the other being the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel. The
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is an underground tunnel connecting Detroit with
Windsor, Ontario in Canada. So if you are planning on visiting Canada
these will be your ways of getting there.
1. Motown Historic Museum
Because I am an avid music lover
my top place to see in Michigan is Hitsville USA/Motown Historic Museum.
It was the first studio and offices of Motown Record Corporation
where the company got its first start to produce hit records. You can go
in and see where
stars like Smoky Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross and the
Supremes, the Temptations, the Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder and Marvin
Gaye stood as they recorded music. Also it was not only a recording
studio but was once the home of Berry Gordy Jr. who is the founder of
Motown. You can view exhibits explaining the company's entire history,
listen
to Motown music and buy souvenirs.
There
are so many things Michigan has to offer, too many to list but I hope
that my list helps you to narrow your decision on a place to visit or
tour during your stay here.
by Kemia
