From the urban offerings in Motown to the “Coolest Museum in the World” to the beauty of the Upper Peninsula, Michigan has a lot of intriguing options for travelers.
The Henry Ford
Just 10 miles southwest of Detroit, travelers can visit The Henry Ford, named the “Coolest Museum in the World” by The New York Times. Located in Dearborn, this living history museum offers the opportunity to see a village from the 1800s and Ford’s earliest factory. Guests can see and learn about the inventions and innovations that were so important to the development of the automobile industry in the U.S.
The Henry Ford comprises the Museum of American Innovation, where groups can learn about many “firsts” in cars, airplanes, tractors and trains; Greenfield Village, a collection of 80 authentic historical homes and workplaces (including those of the Wright Brothers and Thomas Edison) that allow visitors to experience life over a 300-year span; and the Ford Rouge Factory, where groups can watch live production of the Ford F-150 truck in a “green” factory.
Group amenities include special tour operator rates, a group check-in desk, free on-site motorcoach parking, and restaurants and shops that can accommodate groups.
For more information, email Vickie Evans of The Henry Ford or visit thehenryford.org.
Detroit
Detroit is offering a lot of “new” these days—new restaurants, entertainment districts, retailers and businesses—making it a great time to head to the Motor City.
Detroit is the hometown of automotive pioneer Henry Ford, and it’s the only destination where you can visit the plant where Ford assembled his first Model T and then watch an iconic Ford truck being built today. Beginning in 2020, the North American International Auto Show will take place in June instead of January, allowing attendees to enjoy the event and soak up all the city has to offer during ideal summer weather.
While in Detroit, groups can take advantage of the city’s fine museums, including the Motown Museum, The Charles H. Wright Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts. The latter houses Mexican muralist Diego Rivera’s famous Detroit Industry Murals, 27 large and looming panels that depict workers on the assembly lines at Ford Motor Company.
For more information, email Kalynne Defever of the Detroit Metro CVB or go to visitdetroit.com.
The Upper Peninsula
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, known for its unrivaled scenic beauty, rich history and friendly people, is one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest for group travel. The area features an abundance of natural attractions, including over 300 waterfalls, 4,300 inland lakes, 12,000 miles of rivers and over 1,700 miles of shoreline on three of the Great Lakes.
The area also features some of the greatest man-made attractions in the world, including the Mackinac Bridge, the Grand Hotel and the world-famous Soo Locks.
“Many of the biggest group tour attractions in the Upper Peninsula can be found in our state parks,” says Fred Huffman, the longtime group tour coordinator for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The list includes Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Mountains, the Big Springs of Michigan on Indian Lake near Manistique, and Tahquamenon Falls just east of Paradise. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Michigan state parks system, considered one of the finest in the United States.
For more information, email Huffman or go to uptravel.com.
Top photo: Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford
Photo by The Henry Ford
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Enjoy Eagan
Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau
