June 03, 2004
June 3, 2004
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Travel Michigan will kickoff a six-day "Travel Michigan Hidden Treasures Showcase" on Sunday, June 6, in the Upper Peninsula. The visits will highlight a sampling of Michigan's lesser known attractions, landmarks, museums, events, restaurants, and other state destinations ideal for summer travel.
The Governor will visit numerous compelling, hands-on destinations, including exciting outdoor adventures, historic sites, wildlife viewing, and introductions to the state's industrial and aerospace history. The goal of the visits is to encourage Michigan citizens to seek out a new or seldom visited Michigan destination this summer travel season. Alpena's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, the new Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills, the Michigan International Speedway, and the Kalamazoo Air Zoo are among the tour's destinations.
"Traveling in Michigan makes sense for our economy, and it's a great way to get reacquainted with all of the amazing opportunities available right in our own backyard," said Granholm. "With gas prices increasing, you don't have to take a long trip, you can take a Michigan trip, and we're going to show the way."
"Tourism is crucial to our economy in Michigan. Travelers spend more than $15 billion annually exploring our great state, and that visitor spending accounts for 188,000 Michigan jobs and $868 million in state taxes," said George Zimmermann, senior vice president of Travel Michigan. "We encourage Michiganians to use michigan.org, the state's official tourism promotion web site, to uncover hidden treasures for summer travel."
Michigan's Hidden Treasures Showcase stops include:
Alpena - a visit to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve
Benton Harbor - a tour of Mary's City of David
Brooklyn - Governor Granholm and special guest Jeff Gordon take to the race track at the Michigan International Speedway
Cambridge Junction - Governor Granholm presents the US-12 Heritage Group with a special designation at the Walker Tavern Historic Complex
Eau Claire - a visit to Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm for a Cherry Pit Spit Competition
Farmington Hills - a tour of the new Holocaust Memorial Center
Hillman - an elk viewing wagon ride at Thunder Bay Resort
Holland - a shopping excursion to downtown Holland
Houghton/Hancock - an Upper Peninsula kayaking journey
Indian River - a river rafting outing with Big Bear Adventures
Kalamazoo - a tour of the International Space Station in 3D and F-18A Hornet full motion simulator at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo
Marquette - a tour of the Marquette Maritime Museum and a performance at the Lake Superior Theatre
Midland - a bicycle ride along the scenic Pere Marquette Rail-Trail of Mid Michigan
Muskegon - a tour of the Hackley Home, a historic site of the Muskegon County Museum, one of the rare intact Queen Anne style housing complexes in the region
Owosso - a train excursion aboard the Pere Marquette 1225, a historic passenger train, better known as the steam locomotive in the book the Polar Express
Saginaw - a flat bottom boat ride through a wetland for migratory waterfowl, the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Saugatuck - breakfast at The Belvedere Inn Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast
South Haven - a camping experience at Van Buren State Park
Michiganians who follow along online (michigan.org) as the Governor travels the state may also enter to win a classic Michigan vacation getaway. The winner of the family of four getaway will enjoy a week of Michigan vacation splendor, including two nights in Holland, two nights at the Inn at Bay Harbor; and two nights at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. Other prizes include accommodations at The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor and a golf foursome at Shanty Creek. Governor Granholm will announce the contest winners at the end of the tour.
The weeklong tourism initiative is made possible through support from the Michigan travel and tourism industry and other sponsors, including Dean Trailways of Michigan, Chevrolet, MARVAC, and the Michigan Restaurant Association.
Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan's official agency for the promotion of tourism. Travel Michigan markets the state's tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services.
