Indian Trails Blog

It isn’t often you can get something for nothing, but on the weekend of Dec. 14-16, at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, you can ski for free — or learn if you’re a newbie. It’s how they welcome winter in Michigan’s great north and it’s an excellent pre-Christmas destination for friends, family, clubs and other groups to enjoy.

Even though autumn means the end of consistent sun and warmth in Michigan, at least we have the changing leaves and their breathtaking vistas of color to enjoy as we say so long to summer. In fact, Michigan is routinely one of the most-ranked states for “best-of” color tours by such sources as Fodor’s Travel, USA Today, and others. To help you choose the perfect path for your fall color tour charter, here are three exceptional areas in the state for fall color and more.

You’ve heard the adage, “What’s old is new again,” referring to trends like bell bottoms and skinny jeans, but what about beverages? Right now, we’re experiencing a veritable explosion in craft beer production and Michigan’s wines have been earning awards for decades. But there’s one libation that’s becoming a real fall favorite: hard cider.

Lake Michigan has long drawn millions of visitors every year to its gorgeous sandy beaches, towering sand dunes, wonderful towns and villages, and of course the lake the Ojibwa Indian’s called “mishigami.”

Summer trips in the Great Lakes region can be incredible, but the fun doesn’t stop at Labor Day. If your group is looking for fun on and after the holiday, why not begin at the 61^st Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk? After that there’s plenty more to do and see in the area!

Imagine what it was like in the upper peninsula in 1668, the year Sault Ste. Marie was founded by French Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette on the south bank of the St. Marys River. The river was turbulent with rapids and was originally named Baawitigong or “place of the rapids” by the indigenous Ojibwa. The only connection between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, the river dropped 21 feet in a tumultuous waterfall that made uninterrupted travel by water impossible. It was wilderness then and served as a meeting place for the Ojibwa tribe who came together during whitefish season. In 1668, it became the first “city” in the entire Great Lakes region and “the place where Michigan was born.”

Mid-Michigan is a great place to spend a few days touring, with great areas to visit, excellent restaurants and shops, and beautiful parks and places to relax and enjoy with friends. If your group wants to try something new, consider these six points of interest on a tour of mid-Michigan’s many great places to go.

West Michigan has an incredible wealth of fantastic places to visit. You can enjoy awesome food and beverages, take in shows and concerts, view some of the state’s most beautiful vistas, or plan any of hundreds of other great ways to spend a day during your group tour. Here are four great venues to visit on a tour of west Michigan that will have a little — or a lot — of something for everyone.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a true treasure, with so many places to go, events to attend and entertainment options to enjoy, it’s almost impossible to give it all the accolades deserved. Instead, here’s a look at group trip ideas to enjoy the great outdoors in one of our country’s most pristine and beautiful areas.

Michigan is pretty much synonymous with water, freshwater that is, and it’s no wonder. The mitten state has 11,000 inland lakes and borders four of the five Great Lakes with more than 3,100 miles of freshwater shoreline — more than any other state (and second only to Alaska for total shoreline). That said, it stands to reason that Michigan also has a ton of great beaches and most Michiganders have their sworn favorites. But here’s a challenge for your next group trip — try a new beach nowhere near your favorite and get to know what other areas have to offer. You might be happily surprised to find you have two favorites!