Indian Trails Blog

Ann Arbor has long been known as the home of the University of Michigan Wolverines, but there’s so much more to the city. Year-round, indoors and out, a trip to Ann Arbor is sure to please even the pickiest of travelers in your group.

Michigan is so ethnically diverse, you almost feel like you’ve been abroad when you visit some of our towns and cities. One of the best examples is Frankenmuth, known by many for its Bavarian theme and, by many more, as the home of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. To others, it’s the place with the best family-style chicken dinners (next to mom’s) at Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, and the Bavarian Inn and Restaurant. But there’s so much more to do in Frankenmuth, including festivals and events, a waterpark, great shopping, and other attractions. Here’s a rundown of what’s going on in Frankenmuth.

On the Lake Michigan coast lie two towns separated by the Kalamazoo River, but that’s the only thing that divides them. Together, Saugatuck and Douglas have become one place that’s among the most treasured vacation spots in the country. In fact, in 2018, the towns ranked third on Thrillist Travel’s 20 Greatest Summertime Lake Towns and Saugatuck’s Oval Beach was ranked fourth on USA Today’s Best Michigan Beaches list.

“Up north” is a part of the vernacular of the mitten state. And for many who have lived in Michigan their whole lives, going up north means going to Traverse City or nearby areas. Perhaps one of the best known and loved destinations in the state, Traverse City feels like home to so many, even those who have only spent a week there, simply because of its modest, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re from Kansas or Kalkaska, once you visit Traverse City, you’ll be counting the days until you can return.

The holidays mean family, friends, fun, and of course, gift giving. There’s no better time than now to get organized and plan a shopping trip for your group to one of Michigan’s outstanding shopping destinations. You’ll enjoy having many store choices, great eateries and great deals throughout November and December. Here is a look at four of the state’s top holiday shopping venues to consider for your group’s trip.

The holidays are fast approaching and with them come hours and hours of gift shopping for co-workers, pals and family. But why head to the mall when you can make Christmas shopping an event to share with your group? In the fashion of the Christmas markets that are a centuries-old tradition across Europe, Christmas markets and shows are becoming an American tradition too! If your group loves unique, fun and fanciful shopping, consider these holiday markets around the state for your pre-Christmas getaway.

If you’re not a Detroit native, you might never have attended the Thanksgiving Day parade there. Instead, you probably watched it on the television from your couch or in your kitchen as you prepared cranberry sauce or stuffed the turkey. Ranked the second best Thanksgiving Day parade in the country, it’s become iconic to Detroiters and to out-of-state Michiganders who want only good things for Detroit. So, if your church, school group, or group of extended family or friends want to be a part of helping make it No. 1, consider attending this holiday season. 

Winter means people are more likely to stay inside due to the cold weather. And before you know it, the holidays will be over and we will begin the long trek from Christmas to springtime. So now is the perfect time to plan and book your group’s mid-winter break, and if you want to stay warm, there’s no better place to go than one of Michigan’s many beautiful, fun and entertaining resort casinos. Check out some of the options and start planning!

The words “man-made” don’t often relay the reality represented in a structure’s enormous size, massive span, extreme height, or extraordinary ability. Michigan, in fact, has many man-made marvels — breathtaking feats of engineering expertise — that offer a look into our history and our future. If you want an eclectic tour that your group will be talking about for a long time, try this tour of Michigan’s engineering marvels in the Upper Peninsula:

As fall creeps in with its cooler nights and colorful vistas, it’s time to start thinking about food, the kind that sticks to your ribs and makes the house smell wonderful. If your group loves food, Fall Flavor Weekends at Greenfield Village are second to none. For one weekend in September and one in October, Greenfield Village features food from days gone by, including where it came from, how it was prepared and of course, how it tasted. It’s a foodie heaven your group will not want to miss. Plan now and book a bus for the weekend of Sep 29-30 or Oct 6-7 and enjoy days full of food and fun from morning until evening.