If you have to pick between Michigan’s two national lakeshores, you are not choosing between good and better. You are choosing between two great but very different experiences. Sleeping Bear Dunes delivers warm-water beach days, easy overlooks, and small-town charm you can wander on foot. Pictured Rocks answers with painted cliffs, waterfall hikes, and a true inland-sea vibe on Lake Superior. As a Metro Detroit local who road-trips north all year, here is the most useful head-to-head you will find, with the specifics that actually help you plan.

The quick answer

  • Best for families and first timers: Sleeping Bear Dunes

  • Best for epic scenery and adventure: Pictured Rocks

  • Closest to Metro Detroit: Sleeping Bear Dunes

  • Warmest swim: Sleeping…

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There’s something magical about late August up north: warm Lake Michigan breezes, farmer’s markets brimming with just-picked produce, and long golden evenings. This year, that seasonal charm comes with a new twist. For the first time ever, Traverse City is hosting the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, a five-day celebration of local flavor that’s both elevated and approachable. It’s a multi-day event showcasing the bounty of the region’s agriculture, craft, and creativity, think renowned chefs, homegrown wines, scenic venues, and a schedule full of delicious experiences. Whether you’re a Metro Detroit family plotting a last summer getaway, a wine lover eager to taste Michigan’s finest vintages, or a foodie searching for the next big culinary event,…

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From coney counters and canal-side patios to tasting menus and late-night izakayas, Metro Detroit’s food scene rewards curiosity and appetite in equal measure. This Detroit dining guide highlights the top restaurants in Metro Detroit right now, spanning neighborhood icons, chef-driven kitchens, and affordable standbys across Downtown, Midtown, Corktown, Eastern Market, Southwest, and the close-in suburbs. Expect clear details on hours, parking, patios, and reservation strategy, plus what to order and why it matters. Whether you are living in Metro Detroit or moving to Metro Detroit, consider this your smart shortcut to the best Detroit restaurants for date nights, family brunch, business dinners, and celebratory splurges. Use it to plan a Saturday market…

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Mackinac Island is often described as a place where time stands still, a charming Victorian haven of horse-drawn carriages, clip-clopping along car-free streets lined with historic buildings. It’s lovingly renowned for being the same year after year, famous for its old-fashioned fudge shops and timeless waterfront views. But that doesn’t mean nothing ever changes. In fact, this beloved Michigan destination has been quietly adding plenty of new attractions and upgrades in the last couple of years.

In 2024 and 2025, Mackinac Island is blending the old with the new in delightful ways. Imagine savoring a giant fresh-baked cookie (yes, cookie!), playing arcade games by the harbor, or sipping craft cocktails on a dock stretching into Lake Huron, all on an…

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Michigan’s tourism industry isn’t just about summer vacations and weekend getaways; it’s a powerhouse economic engine for the state. A new report reveals that in 2024 Michigan attracted record numbers of visitors and dollars, translating fun and leisure into serious economic growth. From the shores of the Great Lakes to the streets of Detroit, tourism is boosting businesses, creating jobs, and even helping fund community services through tax revenue. This article breaks down the latest findings in a conversational, insider tone, the kind of perspective you’d get from a lifelong Michigander who’s watched this growth firsthand. Let’s dive into how Pure Michigan adventures are paying off for our local economy and what it means for families and communities…

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Detroit’s beloved homegrown soccer club, Detroit City FC (DCFC), is set to get a forever home of its own, right in the heart of the city. In a move that has die-hard fans and local families buzzing with excitement, the club has unveiled plans for a brand-new stadium in Southwest Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood. This future home, to be called AlumniFi Field, isn’t just another sports arena; it represents a community-driven milestone nearly a decade in the making. With a mix of neighborhood pride, sporting ambition, and a healthy dose of Detroit grit, AlumniFi Field is poised to become a local landmark when it opens for the 2027 season.

Detroit City FC, Facebook

AlumniFi Field: A New Stadium in Corktown

Artist’s rendering of the future…

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Metro Detroit knows how to make the most of warm weather, and nothing says summer quite like a friendly round of mini golf. Whether you’re chasing the perfect date night, a family outing, or just a few laughs with friends, the region is full of courses ranging from retro classics to glow-in-the-dark showstoppers. As a lifelong Michigander and local real estate expert, I’ve explored these spots firsthand, and I know which ones are worth your time. Here’s your complete 2025 guide to 40 mini golf venues across Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor, broken down by style so you can find your next favorite course.

Looking to pair mini golf with local flair? Check out Exploring Metro Detroit: Top Things to Do in August for seasonal festivals and block parties worth…

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Picture this: a warm August breeze carries the mouthwatering aroma of grilled carne asada and spicy adobada through the air, while the sound of mariachi music and laughter fills the parking lot at Novi’s Twelve Mile Crossing. Novi Taco Fest 2025 is in full swing around you, colorful taco trucks line the space, sizzling up everything from classic al pastor to inventive fusion creations, and families are dancing, dining, and having a blast. It’s a true fiesta atmosphere that captures the heart of summer in Michigan. Novi Taco Fest 2025 (one of the most anticipated Novi events of the year) will run from August 22–24, 2025, and this guide will walk you through the entire experience, schedule and tickets info, the can’t-miss food and drinks, entertainment…

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Milford has a way of keeping people. Longtime residents talk about Main Street mornings, bikes on the Milford Trail by afternoon, and concerts at the amphitheater when the sun drops behind the trees. It is the kind of place where a weekend visit turns into a serious home search. Local turnover is famously low, which is part of its appeal and one reason inventory can feel scarce near downtown.

This guide translates a full relocation deep dive into clear, decision-ready information for families and buyers who want the real picture. It covers lifestyle, parks, schools, taxes, commutes, housing, and how Milford compares to nearby cities, written in the voice of a lifelong Michigander who works the Metro Detroit market every day.

Downtown Milford,…

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Michigan’s history isn’t just in textbooks, it’s built into the bricks of our theaters, the timbers of our lighthouses, the machinery of our factories, and the cobblestones of our waterfront towns. From the industrial pulse of Detroit to the windswept shores of the Upper Peninsula, every corner of the Mitten tells a story. Some places shaped our country’s industries. Others hold the memory of communities that thrived, fought, and adapted through centuries of change. This guide brings you 50 of the most remarkable historical sites in Michigan, spots that locals love, visitors seek out, and every Michigander should experience at least once.

If you’re craving even more must-visit spots beyond our historical picks, check out our ‘Michigan Bucket List: Top…

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