Wake up on Michigan’s Sunrise Side Itinerary
Begin your visit to Michigan’s Sunrise Side in Port Huron, also known as Blue Water Country, where Lake Huron flows south via the St. Clair River into Lake St. Clair. Explore both a lighthouse and lightship open to the public. Just north is the city of Flint, the birthplace of General Motors. The Sloan Museum documents the city’s automotive history. Smell and taste the many flavors of coffee. Learn how coffee is made at the world headquarters of a major coffee manufacturer.
Next visit the Saginaw Valley region of east Michigan. Begin in “Michigan’s Little Bavaria” of Frankenmuth. This German themed village is famous for its all-you-can-eat family-style chicken dinners. Frankenmuth is also known for Christmas, which is evident at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, the World’s Largest Christmas Store, where the retail shopping floor is nearly the size of two football fields.
Head north to the Bay City area and set sail aboard the Tall Ship Appledore. Just west of Bay City is the city of Midland, home of Dow Chemical. Tour the home of Alden B. Dow, who studied with renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. A short drive away is Mt. Pleasant where the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort brings you the thrills of gaming and the comfort of a world-class resort.
Pass through the Clare area on your way to Houghton Lake where you board the Cumberland Princess for an excursion on Michigan’s largest inland lake. Overnight accommodations are available at the Quality Inn Forward’s in West Branch, which boasts a unique Michigan lumbering-themed décor.
As you head further north and cross over the forty-fifth parallel (halfway between the Equator and North Pole), you arrive at the Hartwick Pines Lumbering Museum and Civilian Conservation Corp Museum. Lunch or dinner is served in an “up north” lodge setting at the Big Buck Brewery in Gaylord.
Continue your tour of Michigan’s east coast with a stop in Hillman at the Thunder Bay Resort. Board a horse-drawn wagon (or sleigh in the winter) to view elk in their natural surroundings. Get a glimpse of maritime history along the shoreline of Lake Huron in Alpena and follow the coastline south to East Tawas. Here you complete your tour of east Michigan by sailing across the waters of Lake Huron to Charity Island and visiting a lighthouse and the Lightkeeper’s home for a gourmet meal.
