Vacationing in Michigan is a great option if the economy is getting you down. There are a lot of things to see and do that don't cost a lot of money. One great option is to take a road trip to explore the state's lighthouses, waterfalls and or covered bridges - maybe even all three.
While you may balk at such a road trip because of fuel prices, it really wouldn't be expensive at all because many of these sites have no admission charge. Here are some interesting details to consider.
Lighthouses: Did you know there are 115 lighthouses in Michigan, many of them still operational. Some, like those at Whitefish Point in the Upper Peninsula or Pointe Aux Barques in Thumb of the Lower Peninsula, have museums that will inform and entertain both children and adults. Others, like Charity Island Lighthouse has a bed-and-breakfast attached so you can actually experience life at a lighthouse. "Pure Michigan," the state's official travel and tourism website will help you find interesting lighthouses all over the state.
Waterfalls: Michigan has 166 waterfalls throughout the state. Tahquamenon Falls, with its upper and lower falls, is probably the most well known, but there are many others that are worth visiting. Some of them may be a little rugged and hard to get to but all of them give you a chance to get out of the car and go for a fun stroll with your kids. Most of Michigan's waterfalls are located in the Upper Peninsula.
Covered Bridges: While the U.P. wins the prize for the most waterfalls, the Lower Peninsula takes the prize for covered bridges. There are currently nine covered bridges left in the state and there are efforts underway to preserve them. Some of the bridges, like those in Frankenmuth and at Dearborn's Greenfield Village, are in museum settings. Others, such as the Langley Covered Bridge are on currently used roads. (By the way, the Langley Covered Bridge is one of the longest in the nation, according to Wikipedia.)
While you explore these features, you and your kids will be learning a lot about our state. You will learn about the flora and fauna, about our maritime history and about how people lived in times long past. Do you think you could live the life of a lighthouse keeper or figure out how to build a covered bridge that would last?
To find out more about Michigan's lighthouses, waterfalls and covered bridges, use your favorite search engine. You will find plenty of websites that will help you plan your trip. You probably won't get to see them all in one trip, but perhaps this can be a start of an annual tradition.
Visiting any of these sites is a great way to explore Michigan. Remember, half the fun of such outings is in the trip itself: You'll visit little-known parts of the state and see what life is like away from the busy cities. Take lots of pictures because these will be excursions that you and your family will long remember.
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