Warner Vineyards - Paw Paw, Michigan
Warner Vineyards - Paw Paw, Michigan
Here you will be welcomed by the owners of the second oldest winery in Michigan. Beginning in 1938 this boutique winery is still a family owned business. Come and see it's historic location inside the Waterwork's Station!
There have been three generations of Warner's overseeing the Michigan winery. They enjoy the location which is situated on the riverbank in downtown Paw Paw. They have transposed the village's old water-works building into the winery's Wine Haus and are anxious for you to come and visit them, get a taste of history and enjoy some quality wine.
The building is a state designated historical structure built in 1898. The tasting room features a re-creation display of functioning European Champagne Caves.
The winery also has a 1914 Grand Trunk Railroad passenger rail car that serves as a spot for private parties.
The winery invites you to taste and experience their wines and champagnes with a complimentary wine tasting at their Wine Hous 7 days a week for free. You may even get to meet the Warner winemakers while you are there.
You can take a self-guided tour of their famous champagne caves. When you are done the tasting room staff will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
The winery also has a restaurant called Kevin's..Tavern on the River. Now that's a cool name, going to a Tavern on the River makes you think of being in some European country sipping wine and visiting with friends.
Winery Hours:
Open 7 days a week
Mon-Sat: 10am until 5pm
Sunday: 12pm until 5pm
excluding major holidays
Location:
Warner Vineyards Winery
706 S. Kalamazoo Street
Paw Paw, Michigan 49079
1-800-756-5357
South Haven Tasting Room
515 Williams Street
South Haven, Michigan 49090
1-269-637-6900
CALL FOR DAYS & HOURS
Kevin's… a Tavern on the River
Lunch & Dinner Daily
Sunday Brunch: 11am until 4pm
Closed Mondays
Reservations Recommended
Call: (269) 657-5165
Email kevins@warnerwines.com
Marquette Mission Park and Museum of Ojibwa Culture - St. Ignace, Michigan
Marquette Mission Park and Museum of Ojibwa Culture - St. Ignace, Michigan
This national historic landmark offers an insiders view of the rich archaeology and history of a 17th century Huron Indian village.
The museum is owned by the city and the park features several exhibits as well as being the home to the Longhouse Theatre wit on-going video showings.
You will be able to learn about this outstanding Indian culture. The Ojibwa Indians formed the base culture of the Upper Great Lakes and tells the story of why Huron Indian refugees established a village in St. Ignace in 1671 (before there was a St. Ignace).
St Julian Winery - Paw Paw, Michigan
St Julian Winery - Paw Paw, Michigan
Nestled in the southern shore of Lake Michigan the St. Julian Winery is the oldest and largest winery in Michigan.
The winery is a family owned business, started by Mriano Meconi in 1921. Being Italian certainly helps in the wine industry, good wines and Italian heritage seem to go hand in hand. He emigrated from Italy to Canada at the age of 13 and in 1936 moved his wine business from Canada to Paw Paw to be closer to Lake Michigan Shore grape-growing region.
Family tradition keeps this winery producing quality wines for your enjoyment.
The main winery in Paw Paw offers free tours on a year round basis. Monday thru Saturday beginning at 9:30 AM, there is no tour at noon, and the last tour starts at 4 PM. Sundays the tours run every half hour beginning at 12:30 PM and the last tour is at 4 PM (all times are Eastern Standard Time).
The winery is handicap accessible and all ages are welcome to come and visit the winery.
The winery has 5 tasting rooms at their retail outlets and you can taste the wines to find the one you enjoy most, for free. There are two in Paw Paw, one in Frankenmuth, one in Dundee and one in Union Pier so wherever you are in the area there is a wine tasting room close to you.
There are grape varieties used to produce their wines. The vinifera varieties from Europe, hybrid varieties from Europe which are then cross bred with native American and French grapes and the native American varieties. Hybridization produces varieties that can withstand the cold Michigan winters and in turn produce high quality wine.
The grapes are purchased from 100 growers in the region of SW Michigan and come from an area within a 45 mile radius of Paw Paw.
The winery has a banquet hall called the Apollo which is available for rent for parties and corporate functions. They also host special events throughout the year so be sure to check with them to find out if there is anything special going on when you are going to be in the area.
Location: 716 S. Kalamazoo St, Paw Paw, Michigan 49079
Phone: 269-657-5568 or 800-732-6002
Email: wines@stjulian.com
Mackinac Bridge - St. Ignace, Michigan
Mackinac Bridge - St. Ignace, Michigan
Are you interested in seeing what some consider to be the "8th wonder of the world?" If you are then you need to go to St. Ignace in Michigan and see the Mackinac Bridge.
The bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the western Hemisphere with 7,400 feet of 4 lane highway suspended over the Straits of Mackinac.
The Golden Gate Bridge is 950 feet shorter than the Mackinac Bridge.
The bridge is a critical transportation link between Michigan's two peninsulas and is responsible for the huge flow of tourism and economic growth to the area.
The total length of the bridge, including its approaches, is approximately 5 miles over 34 water piers. The two main towers extend 552 feet above the water and go down 210 feet below the surface of the water into a base of bedrock.
While on the bridge you will be able to seed Lake Michigan to the west and Lake Huron to the east. You will also be able to see Mackinac Island and its Grand Hotel from the bridge.
Driving across the bridge you will be able to see the freighters pass under you. Seeing the size of these ships will help you realize just how immense the structure truly is.
Make sure you spend a little time around the area at night so you can see the "Might Mac" light up the Straits of Mackinac.
The bridge opened to traffic in 1957 after a many year struggle to get the necessary funding approved. The American Bridge Division of United States Steel Corporation, awarded a $44,532,900 contract to build this superstructure, began its work of planning and assembly. In U.S. Steel's mills the various shapes, plates, bars, wire and cables of steel necessary for the superstructure and for the caissons and cofferdams of the foundation, were prepared. This accomplishment took the skill and ability of many people in many different rolls to get accomplished.
IN June of 1998 the count of people that had crossed the bridge was 100 million. In 2008 through the month of August there were 2,538,559 vehicles that crossed the bridge.
Fees: Passenger vehicle - $1.50 per axle or $3 per car. All other vehicles are $3.50 per axle.
For your pleasure here is Dr. David B. Steinman's poem “The Bridge at Mackinac".
Answer:
The Bridge at Mackinac
In the land of Hiawatha,
Where the white man gazed with awe
At a paradise divided
By the straits of Mackinac
Men are dredging, drilling, blasting,
Battling tides around the clock,
Through the depths of icy water,
Driving caissons down to rock.
Fleets of freighters bring their cargoes
From the forges and the kilns;
Stones and steel - ten thousand barge-loads -
From the quarries, mines, and mills.
Now the towers, mounting skyward,
Reach the heights of airy space.
Hear the rivet-hammers ringing,
Joining steel in strength and grace.
High above the swirling currents,
Parabolic strands are strung;
From the cables, packed with power,
Wonder-spans of steel are hung.
Generations dreamed the crossing;
Doubters shook their heads in scorn.
Brave men vowed that they would build it -
From their faith a bridge was born.
There it spans the miles of water,
Speeding millions on their way -
Bridge of vision, hope and courage,
Portal to a brighter day.
Hartwick Pines State Park - Grayling Michigan
Hartwick Pines State Park – Grayling, Michigan
Spend some time at the largest state park in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. Here you will be able to see the largest stand of virgin white pines remaining in the Lower Peninsula.
There is a Forest Visitor Center where you can learn about Michigan's forests through exhibits which focus on the history of logging, forestry, and the numerous ways the trees harvested are used in our daily lives. This center is also the main interpretive center for the 3.9 million acre state forest system managed by the DNR, the largest state forest system in the United States.
Dinosaur Gardens - Ossineke, Michigan
Dinosaur Gardens - Ossineke, Michigan
Dinosaurs ruled the earth and you can see just what it was like at the Dinosaur Gardens. Here 40 acres are filled with life-sized replicas of a number of dinosaurs as well as cave men and women. There are some exhibits that even provide a birds eye view where you can climb the steps and entrance right into the replicas. There are over 26 exhibits along the trail.
Nature lovers will enjoy the cedar swamp in its natural state, along with wild flower and numerous flora and fauna native to northern Michigan. Photographers and bird lovers also have a wonderful choice of views including the beautiful Devil River.
There is putt putt golf of 18 holes for you to enjoy while you take a break from the stroll through the gardens. At this area there are are also picnic tables for you to enjoy a picnic lunch.
In the gardens you will find religious artifacts offering serenity and solitude where you can take a little time to just reflect and relax.
There is a snack bar where you can get a hot dog, stadium brat, polish dogs, hamburgers, pizza, nachos & cheese and much more to eat or bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy being at the gardens
.
Location: Dinosaur Gardens, 11160 US 23 South Ossineke MI 49766
Tel: 989-471-5477 Toll Free 877-823-2408
FAX: 989-471-8032
Email: info@dinosaurgardensllc.com
Huron-Manistee National Forests - Cadillac, Michigan
Huron-Manistee National Forests -Cadillac, Michigan
Covering almost a million acres of public lands extending across the northern lower peninsula of Michigan the Huron-Manistee National Forests are a wonderful place for visitors to spend some time. Here you can fish, watch wildlife, hike and enjoy being in the area filled with sights of nature.
There are a wide range of camping sites available for your use. There are 37 developed campground and 2 Day Use Areas, in addition to over 25 primitive campgrounds. Dispersed camping in a tent is allowed in most areas of the forest so if you don't want to be around other people camping you can go off by yourself and find that spot that is perfect for you.
There are over 330 miles of trails available for multiple uses such as horseback riding or hiking. The trails are often linear, while the interpretive (nature) trails are usually loops of varied lengths for your education.
With over 100 miles of bike trails across the forest you will be able to see nature as you have never witnessed it before, weaving through the tall trees, seeing wildlife up close and breathing the fresh scented air to make your ride most memorable.
There are also Off-Highway Vehicle trails and areas where those that want to ride off road vehicles can follow the forest trails designed for them. You will need to obtain an ORV sticker and maps of the state trails to follow.
The forest has 4 Nationally Designed Wild and Scenic Rivers along with many other rivers, lakes, streams and ponds for your enjoyment. You can canoe or use a small boat (under 20 hp and/or 26 ft. long) within the boundaries of the forest.
The Forests' boundary extend from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Shores of Lake Huron. If you aren't sure where the boundaries are please stop at one of the offices and get a forest map. There is no entrance gate of specific area in which to enter the forests.
The Huron-Manistee National Forests will allow you to cut down your own Christmas tree as long as you follow some rules. There is a $5 fee to be paid at any forest service office, do not cut a tree over 15 ft. tall and do not cut a tree within 150 feet of roads, trails or developed areas. Attach the metal tag to the tree and sealed at the time of cutting. It is not allowed to dig up a tree. Make sure you cut the tree as close to the ground as possible so as not to leave a stump. You will receive a map showing where cutting is permitted when you buy your tag.
The forest is filled with wildlife from Whitetail deer to turkey, rabbit, fox, squirrel, coyote, raccoon, grouse, pine marten and of course the black bear. Be sure to take your camera, you may have a chance at some outstanding pictures.
If you are a snowshoe hiker please walk alongside the trails rather than on them, the trails are for ski and snowmobile enthusiasts and walking on them with snowshoes damages them for these people. Of course you can walk through the woods on your snowshoes, off trail, and NO snowmobiles and ORV's are not allowed on anything except designated trails. Riding cross-country is prohibited.
There is hunting allowed on National Forest system land with some restrictions. Check with the Forest Service to find out what areas are approved for hunting.
Pets are allowed to be with you on the grounds as long as they are leashed (no longer then 6'). Please know that pets are not allowed on the beaches.
For those of you that are mushers you can mush (dog sled) on all public lands in the state of Michigan, including groomed snowmobile trials but you may not use the cross-country ski trails.
Email: r9_hmnf_website @fs.fed.us
Send postal mail to:
Huron-Manistee National Forest
Supervisor's Office
1755 S. Mitchell Street
Cadillac, MI 49601
800-821-6263
231-775-2421
231-775-3183 TTY
231-775-5551 fax
Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station
650 N. Michigan Avenue
P.O. Box D
Baldwin, MI 49304
231-745-4631
231-745-7701 TTY
231-745-2345 fax
Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
From May 15 to November 20
Open Saturday and Sunday 8:00-4:30pm
Manistee Ranger Station
412 Red Apple Rd.
Manistee, MI 49660
231-723-2211
231-723-0124 TTY
231-723-8642 fax
Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
Huron Shores Ranger Station
5761 North Skeel Road
Oscoda, MI 48750
989-739-0728
989-739-0806 TTY
989-739-0347 fax
Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
Mio Ranger Station
107 McKinley St.
Mio, MI 48647
989-826-3252
989-826-3592 TTY
989-826-6073 fax
Open M-F 8:00am-4:30pm
From Mid-May to June
Monday to Saturday
8:00am to Noon.
Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center
Located on River Road National Scenic Byway
(Along the Au Sable river between Oscoda and M-65)
989-362-8961
Summer Hours:
Daily 10:00 to 7:00 from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Skiing in Northeast Michigan - Gaylord, Michigan
Skiing in Northeast Michigan - Gaylord, Michigan
This area of the state receives approximately 175 inches of snow each year. It is an ideal area to come to enjoy the great skiing in the mid-west.
There are downhill ski slopes that are appropriate for the beginner and those with a big enough challenge to keep the skills of the seasoned skier sharp.
The area has 23 downhill ski runs and even instructions on both skiing and snowboarding.
Thomas Edison Depot Museum - Port Huron, Michigan
Thomas Edison Depot Museum - Port Huron, Michigan
At one time Thomas Edison worked as a news butcher in the Fort Gratiot depot built in 1858 and occupied by Edison from 1859 to 1863. Here the trains connected Port Huron with the rest of the world and hauled freight between Port Huron and Detroit and Point Edward/Samia (Ontario).
The depot was converted into the museum to display Edison's multi-faceted story of creativity, family support, adversity, perseverance, and ultimate triumph as one of the greatest inventors of our times.
The museum has hands on exhibits allowing you to re-create period environments for you to become participants in the story of Edison and to apply your own creativity and ingenuity as you learn about Edison's life and his inventions.
Bramble Museum (Retired Coast Guard Cutter) - Port Huron, Michigan
 - Port Huron, Michigan.jpg)
Bramble Museum (Retired Coast Guard Cutter) - Port Huron, Michigan
Commissioned in 1944 the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble is now a museum for you to learn about its life in war time.
At the time it was commissioned the cost was just over $925,000. Today it would certainly cost a great deal more.
The Bramble participated in "Operation Crossroads" following WWII. This was the first test of an atomic bomb’s effect on surface ships, at Bikini Island.
In 1957 the Bramble and the cutters Spar and Storis headed for the Northwest Passage, they traveled through the Bearing Straits and the Arctic Ocean for 64 days through 4500 miles of partially unchartered waters to reach the Atlantic Ocean. These vessels were the first to circumnavigate the North American Continent which was something that mariners had been trying to do for over 400 years and not succeeding.
