Michigan, Ripening on the Vine

Michigan offers groups diverse choices, from her beaches and lakes to her many cities. And each region of the state has a unique personality. Join us as we explore the states regions and, along the way, highlight its growing reputation for agritourism and production of fine foods, wine and beer.

Southwest

The Lansing area is home to Michigan State University, the first land grant college in the country and a major agricultural school. The MSU Dairy Store shows how cheese, ice cream and other dairy products are made, followed by ice cream tasting. The MSU Farms show milking procedures every afternoon, along with viewing of sheep, horse, poultry, cattle and swine farms.

The surrounding area is rife with agritourism possibilities, with several orchards and mills. Uncle Johns Cider Mill and Fruit House Winery offers baked goods, seasonal fruits and vegetables and more. In the fall, the cider mill is operating, along with wagon rides, train rides and a pumpkin patch. Burgdorfs Winery offers tastings of the many wines produced on site, as well as allows customers to create their own wine at the facility with the guidance of the trained staff.

Battle Creek is known for another type of food–cereal. The area was home to many members of the Adventist Church in the mid-1800s, including Dr. John Kellogg, who developed a vegetarian ready-made breakfast food from grain. Kellogg later developed a company to make toasted corn flakes. One of his patients, businessman C.W. Post became intrigued by this diet and, after he left, developed a grain-based coffee substitute called Postum, as well as a cereal he called Grape Nuts. Kelloggs, Post and Ralston Brand cereals are all still operating here and each June they sponsor the Cereal Festival, which is highlighted by the Worlds Largest Breakfast Table.

Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids has recently added new colossal sculptures by world-famous artists Andy Goldsworthy, Kenneth Snelson and Jonathan Borofsky to its large Sculpture Park. From Sep. 29-Dec. 31 the gardens will feature large-scale drawings by acclaimed sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz. The 50 drawings of the human figure, flowers and animals are compatible with much of her sculpture in texture and mood and will begin a national tour in 2007.

Kalamazoos signature group attraction is the Air Zoo, opened just a couple of years ago. Rides include a full-motion F-18 flight simulator and a hot-air balloon ride. The world’s largest indoor mural here shows aviation from the beginning of flight to space exploration. The 4-D theatre portrays a B-17 bombing mission, with surround sound, drop-down seats with vibration and effects such as lightning, wind and smells.

Northwest

Muskegon is home to the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum. The museum originally comprised the USS Silversides, a World War II submarine that served in the Pacific and sank 30 enemy ships, more sinkings than any other submarine in existence. In 1993, the museum added the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter McLane. Commissioned in 1927 to enforce prohibition, the McLane later performed search and rescue missions in Alaska and patrolled the Bering Sea during the war.

The Traverse City area has developed quite a reputation over the past several years for food and wine, including a full cover in the New York Times Sunday travel section last summer. The quirky Cherry Republic complex in Glen Arbor sells jams, salsas and other cherry-based products to preserve small agriculture on the peninsula. The Grand Traverse Pie Company is familyowned and received attention on the Food Network. The area hosts a number of food events. The National Cherry Festival in July has shifted from traditional cherry pies to more experimental cherry cuisine. The new Interlochen Wine, Food and Fine Arts Festival offers wines from the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, microbrews, local food and a juried art show. Also new is the Traverse Epicurean Classic, a September event that includes tastings, kitchenware expos, dinners and cooking classes taught by leading chefs and wine professionals. From September through November, the Learn Great Foods Kitchen in the Bay View communitys historic Terrace Inn is hosting a series of weekend food workshops. These involve touring buffalo and chicken farms, organic gardens, wineries and natural foods markets. The cooking classes focus on new techniques and organic ingredients. The more than 20 wineries in the area are recognized for their fruit wines, Rieslings and chardonnays, but have recently expanded into red and ice wines. All are open to visitors.

Story by John Kloster

Courtesy: Group Travel Blog