Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/19029
MICHIGAN One of the state’s premiere destinations is Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan. It’s a cosmopolitan city with a small town sensibility. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library is here, along with numerous museums and the well- earned nickname of “Tree Town” for its dense forestation and trees. Detroit has some of the best attractions of anywhere. Here are just a few, The Henry Ford, the Charles H.Wright Museum of African American History, and the Detroit Institute of Art. There are four major casinos in the metro area, and some of the best convention and hotel space in the country. Flint is the birthplace of General Motors and the beginning of the UAW. Much of that history can be observed through the Sloan Museum. There are several meeting ven- ues throughout the city, the largest can hold up 2,000 people in a reception style format. Grand Rapids, is a town of big city excitement featuring more than 60 restaurants, nightclubs, museums, theaters and sports venues all within a five-minute walk of each other – yet the city prides itself on its small-town Midwestern virtues. Try ice-skating at the Rosa Parks Circle, walk the Riverfront or visit the Gerald R. Ford Museum. LANSING Michigan’s capitol city has some extremely affordable attractions, hotels/motels, Bed and Breakfast, campgrounds andMichigan StateUniversity. MINNESOTA The Land of 10,000 Lakes has an $11 billion a year tourism industry with the leisure and hospitality industry employing some 245,000 residents. Duluth is a cosmopol- itan, European and Middle American city all wrapped in one beautiful package. Stroll along the Lake Superior waterfront – the world’s largest lake. Tour historic man- sions and museums or try a horse drawn carriage around Canal Park. Dance the weekend away at one of the many festivals or try some of the best skiing east of the Rockies. Bloomington is home to the world-famous Mall of the Americas, the largest shopping center in the U.S., and attracts 40 million visitors annually. There are 500 stores and countless entertainment options. Another Bloomington attraction is the 14,000-acre Minnesota Valley NationalWildlife Refuge. MINNEAPOLIS The city attracts over 18 million visitors a year and for good reason. It’s a city of art and culture, festivals and fairs, great nightlife, a renowned music scene that features everything from Jazz to Rock and of course the Mississippi River. The town is littered with hundreds of upscale stores and funky boutiques. Oh and did we mention no sales tax on apparel and shoes. The energy and affordability of downtown State Capitol Building Minneapolis makes the city ideal for meetings and con- ventions. The 475,000 sq. ft. Minneapolis Convention Center is connected via a climate-controlled skyway to various hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues The city has over 6,000 hotel rooms, with most less than 30 minutes from the airport. Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 37 For a look at multi-cultural Lansing pay a visit to the Malcolm X Homesite Marker, Michigan Historical Museum or the Michigan State University Museum. There are numerous attractions such as All Around the African World Museum and Resource Center, Impression 5 Science Center, Michigan Walk of Fame, Michigan International Speedway and the State Capitol Building. Lansing has performing arts centers, dinner theaters, art galleries and the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. There are parks, nature centers, wildlife exhibits and hiking trails throughout. Lansing is a great city for meetings with multiple ven- ues led by the Lansing Center. It’s a state-of-the-art facil- ity with over 175,000 sq. ft. of meeting space including nearly 75,000 sq. ft. of column-free exhibit halls and 20 breakout rooms. The center is attached via a covered walkway with a Radisson Hotel. If you are looking for quiet beauty try Mackinac Island located between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. The Grand Hotel and the Mission Point Resort are two great properties for families, weddings and small gather- ings. Enjoy hiking, biking, water activities, shopping, golf, carriage tours, music festivals and much more.