Communities to consider include: Grand Haven, Saugatuck, Leland, Suttons Bay, Bay City, Traverse City, Holland, and Manistee.

Taxes: Before purchasing a property, be sure to investigate the taxes and factor that into your decision.

Commute: Although commuting around the metropolitan areas in Michigan is relatively easy, consider the length of the commute and the condition of the road you will be traveling in your decision.

Schools: Many school districts in Michigan have excellent school systems that have gained national recognition for their efforts. You can find schools with a small-town feel, as well as schools with broad ethnic diversity represented.

Weather: Winters in Michigan can be difficult, so you will want to factor that into your housing decision. If you have a long driveway, do you have a way to clean it out in the winter or are you able to hire someone to do it for you? Do you want to have a long commute to work in the winter? Do you want covered parking for all of your vehicles?

Sources:
The Detroit Almanac: 300 years of life in the Motor City, by the Detroit Free Press, editors Peter Gavrilovich and Bill McGraw

www.moving.com

Detroit Institute of the Arts
5200 Woodward Ave.
(313) 833-7900
The Detroit Institute of the Arts offers more than 100 galleries with art from ancient to modern times.

Detroit Science Center
5020 John R. Street
(313) 577-8400
Now called The New Detroit Science Center, this hands-on center includes traveling exhibits, five hands-on exhibit laboratories, two demonstration stages, an IMAX theater and a digital dome planetarium.

Eastern Market - Detroit
Russell Street
(586) 393-8800
This indoor-outdoor marketplace is more than a century old and remains one of the city's major attractions. Spread over a 43-acre area, the market draws 45,000 people on a given Saturday.

Motown Historical Museum -- Detroit
2648 W. Grand Blvd.
(313) 875-2264
When you visit this museum, which is located in an old brick house, you will be standing on the site where the Motown sound of the 1960s began. The exhibits include musical instruments, photographs, and the original world-famous Studio A and control room, where Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, the Temptations, the Supremes and many others got their start in the music business under the direction of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.

Automotive Hall of Fame -- Dearborn
21400 Oakwood Blvd. adjacent to the Henry Ford Museum
(313) 240-4000
This attraction recognizes the achievement of men and women in the automotive and related industries. More than 200 individuals have been inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Detroit Zoological Park -- Royal Oak
8450 W. Ten Mile Road
(248) 398-0900
This zoo features open, exhibits that are designed to simulate natural environments. The zoo covers 125 acres and includes a great ape complex, a snow monkey area with hot spring, a reptile house, a free-flight aviary, and penguin and polar bear exhibits. A miniature railroad carries visitors around the grounds of the zoo.

Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village -- Dearborn
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
(313) 982-6001
The museum and village cover 93 acres and highlight not only the life and contribution of Henry Ford, but also American innovation and enterprise. The museum's collections include communications, transportation, industry, agriculture and domestic life. Its exhibits feature the Rosa Parks bus, the chair that Abraham Lincoln sat in when he was assassinated, the limousine in which John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and Edgar Allan Poe's writing desk.

Greenfield Village's 81 acres cover more than 300 years in exhibits, including steam locomotives, a steamboat, and a Model T. There is an IMAX theater in the vistors' center.

Henry Ford Estate - Fair Lane -- Dearborn
University of Michigan - Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen St.
(313) 593-5590
Tours are available of this estate, which sits on a 1,300-acre site. The 56-room estate was built in 1914 as Clara and Henry Ford's final home. Visitors are invited to explore the home, as well as the six-level Powerhouse, including Ford's personal garage and cars. This Powerhouse, created by Ford and Thomas Edison, gave the estate the independence to produce its own power, heat and light - and in fact, still produces electricity today.

Gerald R. Ford Museum - Grand Rapids
303 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids
(616) 451-9263
The museum displays highlight the private life and public career of former President Gerald Ford.

Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum (Air Zoo)
3101 E. Milham Road, Kalamazoo
(269) 382-6555
Exhibits feature planes dating to pre-World War II, aircraft used in Korea and Vietnam, more than 70 vintage aircraft and a USMC Jeep. Highlights include the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame, the Simulation Station featuring Hudson full-motion flight simulators and trainers, guided tours of the restoration center, and rides (seasonally) in a 1929 Ford Tri-Motor.

State Capitol - Lansing
Capitol and Michigan Avenues
(517) 373-2353
One of the first designed to resemble the U.S. Capitol, it was dedicated in 1879. Tours are available.

Windmill Island - Holland
Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue, Holland
(616) 355-1030
The island is a 30-acre park containing canals, a drawbridge, miniature Dutch village, and the park's feature - a 1780s operating windmill brought from the Netherlands. During the TulipTime Festival in the spring, the island is a favorite place to view the thousands of tulips in a vast array of colors and varieties.

The village of Leland
This village, bordered by Lake Michigan to the west and Lake Leelanau to the east, is a charming town filled with shops and plenty of outdoor recreational activities. Rent a kayak and cruise along Lake Leelanau, enjoy a fishing charter trip or watch the boats come into historic Fishtown (a rustic fishing village that now houses shops, galleries and art studios).

Traverse City
This city at the base of the Grand Traverse Bay is a popular tourist destination in the winter and summer. Enjoy a picturesque drive along Old Mission Peninsula, taste wine at some of the area's many wineries, shop along the streets of Traverse City, or enjoy the many recreational activities from sailing to golfing.

Mackinac Island
One of the state's most popular tourist destinations, Mackinac Island is three miles long and two miles wide. The island does not allow any motorized vehicles, except for a fire truck, ambulance and public utilities truck. Otherwise, transportation is by bicycle, horse or carriage. Ferry service is available onto the island from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. Once you are there, you will enjoy the quaint Victorian charm while you take a step back in time.

Southeastern Michigan Restaurants
Fine dining: Rattlesnake Club, 300 River Place, Detroit
Opened in 1988, The Rattlesnake Club allows you to enjoy exceptional cuisine while enjoying views of the city skyline and Detroit River.

Affordable dining: American Coney Island, 114 W. Lafayette, Detroit
Experience a Detroit classic - the coney dog. Founded in 1917 by Constantine "Gust" Keros from Greece, the restaurant has stayed in the family and is now owned and operated by one of Gust's five sons, Charles.

Affordable dining: New Hellas Café, 583 Monroe St., Detroit
The oldest restaurant in Greektown, the New Hellas Café was founded in 1901 and is still in the family. Menu includes authentic homemade Greek yogurt, with a pitcher of warm honey on the side.

Western Michigan Restaurants
Fine dining: The 1913 Room, 187 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids
Five-diamond dining in early 1900s décor.

Fine dining: San Chez, a Tapas Bistro, 38 W. Fulton Street NW, Grand Rapids
The speciality are Spanish tapas, served like appetizers and meant to share.

Affordable dining: Yesterdogs, 1505 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids
A 1950s style hot dog joint with hot dogs loaded, and overflowing, with toppings.

Northern Michigan Restaurants
Fine dining: Boone's Long Lake Inn, 7208 Secor Road, Traverse City
Specializing in steak and seafood

Fine dining: The Cove, 111 River Street, Leland
Excellent dining with great views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands

Affordable dining: Mabel's, 457 Munson Ave., Traverse City
A favorite family restaurant

Upper Peninsula Restaurants
Fine dining: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
Five course dinner served daily, with all the charm of this historic hotel

Affordable dining: The Antler's, 804 E. Portage Ave., Sault St. Marie
More than 200 mounted animals lend a country atmosphere to this favorite eating spot.

Sources

www.visitdetroit.com

Detroit Institute of the Arts, where you will be able to enjoy more than 100 galleries with art from ancient to modern times. Keep your eye out for Vincent Van Gogh's "Self Portrait with a Straw Hat" and Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker," just a few of the many prestigious works of art on display here.

Detroit Science Center, which includes traveling exhibits, five hands-on exhibit laboratories, two demonstration stages, an IMAX theater and a digital dome planetarium.

Detroit Historical Museum, which showcases the history of Detroit and southeastern Michigan, including exhibits that recreate the streets of Old Detroit and 19th Century stores, celebrate automotive history and reveal a pilot house from a Great Lakes freighter.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, offering exhibits and programs that explore the diversity of African American history and culture. The museum features Mae Jamison's NASA flight suit, a replica of Dr. Martin Luther King's Birmingham jailhouse door, among other artifacts.

Motown Historical Museum -- When you visit this museum, which is located in an old brick house, you will be standing on the site where the Motown sound of the 1960s began. Guided tours are offered at regular hours.

For day two, head to nearby Dearborn for some more history, courtesy of Henry Ford. Dearborn is located about 10 miles from downtown Detroit. Spend your morning at the Henry Ford Estate - Fair Lane at 4901 Evergreen St. Tours are available of this estate, which sits on a 1,300-acre site. Visitors are invited to explore the home, as well as the six-level Powerhouse, including Ford's personal garage and cars. This Powerhouse, created by Ford and Thomas Edison, gave the estate the independence to produce its own power, heat and light - and in fact, still produces electricity today.

Once you have finished at the estate, make your way to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village at 20900 Oakwood Blvd. The museum and village cover 93 acres and highlight American innovation and enterprise. Its exhibits feature the Rosa Parks bus, the chair that Abraham Lincoln sat in when he was assassinated, the limousine in which John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and Edgar Allan Poe's writing desk. Greenfield Village's 81 acres cover more than 300 years in exhibits, including steam locomotives, a steamboat, and a Model T. There is an IMAX theater in the visitors' center, as well as plenty of places to enjoy lunch and snacks throughout the day.

Spend day three enjoying the morning at a Detroit classic - Eastern Market on Russell Street. This indoor-outdoor marketplace is more than a century old and remains one of the city's major attractions. Spread over a 43-acre area, the market draws 45,000 people on a given Saturday, so be prepared for crowds. The market is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, so get there early for the best selection.

Then make your way to the Detroit Zoological Park, 8450 W. Ten Mile Road in Royal Oak. The zoo covers 125 acres and includes a great ape complex, a snow monkey area with hot spring, a reptile house, a free-flight aviary, and penguin and polar bear exhibits. A miniature railroad carries visitors around the grounds of the zoo. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Your morning visit to the gardens and sculpture park might extend into the afternoon. When you are finished, make your way to downtown Grand Rapids to visit the Gerald R. Ford Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW. The museum displays highlight the private life and public career of former President Gerald Ford.

For day two, drive from Grand Rapids west to Holland, a charming town on Lake Michigan. Visit Windmill Island at Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue. The island is a 30-acre park containing canals, a drawbridge, miniature Dutch village, and the park's feature - a 1780s operating windmill brought from the Netherlands. During the TulipTime Festival in the spring, the island is a favorite place to view the thousands of tulips in a vast array of colors and varieties.

Also take the time to explore downtown Holland with its quaint shops - and heated sidewalks in the winter! When you are finished in Holland, it's time to head further down the Lake Michigan coastline to the town of Saugatuck. Stroll through the shops downtown, walk through the marina, and visit the sand dunes along the beach.

On day three, travel a bit further north on the Lake Michigan shoreline for a day enjoying nature at Ludington State Park. The park has 5,300 acres of scenic sand dunes, marshlands, hardwood forests, and nearly seven miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The park, which lies between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake, offers swimming, dune climbing, walking along the beach, hiking, boating, and fishing. You may choose to hike along one of the eight marked trails covering 16 miles, including the Skyline Trail, which offers breathtaking views from an elevated wooden walkway. Also be sure to see the lighthouse and the Hamlin Lake Dam, which was constructed during the logging era when lumbermen dammed the Big Sable River.

For day two, travel west and stop in Glen Arbor, home to quaint shops and the famous Cherry Republic store. Be sure to enjoy a piece of homemade cherry pie in the café and buy plenty of cherry products to bring home with you (free samples abound in the store so you can pick just the right thing.) Continue on to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which lies along a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan's eastern coastline, as well as North and South Manitou Islands. The park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and glacier phenomena. The Lakeshore also contains many cultural features including an 1871 lighthouse, three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations and an extensive rural historic farm district. Take the time to climb the dunes and get plenty of sand between your toes!

For day three, visit the village of Leland, which is bordered by Lake Michigan to the west and Lake Leelanau to the east. Enjoy the shops in the morning, including historic Fishtown. In the afternoon, rent a kayak and paddle around Lake Leelanau, stopping to enjoy a dip in the water.

Sources:
www.visitludington.com/statepark.html
www.wineriesofoldmission.com/
http://www.lpwines.com/
www.visitdetroit.com
www.meijergardens.org

Michigan Vacations - Week Long Itinerary Overview

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Southeastern Michigan Hotels and Accommodations

Western Michigan Hotels and Accommodations

Northern Michigan Hotels and Accommodations

Upper Peninsula Hotels and Accommodations

Detroit Activities

Detroit Vicinity Activities

Detroit - Fine Dining

Detroit Affordable Dining

Day One - Saturday

Day Two - Sunday

Day Three - Monday

Day Four - Tuesday