Shout Out To Dad!

Bill Cosby once said, "Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope." This Father's Day, June 16, treat your Dad to an experience he'll really love, from award-winning golf and micro-brews to truly unique outdoor recreation in West Michigan. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Pine River Paddlesport Center, Wellston

This Father's Day, give him the gift of unleashing his inner he-man. West Michigan's varied landscape of rivers, woods, and dunes is primed for adventure, thumbing its theoretical nose at the day-to-day shirt and tie routine.
Sitting deep in the cockpit of a kayak, floating down miles of waterways, offers a serene perspective of the world: bubbling brooks, chattering critters, bluebird skies... Or turn it up a notch by heading for raucous rapids that will surely leave Dad white-knuckled and grinning for days. From tranquil streams to rushing rapids, a day spent with a paddle in hand certainly beats one doing yard work, and there are dozens of paddlesport liveries waiting to assist.

If Dad doesn't exactly have webbed feet, help him concure land by tearing up pristine shores and forests in engine-powered, big boy toys. Jeeps, quads, and dune buggies rip through the landscape at the push of a peddle, giving passengers a bumpy ride they won't soon forget. Have your own ORV or ATV? The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are the only dunes east of Utah that allows you to drive your own.

Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa, Thompsonville

For some, golfing is a way of life, dreaming of bogies, birdies, and the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player. This June 16, give Dad the opportunity to explore the award-winning courses these golf greats designed in West Michigan.

Double JJ Resort, Rothbury, is treating dads to free golf with a paid round at the Thoroughbred Golf Club June 16. Designed by renowned architect Arthur Hills, the Thoroughbred Golf Club is known for its beauty and solitude. With bent grass tees, fairways and greens, the Thoroughbred offers 18 championship holes that sprawl over 240 acres of rolling Michigan woodside.

New Holland Brewing Co., Holland

There's little wonder why Michigan is called the Great Beer State. With more than 70 microbreweries – and hundreds of brews – there’s something to please every beer drinker's taste. From pilsners to stouts, ales to porters, West Michigan's brewers take the time and care to craft complex beverages, pushing the beer boundaries and exploring uncharted flavor territory.

If Dad is new to the microbrew world, a trip to a local brew pub for lunch, dinner or a brew house tour will get him hooked for life. Already a true brew connoisseur? Consider a Michigan Brewers Guild membership which includes VIP “early admission” status at the Guild’s various festivals, discounts at participating membership brewpubs, special VIP brewery tours, and a free Michigan beer t-shirt.

An estimated 4,000 fans of award-winning craft brewer,  Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids, will gather on Saturday, June 22 for the 5th Annual Founders Fest – an outdoor beer and music festival in downtown Grand Rapids. From 3 - 11pm, the street (Grandville Avenue between Cherry and Bartlett) will be blocked and the grounds of the brewery secured for the festivities – including a variety of local, regional and national entertainment, local food vendors, an expanded “Local Artists Row” and fellow craft beer lovers.

Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners

Father's Day is the perfect time for Dad to visit the car he had or the one he always wanted. As one of the top five car museums in the nation, The Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, features over 200 historic vehicles spanning more than 100 years of automotive heritage. On its 90 acres, Dad will find exhibits ranging from a 1899 Locomobile to the classic Duesenberg, the elusive Tucker '48 and from the Model T to the muscle cars of the 60s and 70s. Current special exhibits include The History of Stock Car Racing, Vintage Motorcycles, The Great Migration: The Automobile in the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, and Ford Muscle: A Rare Gathering of American-Made Power.

Historic Charlton Park, Hastings, presents its 32nd Annual Fathers Day Car Show is June 16 from 8 am - 4 pm, rain or shine., with over 1,100 vehicles on display.  Admission: adults, $5.00; kids 5 - 12, $3.00; four and under are free. This event is sponsored by the Southern Michigan Street Rod Association.

Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs, is proud to present their 29th Annual Father’s Day Festival and Corvette Car Show. This Southwest Michigan tradition gained national acclaim in 2009 when it was featured as one of the top Father’s Day events by the Wall Street Journal. With live music, wine tasting, and a Corvette car show, along with hayrides and kids games, this is an event the whole family can enjoy. Admission fee is $10.00 a person for those 21 years and over with a valid ID. Children under 21 are free with the family.

Traverse Tall Ship Co., Traverse City

If Dad's a history buff, delve deep into West Michigan's rich maritme heritage. With over 30 lighthouses on our Lake Michigan shoreline (103 in all!), there's no shortage of sites to explore. Several lighthouses are also home to naval and shipwreck museums, chronicling the lives of both seamen and keepers long ago. 

For an authentic nautical experience, take to the seas! Restored tallships still make the rounds on Lake Michigan and the Grand Traverse Bay, giving Dad the opportunity to do his best Captain Jack impression.

So we want to know, where are you taking Dad next weekend?

Love is in the air!

Tis' the season for love and wedding destinations in West Michigan are in Style this season!

Your celebration of love begins …From a rustic lighthouse on the golden sugar sands of the Great Lakes, to a one-of-a-kind vantage point of the great outdoors that only West Michigan can bring… there is no place more beautiful to commemorate your special day.

A Spring wedding can lead you across the fresh greens of a pristine golf course or perhaps to a shabby-chic park-like setting.  The fresh spring breeze will add to the moment and West Michigan has the perfect backdrop for spring wedding photos. Blend green hydrangeas and bold colors to make any floral bouquet stand out. Current popular color trends for Spring Weddings are: mint and grass greens, bright and lemon yellows, mango orange, bubble gum pinks, dried lavender and deep ocean blue.  

If you have your heart set on a Summer wedding, West Michigan is the ideal location for you. With the longest freshwater shoreline in the world and over 100 lighthouses, Michigan can create that intimate lakeside wedding that you have been dreaming of. West Michigan venues set on the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan and numerous inland lakes offer breathtaking sunsets.  Current popular color trends:  ballerina pink, 5th avenue blue, watermelon, marine blue, and seafoam and mint green.

Fall is West Michigan’s most popular wedding season!  Colors of red, orange, yellow and green are around every corner. Bring your guests to a vineyard, or one of the tasteful apple orchards and draw in some of the state apple blossoms for your tables’ focal point.  The fresh breeze of West Michigan will enhance the experience of a fall wedding. Current popular color trends: thai purple (plum), mango orange, curry yellow and reds, lime and apple greens.

Perhaps Winter is your season. West Michigan can arrange your picturesque winter wonderland at resorts and venues that can offer spa services and such activities as skiing and ice skating. The gentle rolling snow hills can be the flawless framework for your wedding memories. Incorporate romance and fun with a sleigh ride for two!  Current popular color trends for Winter Weddings are: fire engine red, blues of all colors, merlot wine, sterling silver and gold leaf.

Lakeside, countryside or urbanside, YOU choose. West Michigan venues and decorators are very well versed in settings of all styles. The current vintage look is on the rise and will match with any of the seasons.  Along with the current trend of vintage, consider classic, beach, country, and garden park to name a few.

“Love is a Great Beautifier,” quotes Louisa May Alcott.  West Michigan seasons only enhance the endless possibilities for your destination wedding.

Choose your style, Choose your colors, Choose West Michigan as your wedding destination!

To view our favorite West Michigan wedding destinations, use our wedding destination selector!

Depending on your wedding season, before and after wedding activities may include:
Spring:  golf, beach strolls, wine tasting, indoor water play, pampering, salmon fishing
Summer:  boating, beach fun, dune climbing, golf, wine tasting
Fall:  bike trails, wine tasting, fall harvest festivals, golf
Winter:  skiing (cross country or downhill), snowshoeing, sledding and indoor water play

Written in part by Ellery Daniels and Denise Kohler-Kolesar of Kohler Expos, Inc, producers of three seasonal bridal shows and an on-line engaged wedding planning connection.  Visit www.kohlerexpo.com and www.grbrides.com.

Tulip Time behind the scenes with Executive Director Gwen Auwerda

One of the largest festivals in West Michigan is right around the corner. The Tulip Time Festival will be celebrating its 84th event this year, and hopefully the cooler temperatures and all this rain we have been seeing will result in big, beautiful, tulips! Gwen Auwerda, Executive Director of the festival wrote this great blog post giving the inside scoop of the upcoming event for all you Tulip Time Lovers! We hope to see you there May 4-11.

"In Holland Michigan it has rained for the past 13 days and the tulips love it.  The town is being spruced up from a long winter and the Tulip Time Festival staff and interns are busy with the finishing touches on all the great events, entertainment and parades.  Here is a behind the scenes look at the Festival.

Members from First United Methodist Church who make the Pigs-in-a-blanket every year.

500 dozen pigs-in-the blanket,  a traditional Dutch food, were made by a group of volunteers from First United Methodist Church.  “Pigs” as we call them are a sausage roll covered with pastry dough and served to thousands of visitors at Dutch Marketplaats lunch in our Civic Center.  This is quite a time-honored tradition for the church.

Thirty bands are practicing their marching skills and will be marching in the Saturday GMB Muziekparade,  the longest parade in Michigan at 2.4 miles. The Columbia Central High School Golden Eagle Marching Band from Brooklyn, Michigan is anticipating its 69th year marching in the Tulip Time Festival GMB Muziekparade! Starting in 1941, this band has traveled nearly 300 miles round trip each year to participate in the Tulip Time Festival parades. Some of the group’s favorite memories of the Festival include the inconsistent weather conditions our lovely Lake Michigan provides each year, the thrill of the crowds’ response to the band’s performances and the seemingly timeless experience the Festival provides.  This year, May 11th is the day of the  GMB Muziekparade, but also another important day in the lives of CCHS students: it’s Prom night! This important celebration of high school is not deterring the band from making its appearance at Tulip Time. Director Joe Folts, lends this dedication to tradition and loyalty. “Kids wouldn’t think of not going to the Festival, it’s not a question, it’s a treasured tradition.” Some band members are second generation marchers making participating even more important and special for the Golden Eagles.

Dutch Dancing is another signature event during the Festival.  The dancers typically learn the dance in high school and can continue dancing as an “alumni dancer” after graduation.  This year, we have over 900 dancers who wear clothing representing the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Practices begin in January and the dancers spend 30 hours over the next 4 months learning the dance.  This event is a visitor favorite and free!

We couldn’t put together an internationally known flower festival without our beloved volunteers.  It takes over 800 volunteers over an 8 day period to help with trash pickup, ushering at the shows, set-up, deliver potted tulips to the venues around the city, assist with the Tulip Time run, Queen’s Day Bike Criterium and the three parades.   It is because of the dedication of these volunteers that our city can invite over 500,000 guests to Join the Dance!  We hope to see you in beautiful Holland for the 84^th Tulip Time Festival."

Thanks to the Tulip Time Festival for allowing us to republish this post.

Pick Your Trail!

Written by the Michigan Trails and Greenway Alliance

Michigan, The “Great Lakes State”, is looking for a new title: “The Trail State.” With more than 12,000 miles of trails, Michigan is one of the top trail destinations in the United States. Trails offer opportunities to see “The Mitten” in ways you’d never have thought possible: you’re on the inside, seeing the heart and physical splendor of this great state. You can travel through beautiful forests and around some of Michigan’s 11,000 pristine inland lakes, down one of the scenic coasts, or through quaint towns you never knew existed. They give the opportunity to appreciate nature and are a means of achieving the renewal of body, mind and spirit.

Certain routes are designated for snowmobiling, and others are for equestrian, hiking, biking or a combination of uses. The trail opportunities are countless in a state as diverse as Michigan.  We have short trails, long trails and trails that were transformed from railways to multi-use pathways. Michigan has the most rail-trail miles in the country, even more than other trail leaders Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

"Many people are surprised to hear that Michigan has more miles of rail-trails than any other state in the nation,” said Nancy Krupiarz, executive director of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, “and we encourage them to come out and explore all they have to offer."

More pathways are in the works and more people are recognizing trails as assets regarding recreation and health improvement, transportation options, tourism and economic growth. Since the increase in popularity of trails in the last several years, there has been amplified support from government on every level, from Governor Rick Snyder announcing the first ever Michigan Trails Week in September 2012, trail planning and implementation from regional and local levels, to individual citizens advocating for trails and using them for their recreation and transportation needs. A state-wide trail plan is underway, moving the focus from building individual trails to connecting Michigan through a series of trail networks. The groundwork has been laid for networks of trails, connecting towns to towns, and people to people.

The end goal is to have a truly trail-connected state, where leisure and non-motorized transportation options are around every corner. The “Trail State” title is not too far into the future as trails are helping shape Michigan’s recreational identity. 


Use this link to find all the trails in West Michigan!

Add this to your next West Michigan trip itinerary: Charlevoix Walking Tours

 If you have seen the cover of the brand new 2013 Carefree Travel Guide, then you already know how absolutely beautiful Charlevoix is. Today, we are lucky enough to have guest blogger, Cathy Dewey from Beaver Island Boat Company to tell us all about the Historic Walking Tours in Charlevoix. Find out why this tour and stop in this historic city needs to be added to your itinerary for your next visit to Northern West Michigan!

Gangsters, gambling and galleries might not be the first words you would associate with Charlevoix but they have a permanent place in its history! The Charlevoix Historic Walking Tour takes you on an hour and a half tour of Charlevoix’s most historic locations.  The tour begins with a history of the famous drawbridge in Charlevoix. The current bridge has been in place since 1949 but there were 5 previous bridges, some of which were not the most efficient designs.

Charlevoix is surrounded by water which has always been their economic stability through fishing, lumber and boating. But you may not know that a famous actress went skinny dipping in Round Lake (want to know who? Go on the tour!) Or that it is home to one of the only rivers that has a current that goes both ways.

Find out how Charlevoix was known to many as a place to gamble or that famous gangsters, such as Al Capone, have a unique tie to the most beautiful town in America! From Art Galleries that were once where slot machines and banks stood; to a battle on sea and land, Charlevoix was never a boring little town.

The tour also includes history of famous architect Earl Young, including a history of 11 homes/buildings he built in Charlevoix. He even made a mark on the town through a unique boulder placements and hiding places.

Whatever brings you to Charlevoix, you can never fully appreciate this unique destination without knowing the great history behind it. Tours are only $14/adult and $12/child, which includes admission to the Harsha House Museum. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Beaver Island Boat Company office at 888-446-4095 www.bibco.com or visit them at 103 Bridge Park Drive in Charlevoix.

March Events in West Michigan

Ahhh, March! The first glimmer of springtime here in West Michigan. We can hear birds chirping, see the ice melting, and actually watch the sunset later than 5:30! But what is the best part about March, you ask? Well, that would have to be all the awesome events happening around the region!

For starters, March marks the month of laughter in West Michigans largest city, Grand Rapids. Laughfest kicks off this Thursday and runs through March 17. Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, is quickly earning a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists. The 10-day festival features stand-up, improv, film, authors, community showcases and a variety of seriously funny stuff. This year you can see acts such as Wayne Brady, Lewis Black, Brian Regan, and Joel McHale. The event kicks off every year by setting a Guinness Book World Record. In 2011, Laughfest set the record for the Largest Rubber Chicken Toss, and last years record was set for the Most People Wearing Animal Noses. This year, Laughfest will try to set the World Record for most people wearing a fake mustache! You can join in on this fun on Thursday, March 7 at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.


Other events that are famous to March in Grand Rapids are the opening of the John Ball Zoo and the Butterflies are Blooming event at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Both of which are family friendly and perfect excuses to get out and enjoy some of the sunshine we are starting to see again!




Other notable events this month include: 

Festivals, Events, and Expos
MARVAC Battle Creek Camper & RV Show | Battle Creek | March 7-10
West Michigan Women's Expo | Grand Rapids | March 8-10
Southwest Michigan Golf Show | Kalamazoo | March 8-10
Brew-Ski Festival | Harbor Springs | March 9
St. Patrick's Day Parade | Muskegon | March 16
Northwest Michigan Camper & RV Show | Traverse City | March 22-24

Arts, Culture, and Food
Butterflies are Blooming | Grand Rapids | Now through April 30
Super Saturday Family Program | St. Joseph | Saturdays in March
Titanic Adventures | Grand Rapids | March 10
Artful Retreat | Suttons Bay | March 10
Easter Brunch | Shelbyville | March 31

Outdoor Recreation
Treetops Amazing Race | Gaylord | March 8-10

For more events and happenings around West Michigan, please visit our events calendar.

Michigan International Auto Show: Review

I was lucky enough to be able to have a sneak peek at the Michigan International Autoshow earlier today while the show staff was putting the finishing touches on the set-up. For those of you car lovers out there, this local show is a fantastic way to see all the latest and greatest 2013 models of your favorite cars.

 

Some of my thoughts from the show:
      - Almost every automotive company is represented, so no matter what kind of cars you 
        fancy, they will most likely be at the show.
      - I saw ever more fuel efficient cars, SUVs and trucks, cars that sync wirelessly to your
        smartphone, and compact cars this year (maybe that was because fiat was   
        represented?!)
      - I was surprised to see how classy some of the classic "economy" cars are lookin' these
        days. Check out the Dodge Dart, the Ford Fusion, and the Chevy Malibu.

Favorite part? The fact that the Gilmore Car Museum is there showing off some of the best cars from their classic collection. It really brings an amazing element to the show by tying in the old with the new. We are always in awe when we visit their campus down in Hickory Corners, and today was no different while seeing them at the show. To be able to see how far the automotive industry has come in the last 100+ years is truly fascinating.

So what was my favorite car you ask?? I'd have to say this sweet BMW 28i. I think I would look really great driving this around delivering West Michigan Carefree Travel Guides! Whaddya say boss man??  


While you're there, check out the Million Dollar Motorway. Some swanky cars that only most of us can dream of owning. But hey, they sure are fun to look at. 

We wish we could send every single one of you to go check out the show, but alas, we only have 5 pairs of tickets! Let us know what your favorite car is, and you will be entered to win! Please note: this is last minute and the winners will be drawn by noon tomorrow (Thursday, January 31) so enter quick!

--Kelly

February Happenings in West Michigan

Ice festivals, Valentine's Day, chili cook-offs, and wine. These are just a few of the types of events you will find this month in West Michigan! We always get excited for a good event, but below are a few that we just can't wait to attend. 

The winner for us this month? The opening of the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Yep, you guessed it, we are Titanic Fanatics! The exhibit opens on February 9 and will be sticking around until July 7. Luckily, this means you have quite a bit of time to go see it. However, we are going to grab a sneak peek of it next week- so we will give you the inside scoop!
Here are some highlights for the rest of the month:

Festivals and Events

Michigan International Auto Show | Grand Rapids| January 31-February 3
Dowagiac Ice Time Festival | Dowagiac | February 2

Arts, Culture, and Food

Taste the Passion | Traverse City | February 2-3
Sales of Saugatuck | Douglas/Saugatuck | February 2-3
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition | Grand Rapids | OPENS FEBRUARY 9
Traverse City Winter Comedy Fest | Traverse City | February 14-17
Experience the Beatles: RAIN | Grand Rapids | February 17
Experience Beer | Grand Rapids | February 19

Outdoor Recreation

Michigan Winter Triathlon | Muskegon | February 3
Magical Ice Carving Festival | St. Joseph | February 8-10
North American Vasa | Traverse City | February 9
Mitten Mixer | Cadillac | February 14

And how could we leave out the fact that February is the month of love? That's right folks, you can't forget about Valentine's Day! This day has so many events to go along with it, that we had to make it's own page! You can view all the Valentines Day events, dinners, and hotel packages happening around West Michigan right here! It's not too late to plan a great date night or weekend. 

2013 Carefree Travel Guide is HERE!

We are so excited to announce that our 2013 West Michigan Carefree Travel Guides are here! Two months earlier than we usually have them (which we are sure all you hard core West Michigan Fans noticed.)

This years guide features beautiful photography from local Ludington photographers, Todd and Brad Reed. This photographing pair give travelers tips on how to get the most out of their camera on their next West Michigan vacation.

There are also sections for brides to be, beer lovers, and trail enthusiasts. For brides to be, there is an amazing article about why West Michigan is the right choice for your wedding. Beer lovers? Find out why Michigan is the great beer state, and for you trail enthusiasts, you now have a quick guide on where the nearest trail is to you on your next West Michigan trip. 

Of course, there is much more than this in the 80 page guide, but we can't give it all away here! If you want your very own FREE copy of this guide, you can call our office to request one at 616.245.2217 or (for all you calling from afar) you can call 800.442.2084. If phoning an order in isn't really your thing, that is okay too! You can order one online right here.

And if you really just CAN'T wait for yours to come in the mail, you can view the entire thing online from where ever you are in the world!

We are so exited to share this new guide with you and would love to know what you think of it! Leave your feedback for us here or on our facebook or twitter pages.

--The friendly staff at WMTA

Resolution: Be Adventurous

A new year is underway, and the typical resolutions are making the rounds: Eat less! Exercise more! Visit all of the Lake Michigan lighthouses (no?)! Perhaps for 2013, it's time to throw caution to the wind and set your resolution to something a bit more exciting: be adventurous!
Luckily for the brave souls venturing down this path, West Michigan makes it easy to indulge in new and daring feats. Here's our top three to get you started.

Ride the Luge

You don't have to wait until 2014 to live out your Winter Olympic dreams. Muskegon is home to one of only four luge tracks in the United States, and it's open to the public. While our Olympic counterparts spend years in training to wrap around tight curves at 90 miles an hour, three-time Olympian Frank Masley designed the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex' track to give novices a safe luge experience.
Adventure-seekers as young as eight are outfitted and taught the skills needed to cruise at 30 MPH down the icy lane with six curves and two starting points. The $40 price will not only give you multiple runs (three to eight depending on session size), but also a fancy certificate and bragging rights for life.
Need a few months to work up the nerve? The luge is open year 'round with a warm-weather wheeled option - the only one in North America.

Drive the Dunes

There's nothing quite like hiking to the top of a towering mountain of sand... except flying down them via a motorized vehicle. Lake Michigan's shoreline is spotted with picturesque dunes from Berrien County's Warren Dunes to the famous Sleeping Bear Dunes which were just named the Most Beautiful Place in America by Good Morning America. True adrenaline junkies make the pilgrimage to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, a sandy mecca that offers one very tempting perk: driving yourself.

The Silver Lake State Park is the only dune system east of Utah that allows the use of private motorized vehicles. In fact, the northern third of the park is reserved just for this extreme sport. That's a 450-acre playground built of shifting sands.  If you don't happen to own a sand-blasting ORV, fret not. There are several outfitters ready to set you up dune-style.

If the thought of driving through an ever-changing landscape is a bit too intimidating, guided services are available, both in Silver Lake and other West Michigan communities like Saugatuck. Whichever option you chose, you'd be wise to buckle up and hold on tight for the ride of your life.
We recommend:

• Mac Woods Dune Rides, Silver Lake
• Parrot's Landing, Silver Lake
• Razor J's Adventure Tours, Silver Lake
• Silver Lake Buggy Rentals, Silver Lake
• Saugatuck Dune Rides, Saugatuck

Soar on a Zip Line

The final few moments before you step off a platform and are sent speeding through the air on a zip line are certainly heart-pounding. Yet once you've taken the plunge, the ever-so-addicting feeling of flying takes over and suddenly, you're hooked.

Northern West Michigan's Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain Resorts have criss-crossed their properties with a total of 18 lines, including one that stretches 1,350 feet, the longest zip line in Michigan. They offer tours all year, so you can fly over skiers in January, take in a sunny afternoon in July, or enjoy the color display in September -- all at 25 miles an hour and up to 50 feet in the air.

Want to climb even higher? Wildwood Rush Canopy Tours in nearby Boyne City specializes in giving breath-taking views that can't be achieved with two feet on the ground, and they go to heights of 80 feet to achieve this. Not only do their 5,000 feet of zip lines take you high into the canopies near Lake Charlevoix, but they give you a chance to challenge your friends with triple racing lines, the only one in the Midwest.

If you're not ready for a zip experience quite that extreme, Grand Rapids' John Ball Zoo is home to a 300-foot line that takes you 40 feet into the air so you can swing about like the neighboring monkeys.

Take a Ride in a Helicopter

2013 is the year to face your fear of heights! Go up up and away in a once in a lifetime helicopter tour of Grand Rapids or the Grand Haven Lakeshore with Easyrotor Helicopters. Grab a friend and enjoy this sky high experience first hand.

Bundle Up for Winter Rafting

Nothing says "I'm an adventurer" quite like winter rafting. That's right, snow, ice, and a nice cruise down the river. At Big Bear Adventures in Indian River, you can take a guided winter rafting tour down the Sturgeon River. Experience the breathtaking beauty and solitude of winter, while floating beneath a canopy of cedars and pines covered with freshly fallen snow. This is a fun and narrative 1½ hr trip, offering an excellent opportunity to see wildlife in their natural habitat.
Most importantly, they do not tip over- this is a dry trip! In the winter, our Raft trips are Guided Only, to ensure the highest safety standards. All equipment is U.S. Coast Guard approved and safety-inspected, and Type III Lifejackets are required to be worn by all participants. No experience is necessary, but participation is required (this involves TEAMWORK!). A truly unique trip with memories to last a lifetime!