10 Historical Landmarks You Absolutely Must Visit In Michigan
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Serena Maria Daniels
Author
We seem to finally be in full spring mode. Which means getting out of the house and revisiting the outside world that we may have stayed away from during the colder months.
To that end, we bring you 10 historic landmarks throughout the great state of Michigan. Some are in far flung corners of the wilderness. Others invite you to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors in an immaculate setting. Still others are reminders of our place in the nation’s history. Have a look.
Step inside the doors of this space and you'll instantly be inspired by the monumental pieces of artwork that hang on the walls.
This 58-acre sculpture park and botanical garden takes the museum outdoors, with a masterful display of art and nature. It's ranked a top cultural destination.
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Standing 30 years, this outdoor art installation spans several blocks in a neighborhood in Detroit's east side. Founder Tyree Guyton imagined the project by taking discarded, found objects and transforming an otherwise blighted community into a whimsical place. It has been the center of inspiration, controversy, and even backlash (in the form of several arsons over the past few years), but it remains.
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This national park is actually made up of some 450 islands, with the largest one known simply as Isle Royale. It's one of the most remote places in the country, serves as a moose and wolf refuge, and a top destination for folks looking for a quick break from city life.
This suspension bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac and connects the Upper Peninsula with the Lower Peninsula. Known as "Big Mac" or the "Mighty Mac," this 26,372-foot bridge is considered the 16th-longest suspension bridge in the world and the longest in the Western hemisphere. To cross it is the ultimate sign that you've entered a whole other dimension of Michigan.
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This is one of the most-visited tourist destination in all of Michigan. In reality, this island community, which sits on Lake Huron in the Upper Peninsula, has a permanent population of just about 500.
A part of the University of Michigan, these pristine botanical gardens encompass nature areas and research habitats. They're also a wonderland to explore.
Also on the U of M campus is Michigan Stadium, otherwise known as the Big House. It's actually the largest stadium in the United States and the second largest in the world.
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Back in 1959, a man named Berry Gordy purchased this property (a former photography studio) and made it the first headquarters for Motown Records, aka "Hitsville U.S.A." That's where the famous Detroit label remained until the 1970s, when Gordy relocated it to Los Angeles. Today, you can still visit the legendary Studio A inside the space as its now the Motown Museum. There, you'll find artifacts from the many singers who graced its halls.
This sprawling indoor and outdoor shrine to innovations made in American history contains a huge array of artifacts that are unlike most other museums across the country. The homes of historical figures, the vehicles that presidents traveled in, and a replica of the first plane flown by the Wright brothers can all be found in this space.
So what are you waiting for? Time to check out ticket prices, fire up the ol’ GPS, and get ready for some exploring.
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