Meet the 12 Giant Wooden Trolls Coming to Grand Rapids in 2027
A dozen trolls are coming to Grand Rapids, and for once, this has nothing to do with which side of the Mackinac Bridge you call home. These visitors have wooden
Jennifer Hardy
Jennifer Hardy is a journalist and content creator with more than 30 years of experience covering news, travel, and safety from coast to coast. When she's not behind a keyboard, she's out in nature with her golden retrievers.
Did a Michigan Train Really Inspire The Polar Express? It’s Complicated.
“I climbed on that train. I actually stood on it!” That was Chris Van Allsburg in 2004, shortly before The Polar Express reached theaters, when a Detroit Free Press reporter
This Quarter Mile Stretch is One of Michigan’s Best Halloween Displays
The nightmare might’ve been on Elm Street, but in the small town of Romeo, Michigan, Freddy and his friends gather on Tillson Street. Every October, this small-town street transforms into
2,000 Pumpkins Light Up This Tiny Michigan Town Every Year
Shepherd, Michigan, is best known for its spring maple syrup season. But every fall, the sweet and sticky gets traded in for something gooey and glowing. For one week leading
The Mission to Save Michigan’s “Narnia Trail”
There’s a place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where cedar trees seem to grow straight out of boulders, green moss covers nearly every surface, and a lamppost waits in the woods.
Grand Rapids Is Finally Getting Its Rapids Back: What’s Happening Now
Imagine visiting Niagara Falls and finding no falls. You would have a few questions. Visitors to Grand Rapids have had a similar question for generations: Where are the rapids? The
Discover Fall and Holiday Magic in Southwest Michigan
There’s an energy in Southwest Michigan that arrives with the first flashes of color in September and sticks around long after the leaves are gone. Brilliant foliage in October gives
You Need to Visit This Charming Michigan Downtown
Tecumseh may have mastered small-town charm, but sitting quietly isn’t really its thing. Throughout the year, Downtown Tecumseh (rhymes with “to come see”) streets turn into festival grounds, apples kick
Michigan’s Newest International Day Trip: The Gordie Howe Bridge
The wait is finally over. After years of planning, construction, delays, and plenty of anticipation, the Gordie Howe International Bridge officially opened to vehicle traffic on July 27, 2026, creating
Josh & Jase Are Coming Back to Michigan This Summer | You Planned Their Itinerary
Michiganders have never exactly been shy about bragging on their state. So when social superstars Josh and Jase announced a return to Michigan for summer 2026, it didn’t take long
Saddle Up for the Best Horseback Rides in Michigan from the Beach to the Backwoods
Some of Michigan’s best scenery is best experienced from the saddle. Horseback rides in Michigan take riders through quiet forests, along winding rivers, over rolling hills, and even across the
Everything You Need to Know to Visit a Michigan Powwow This Summer
Powwow season is one of the best opportunities to experience Native American culture, traditions, music, dance, and community gatherings across Michigan. Tribes and Native organizations host events throughout the summer
Anderson & Girls Orchard: The Ultimate Michigan Orchard Experience
Over the years, we’ve shared the best ice cream stands, animal attractions, orchards, and baked goods across the state. Now, let’s explore a location where you can get all that
This Small Town Is Michigan’s Antique-Shopping Capital
You’d expect Michigan to have an antique capital. You just might not expect it to be tucked into a village of fewer than 200 people that’s easy to miss if
The Best Michigan Animal Encounters Worth Planning a Trip Around
Michigan isn’t just about spotting wildlife from a distance. It’s one of those places where you can plan an entire trip around memorable Michigan animal encounters. We recently asked, “What