Michigan Overview
Michigan comprises two peninsulas. These are divided by Lake Michigan, and
linked by one of the world‘s longest suspension bridges across the Straits of
Mackinac. Lakes Superior, Huron and Erie also form the state‘s shorelines. The
Lower Peninsula, mainly agricultural and industrial, contains inland lakes,
meadows and sandy beaches, as well as the ‗Motor City‘ of Detroit. The Upper
Peninsula is more rugged, and boasts forests, white beaches, trout streams and
winter ski resorts.
Michigan has over 5,149km (3,200 miles) of shoreline, more lighthouses than any
other state and numerous shipwrecks. It is a rich state full of diversity, ranging
from orchards and vineyards to the heavy industry of the big three Motown motor
company giants, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. Population: 10.1 million
(official estimate 2007). Population Density: 39.7 per sq km. Capital: Lansing.
Nickname: Great Lakes State.
Detroit Overview
Industrial Detroit is the nation‘s car manufacturing center. The oldest city in the
Midwest, founded in 1701, it is now the 10th-largest city in the USA, with a
population of just under 1 million (the metro area, with 5.5 million inhabitants,
ranks eighth). Detroit is also a major port, linked to the Atlantic Ocean via Lake Erie
and the St Lawrence Seaway.
There are many museums, art galleries, zoos and attractions in the city, and
cultural events and major league sports are frequent crowd-pullers. A US$220
million urban redevelopment project promises to further enhance the city‘s cultural
attributes; the most recent development is the creation of the Max M Fisher Music
Center, proudly referred to as The Max. The next phase, the creation of the Detroit
High School for the Fine, Performing & Communication Arts, will be completed in
2005. Hitsville USA is a mecca for Motown fans, where the sounds of Diana Ross,
The Temptations, and The Four Tops are immortalized. The Renaissance Center
houses dozens of restaurants, a 1400-room hotel and a variety of shops, as well as
being General Motors‘ world headquarters. Belle Isle, the nation‘s largest urban
island park, offers biking, canoeing, an aquarium and a Great Lakes Museum. The
Cultural Center features the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Science Center,
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the Detroit Institute of Arts (the fifth-largest art museum in the USA) and the
Charles H Wright Museum of African-American History (the largest museum of its
kind). The Detroit Zoological Park, containing more than 5000 animals in natural
settings, can be toured by tractor-train. Greektown, along Monroe Avenue, offers
Greek food, entertainment and specialty shops.
Excursions
The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village can be found at Dearborn, a Detroit
suburb; the 5 hectare (12 acre) indoor museum focuses on America‘s industrial
development and the 33 hectare (81 acre) village comprises more than 80
buildings, a train and a riverboat. Also in Dearborn are the Automotive Hall of
Fame, Spirit of Ford and Henry Ford‘s Fair Lane Estate.
Elsewhere
Cranbrook Educational Community and Cranbrook House and Gardens are located
in Bloomfield Hills, 40km (25 miles) north of central Detroit. The grounds contain a
beautiful country estate and landscaped gardens with an art museum, science
museum, nature center, planetarium, observatory and various educational
institutions.
Ann Arbor, to the west of Detroit, is the home of the University of Michigan and has
a multitude of bookstores and cozy cafes. Traverse City, on the west side of the
State, is the heart of a recreational haven, featuring sand dunes, resorts, golf and
skiing. Located where the Upper and Lower Peninsulas meet, Mackinac Island is a
well-known summer resort; cars are not allowed and visitors must walk, cycle or
use horse-drawn carriages. Attractions include the impressive Grand Hotel and Fort
Mackinac, a restored 18th-century military outpost. Isle Royale National Park is a
beautiful wilderness island in Lake Superior.
Grand Blanc Overview
Grand Blanc Township was incorporated April 1, 1833. It is viewed as a premier
community and boasts of its rich history and humble beginnings.
The community, located in gently rolling hills is unsurpassed in beauty and has an
innovative approach to community development. It has top rated public, parochial
and private schools, providing incentives and opportunities for educational
achievement, distinctive subdivisions and home sites plus quality apartments,
townhouses and condominiums.
Within our 32 square miles, residents enjoy excellent police and fire protection, a
wide variety of shopping, entertainment, churches for all faiths, and a new state of
the art medical campus.
The lifestyle within our area is further enhanced by a whole variety of recreational
facilities: golf courses, both public and private, a recreational program, which
operates year round, and Creasey Bicentennial Park, which features a softball
complex, Little League, tennis courts, pavilions and a fitness trail.
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Grand Blanc Township is a community that stands out from the rest and offers
prestigious living with an address of distinction.
Ann Arbor Overview
The Ann Arbor area is the state‘s rare jewel: a small, friendly town with big city
sophistication; a world-class educational and high-tech research center nestled in a
peaceful rural setting; a close-knit community of charming neighborhoods with a
rich mix of cultures.
The University of Michigan has shaped the economy and character of the town ever
since it was moved here from Detroit in 1837, providing the city with a very
conspicuous radical edge.
Although geographically small, the area is perhaps most renowned for its cultural
offerings. From exclusive art exhibits to performances by jazz legends, there are
abundant opportunities to enjoy arts and culture. More than 30 independent
bookstores, dozens of unique galleries, and a variety of top-notch museums including the newly-renovated University of Michigan Museum of Art - are all within
the downtown limits.
The Ann Arbor area also offers a bounty of recreational activities for those looking
to golf, hike, or cycle, and three metroparks are within a short drive of the city
center.
The best thing to do in Ann Arbor is to stroll around downtown and the campus,
which meet at South State and Liberty streets. Downtown's twelve blocks of
brightly painted shops and sidewalk cafés offer all you would expect from a college
town. Dining aficionados will appreciate the nearly 300 restaurants within a 20mile radius of Ann Arbor. Options range from old-fashioned Italian bistros to
trendy, contemporary American restaurants. Many offer alfresco dining in the
warmer months, which, when combined with the array of jazz and dance clubs in
the area, makes downtown Ann Arbor a vibrant destination for nightlife.
The University of Michigan
Total Enrollment (Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses) 53,031, Ann Arbor Enrollment - 38,103
Alumni Body - 439,239 living degree holders
Ann Arbor campus size in acres: 3,177
Employment - In Ann Arbor, UM employs more than 27,000
Washtenaw County residents, annual payroll $900 million
110,000 spectators that pack the country's largest college-owned
football stadium on fall Saturdays. Each home football game
generates about $2.2 million for the local economy
Cultural activities attract about 130,000 attendees each year
The University's impact is seen everywhere in Ann Arbor, from the
outstanding healthcare offered by the University of Michigan Medical
Center to the world-class performing arts brought to campus each
year
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U of M graduates include one U.S. President, seven NASA
Astronauts, three Supreme Court Justices, and several Pulitzer Prize
winners.
East Lansing Overview
East Lansing extends a warm welcome to visitors to the community. East Lansing is
well known for its nationally renowned community events, eclectic downtown,
plentiful outdoor and indoor recreational opportunities and more.
Whether taking a stroll on the Northern Tier Trail, watching a football game at
Michigan State University or catching up on some shopping in the downtown, there
is plenty to see and do while visiting the City of East Lansing.
Downtown East Lansing is vibrant, diverse and charming. With its eclectic mix of
restaurants, retail, art galleries and entertainment venues, downtown East Lansing
has an atmosphere that is upbeat and relaxed. Come experience the essence of
downtown yourself!
Michigan State University
Located in East Lansing, three miles east of Michigan‘s capitol in
Lansing
5,200-acre campus with 2,100 acres in existing or planned
development
577 buildings, including 83 with instructional space
15,000 acres throughout Michigan used for agricultural, animal, and
forestry research
More than 200 programs of study offered by 17 degree-granting
colleges
Students from all 83 counties in Michigan, all 50 states in the United
States, and about 130 other countries
The nation‘s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold
experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring
science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept
became a model for the nation.
MSU is one of the top research universities in the world
Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential
college, and service-learning programs
Only university in the country with three on-campus medical schools,
graduating allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians, and
veterinarians (DVMs)
Site of the proposed $550 million Facility for Rare Isotope Beams,
which will enable researchers from around the world to address
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leading-edge questions in nuclear structure and astrophysics and
bring significant economic activity to Michigan
Michigan State University has a proud tradition of top-ranked athletic
teams and outstanding student-athletes.
Places of General Interest – Grand Blanc/Flint / Detroit Areas
Flint Cultural Center
1178 Robert T. Longway Blvd ● Flint, MI ● (810) 237-7330
Longway Planetarium
1310 E. Kearsley St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 237-3400
Michigan‘s largest planetarium. Programs include traditional star shows, laser
shows, hands on activities, science classes and demonstrations.
The New Detroit Science Center
5020 John R Street ● Detroit, MI 48202 ● (313) 577-8400
The New Detroit Science Center features 110,000 square feet of scientific
exploration and discovery. Attractions include Michigan's only IMAX Dome Theatre,
a Digital Dome Planetarium, five hands-on exhibit laboratories, the Ford Learning
Resource Center, two presentation stages and much more. Winter hours (through
June 16) are Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 3 pm and Saturday to Sunday from
10:30 am to 6 pm.
Greektown
Monroe Street ● Detroit, MI
Find a little bit of Athens in Detroit with a visit to the Greektown district, featuring
some of the city's best culinary experiences. An array of authentic Greek eateries
are found in the neighborhood along with nightly entertainment venues including
the Greektown Casino.
Art Galleries
Buckham Gallery
134 ½ W Second St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 239-6334
This gallery exhibits innovative and diverse contemporary artwork
Flint Institute of Arts (FIA)
1120 E Kearsley Ave ● Flint, MI ● (810) 234-1695
This award winning museum‘s permanent collection includes more than 6,500
objects from all over the world, making it one of Michigan‘s largest and most
enduring fine arts museums. Special programs, tours, and classes are conducted
year round.
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Greater Flint Arts Council
816 S. Saginaw ● Flint, MI ● (810) 238-2787
This downtown gallery exhibits diverse art works by area artists annually at various
locations. The council also sponsors special events, publications, lectures,
presentations, and workshops.
Mackerel Sky Gallery of Contemporary Craft
217 Ann Street Plaza ● East Lansing, MI 48823 ● (517) 351-2211
The gallery offers extensive selections in a full range of craft media, bringing
art to articles of everyday life. An exhibit space features individual artists in
shows lasting two months, a full circle of show that changes every two months.
Established in 1990 in the middle of downtown East Lansing, as a commitment
to the need to maintain the vitality of our urban centers,
University of Michigan Museum of Art
525 South State Street ● Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 ● 734.764.0395
Dramatic new galleries highlighting works drawn from the Museum‘s collections of
more than 18,000 artworks (representing over 150 years of collecting at the
University) special exhibition spaces that soar with new life, and ―open storage‖
galleries.
Casinos
Greektown
555 East Lafayette Avenue ● Detroit, MI 48226 ● (877) 424-5554
Play table games, slots and poker at Greektown Casino in Detroit. A number of
restaurants are located on site.
Motor City Casino
2901 Grand River Avenue ● Detroit, MI ● 48201 (866) 782-9622
A variety of gaming, dining and entertainment options are offered at Motor City
Casino. Shuttles to the casino are available from a number of nearby cities.
MGM Grand Casino
1300 John C. Lodge Fwy ● Detroit, MI ● (877) 888-2121
MGM Grand Detroit Casino features slot machines, table games, dining and
entertainment. The casino also hosts a number of events throughout the year.
Movie Theaters & Cinemas
NCG Trillium Cinemas & IMAX
8220 Trillium Circle Ave ● Grand Blanc, MI 48439 ● (810) 695-5000
Ncgmovies.com
Showcase Cinemas Flint West
1591 South Graham Rd ● Flint, MI 48532 ● (810) 733-9399
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Museums
Buick Gallery & Research Center
303 Walnut St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 237-3440
Home to the largest collection of Flint-built vehicles, experimental Buicks, and oneof-a-kind automobiles.
Heritage Museum
203 E. Grand Blanc Rd ● Grand Blanc, MI 48439 ● (810) 694-7274
This museum houses artifacts dating from the 1830‘s to the present. Wednesday
10am – 2pm
Kresge Art Museum
400 E Grand River Ave. ● Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824
Impressive permanent collection features more than 6,500 Greek, Roman and
Egyptian artifacts, medieval illuminations, European and American paintings, prints
and sculptures.
Sloan Museum
1221 E Kearsley St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 237-3450
This museum features exhibitions that bring the rich history of Flint and Genesee
County to life. Award-winning temporary exhibits, hands-on Discovery Center, and
educational workshops are available throughout the year.
Whaley House Museum
624 E Kearsley St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 235-6841
Tour this Victorian era home to see family heirlooms, including furniture, linens, and
china. Sunday – 2pm – 4pm
Performing Arts - Music
Flint Symphony Orchestra
The Whiting 1244 E Kearsley St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 237-7333
In addition to The Nutcracker and Holiday Pops, six classical concerts are presented
annually at the Whiting Theater.
Flint Institute of Music (FIM)
1025 E. Kearsley St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 238-1350 ext.3
The FIM presents music and dance performances as well as lessons through the
Flint Symphony Orchestra and the Flint School of Performing Arts.
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Performing Arts – Theater
Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase
314 E. Liberty ● Ann Arbor, MI 48104 ● (734) 996-9080
At the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase their goal is to provide the best in comedy
entertainment and to enhance the shows with a courteous, friendly and efficient
staff. To round out the evening of entertainment customers are provided with their
choice of beverage from a fully stocked bar and snacks to munch on while they
watch the show. The doors are open to everyone 18 and older.
Buckham Alley Theater
502 Buckham Alley ● Flint, MI ● (810) 964-0791
Flint‘s center for alternative and performing arts offers performances ranging from
poetry and jazz concerts to comedy and drama.
Detroit Entertainment District
Woodward Avenue ● Detroit, MI
Second only to Broadway, the Detroit Entertainment District is a culturally-rich area
with several theaters and venues lining its streets. Notable landmarks include the
Fox Theater, the Detroit Opera House, and the Gem Theater.
Flint Community Players
2462 S. Ballenger Highway ● Flint, MI ● (810) 238-1350
Under the guidance of a professional artistic director, FCP presents five productions,
including musicals and comedies along with special events and workshops.
Flint Youth Theater (FYT)
1220 E. Kearsley St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 237-1530
Intergenerational programming for the young and young at heart.
Michigan Theater
603 East Liberty Street ● Ann Arbor, MI 48104 ● (734) 668-8397
This beautifully restored movie palace presents a variety of specialty films, fine
cinema, and performing arts. International musicians, theater artists, and the
symphony orchestra regularly appear at this theater.
Power Center for the Performing Arts
121 Fletcher Street ● Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ● (734)764-2538
Rackham Auditorium
915 East Washington Street ● Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ● (734) 763-3333
Located within University of Michigan-School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Rackham
Auditorium opened six decades ago and has since then been witness to umpteen
events—right from lectures and seminars to musical performances. Elegantly
decorated interiors, amphitheatre-like seating arrangements and wonderful designs
of the ceiling give this place a rich look. The auditorium proves to be an ideal venue
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for a great theatre experience. Named after Horace H. Rackham—a lawyer by
profession, this auditorium spells grandeur all the way.
The Whiting
1241 E Kearsley St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 237-7333
The Whiting presents dazzling performances from classical music, theater and
dance, to big-name Broadway shows and legendary entertainers.
University of Michigan Flint Theater
303 E Kearsley St ● Flint, MI ● (810) 762-3230
International plays, musicals, and dance productions are performed by students of
the department of Theater and Dance of the University Theater.
Wharton Center for Performing Arts
Michigan State University ● Bogue St & W Wilson ● East Lansing, MI 48824 ●
(517) 353-1982
Broadway, musical, dance, and family entertainment can all be found at MSU's
Wharton Center for Performing Arts. The Center contains two theaters, the 2500seat Great Hall and the cozy 600-seat Pasant Theatre. The Wharton Center hosts
performances by the MSU School of Music, MSU Department of Theatre, and
Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra along with national and internationallyrecognized performers and shows such as the St. Petersburg Ballet, Jerry Seinfeld,
George Carlin, and the award-winning Broadway musical, Movin' Out.
Sporting Events
Comerica Park
2100 Woodward Ave ● Detroit, MI ● Ticket Information (248) 258-4437
Home to the MLB Detroit Tigers. Season: April – September
Ford Field
2000 Brush St ● Detroit, MI ● Ticket Information (313) 262-2002
Home to the NFL Detroit Lions. Season September – January
Joe Louis Arena
600 Civic Center Dr ● Detroit, MI ● Ticket Information (313) 983-6606
Home to the NHL Detroit Red Wings Season October – April
Palace of Auburn Hills
6 Championship Dr ● Auburn Hills, MI ● Ticket Information (248) 377-0100
Home to the NBA Detroit Pistons and also to the WNBA Detroit Shock.
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Perani Arena & Event Center
3501 Lapeer Rd ● Flint, MI ● Ticket Information (810) 744-0580
Hosts professional and local sporting events and miscellaneous venues such as The
Shrine Circus, Trade Shows, RV shows, etc.
Ski Resorts
Mt. Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort
13536 S. Dixie Highway ● Holly, MI ● (248) 634-8269
Bowling
Galaxy Lanes
2226 E. Hill Road ● Grand Blanc, MI ● (810) 695-2700 ● bowlgalaxylanes.com
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