In Michigan, travelers can use all available senses to tap into wonder and connection while soaking in the scenery across all corners of the state. It’s time to embrace the beauty, culture and excitement across our two pleasant peninsulas on a deeper and more rewarding level.
What is slow travel?
Unlike traditional, fast-paced tourism where visitors try to see as many places as possible in a short amount of time, slow travel focuses on making more meaningful connections with the places and people they come in contact with.
5 tips for successful slow travel
1. Skip the agenda – Take a go-with-the-flow approach to travel with ample free time and flexibility to embrace the moments.
2. Opt for longer stays – This gives you time to live like a local and build deeper relationships with the people and places you explore and meet.
3. Engage with locals – They’re your best bet for intel on hidden gems and must-see sights you wouldn’t have known of otherwise.
4. Choose more sustainable options – Whether it’s your mode of transportation, like biking instead of driving, or supporting local businesses, sustainability plays a big role in slow travel.
5. Prioritize quality over quantity – Pick educational, purposeful and emotionally enriching experiences, even if they take longer or require more of your attention.
Here’s how to slow down and savor the sights, sounds and sensations of Michigan
Ditch the whirlwind mentality of travel for a more mindful escape in Michigan – on your own time.
Take a scenic train ride
The Pere Marquette Amtrak route offers stunning views along Michigan’s western coast between Grand Rapids and Chicago. Or, the Southern Michigan Railroad Society runs seasonal trips from Clinton through scenic farmlands and the Little River Railroad in Coldwater offers nostalgic steam train rides through the countryside of Southwest Lower Peninsula.
Find a farmers market or local food experience
Not only is it a sustainable way to shop but it’s a sensory overload when you can touch and taste the food, and talk with the very farmer who grew the produce you’ll buy. Check out the Eastern Market in Detroit, the Midland Area Farmers Market on the east side, the Kalamazoo Farmers Market on the southwest side, and the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market in the Upper Peninsula.
Visit one (or more) of Michigan’s many art trails
There are endless places to enjoy manmade and natural works of art in Michigan’s great outdoors, like the expansive Frederik Meijer Gardens, featuring sculpture galleries, a tropical conservatory, a children’s garden and Japanese garden with over 200 sculptures in Grand Rapids. Or explore the winding and whimsical Michigan Legacy Art Park, a 30-acre preserve with hiking trails, sculptures, poetry stones and an amphitheater at Crystal Mountain.
Watch for wildlife and wander through wilderness
Birdwatching at Arcadia Dunes wetlands, elk viewing in Pigeon River County State Forest, or spotting a moose on the remote Isle Royale National Park are just a few ways to explore nature and watch for wildlife along the journey. Wildlife viewing in wilderness is the essence of slow travel, as it requires patience, quiet observation and a willingness to let nature reveal itself in its own time. Just remember to keep a safe distance and maintain awareness of your surroundings when you’re near Michigan’s wildlife.
Source: BrandPoint Content (Edited by d-mars.com)
