Southeast Michigan

Copyright: Patty Elton-Interactive Outdoors, Inc. Waves of mid-summer color

Fringing Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, and the Detroit River, this travel region is home to riverfront recreational wonderlands that include Port Huron, St. Clair, Marysville, Marine City, Algonac, and the antique town of Monroe.

From the point at which the Great Lakes and the connecting rivers converge, a bevy of operable lighthouses overlook two of the world's narrowest channels. This riverfront is a vibrant trail of botanical gardens, zoos, conservatories, museums, aquariums, marinas, shops, restaurants, and outdoor parks. In addition, these strategically located waters along the U.S. and Canadian border, are considered world-class fisheries for smallmouth bass and muskellunge.

Green space is never far away in Southeast Michigan. Nearly a dozen state park facilities lie within an hour's drive of most residents. Dotting the countryside, visitors will find quaint villages including a Quaker community whose descendants were among those that harbored fugitive black slaves traveling the Underground Railroad.

Attractions - The Southeast Travel Region has something of interest for every imaginable recreation taste. One of the most popular outdoor recreations includes watching the ocean freighters as they maneuver their way between Great Lakes Huron and Erie along the St. Clair and Detroit rivers while passing through Lake St. Clair, a world-class fishery.

The region is known for antiquing, skydiving and shopping at Cabela's, the World's Foremost Outfitter. Restored railroads are a favorite in the region, in particular the Southern Michigan Railroad, which is popular among the fall color enthusiasts. Nature lovers visiting the Gerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor will not want to miss the exquisite little garden located next door at the Bentley Historical Library. Touring lighthouses is enjoyed year-round. A favorite location is where Lake Huron spills into the St. Clair River at which point Michigan's oldest lighthouse rests. Another interesting area is Domino's Farms, home of Tom Monaghan who was the founder of Domino's Pizza. Born into poverty, this self-made multimillionaire provides a recreation Mecca to tourists with attractions that include a children's petting farm, wildlife exhibits, and holiday tours. Individuals looking for a more rustic experience will want to tour St. John's Marsh, a wildlife refuge and hunting zone. Nostalgia can be found along the northern edge of Dexter, where the Dexter Cider Mill, circa 1836, resides.

Detroit is known as an attraction for the entire family. From world-class museums, to exciting casinos, to professional sports teams, to fantastic shopping and great restaurants, the "Motor City" boasts two notables, the Automotive Hall of Fame and the Henry Ford Museum.

Port Huron is a beautiful, scenic area known as the Blue Water Area. It features riverfront parks, picnic grounds, sandy beaches, sailing and boating opportunities, and world-class fishing tournaments. Cold weather is not a deterrent to Michigan residents. Ice fishing fests, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and even dog sled races dominate the pastime pursuits.

Nearly a dozen state parks are scattered across the Southeast area offering visitors an opportunity to hike, mountain bike, camp, view wildflowers, bird watch, nature study, fish and hunt. Algonac State Park and the proposed Algonac Prairie and Oak Savanna are fine examples. The Algonac Prairie and Oak Savanna is a 200-acre natural area that harbors one of the last remaining tracts of "lakeplain" prairie and savanna. Horseback riding is another popular pastime particularly at Maybury State Park where equestrians enjoy their own area of the park that includes a staging and stable area, horse rental and eleven miles of horse trail.

Recreation - Outdoor enthusiasts recreating in Southeast Michigan enjoy bird watching, plant identification, touring a working farm, fishing, picnicking, hiking and biking, equestrian sports, swimming, and a variety of wintertime pursuits including snowmobiling, ice fishing, and skiing.

Climate - Southeast Michigan is the warmest region in the state with summer temperatures averaging 70 degrees F (above 21 degrees C) but it is not infrequent for days to reach the high 80s. Winter temperatures are warmer as well with averages hovering just below freezing. Yearly moisture amounts range between 18 - 32 inches.

Location - As Michigan's most populous area, Southeast Michigan literally keeps America rolling. Encompassing the world renown automobile towns of Detroit and Pontiac, the region borders the State of Ohio and the western shores of two Great Lakes, Erie and Michigan. Interstates 75, 94, 96 move the majority of the masses.