Every so often, I’m asked about some of my favorite places to visit that are lesser known to travelers.  I’m interested in history and heritage, so one of the places that always comes to mind is the US-12 Heritage Trail that spans the southern part of the lower peninsula. It was a route used by animals in prehistoric times and is considered one of the longest mastodon trails ever discovered. Later, it was used as a hunting trail by the first people and in the 1800s, inns and taverns gave weary stagecoach passengers a break from their week-long trip between Detroit and southwest Michigan. Some of those stops eventually grew to become towns and villages that still showcase their stagecoach heritage. Today, the route reminds us of the value of connections, between places and people.

This coming Sunday and Monday, volunteers from Michigan Cares for Tourism will come together at the Walker Tavern, one of the best-preserved stagecoach stops from the era.  Built in the 1830s, the building is now a state historic site and is in need of repairs.  If you’ve never volunteered for a Michigan Cares for Tourism event and if you’re interested in history like I am, this might be an opportunity for you. To learn more and to register, you can find details here.

I want to invite you to join us for our fall-themed #PureMichiganChat tomorrow, Thursday, September 8, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT. Share your fall travel ideas with our community of more than 500,000 travel enthusiasts. You can follow the conversation by searching #PureMichiganChat on Twitter.

Fall is a great time for a drive through one of our heritage or scenic routes. I hope you can find the time to get out and Pursue Your Pure this season.  

All the best,
David Lorenz
Vice President
Travel Michigan
(517) 243-3073       

Image: Huron-Manistee National Forests

To sign up for the Pure Michigan Tourism Industry Update, or to access your subscriber preferences, click here.