Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, the D, the Motor City or Motown, by any of its monikers is a great summer destination. Detroit is largest city in Michigan as well as the center of the Detroit Metro area, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the US. Detroit is also on the US – Canadian border creating the Detroit-Windsor area, an important commercial link with Canada. Famous for its sports teams, the MLB's Detroit Tigers are in full regular season play at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit. The NFL's Detroit Lions are gearing up for the fall season while the Pistons take a rest.

The 2010 Detroit Jazz Festival is September 3rd through the 6th. In its 31st year this will be the place for music fans over the Labor Day Weekend. Highlights of the lineup include pianist Mulgrew Miller, Terence Blanchard and Branford Marsalis. With a full scheduled of local and nationally recognized Jazz musicians, the Detroit Jazz Festival is one of the best.

Allen Park is a delightful city just ten miles from downtown Detroit. The Allen Park Farmers Market is a traditional community event that run June through September. Held on Fridays in 2010, you can find the best local produce and handicrafts on Friday's at the Allen Park Community Center parking lot. The 2010 Allen Park Street Fair, one of the Detroit areas summer highlights, is August 6th and 7th. Enjoy food, fun and live entertainment while browsing the best of local arts and crafts. The Best Western Greenfield Inn in Allen Park is an ideal location for a weekend getaway. Stay for an extra day and enjoy the Henry Ford Museum and Fair Lane, the beautiful Henry Ford Estate.

Sterling Heights hosts the popular SterlingFest August 5th through the 7th at the civic grounds and Dodge Park. Just north of Detroit, this is also great weekend of fun and entertainment. Three days of arts, crafts, a carnival, live entertainment and plenty of food and drinks. Make it a family getaway and book a few nights at the Best Western Sterling Inn. The kids will love the indoor water park with the three-story slide and lazy river. Relax poolside while the kids wear themselves out!

Run Wild for the Detroit Zoo is a popular fall event for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The 2010 Run Wild marks the 14th year for the event on September 19th. Geared for the entire family, events include the Family Fun Walk and 5K and 10K races. A fun course through the zoo for walkers and running courses in the neighborhoods surrounding the zoo make for a great day of activity. Stay to visit the zoo and let the children enjoy special race day games and activities. Have fun - all for a good cause!

St. Joseph Lighthouse
Benton Harbor, MI

Southern Michigan visitors are hoping for an early thaw after the heavy 2010 winter. New Buffalo, on the shores of lake Erie, and it's white sand beaches are sounding pretty good about now, Businesses in New Buffalo are already planning on the big Sidewalk Sales May 15th and 16th. No problem if you forget the bathing suit, but don't forget your wallet. The latest swimwear will be stocked along with the biggest sales of the season. Kick off summer at the Best Western Plaza Hotel in New Buffalo, along with the shopping, the indoor pool and spa are a sure bet for sporting your new swim suit. The casino is nearby to add some evening excitement.

Since 2010 is an even numbered year, western Michigan will be hosting the Gilmore 2010 Keyboard Festival, which is a biennial event. Scheduled in April and May, the festival is two weeks of amazing keyboard performances. Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids and Lansing venues are scheduled with events showcasing professional and student musicians. The tenth event over 20 years, the Gilmore Keyboard Festival is a proud Michigan tradition. The Best Western Hospitality Hotel and Suites in Grand Rapids, two Best Western Hotels in Kalamazoo, the Best Western Executive in in Battle Creek and the Best Western American Heritage Inn in Portland are all convenient for travelers to the Festival. Come enjoy the talented performances, remember this will not happen again for two years.

Kindleberger Park, in Parchment, outside Kalamazoo, hosts The Stage at Kindleberger Summer Concert Series June through August. These are free concerts held on Sunday evenings for everyone to enjoy. Picnic dinners and lawn chairs are welcome, bring the family out for a nice summer evening. Parchment is a short drive north of Kalamazoo.

Battle Creek Michigan is the breakfast capital of the world, due in large part to W K Kellogg, founder of the cereal company bearing his name. Battle Creek celebrates the 150 anniversary of his birth in 2010, with a variety of events throughout the year. June brings the Cereal City Festival, held in downtown Battle Creek and Bailey Park. The day begins with the “World's Longest Breakfast Table” a city tradition, followed by a full day of exhibitions, activities and fun. The International SummerFest is early August, another fun family event featuring international theme food and events. Take the family on an international staycation!

Summer is not complete with out a trip to the beach. One of the favorites is the Saugatuck and the Venetian Festival is a great time to go. The three day festival, held the end of July and first of August opens will a kick off celebration with live entertainment and terrific food and drink. The weekend continues with an Art Fair, Kids Activities in Cooks Park, and a Dinghy Poker Run. The evening showcases the boat parade, followed by the Festival Fireworks. End the weekend with a nice brunch and a classic old boat show. The Best Western Plaza Hotel is a convenient location for the festival or any weekend at the beach, the friendly staff is ready to welcome you and your guests to a wonderful beach getaway.

Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan? This can reference both Michigan's Upper Peninsula, as well as the Northern area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. In either case, summer is a great time to enjoy both areas – Michigan residents and visitors are never more than 6 miles from a body of water anywhere in the state. Detroit, in the Southeast, synonymous with the automobile industry and Motown, livens up with summer's sun. Northern Michigan is bounded by four of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, providing ideal shoreline for resorts and summer destinations.

Northern Michigan celebrates the 80th Annual Charleviox Venetian Festival in 2010. An entire week of fun and entertainment from July 17th through July 24th. The week begins with a beach bash at Ferry Beach and the AquaPalooza Boating Party. An amazing variety of the best local, regional and national talent performs throughout the week with the festival culminating with the Venetian Boat Parade and two nights of spectacular fireworks. With two Best Western Hotels nearby, there is no reason not enjoy a great week of music and fun. The Best Western Inn of Petoskey and the Best Western of Harbor Springs are conveniently located and affordable for a family summer getaway.

The 2010 Michigan State Walleye Championship is August 12th through the 14th. In its 14th year, this will be the sixth year the event is held on the beautiful St Mary's River near Sault Sainte Marie. A great opportunity for fishing enthusiasts, family and friends to enjoy the amazing Sault Sainte Marie area and fishing. The Best Western Sault Ste Marie is centrally located for the tournament and sightseeing in the area. Begin your day at the Best Western with a complimentary deluxe breakfast before a fantastic day of activities.

The town of Paradise on the shores of Lake Superior celebrates a bountiful crop of blueberries at the 2010 Wild Blueberry Festival August 20th through the 22nd - A great fun-filled family weekend before schools are in full swing. Enjoy more than 50 artists at the arts and crafts fair, the best local and regional entertainment and as many blueberries as you can pick. The Best Western Lakefront Inn & Suites in Paradise is ideal for visitors and convenient to Tahquamenon Falls and Whitefish Point Lighthouse. Everyone will enjoy the beachfront location.

Runners, there is a new in 2010, the Inaugural Sault Area Chamber Chase will be held September 25th. The course will traverse the International Bridge, run along the Soo Locks and the St Mary's River for an amazing experience. Events include a full marathon, half marathon and 10K, so bring family, friends and fans. Come participate and make this an annual event.