From one part to another of the strait, Michigan has a lot of white sandy beaches, forests of conifers and birches, tumultuous rivers and rapid torrents with trouts. Four of the five Great Lakes shape Michigan's boundaries.

Detroit

Detroit, nicknamed "Motor City", is the world capital of car production. Fifth-largest city of America, Detroit produces more vehicles than any other city in the world.

Founded in 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, under the order of Louis XIV, establishing Fort Ponchartrain as a frontier post and commercial base (Cadillac's name, later, was borrowed by a prestigious car factory). Then, Detroit was named Forchartrain d'Etroit. In 1795, it fell into the hands of the British, then fell under the rule of the United States in 1796, before it was ruined by a fire in 1805, after horrible epidemic era of malaria and cholera diseases.

By the opening of Erie Canal in 1825, a period of economic growth started with the birth of an important metallurgy industry, which would later be the base of today's automotive industry. In 1899, Ransom E. Olds, pioneer of the latter industry, founded Oldsmobile, Detroit's first car factory. And in the same year, Henry Ford took off in the same business.

Do not miss to visit the magnificent City Museum, as well as the famous Motown Studios, the birthplace of singing careers of a lot of Soul and R&B artists, including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and many more.

Visiting Detroit would be incomplete without taking a tour into the car construction ateliers of the biggest companies. General Motors Willow Run is one of the most important ones.

The Detroit Institute of Art presents you a rich collection of arts, Dutch and Flemish paintings.

From Detroit we can continue the journey to Windsor, in Canada, via the tunnel or by taking the Ambassador Bridge.

Dearborn

In Dearborn, where Henry Ford (1863-1947) was born, you can visit the Henry Ford Museum, which contains an incomparable collection of American antiques, especially playtoy ateliers dating back from the beginning of the US history, real life sized steam locomotives as well as Rosa Parks's bus.

Greenfield Village gathers about a hundred historical constructions brought from all corners of the country, restored respectively into their first existence of 17th, 18th or 19th century.

Mackinac Island

About 450 km towards the north, in the middle of Lake Huron, is located the Mackinac Island, sometimes also called "Bermuda of the North". You can reach this wonderful station on boat, via St. Ignace or Mackinaw City. Cars are forbidden here. People take horse carriages or bycicle to get mobile. The old Fort Mackinac has been restored into its life aspects in 1780. One of the most characteristical traces of the island is the wild beauty of Round Island Scenic Area.

Sault Ste-Marie

Sault Ste-Marie, in the Upper Peninsula, facing the Canadian borders, is Michigan's oldest city. Its rocks lower or get higher in a few minutes to let boats pass between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The place is connecte to Canada by the International Bridge, the only way to cross between the two countries in 480 km.

Photo Credits : Robert Jerstrom and Nancy May

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau