Summer Information For The Lakes Area In Michigan






Sep 6, 08

The Lakes Area
Michigan

Rolling Hills and Picturesque Villages

The Lakes Area is prefect for scenic drives, visiting the many hamlet-like villages and picturesque farm lands. Driving for hours through the countryside of rolling hills and graceful trees will relax and entertain.

Livingston County is at the heart of this region and offers a variety of activities, including hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, boating, canoeing and golf.

One of the region's more unique attractions may make you shudder at first, but locals highly recommend a trip to Hell -- Hell, Mich., that is. The beautifully tree-canopied roads over rolling hills will quickly change the images conjured up by the word. Photographs next to the "Welcome to Hell" sign are a souvenir favorite.

Parks Galore

A variety of trails await hikers and bicyclers. Many area parks have trails for adventurers of all abilities, including Brighton Recreation Area, Huron Meadows Metropark, Island Lake Recreation Area, Lakelands Trail State Park and Kensington Metropark. In Brighton Recreation Area, see old stone fences representing former property boundaries and other signs of the past.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find a little bit of everything at Kensington Metropark. The park encompasses more than 4,000 acres of terrain surrounding Kent Lake and includes a farm center and a nature center. The Nature Center has exhibits relating to wild life that can be viewed and touched, as well as a self-guided tour of labeled nature trails. The Farm Center also has exhibits that can be touched and explored. Numerous farm animals are on display.

Fishing and boating are popular at the park as well. A66-passenger stern wheeler called the Island Queen makes hourly trips on Lake Kent. Swimming is allowed in designated areas.

The region has a number of golf courses where golfers can try their skills, including Faulkwood Shores Golf Course and Marion Oaks Golf Club. These courses will challenge and delight golfers of all abilities.

Historic Treats

History buffs will enjoy the Florence B. Dearing Museum and the Hicks Schoolhouse. The Dearing Museum is housed in an 1891 Victorian-style structure, which was originally the Hartland Town Hall. Exhibits include a farm kitchen, parlor, general store, logging and woodworking tools and clothing. Another example of life in early America is the Hicks one-room school house in Pickney.

Shopping and dining options are extensive and cover a wide range of tastes from simple to extravagant.