Have Great Michigan Photos? You Could Win a Mackinac Island Trip
Summer is in full swing, and chances are, you’re getting a ton of great photos during your travels. Anyone who has a smart phone can capture beautiful photos these days….
Mackinac Bridge at Golden Hour
Summer is in full swing, and chances are, you're getting a ton of great photos during your travels. Anyone who has a smart phone can capture beautiful photos these days. In fact, there's even something known as being an "iPhone photographer," for people who pride themselves on getting beautiful photo's from their iPhones. Now, if you have great Michigan photos, you could win a trip to Mackinac Island. Here's how.
The West Michigan Tourist Association has kicked off its 2023 photo contest. The association is looking for photo submissions from travelers from all over Michigan.
“The idea is to show the best of West Michigan. We have so many picture-perfect locations, so what better way than having a photo contest?” Paige Bodine, marketing manager with the West Michigan Tourist Association, told Woodtv.com. Bodine added, "West Michigan Tourist Association is all about promoting those hidden gems around West Michigan. A really cool thing about our photo contest is we choose winners from our photo contest to be in our travel guide."
There are lots of different categories in the contest for Michigan photos. Those include downtown, nature and travelers enjoying West Michigan. Get your friends to help, because there's also an option for a public vote, which will highlight 50 chosen photos that the public will vote on. So, what are the prizes? The photographer of the picture that wins the public vote will win a Mackinac Island prize package for four. That will feature a two-night stay at the Chippewa Hotel Waterfront, round-trip ferry tickets, tickets to Fort Mackinac and bike rentals.
Ready? The deadline to enter the Michigan photos contest is July 28. Public vote begins Aug. 1. All of the winners will be announced Aug. 18. For more information on the photo contest and to officially enter, head to the West Michigan Tourist Association website. Best of luck to you.
Here in Michigan, we have the Great Lakes and many beautiful inland lakes, but what about the amazing rivers in the state? Over Memorial Day weekend, I went on a pontoon ride down the Grand River. It was so perfect outside, and watching the water ripple as the boat moved along was very relaxing. I had to watch getting sunburned, though. It's so much easier to get burned on the water than on land.
Canoeing, kayaking and fishing are very popular activities in Michigan along our rivers. But, even if you don't do either of those, just laying by a river on a warm, summer day can be fun. There are plenty of rivers that run through our cities, too, so chances are one is just a short drive away.
You know what else is great to do in the summer? Set up a picnic right by a river. Sure you might have to chase some mosquitos away, but laying on a blanket and having a picnic on the edge of a river is a very special activity.
Read on for 10 of the best rivers in Michigan. These are my personal picks, and I'm sure I left out some great ones. Reach out to me on social media with your top choices.
Best Rivers in Michigan
10. Jordan River
The Jordan River flows through the Jordan Valley, and it's really beautiful. People who love to fish trout will find lots in this river. It's also a very clear river, making it a beautiful spot for a picnic, and a moderately calm river, so it's good for canoeing.
9. Rifle River
Rifle River is a shallow river, so it's perfect for families. This river is located in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. It's always a popular spot in the summer months.
8. Big Manistee River
The Big Manistee River is actually part of the National Wild and Scenic River system because of its clean water and forests. This spot is also known for picturesque views. It's a must-see spot for any nature lover.
7. Boardman River
Like the Jordan River, the Boardman is another great spot for trout fishing. The river runs a little over 28 miles and drains into the Grand Traverse Bay. Several other fish are also easy to find in this spot, including smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye.
6. Huron River
The Huron River goes through so many cities and towns, including Ann Arbor, Detroit and beyond. There's something special about the nature feel of a river running through a bustling city. There are also good camping and picnic areas around this river.
5. Grand River
The Grand River runs along the southwestern portion of the southern peninsula of Michigan and flows into Lake Michigan. It's actually the longest river in Michigan and runs 252 miles. I've been on this river many times, and it's a favorite.
The Grand River is a Michigan favorite.
4. Detroit River
The Detroit River runs about 24 miles west and south, from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. It's also a strait in the Great Lakes system. The river is right between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. It's a landmark of the Motor City.
3. Pine River
Pine River offers exquisite views, as it flows through the Manistee National Forest. This is also a popular river for camping, and you'll find campgrounds all along the banks.
2. Platte River
The Platte River runs through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan and goes into Lake Michigan. It has a very gentle current, which is good for a variety of activities. There is lots of greenery around this river, too, making it lovely.
1. Au Sable River
The Au Sable River runs a whopping 138 miles through the towns of Grayling and Mio. It runs into Lake Huron at Oscoda. This is another prized spot for trout fishing and was even named a blue ribbon trout stream by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
