With thousands of folks expected to pour into Michigan's Great Southwest this weekend for the tradition of the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade, and a few weeks later for the 77th Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, it's little wonder that the folks at the Michigan Department of Transportation are working hard on the Pure Michigan image to attract more visitors to the Great Lakes State and keep them here for their summer vacations and beyond.
Just in time for the summer travel season is a new travel tool featuring a collection of 20 state and national byways and tour routes. The Pure Michigan Byways and Tour Routes Driving Guide is part of introducing Pure Michigan Byways, formerly the Heritage Route Program. This handy interactive electronic booklet comes complete with vivid pictures, videos, maps, route descriptions, facts, and other tourist information.
As State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle says, "Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff or merely enjoy a relaxing drive in the country, Pure Michigan Byways will take you there." The MDOT Chief adds, "We recommend Michigan visitors and travelers take the road less traveled and discover the many wonders that await you along Michigan's Byways."
The guide only is available for download from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) website (www.michigan.gov/byways), with a "desk copy" for reference at each of the 14 Welcome Centers statewide.
The Pure Michigan Byways and Tour Routes Driving Guide was made possible through MDOT and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation's Travel Michigan.
Pure Michigan Byways offer a rich taste of all the grandeur and diversity the Great Lakes State has to offer. Outstanding natural beauty and many sites of historical, scenic, recreational and cultural significance have earned Michigan its place at the top of the list of travel destinations.
Michigan’s wonders are easily accessible from the collection of 20 State and National Byways and Tour Routes. Each Byway description in the guide highlights scenic, natural, historical, cultural and archaeological attractions along the route. Maps and information regarding availability of services, time needed to drive and enjoy each Byway and Tour route, best times of year to travel are also included. The routes are categorized by their designation: All American Roads come first, followed by National Scenic Byways, Pure Michigan Byways and other Tour Routes. Routes are introduced in each category from the lower to the upper peninsula of the state.
Here is an electronic link to the full guide, which (unfortunately) does not include any of the scenic routes here in our corner of the state in this edition:
