Carefree Travel Guide 2023

“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” (Si quartis Pennisulom Amoean Circumspice.) Welcome

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Staff Dan Sippel: Executive Director Karen Breckon: Partnership Director Alise Hale: Partnership Director Jess Herrema: Office Manager Erin Murphy: Marketing Director Kaylie Pomper: Marketing Manager Kathleen Schiefler: Marketing & Materials Coordinator Leah Ash: Marketing & Publication Intern Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville Jeff Swanson, 1st Vice President: Country Dairy, New Era Diane Thompson, 2nd Vice President: Binder Park Zoo, Battle Creek Tim Hygh, Treasurer: Mackinac Island Tourism, Mackinac Island Board Members Jodie Bissonette: Bizzynet LLC, Harbor Springs Patti Cornwell: Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA, Marshall Linda Freybler: Battle Creek/Calhoun CVB, Battle Creek Sammie Lukaskiewicz: Visit Manistee County, Manistee Kyle Orr: Riverside Canoe Trips, Honor Chris Rowley: Mt. Pleasant CVB, Mt. Pleasant Dave Serino: TwoSix Digital, Brighton Jennifer Sistrunk: South Haven/Van Buren CVB, South Haven Maia Turek: Michigan State Parks Amy Zapal: St. Joseph Today, St. Joseph Ex Officio David Lorenz: Travel Michigan, Lansing Advisory Board Members Larry Wozniak: Stevensville Inn, Stevensville Board of Directors Arah Johnson, President:

This motto, found on the State of Michigan Great Seal, was adopted in 1835, just two years before the Upper Peninsula was added to the state of Michigan. Maybe it should be adjusted to read, “If you seek pleasant peninsulas, look about you.” For 106 years, the West Michigan Tourist Association has highlighted the very best of our state. We represent both peninsulas, with a liberal definition of “west” to include the area from the Indiana border, up US-127 to I-75, and including the Upper Peninsula, to form what we have promoted as “West Michigan.” From Warren Dunes State Park in Southwest Michigan to the Great Porcupine Mountains in the western end of the U.P., Michigan has wilderness galore with more than five national parks, 104 state parks, and 136 state forest campgrounds to explore. West Michigan is also home to world-class urban destinations that feature incredible museums, attractions, and spectacular events. And oh!, the history you will see, in beach towns that were once thriving lumber towns, and old mining communities that offer unique recreation opportunities. Today, we can help you to find windows to these communities through this guide and our ever-evolving live website, WMTA.org, featuring the most up-to-date information for any kind of travel adventure that interests you. Make sure to also view our live webcam feeds from stunning destinations all over the state at WMTA.org. We challenge you to travel to a place that you have never been to in West Michigan, exploring great secret finds and hidden gems along the way. Let us be your guide today.

Executive Director West Michigan Tourist Association

Joy Walczak, Camp Blodgett, Lake Michigan

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West Michigan Tourist Association | WMTA.org