When we launched MLive Media Group in 2012, our unofficial motto was “Follow the audience.” We meant we would cover topics where our readers showed interest. What we didn’t expect is that we would be literally following our audience. We quickly found that we followed our audience kayaking at Pictured Rocks or wine tasting in Traverse City or walking under the canopy of trees in the Irish Hills. Our readers led us to understand this is the best place to be for travel. Our Michigan’s Best brand started with simply identifying the “best of” food experiences. Today, we offer full-fledged, full-time travel and destination coverage. Last year, we devoted additional resources to Northern Michigan coverage, as well as lakeshore spots to discover. This spring and summer, we are expanding our reach again by highlighting some of our local hidden gems. So far, our reporters have written about a luxurious colonial bed and breakfast in Michigan’s top beach town, an historic Lake Huron lighthouse that allows visitors to climb to the top to birdwatch or take in sunrises, and a new 377-acre park between two inland lakes on the Lake Michigan shore that is described as an “oasis.” This year alone, these “destination” stories have generated more than 1 million reads. “We have reporters and multimedia specialists all across Michigan scoping out popular tourist destinations and hidden gems, including Great Lakes beaches, unique restaurants and summer festivals,” said Heather Jordan, an MLive lead reporter based in Saginaw, who is helping to coordinate some of our coverage this summer. Jordan refers to the coverage as a “summer guide” for readers who live in Michigan or visitors who are planning a vacation here. “(We) are looking for great locally owned restaurants, beautiful parks, unique places to stay and anything else that can help readers round out their visit,” Jordan said, whether that’s a day trip or a longer stay. And as beautiful as Michigan’s waterfront is, MLive’s coverage is not limited to lakeshore towns.
“We also take a closer look at what’s happening away from the water, like a mid-Michigan botanical garden and forest offering tree-climbing classes that's also home to the country's largest canopy walk,” Jordan said. “Last year, we found a 75-year-old farm that grows nearly two dozen types of blueberries, including some that don’t exist anywhere else in the world.” There’s no shortage of great destinations to highlight. Want to follow along on our travels? Bookmark www.mlive.com/topic/michigan-destinations/ and www.mlive.com/topic/lakeshore-travel. # # #
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