GO ESCAPE GREAT LAKES 2020 by STUDIO Gannett

GREAT LAKES 2 02 0

ILLINOIS • MICHIGAN • MINNESOTA • OHIO • WISCONSIN • NEW YORK & MORE PEACE & QUIET Escape the crowds, commune with nature

LAKESIDE ATTRACTIONS Tour region’s best coastal sites

Beacons Beckon Explore pristine lake shores

Crisp Point Lighthouse on Lake Superior, Newberry, Mich.

LAND OF PLENTY Enjoy food, wine, gaming & music

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BE YOUR OWN DARN TRAVEL GUIDE. Know how to make the most of your trip and be the best vacation-taker you can be! Plan the vacation thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right for you.

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CONTENTS

GREAT LAKES

SEEKING SERENITY Your guide to wideopen spaces and some serious R&R

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park SHALEE BLACKMER/PURE MICHIGAN

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CONTENTS THE REGION

GRAPE LAKES

ILLINOIS

The wine scene is burgeoning along the lakes’ shores

Chicago is a mecca for blues and jazz aﬁcionados

MICHIGAN

UP FRONT

7 8 Ohio Donut Trail

Springtime belongs to blossoms in southwest Michigan

MINNESOTA

NEW YORK Niagara Falls’ Maid of the Mist boats go electric

BUTLER COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

OHIO

WISCONSIN

There’s plenty to see and do in Columbus

The Apostle Islands are pilgrimage worthy

Planning a trip during the coronavirus uncertainty

BUILT BY DESIGN

GLAZING A TRAIL

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jerald Council jcouncil@usatoday.com

MANAGING EDITOR Michelle Washington ISSUE EDITOR Harry Lister ISSUE DESIGNER Hayleigh Corkey EDITORS Amy Sinatra Ayres Tracy Scott Forson Deirdre van Dyk Debbie Williams DESIGNERS David Hyde Debra Moore Gina Toole Saunders Lisa M. Zilka INTERN Liya Savasman

TRAVEL INSURANCE

ODDS FAVOR FUN

DIRECTOR Jeanette Barrett-Stokes

mjwashington@usatoday.com

Winter’s over, so it’s time to warm up to Duluth

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

EDITORIAL

jbstokes@usatoday.com

Sing Detroit’s praises at these Motown must-sees

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore GETTY IMAGES

This is a product of

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Matt Alderton, Lisa Davis, Kae Lani Palmisano, Robin Roenker, Jacky Runice, Sarah Sekula, Jennifer Rose Smith, Fiona Soltes, Joseph Spector, Adam Stone, Courtney Sunday

Bet on a great time when the region’s top casinos reopen

ADVERTISING

Frank Lloyd Wright tours pay homage to renowned architect

VP, ADVERTISING Patrick Burke | (703) 854-5914 pburke@usatoday.com

FEATURES

18 26

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Vanessa Salvo | (703) 854-6499

Rise early to hit a dozen doughnut hot spots

vsalvo@usatoday.com

FINANCE

Spadina Museum TOURISM TORONTO

TICKET TO RIDE There’s one common theme at these parks: fun

ISSN#0734-7456

RETAIL REOPENING Top malls prepared to welcome back shoppers

Billing Coordinator Julie Marco

ONTARIO A nature lover’s guide to Toronto

WORTH THE PADDLE Discover Lake Huron’s Turnip Rock

ON THE COVER:

A USA TODAY Network publication, Gannett Co. Inc USA TODAY, its logo and associated graphics are the trademarks of Gannett Co. Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Copyright 2018, USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. Editorial and publication headquarters are at 7950 Jones Branch Dr., McLean, VA 22108, and at (703) 854-3400.

CRISP POINT LIGHTHOUSE, NEWBERRY, MICH.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, Mich. GETTY IMAGES

THE OUTBREAK OF AND response to COVID-19 has affected our lives, our livelihoods

and the economy at the local, national and global levels. And it has had a profound effect on the travel industry. As we grapple with the unprecedented scope of this pandemic, many events, festivals and celebrations have been suspended or canceled. However, across the country businesses that provide lodging, food and transportation are starting to reopen with varied stipulations and baseline measures in place that aim to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus. The USA TODAY Network is committed to providing timely, engaging and accurate information in our coverage, but given the evolving nature of this health crisis, we realize that there will undoubtedly be changes to the accessibility of many of the locations, venues and services mentioned throughout this publication. Please check directly with businesses for the latest updates. We also know that the travel and tourism industry is resilient. It has rebounded from natural disasters, economic recessions and other crises before, and while this pandemic is uncharted territory, it is our hope that national and international exploration will resume soon. In the meantime, we will continue to look beyond today and provide you with the amazing sights, sounds, tastes and experiences that await when we can all Go Escape again.

Harry Lister Issue Editor

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UP FRONT | TRAVEL INSURANCE

GETTY IMAGES

Insuring Your Investment Policies can remove some uncertainty from travel planning By Amy Sinatra Ayres

HETHER YOU’RE CANCELING OR

postponing a trip due to the outbreak of COVID-19, or you’re dreaming of scheduling a new vacation, you might be researching the ins and outs of travel insurance. If you want to delay plans you made before the outbreak and you purchased insurance, the first step is to review your policy, says Peter Evans, executive vice president of InsureMyTrip.com. For standard policies, fear of traveling is not a benefit, but some include coverage if

the U.S. State Department or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issue travel warnings for the area you were planning to visit. And if you have purchased an upgraded “cancel for any reason” policy, it lets you do just that. Evans and Kasara Barto, public relations manager for travel insurance comparison site SquareMouth.com, also recommend going directly to the travel supplier — such as the airline, cruise line, hotel or tour operator — to see what your options are. Many are waiving change or cancellation fees, and if you’d rather reschedule, you may be able to get a voucher or bump the trip to the next calendar year.

“We’re seeing tremendous flexibility right now because (travel suppliers are) all in this, and they’re trying to make it work for everyone,” Evans says. Some standard travel insurance policies include cancellation benefits for financial default, such as if your travel supplier goes out of business; employment layoff benefits in case you lose your own job; or “cancel for work reasons,” which kicks in if your time off from work is revoked due to impact from the virus. A policy with the “cancel for any reason” upgrade offers the most comprehensive coverage. Those policies are time sensitive — they’re generally only available for purchase within the first two to

three weeks after booking the trip — and they are more expensive, explains Barto. “It does cost about 40 percent more than a standard travel insurance policy, and it reimburses 75 percent of the trip costs. However, it really does allow a traveler to cancel for any reason,” she says. Rule of thumb if you are still planning a trip is to do your research and ensure you’re educated on how the policies work. “We are hearing from people that are still planning future trips, and the best advice is to just read through your policy and make sure that what you’re concerned about can be covered by the policy that you’re purchasing,” Barto says. “It’s really a personal decision.”

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UP FRONT | CASINOS

Odds Favor Fun Bet on a great time when region’s top casinos reopen By Robin Roenker

HETHER YOU’RE LOOKING TO win big at the slots or gaming tables, catch an A-lister in concert or enjoy some pampering at top-tier restaurants and spas, Great Lakes casinos have your entertainment options covered. When their doors reopen, try your luck at some of the region’s best:

JUMER’S CASINO & HOTEL

JACK ENTERTAINMENT

JUMER’S CASINO & HOTEL

JACK CLEVELAND CASINO

Rock Island, Ill. With nearly 1,000 slot machines, 18 table games, a high-limit slot room and “the only live poker room in the Quad Cities,” says Jodi Pestka, the casino’s senior director of marketing, Jumer’s Casino & Hotel has no shortage of ways to try your luck. The on-site hotel features 205 guest rooms, an indoor pool and a floating Aqua Golf Range on the nearby private lake. Guests can dine at the popular Player’s Buffet or enjoy a gourmet meal at DJ’s Steakhouse. For added fun, catch a live performance or grab a cocktail at the Edje Nightclub. ▶ jumerscasinohotel.com

Cleveland Set in the heart of the city in a former Higbee’s department store – recognizable as the site of Ralphie’s Santa visit in the movie A Christmas Story — JACK Cleveland Casino has its own, distinctive vibe. “Unlike many casinos that are spread across one sprawling floor, we occupy four floors of the department store building, which really creates a unique feeling,”

says Aleksandra Breault, JACK Entertainment’s communications manager. The casino — just blocks from the lakefront, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and other downtown attractions — features 1,300 slot machines, nearly 100 table games and a 30-table poker room. Refuel at the casino’s Seven Chefs Buffet or on-site food court, which offers a variety of sandwiches, pizzas and burgers. ▶ jackentertainment.com

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UP FRONT | CASINOS

POTAWATOMI HOTEL & CASINO

Milwaukee There’s gaming galore — with some 2,500 slot machines, 100 table games, a 24-hour poker room, off-track betting and a 1,350-seat bingo-hall in the 1.1 million-square-foot property. But it’s the extra amenities that help make Potawatomi “the most visited destination in the state of Wisconsin, with over 6 million visitors a year,” says Ryan Amundson, the property’s public relations manager. Situated in downtown Milwaukee, Potawatomi features a new hotel tower plus seven on-site restaurants, from the highly rated Dream Dance Steakhouse to tasty grab-and-go at the Menomonee Valley Food Court. Visitors can unwind at the new, full-service Ember Salon & Spa or try their hand at virtual golf at Topgolf Swing Suite. Top off a perfect stay by snagging tickets to a live performance at The Northern Lights Theater, which has hosted headliners like Ringo Starr, Bonnie Raitt, Jay Leno and more. ▶ paysbig.com

SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT Mount Pleasant, Mich. There’s fun for everyone at this resort. Adults can enjoy slots and traditional table games, and the casino is readying a sports wagering venue scheduled to open later this year. Nearby Soaring Eagle Bingo is the largest facility of its kind in Michigan. Top-tier performers are another major draw: Soaring Eagle boasts an indoor entertainment hall and outdoor concert venue. The fullservice spa and multiple gourmet dining venues make it easy to feel pampered on-site. The hotel is also in the process of renovating all 516 guests rooms over the next two years. Children can let loose at Kids Quest, a dedicated entertainment zone with a climbing wall, arcade games, indoor play gym and more. Plus, resort shuttles make it easy to access the affiliated Soaring Eagle Waterpark. “We want everybody to say, ‘Yes, there’s something there for me,’” says CEO Mike Bean. ▶ soaringeaglecasino.com

SOARING EAGLE CASINO & RESORT

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UP FRONT | ARCHITECTURAL TOURISM

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Oak Park, Ill. JAMES CAULFIELD

Built by Design Frank Lloyd Wright trails pay homage to renowned architect By Lisa Davis

HE CREATIVE WORKS OF architecture genius Frank Lloyd Wright feature more than 500 structures, including the famous Guggenheim Museum in New York, span 38 states and reach as far as Japan. But it was Illinois where Wright spent the first two decades of his career and pioneered his American Prairie style of architecture that incorporated indigenous materials and capitalized on outdoor views with eye-level windows that ringed a room.

Illinois and neighboring Wisconsin, where Wright was born, offer tourism trails that link visitors with his design handiwork. “Visitors have a strong interest in learning about Frank Lloyd Wright’s ties to Illinois, and the trail gives them an easy way to see his public works,” says Jan Kemmerling, acting deputy director of the Illinois Office of Tourism. “Oak Park (near Chicago) itself is home to 25 buildings designed or redesigned by Wright, more than anywhere else in the world.” The self-guided trail comprises 13 public sites, including multiple attractions

in Chicago, the Laurent House in Rockford — which is the only Wright structure that was designed to be fully wheelchair accessible — and the Dana-Thomas House in Springfield. There are 80 Wright structures in the Chicago metro area, six of which are on the trail, including the Unity Temple; Wright’s private home and studio in Oak Park where he worked and lived from 1889 to 1909; The Rookery building in the Chicago Loop where Wright redesigned the famed light court; the Emil Bach CONTI NUED

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UP FRONT | ARCHITECTURAL TOURISM

1 Spring Green 1 WISCONSIN

Hampshire 2 3 Chicago 4 Kankakee 5 Taliesin, Spring Green, Wis.

ILLINOIS

Muirhead Farmhouse, Hampshire, Ill.

3 MAP AREA

Emil Bach House, Chicago

B. Harley Bradley House, Kankakee, Ill.

The Rookery, Chicago GETTY IMAGES; BETH J. HARPAZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS; ANDY OLENICK/FOTOWERKS; ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM (3)

House in Chicago, which is the only Wright residence in the Windy City available for vacation rentals; and the Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The Unity Temple and Robie House are UNESCO World Heritage sites. For those who want to see more of Wright’s works, trail itineraries can be downloaded from EnjoyIllinois.com. One itinerary features a 110-mile road trip from Chicago to Rockford, with stops in Oak Park, Geneva, Belvidere and Hampshire, including the Muirhead Farmhouse, the only known existing farmhouse to have been designed and built by Wright. Another option maps a roughly 240-mile journey from Chicago to Springfield, dropping by Oak Park and Kankakee, where visitors can tour one of Wright’s earliest Prairie-style creations, the B. Harley Bradley House, and check out the Wright-inspired murals downtown. Visitors can also see Wright’s works in person by participating in the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust’s annual Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk on May 22, 2021. The event will include tours of eight private residences and two landmark buildings that were designed by Wright and his contemporaries in the Oak Park neighborhood. In Wisconsin, architourists can follow a 200-mile trail that showcases nine public Wright sites. The selfguided tour stretches from Racine to Richland Center, where the architect was born in 1867 and where he designed the A.D. German Warehouse in 1915. Once a repository for sugar and tobacco, it now houses a gift shop, theater and photo murals illustrating Wright’s work. Another Wisconsin Wright stop is Taliesin near Spring Green. The home, studio and school Wright built with native yellow limestone and cypress wood and topped with slanted roofs to resemble the surrounding hills is a World Heritage site. The 88-year-old School of Architecture at Taliesin is slated to close this summer. Wright’s work can also be found in Madison, where he proposed a “dream civic center” in 1938 on Lake Monona that included an auditorium, rail depot, marina, courthouse and city hall but was defeated by the county board. In 1997, the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center opened in the original location and was renovated in 2014 to include designs honoring Wright’s style.

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UP FRONT | OFFBEAT ADVENTURES

Glazing a Trail Rise early to hit a dozen Ohio doughnut hot spots By Matt Alderton

OMETIMES THE ONLY WAY

to shush a hangry stomach is with something sweet. And few things are sweeter than the doughnut, with its unofficial epicenter being wholesome — hole-some? — Butler County, Ohio. The Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB) says the region is home to one doughnut shop for every 19,000 residents. And you can experience most of them by traveling the Butler County Donut Trail, a string of locally owned stores that promise to make your frieddough dreams come true. The donut trail debuted in January 2016. Spanning 80 miles, it takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete in a single day. Participants can download a “passport” from BCVB’s website or pick one up at

its welcome center in West Chester or at any of the trail’s shops. When they get their passport stamped at each shop and return it either in person or by mail, visitors receive a free T-shirt that reads, “I Dared to Donut … You Jelly?” More than 23,000 people — including visitors from 22 countries and all 50 U.S. states — have completed the challenge, according to BCVB Vice President of Marketing Tracy Kocher. “The Donut Trail has created a significant economic impact,” says Kelly Hansel of Kelly’s Bakery in Hamilton. “We’ve seen people from all over the world in our shop, and that’s because of the Donut Trail. It definitely has impacted the amount of traffic that comes through our doors. We’re very fortunate.” A word of advice: On the donut trail, the hunt starts early, as some shops close when they run out of doughnuts (sometimes as early as 10 a.m.).

HOLTMAN’S DONUTS

TASTE THE BUTLER COUNTY DONUT TRAIL These shops welcome you with an array of sweets and treats:

THE DONUT HOLE BY MILTON’S

HOLTMAN’S DONUTS

MILTON’S DONUTS

Signature Doughnut: Fried Cream Cheese Danish miltonsdonuts.com

Signature Doughnut: Maple Bacon holtmansdonutshop.com

Signature Doughnut: Oreo miltonsdonuts.com

CENTRAL PASTRY SHOP

MARTIN’S DONUTS

ROSS BAKERY

Signature Doughnut: The Ugly (old-fashioned cake doughnut, glazed) centralpastry.com

Signature Doughnut: Twisted Sister (twisted plain, chocolate) facebook.com/ martinsdonutshop

Signature Doughnut: Klunker (triangular cake doughnut) facebook.com/rossbakery-120335357979540

JUPITER COFFEE & DONUTS

MIMI’S DONUTS & BAKERY

STAN THE DONUT MAN

Signature Doughnut: Red Storm Roll (raspberry filling, cream cheese frosting) jupitercoffeeanddonuts.com

Signature Doughnut: Peanut Butter Reese’s Cup facebook.com/ mimisdonutsandbakery

Signature Doughnut: Pineapple Fritter facebook.com/stan-the-donutman-147690215281038

KELLY’S BAKERY

OXFORD DOUGHNUT SHOPPE

THE DONUT SPOT

Signature Doughnut: Buckeye (chocolate frosting, peanut butter cream filling) facebook.com/kellysdonutsandmore

Signature Doughnut: Kettle-Fried Red Velvet facebook.com/oxford-doughnutshoppe

Signature Doughnut: Raspberry Cheesecake facebook.com/the-donutspot-116081498413772

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USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

There’s one common theme at these parks: Fun By Liya Savasman

OR MANY THRILLSEEKERS, no summer is complete without a roller coaster road trip. The Great Lakes region is a great place to start. It’s home to some of the nation’s best amusement parks, and several have new attractions or are marking major milestones in 2020. Here’s a sampling of parks that offer something for everyone:

Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point

GETTY IMAGES; CEDAR POINT

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CLIFTON HILL Niagara Falls, Ontario This amalgam of disparate tourist attractions has one primary selling point: its location at the Canadian edge of Niagara Falls. The Niagara SkyWheel rises 175 feet for unmatched views of the falls. Zombie Attack — the largest XD dark ride in North America — allows you to battle for zombie-slaying supremacy. Afterward, tour the Movieland Wax Museum. Opening: Check website ▶ cliftonhill.com

Niagara SkyWheel

Sea Swing circa 1920

CEDAR POINT Sandusky, Ohio The country’s second-oldest amusement park, which started out as a bathhouse and beer garden, turns 150 this year but is postponing the celebration until 2021. Cedar Point features 18 roller coasters, making it the unofficial coaster capital of the country. Steel Vengeance was named USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice for Best Roller Coaster and ranked No. 1 by Captain Coaster.com, which also includes Maverick, Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force in its U.S. Top

20 list. Another ride, Valravn, lays claim to being the tallest, longest and fastest dive coaster in the country. New in 2020 is the Snake River Expedition, a riverboat ride on which visitors help the crew complete a secret mission to smuggle valuable bounty to safer waters. Need a day to cool off? The adjacent Cedar Point Shores Waterpark (separate admission) has 17 attractions for adventurers of all ages. Opening: Check website ▶ cedarpoint.com

MICHIGAN’S ADVENTURE Muskegon, Mich. This 250-acre park in the western part of the state also includes the WildWater Adventure water park. Shivering Timbers is consistently ranked among the top wooden roller coasters in the world and reaches speeds up to 65 mph. New this year is the Peanuts-themed kids area Camp Snoopy, which features five rides, including the Woodstock Express roller coaster. Opening: Check website ▶ miadventure.com

Lost City of Atlantis

Corkscrew

MT. OLYMPUS WATER & THEME PARK RESORT Wisconsin Dells, Wis. One admission price covers four indoor and outdoor amusement and water parks, all with a Greek mythology theme. The star attraction is Hades 360, which is one of the country’s tallest and longest wooden roller coasters. Want more control of your thrills? The park has four go-kart tracks. Open: Outdoor theme park and outdoor lower water park open daily, weather permitting; indoor theme and water parks closed. ▶ mtolympuspark.com

CEDAR POINT; CLIFTON HILL; MICHIGAN’S ADVENTURE; WISCONSIN DELLS VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU

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Demon

Steel Venom

VALLEYFAIR Shakopee, Minn. Located just south of the Twin Cities, Valleyfair has more than 75 rides and attractions, including seven

Jack Rabbit

roller coasters and 16 kid rides in the Planet Snoopy area. Admission includes 10 rides and pools at Valleyfair’s Soak City water park. New and scheduled for

select dates this summer is Grand Carnivale, billed as a larger-than-life cultural celebration. Opening: Check website ▶ valleyfair.com

SEABREEZE AMUSEMENT PARK Rochester, N.Y. A northwestern New York institution since 1879, Seabreeze continues to entertain generations of visitors with more than 70 attractions. The Jack Rabbit roller coaster marks its 100th anniversary in 2020. This classic wooden coaster is the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in the U.S. and tied for second-oldest overall with its namesake at Kennywood in suburban Pittsburgh. Opening: Check website ▶ seabreeze.com

SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA Gurnee, Ill. Situated between Chicago and Milwaukee, Six Flags Great America has 16 thrill rides in nine themed areas, including three for younger kids. Goliath, one of the country’s tallest and fastest wooden coasters, is the star attraction. New for 2020 at the adjacent Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (separate admission required) is Tsunami Surge, which is billed as the world’s tallest water coaster. Opening: Check website. All visitors (including pass holders and members) will require advance reservations. ▶ sixflags.com/greatamerica

Hurricane Harbor

VALLEYFAIR; SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA (2); SEABREEZE AMUSEMENT PARK

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Serenity

GARDEN OF THE GODS ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM; GETTY IMAGES

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SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST, ILLINOIS

YOUR GUIDE TO WIDE-OPEN SPACES AND SOME SERIOUS R&R By Sarah Sekula

HEN YOU TRAVEL, DO

you prefer destinations where you can encounter nearly complete silence and have a clear view of the Milky Way? Believe it or not, it’s still possible to find remote spots like this in the Great Lakes region. Just ask Josh Valentine, founder of Embrace the Animal, a Basking Ridge, N.J.based outfitter that offers custom guided wilderness trips all over the world. “There is something deep and primal in every person,” he says. “And I think these types of trips are becoming more sought after as people seek to take a break and attempt to reconnect to the part of themselves that is primitive.” For the past few decades, Valentine has been exploring tucked-away pockets of the Great Lakes that he says are awe-inspiring. When you look at a map, you might think isolated spots are increasingly difficult to come by. But he’s happy to report that’s not the case at all. “The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (in Minnesota) is an absolutely perfect candidate for isolation,” Valentine says. “It’s endless lake chains and islands navigable only by canoe. Here, it’s possible to find ancient native rock paintings, spot wolves and fish in complete silence.” Steve Silberberg agrees. As the founder of Fitpacking, a Hull, Mass.-based outfitter that organizes fitness-focused backpacking adventures, he knows firsthand that the opportunities for solitude in the Great Lakes are endless. “You could probably spend a lifetime finding them,” he says. “If you have a canoe and lots of time and supplies, you could probably paddle around Lake Superior for a month staying at different nondescript wilderness destinations every night.” Silberberg recommends the Bruce Trail in Ontario and trips to Lake Ontario and Lake Huron. “Lake Superior is your best bet for solitude, especially in Canada or along the Eastern Upper Peninsula.” Here are some guided trips that are short on light pollution and cell reception and long on hammock lounging and communing with nature:

Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock Trail, Bell Smith Springs and Jackson Falls Trail are popular spots in this stretch of southern Illinois. But if your goal is to get off the beaten path, sign up for a hike with Bart Lane, who specializes in treks through the Lusk Creek Wilderness area of Shawnee National Forest. It’s nearly 4,800 acres of rugged wilderness, and Lane loves showing it off. One of his most popular hikes takes you into the forest along a rocky creek lined with bluffs and rock formations. During the four-hour excursion, you will pass ferns, rare species of moss and a variety of hardwoods and pines. The view at the top of the canyon is well worth the creek crossings, steep hills and rocky terrain. “My guided hikes in the Shawnee National Forest are intended to take people to the less-populated areas so they can experience a true sense of getting away from it all,” Lane says. “Spending time in one of these remote areas, you are taken away from the everyday activities and the man-made society we all live in today. “When you see and hear nothing else, only nature all around, it puts life back into perspective and offers a calming peace of mind,” he says.

OFFERED YEAR-ROUND

FACEBOOK. COM/SHAWNEEHIKINGTOURS

PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS GETTY IMAGES; PURE MICHIGAN

PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS, MICHIGAN Join a small group and trek your way through the western region of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula within Ottawa National Forest and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Porcupine Mountains, better known as the Porkies, are among the wildest areas in the Midwest: We’re talking 35,000 acres of old-growth forest, gorgeous rivers and waterfalls and dreamy views of Lake Superior. You’ll hike parts of the North Country Trail, the longest national scenic trail in the U.S. Winding 4,600 miles from Vermont to North Dakota, the North Country Trail makes the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails look like mere walks in the park. You’ll be treated to organic, mostly plant-based meals during Fitpacking’s weeklong trip, so you can consider it a nutritional reboot, too.

SEPT. 12-19

FITPACKING.COM

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HARRY LAKE HARRY LAKE LODGE; GETTY IMAGES

HARRY LAKE, ONTARIO This five-day, fly-in excursion takes anglers to the middle of remote wilderness. And it’s not your grandfather’s fishing trip. Up to six guests stay at Harry Lake Lodge in northwestern Ontario to spend their days battling trophy pike and Walleye. At the end of the day, recover in the sauna and hot tub while Al Headstrom, who also serves as your fishing guide, whips up a delicious gourmet meal. Headstrom has been fishing for more than 30 years, so you are bound to learn a thing or two. When you need a break from fishing you can swim, paddleboard and stroll around the lake.

MAY – SEPTEMBER

HARRYLAKE LODGE.COM

CATTARAUGUS CREEK CARIBOU LAKE

CATTARAUGUS CREEK OUTFITTERS; GETTY IMAGES

GARY HAMER; GETTY IMAGES

CATTARAUGUS CREEK, NEW YORK This pristine spot in western New York has a lot going for it. For starters, the steelhead section on Cattaraugus Creek (also known as the Catt) is about 34 miles long, so you won’t be fishing elbow to elbow with anyone. Instead, you’ll be beneath a canopy of old-growth forest in a secluded area where it’s not uncommon to spot bald eagles, foxes, turkeys and deer. Cattaraugus is a six-hour car ride from Manhattan and about 52 miles south of Buffalo. Book with Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters, and you’ll have eight hours out on the water to learn traditional fly-fishing methods. Lunch, snacks and drinks are included.

BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS, MINNESOTA STEELHEAD: SEPT. 15 - MAY 15 SMALLMOUTH BASS/ CARP: MAY 1 - JUNE 15

CCOFLY FISHING.COM

Paddle your way through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a massive network of lakes and forests that stretches for about 150 miles along the U.S.-Canada border. Guided trips ranging from two to five days with Clearwater Historic Lodge & Canoe Outfitters appeal to beginners and experienced paddlers and campers. You’ll be in northeastern Minnesota’s remote Superior National Forest, so you’ll have no choice but to disconnect. Float along pristine waters, cook meals over a campfire and pitch your tent under a dark sky that is particularly good for stargazing. If you’re lucky, you may spot a meteor shower or northern lights display.

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Retail

REOPENING Region’s top malls begin welcoming back cooped-up consumers By Fiona Soltes

EMEMBER WHEN GOING TO the mall was an

experience? It still can be — especially after a long quarantine. Pop-up stores, special events and interactive technology make today’s top properties more experiential than ever. Buying online is convenient, but it’s no substitute for hands-on fun and discovery. “People aren’t just going to malls to buy,” says Oliver Berg, vice president of StyleDemocracy, which creates pop-up warehouse events and covers Toronto retail happenings. “They go because it’s an outing, an event, an experience.” Innovations are helping a number of malls regain place-to-be status. Get inspired by a visit to one (or more) of these top malls in the Great Lakes region:

Nickelodeon Universe

MALL OF AMERICA Bloomington, Minn.

With more than 520 stores and 50-plus dining options, this behemoth mall includes a FlyOver America virtual flight ride, SEA LIFE aquarium, Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park, The VOID full-body virtual reality experience and the Escape Game, with several adventures to choose from. The mall opened in 1992 and has been through several expansions since. As for the shopping? Pretty much any store you’ve heard of, and some you haven’t, is here. ▶ mallofamerica.com

PHOTOS BY LISA M. ZILKA

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CF TORONTO EATON CENTRE Toronto

This landmark in downtown Toronto is doing its best to ensure shopping is fun, fashionable and convenient. Shoppers can reserve a premium parking spot in advance; use an app to browse brands and products; and text guest services directly for mall information, gift advice and fashion tips. The mall includes Canadian and international options such as Läderach Chocolatier Suisse, Korean beauty brand Innisfree and Canada’s first Under Armour Brand House. All told, there are more than 230 retailers, restaurants and services housed beneath the beautifully soaring glass galleria. A phased reopening is underway at stores with exterior doors. ▶ cfshops.com/torontoeaton-centre.html CF TORONTO EATON CENTRE

SOMERSET COLLECTION Troy, Mich.

Looking for upscale luxury? You’ll find it at Somerset Collection — Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, David Yurman, Tesla, Restoration Hardware, Giorgio

Armani, Hugo Boss — the gang’s all here. In normal times the mall hosts style parties for various occasions that bring together retailers and restaurants and an annual back-toschool shopping extravaganza for college students. During its phased reopening, select stores are currently offering appointment shopping and curbside pickup. ▶ thesomerset collection.com

SOMERSET COLLECTION

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SUMMIT MALL Fairlawn, Ohio

Anchored by Macy’s and Dillard’s, Summit Mall offers more than 100 specialty shops, a variety of sit-down restaurants and a food court. On the list: Apple, David’s Bridal, Coach,

Banana Republic, First Watch, Sephora, Eddie Bauer, Gap, J.Crew, Justice, Pandora and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro. Billed as the premier shopping destination for the Akron area, there’s also Color Me Mine, a paint-your-own pottery studio; a children’s play area; and VR Player Vs. Player offering virtual reality gaming. ▶ simon.com/mall/ summit-mall

SOUTHRIDGE MALL

WALDEN GALLERIA

Greendale, Wis.

Buffalo, N.Y.

Southridge Mall is Wisconsin’s largest shopping destination as well as “truly an integrated lifestyle and community hub,” says general manager Mary Mokwa. In addition to 125 top-name retailers, dining options and entertainment, the Milwaukee-area mall has hosted special events such as the Easter Bunny Photo Experience, Fit Saturdays in collaboration with a local gym and quarterly Disney Junior Playdates. There’s also an eightscreen movie theater, Round 1 Bowling and Amusement, escape room 60 to Escape and The Explorium Brewpub, complete with an outdoor patio for seasonal weather enjoyment. ▶ simon.com/mall/ southridge-mall

The largest mall in the Buffalo-Niagara area features roughly 200 retailers (Lululemon Athletica, BuildA-Bear Workshop, Free People, Lord & Taylor, Apple, Michael Kors, ZARA and H&M among them), a variety of full-service restaurants, and a Regal Stadium 16 with RPX experience and 4DX (a step beyond 3D). An Urban Air Adventure Park recreation and entertainment center is scheduled to open later this year. There’s so much to see and do that the mall offers “Shop & Stay” packages with area hotels. Walden Galleria began a phased reopening by offering curbside pickup service for stores and restaurants on May 19. ▶ waldengalleria.com

WATER TOWER PLACE Chicago

This mixed-use mall, hotel, theater and condominium complex in the heart of the city’s famed Miracle Mile had yet to reopen as of June 1. Helmed by Macy’s, it features an eight-level atrium, specialty

shops such as the Art of Dr. Seuss gallery and Garrett Popcorn, and favorites like the LEGO Store, Eileen Fisher, American Girl, Abercrombie & Fitch, Sephora, Hollister and Oakley. It also hosts events for Chicago Fashion Week, pop-up designer sample sales for Rent the Runway and music performances. ▶ shopwatertower. com

MEIJER, MENARDS ARE REGIONAL FAVORITES

Meijer Shop and Scan

Last fall, Samantha Curtis, the Cleveland/Akron-based CEO of The Samantha Show blog, wrote about visiting Meijer headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich., for a private fashion influencers event and concluded that: “It. Was. Amazing.” Curtis highlights the company’s “fun, affordable, practical style,” summing up why the family-owned onestop-shop has been a customer favorite since creating the supercenter category in 1962. Meijer began as a grocery store in 1934, but now includes a pharmacy, housewares and sporting goods in addition to apparel. Another regional retailer of note, Menards, is a family-owned home improvement chain known as much for its low prices as it is for superior customer service. Founded in 1959, the Eau Claire, Wis.,-based company has more than 300 stores in 14 states.

SUMMIT MALL; WATER TOWER PLACE; WALDEN GALLERIA; SOUTHRIDGE MALL; MEIJER

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USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

THE REGION 32

WINERIES

Vintners are forging a new identity for the ‘Grape Lakes’

ILLINOIS

Chicago has well-earned reputation as blues and jazz mecca

MINNESOTA

Summer is the time to warm up to Duluth

NEW YORK

A new fleet of electric boats for Niagara Falls

OHIO

Visiting Columbus is a capital idea

WISCONSIN

Make a pilgrimage to the Apostle Islands

ONTARIO

The great outdoors in the heart of Toronto

38 MAGICAL MICHIGAN From the vibes of the Motor City to the splendor of the blossom trail, the Wolverine State has something for everyone.

JOSHUA NOWICKI

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

GREAT LAKES | WINERIES

Grape Lakes The wine scene is burgeoning along the shores By Kae Lani Palmisano

OCATION IS ONE OF the biggest

factors in terroir, and the Great Lakes region provides a diverse environment for a wide variety of vinifera to thrive. Since the lakes were formed during the last ice age by receding ice sheets, the soil is rich with minerals and sediment known as glacial till. Plus, the massive lakes affect the weather, creating unique microclimates throughout the region. “The lakes are giant solar collectors,” says Joe Herman, president of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. “(The water) absorbs the sun’s heat all summer long, and slowly gives it off all winter. It delays frost in the fall, giving us a couple weeks longer of growing time than everyone else.”

KONZELMANN ESTATE WINERY Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Konzelmann Estate Winery offers many different wine experiences to its guests, but one of the most unusual is the junk food pairing. In a 45-minute workshop, you’ll learn about the essences of sweet, salty, sour and chocolate — and the wines that best complement these food profiles. ▶ konzelmann.ca

The Lake Erie wine region in Ohio falls within what is known as the pinot belt, a latitudinal band that stretches across some of the world’s most renowned wine-growing regions. “Pinot is produced spectacularly well in Burgundy and is produced well in Oregon,” says Donniella Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association. “If you take a latitude line from Burgundy and Oregon in North America, the latitudinal line falls near Ohio’s southern shores of Lake Erie.” Meanwhile, farther north, Lake Ontario gives Niagara-on-the-Lake the perfect climate to produce high-quality ice wines, so much so that Canada is the leading producer of ice wines in the world. Experience some of the best wines the region has to offer at these 10 wineries:

OLD FIREHOUSE WINERY

OLD FIREHOUSE WINERY Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio Visitors come for the live entertainment and stay for multiple tastings of wine. Old Firehouse Winery is a popular hangout because of its proximity to the lake, and the patio is a big draw during the summer months. ▶ oldfirehousewinery.com

FERRANTE WINERY & RISTORANTE

KONZELMANN ESTATE WINERY

FERRANTE WINERY & RISTORANTE Geneva, Ohio Gewürztraminer is a popular wine along Lake Erie’s south shore. And in 2018, Ferrante, a family-run operation that has been producing wine since 1937, had its gewürztraminer judged the best at the American Wine Society competition. ▶ ferrantewinery.com

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GREAT LAKES | WINERIES

FIRELANDS WINERY Sandusky, Ohio With a wine cellar that dates to 1880, Firelands Winery is the flagship of Lonz, Inc., which also produces the Dover, Lonz, Mantey and Mon Ami wine lines. Take a tour and explore how heritage and history influence its winemaking. ▶ firelands winery.com

PELLER ESTATES

FIRELANDS WINERY

PELLER ESTATES Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario No matter the season, it’s always 10Below at Peller Estates. That isn’t just the name of its ice wine lounge; it’s also the temperature of the lounge all year. Visitors bundle up in parkas before entering a room that’s carved out of 30,000 pounds of ice to enjoy a wide variety of premium Peller Estates ice wines. ▶ peller.com

REIF ESTATE WINERY Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Among the founding family wineries in Niagara-on-theLake, Reif has some of the oldest vines in Canada, and a number of its wines and ice wines have won awards around the world. ▶ reifwinery.com

JOSH NOWICKI

WHITE PINE WINERY St. Joseph, Mich. White Pine Winery is something of a newbie on the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, but you wouldn’t know it by the taste. Try the award-winning cabernet franc, pinot grigio or traminette. ▶ whitepinewinery.com

THE LAKEHOUSE INN

THE LAKEHOUSE INN Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio The Lakehouse Inn is more than a winery — it’s an escape. In addition to sipping wines in a gorgeous tasting room with panoramic views of Lake Erie, guests can stay in its bed-andbreakfast, relax at its day spa and dine in its restaurant. ▶ thelakehouseinn.com

REIF ESTATE WINERY

KARMA VISTA VINEYARDS

KARMA VISTA VINEYARDS Coloma, Mich. The current winemaker at Karma Vista Vineyards, Keith Herman, is the seventh generation to carry on the family tradition. Its 2017 cabernet sauvignon won Double Gold at the Harvest Challenge Competition in Santa Rosa, Calif. ▶ karmavista.com

LEMON CREEK WINERY

LEMON CREEK WINERY Berrien Springs, Mich. Lemon family members have been farming in Berrien Springs since 1855. Their generous collection of reserve wines takes you back through some of the region’s best growing seasons. ▶ lemoncreekwinery.com

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USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

ILLINOIS | CHICAGO

Sweet Home Chicago The Windy City is a mecca for blues and jazz aﬁcionados By Jacky Runice

HICAGO HAS LONG ENJOYED a reputation

as an incubator for blues and jazz music. That status was scheduled to be recognized this year, as the Windy City’s office of cultural affairs and special events had designated 2020 the “Year of Chicago Music.” The highlight of the initiative

— “Chicago In Tune,” a citywide celebration that includes the Chicago House Music Festival, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival and the Chicago Blues Festival — has been postponed until 2021. The city is replete with clubs that typically offer blues and jazz year-round; some are streaming shows until restrictions are lifted. Here are some clubs recommended by USA TODAY’s 10Best:

BLUE CHICAGO

BLUE CHICAGO Located in the heart of the River North entertainment district, this club is known for presenting female blues vocalists backed by local blues musicians. The room is small, long and dimly lit. Get there early in the evening to score a stool, otherwise you may have to stand. Be sure to check out the venue’s original oil paintings by late artist John Carroll Doyle that include the now-iconic Mojo Mamma. ▶ bluechicago.com

MARC POKEMPNER

JAZZ SHOWCASE Count Basie, Art Blakey and Dizzy Gillespie are just some of the legends who have played the Jazz Showcase since 1947, and it still welcomes top international, national and local musicians. The club has moved multiple times over the decades but has settled in to its acoustically refined South Loop locale. Audiences are reverent (don’t even think about talking during a set, or you’ll get shushed and stink-eyed). ▶ jazzshowcase.com JOHN ZICH/USA TODAY

GREEN MILL COCKTAIL LOUNGE Once an uptown hangout of Al Capone and Charlie Chaplin, the Green Mill oozes more than a century’s worth of character. It was a speakeasy during Prohibition and retains an air of the Roaring ‘20s. Swing music is regularly on tap, as are jazz vocalists and the occasional poetry slam. ▶ greenmilljazz.com

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ILLINOIS | CHICAGO

WINTER’S JAZZ CLUB Near Navy Pier, Winter’s Jazz Club seats 100 in the performance space and 25 in the bar/lounge. Guests can expect straightahead jazz most days, but may be surprised with a bout of Gypsyjazz, swing or a Bourbon Street quartet. This is a “listening room,” so save the chatter for after the show. ▶ wintersjazzclub .com WINTER’S JAZZ CLUB

ABEL ARCINIEGA/CHOOSE CHICAGO

KINGSTON MINES The largest and oldest continuously operating blues club in Chicago, Kingston Mines is a must for fans of the genre. Magic Slim, Koko Taylor, Sugar Blue, Billy Branch, Junior Wells and scads of blues legends have packed this Lincoln Park institution since its opening in 1968, and local musicians often stop by after their sets at other clubs. Kingston Mines’ kitchen serves barbecue, chicken and shrimp right up to closing time. ▶ kingstonmines.com

ROSA’S LOUNGE

ROSA’S LOUNGE When you want to hear great live blues without pretense, this Logan Square club is your destination. A diverse crowd fills Rosa’s to listen to the likes of Lurrie Bell, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Billy Branch and Vance Kelly. Rosa’s serves only sturdy drinks, smiling faces and great music, but you can get food delivered from other restaurants. ▶ rosaslounge.com

CHOOSE CHICAGO

BUDDY GUY’S LEGENDS The club’s namesake is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Kennedy Center honoree, a seven-time Grammy Award winner, a contemporary and collaborator of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf and an inspiration to rock royalty like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. While you generally have to brave the January cold to catch Guy onstage here, local and national musicians perform nightly at this Printers Row club. The menu nods to Guy’s Louisiana roots with such Cajun and Creole favorites as etouffee, gumbo and jambalaya. ▶ buddyguy.com

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USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MICHIGAN | DETROIT

Motown Must-Sees Immerse yourself in these Detroit attractions

ETROIT IS KNOWN FOR the abundance of automobiles and music it has exported, but there’s more to the area than just driving and dancing. Here are some Motor City attractions that USA TODAY’s 10Best deems worthy of a visit:

CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY This downtown museum dedicated to the history, culture and art of African Americans is among the largest of its kind in the world. It chronicles the journey of African Americans from the 15th century, when enslaved Africans were first brought to the Americas, through the present day. ▶ thewright.org

Gallery of Innovation DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM

DETROIT HISTORICAL MUSEUM Established to preserve and document the history, growth and development of Detroit and its people, this museum features exhibits such as America’s Motor City, Gallery of Innovation and one highlighting the city’s role in the Underground Railroad. Children love Streets of Old Detroit, with its cobblestone paths and old-fashioned storefronts. ▶ detroithistorical.org

United We Stand CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

VITO PALMISANO/VISIT DETROIT

BELLE ISLE PARK Spanning 982 acres along the Detroit River, Belle Isle is an ideal spot for a picnic, fishing or other outdoor recreation. The park features a nature center, aquarium, beach areas, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and spectacular views of the downtown skyline. ▶ belleisleconservancy. org

EDSEL AND ELEANOR FORD HOUSE

EDSEL AND ELEANOR FORD HOUSE This mansion, overlooking Lake St. Clair in Grosse Point, was completed in 1929 by Edsel, the only child of Henry and Clara Ford, and his wife, Eleanor. Much of the paneling and furnishings in the oversized version of an English country home were imported from the U.K. The estate offers tours of the home, gardens, gallery and grounds. ▶ fordhouse.org

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MICHIGAN | DETROIT

BILL BOWEN/VISIT DETROIT

MOTOWN MUSEUM The Four Tops, The Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and other legendary performers established Detroit as one of the most influential centers in the history of music. Motown founder Berry Gordy helped launch their careers — and forged a recording dynasty — from a modest home in the northern part of the city. Visit the famous Hitsville USA complex and tour Studio A, which was Motown’s original recording studio. ▶ motownmuseum.org

P.D. REARICK

CRANBROOK ART MUSEUM Located in Bloomfield Hills, the museum’s collection of contemporary art represents a variety of movements and schools, including art deco, modernism and post-modernism. ▶ cranbrookartmuseum.org

Rosa Parks Bus BILL BOWEN/VISIT DETROIT

MEADOW BROOK HALL

HENRY FORD MUSEUM OF AMERICAN INNOVATION Part of The Henry Ford complex in Dearborn, the Museum of American Innovation showcases the development of technology in the U.S. and showcases the width and breadth of American invention. ▶ thehenryford.org

MEADOW BROOK HALL This extravagant Rochester castle was built during the Roaring ’20s by Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of Dodge Motor Co. co-founder John Dodge, and her second husband, Alfred Wilson. It is located on the east campus of Oakland University, which the couple helped found. Inspired by traditional English Tudor country homes, Meadow Brook features 110 rooms, most of which still present period décor and priceless art and furnishings, and its luxurious grand ballroom spans two stories. ▶ meadowbrookhall.org

Operation Finale BRETT MOUNTAIN

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER Located in Farmington Hills, this was the country’s first freestanding facility devoted to remembering the Holocaust and working to prevent future abominations when it opened in 1984. Note: Due to the direct presentation of the subject matter, the museum advises visitors be age 12 or older. ▶ holocaustcenter.org

BILL BOWEN/VISIT DETROIT

GREENFIELD VILLAGE A re-creation of a 19th-century town, this part of The Henry Ford complex pays tribute to the American people who followed their dreams and made life-changing discoveries along the way. Within the 80acre site, you’ll find historical replicas of the bicycle shop where the Wright brothers created the first airplane and of Thomas Edison’s laboratory. ▶ thehenryford.org

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MICHIGAN | BLOSSOM TRAIL

Full Bloom In Southwest Michigan, springtime belongs to flowers

Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve JOSHUA NOWICKI

By Matt Alderton

ALL IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

is magical. After a humid summer, the muggy air turns cool and crisp; the bugs have stopped biting, and Lake Michigan sparkles a special shade of blue. And best of all: Trees envelop the landscape in autumnal canopies of fire-colored foliage. But fall is about endings. Because it represents renewal, spring in Southwest

Michigan is even more beatific. The air is just as crisp; the lake is no less cerulean, and the only thing more pleasing than the colors — which shine that much brighter against the grayscale memory of winter — are the springtime scents that accompany them. “Our fall color tours are beautiful, but for a rare treat, come in the spring,” advises Millicent Huminsky, executive director of the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council. “Nothing will lift your spirits higher than driving past all our

flowering trees and breathing in the sweetest-scented air you’ll find anywhere on Earth.” Springtime blossom tours in Southwest Michigan date back to 1906, when the Rev. W.J. Cady of the former First Congregational Church in Benton Harbor encouraged his congregation to drive through local orchards to view the blossoms, which he called “symbols of a renewed life.” CONTI NUED

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MICHIGAN | BLOSSOM TRAIL More than a century later, spring blossoms are the focal point of one of Michigan’s oldest celebrations, the annual Blossomtime Festival (blossomtimefestival.org). The weeklong affair in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph typically concludes with the Grand Floral Parade, which features colorful floats, local bands, regional celebrities and throngs of spectators who line the streets to celebrate spring. More than festivals, however, blossom time is about florescence, which is best appreciated walking through Southwest Michigan’s multitudinous orchards — just like Cady’s congregation did 114 years ago. A favorite destination is Jollay Orchards (jollayorchards.com) in Coloma, where seventh-generation farmer Jay Jollay grows cherries, apples and peaches on land his family has been tending since 1857. “The farm in springtime is great because it’s a reawakening of all the orchards after a long winter,” says Jollay, who encourages visitors to bring a picnic lunch and spend an hour or two walking the fruit orchards, which typically bloom from late April until early May. Native wildflowers also consume Southwest Michigan in spring, and an ideal way to see them is on a stroll or hike through Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve (fernwoodbotanical. org) in Niles. Encompassing 105 acres of cultivated and natural areas along the St. Joseph River, it includes a 40-acre arboretum, 8 acres of gardens and a 55-acre nature preserve with 2.5 miles of trails. “Visitors particularly enjoy the … masses of colorful bulbs and native wildflowers that blanket Fernwood’s gardens and woodlands,” says Fernwood Director of Development and External Relations Elaine Rowland. The fuchsia bloom of native flowering redbud trees dominates Fernwood’s woodland edges and borders throughout the adjacent St. Joseph River Valley. In fact, the nearby town of Buchanan is known as “The Redbud City.” Another botanical hotbed is Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (meijergardens.org) in Grand Rapids. Its 158-acre main campus encompasses five indoor theme gardens, outdoor gardens, nature trails and a permanent collection of nearly 300 sculptures that cohabitate with its prolific plant life. Along with an 8-acre Japanese garden that’s beloved for its cherry blossoms, the season’s highlight is Fred and Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming, an annual exhibition that takes place in March and

Jollay Orchards

April, when more than 7,000 tropical butterflies fly free in the park’s five-story, 15,000-square-foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Wherever your spring blossom tour takes you, it’s difficult to imagine a better finale than Holland. Best known for its 259-year-old windmill — the only authentic, working Dutch windmill in the United States — the Dutch enclave is paved in a colorful patchwork of more than 5 million tulips each spring. To celebrate, Holland hosts its annual Tulip Time Festival (tuliptime.com), a weeklong event that began in 1929 and commences on the first Saturday in May. “The town is an explosion of color each spring,” says Sally Laukitis, executive director of the Holland Area Visitors Bureau. “It’s beautiful.” If you miss the tulips, which only bloom for approximately three weeks, Holland is still full of flower power: Not only does the town replace its tulips with annuals after they bloom, but it also boasts another blossoming attraction — a 120-square-foot floral mosaic sculpture that pays homage to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Introduced last year, the sculpture of bedding plants depicts an “open book” cover of the classic novel, whose author, L. Frank Baum, is believed to have written parts of the book during summer vacations near Holland. The city’s tribute also includes a yellow brick road featuring bronze sculptures of famous Oz characters based on illustrations from the book. Literally and figuratively, it’s a storybook ending to a blooming fun tour of Southwest Michigan.

Oz floral mosaic, Holland

Tulips and DeZwaan windmill, Holland

Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve

JOLLAY ORCHARDS; SARAH GOODWIN; KEN WESTVELD; JOSHUA NOWICKI; EMILY BRANCA

USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

MINNESOTA | DULUTH

Warm Up to Duluth Summer is the ideal time to explore this lakeside gem

Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge VISIT DULUTH

SIGHTS

By Adam Stone

OU HAVEN’T BEEN TO

Duluth, Minn.? Sure it can be remarkably cold in winter, but the weather generally takes a turn for the better in April and May. And this city, perched snugly on the shores of Lake Superior, offers summertime visitors a range of engaging activities and experiences.

Enger Tower

The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge is an engineering marvel. With a span length of 386 feet, this unusual elevator bridge spans the Duluth Ship Canal, which links Lake Superior to the city’s harbor. It’s amazing to watch as the entire structure rises, just like an elevator, to let ships pass through.

Duluth is home to one of the nation’s few aquariums that focuses on freshwater ecosystems. The Great Lakes Aquarium treats visitors to rare encounters with animals and habitats from the Great Lakes Basin to the Amazon River. It is home to North America’s largest sturgeon touch pool. ▶ glaquarium.org

For a panoramic view, climb Enger Tower. A five-story structure built in 1939 from local stone, the tower offers sweeping views of the city, harbor and St. Louis Bay. ▶ www.engertowerduluth.com

Visitors can hunt for three Bob Dylanthemed manhole covers along the 1.8-mile Bob Dylan Way. Here the city pays tribute to the region’s best-known troubadour, born in Duluth in 1941. ▶ bobdylanway.com

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HOME OF THE MINNESOTA ZOO!  JUST 7 MINUTES TO MALL OF AMERICA

AND EVEN CLOSER TO TC PREMIUM OUTLETS!

 TRANSIT EVERY 15 MINUTES NEAR ALL

APPLE VALLEY HOTELS — TO OUTLETS, MALL OF AMERICA, MSP AIRPORT AND DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS!

 VISIT THE NEW ABDALLAH CANDIES, CHOCOLATES AND GIFT SHOPPE! MOTORCOACHES WELCOME!

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MINNESOTA | DULUTH

SHOPPING Downtown Duluth is also home to a wide range of unique, locally-owned shopping destinations. Art in the Alley highlights women’s fashions at its two locations, while Ed Barbo’s Columbia Clothing Company has been dressing local gentlemen for more than a century.

Canal Park Brewing Company VISIT DULUTH

DINING A gourmet specialty market and eatery, Northern Waters Smokehaus takes a handcrafted, artisanal approach to smoking local, sustainably raised meats and fish. Deli sandwiches feature chunks of fresh smoked fish, custom-sliced bacon and handcrafted salami, among other delicacies.

For the thirsty, Blacklist Brewing Co. offers its own specialty beers and hard seltzers, as well as recreational axe-throwing. Canal Park Brewing Company complements its beers with specialty salads and appetizers, such as lobster cream cheese puffs and that upper Midwest staple, the fried cheese curd.

For those seeking more artistic offerings, Legacy Glassworks offers handblown glass sculptures and functional items, along with glassblowing classes. Lizzard’s Art Gallery & Framing features a variety of works by local and regional artists and has an active events calendar. At On the Rocks Art Studio, aspiring artists can not only browse the gallery offerings, but also try their hand in the open studio space, which can be rented by the hour with canvas, paint, brushes and easels provided. Those with a penchant for the outdoors can visit Trailfitters to find all the gear they’ll need to enjoy Duluth’s 50-plus miles of hiking trails and 40 miles of cross-country ski trails — all within the city limits. For those who want to fix the trails rather than ride them, hardcore work gear can be found at Duluth Trading Co., a local legend that’s gone national.

CULTURE In the summer, visitors gather at Bayfront Festival Park to enjoy concerts, food festivals, road races and other events. ▶ bayfrontfestivalpark.com For a more cultural outing, the Duluth Art Institute highlights the works of local artists, photographers and musicians. The museum sees itself as a place to foster modern, timely and compelling art that will, as they say in their vision statement, “carry the present-day human experiences into the future.” ▶ duluthartinstitute.org Continuing with the beer theme, Duluth also offers the Ultimate Brewery Experience, with opportunities to take part in catered excursions highlighting local breweries and cideries. Sample the wares? Absolutely. ▶ theduluthexperience.com/ brewery-tours

GETTY IMAGES

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NEW YORK | NIAGARA FALLS

Splash of Sustainability Maid of the Mist boats go electric

Rendering of the new electric catamaran-style boats MAID OF THE MIST

By Joseph Spector

HE ICONIC TOUR BOATS that take visitors to the base of Niagara Falls have been retired in favor of all-electric, zeroemission passenger vessels. The new catamaran-style boats replace the two diesel-fueled vessels that traversed the waters between New York and Canada for nearly three decades. More than 1.6 million tourists ride the Maid of the Mist boats each year, and it is one of North America’s longest-running tourist attractions. “Maid of the Mist tours of the worldfamous Niagara Falls waterfalls and of the Niagara River Gorge are a signature tourism attraction of western New York,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in announcing the change. “The new zero-emission boats will continue that proud tradition, while enhancing our efforts to make New York state a premier environmentally friendly tourism destination.” Christopher Glynn, president of Maid of the Mist, says switching to a cleaner technology for the boats made sense. “The

new vessels will carry our guests to the base of Niagara Falls, one of the world’s largest sources of clean hydroelectric power.” The vessels, built by Burger Boat Co. in Manitowoc, Wis., and shipped in stages for final assembly on-site, will be ready for guests when tours resume following the COVID-19 shutdown. The new boats will have lithium ion battery packs and an onshore charging system, which will allow for a seven-minute recharge to bring the batteries to 80 percent capacity. Because they will run on electricity, the new boats will have no engine noise or exhaust fumes, Cuomo’s office says. In keeping with the eco-friendly nature of the boats’ new power source, the design has nods to sustainability as well. “The hull of the new vessels features an icon of the electricity symbol within a water droplet surrounded by a turbine with Niagara Falls in the background,” Glynn says. “The color scheme is environmentally friendly green combined with the blue of the water.” Joseph Spector writes for the Gannett Albany (N.Y.) Bureau.

DAVID DUPREY

The retired diesel-powered boats have been taking visitors to the base of Niagara Falls for nearly 30 years.

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OHIO | COLUMBUS

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS

Buckeye Bounty

COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM Nearly 600 species, including Humboldt penguins and okapi, inhabit 588 acres along the banks of the Scioto River. Well known for its successful gorilla breeding program and for its extensive reptile collection, its aquarium exhibits include Manatee Coast, which teaches how the zoo is protecting West Indian manatees. ▶ columbuszoo.org

NORTH MARKET

There’s plenty to see and do in Columbus

TATE CAPITALS AND UNIVERSITY towns often bustle with activity. Combine them and you get a city like Columbus, Ohio, where there is no shortage of attractions and activities. Here are some of the highlights selected by USA TODAY’s 10Best:

EXPERIENCE COLUMBUS

In operation since 1876 (and in this location since 1995), North Market merchants sell everything from pasta and sauces to produce, flowers and coffee. Try fresh seafood from The Fish Guys, a hand-rolled Bavarian pretzel from Brezel or indulge your sweet tooth at Destination Donuts. There’s also a farmers market on Saturday mornings June through October. ▶ northmarket.com

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OHIO | COLUMBUS

THURBER HOUSE

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OHIO STATEHOUSE Opened in 1861, this columned Greek Revival-style building took 22 years to complete. It features marble floors, statues and paintings. A magnificent central staircase is offset by murals and a breathtaking stainedglass skylight in the rotunda. ▶ ohiostatehouse.org

THURBER HOUSE

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is where author James Thurber lived during his collegiate years, and the Brewery District home served as the setting for many of his most famous short stories. Next door is Thurber Center, a conference facility hosting visiting authors, writing programs and a gallery of book-related artwork. ▶ thurberhouse.org

FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS Located in the Brewery District, this horticultural landmark opened to the public in 1895 and now boasts 88 acres of outdoor green space, 400 plant species and 100 butterfly species. ▶ fpconservatory.org

KELTON HOUSE MUSEUM AND GARDEN This charming Victorian-era house, built in 1852, showcases 19th-century life in Columbus. Once an important stop on the Underground Railroad, the Brewery District home, run by the Junior League of Columbus, is surrounded by well-tended gardens. ▶ keltonhouse.com

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF COLUMBUS

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CENTER OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

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TOPIARY GARDEN PARK This unique exhibit in the Discovery District is a detailed topiary re-creation of Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, and is the only existing topiary interpretation of a painting. James Mason, who teaches sculpture in Columbus, and his wife, Elaine, designed and executed the landscape, which consists of boats, dogs, a pond, trees and people. ▶ columbus.gov/recreationandparks/parks/ Topiary-Garden-(Deaf-School-Park)

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Billed “The Fascination Destination,” this 320,000-squarefoot complex offers classic exhibits (big machines, gadgets) and rotating ones like the dinosaur gallery and DC Super Heroes. Interactive, hands-on displays spotlight the ocean, life sciences and archaeology. Be sure to catch a show at the National Geographic Giant Screen Theater. ▶ cosi.org

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WISCONSIN | LAKE SUPERIOR

Meyers Beach sea caves BAYFIELD CHAMBER & VISITOR BUREAU

Pilgrimage Worthy Apostle Islands National Lakeshore celebrates its 50th anniversary By Jen Rose Smith

LIM LAYERS OF FIERY sandstone jut from the waterline of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin, where the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore presents travelers with an awe-inspiring maze of eroded coves, sand spits and hidden beaches. The archipelago is

celebrating a half century in the National Park System this year with special events and a revamped visitor center. Look a little closer, though, and you’ll discover an even older story. “People have been using the islands for hunting, fishing and gathering for thousands of years,” says Neil Howk, the 50th anniversary coordinator at the nonprofit Friends of the Apostle Islands

National Lakeshore. “And according to their spoken history, the Ojibwe people migrated to the Apostle Islands hundreds of years ago.” The theme of the 50th anniversary celebration is “caring for our place on Gichigami,” using the Ojibwe name for Lake Superior. Ojibwe legacies are a centerpiece of new exhibits on history, landscapes and nature at the Little Sand

Bay Visitor Center, scheduled to reopen June 13. The year will also bring historic celebrations and activities, including a 50th anniversary lecture series that highlights how Ojibwe people have shaped the landscape. The same natural wonders that first drew the Ojibwe to the Apostle Islands CONTI NUED

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WISCONSIN | LAKE SUPERIOR

Sand Island Lighthouse

Devils Island

Mainland sea caves BAYFIELD CHAMBER & VISITOR BUREAU

enchant visitors today. Perched off the northern tip of Wisconsin, this archipelago offers an accessible taste of the far north; the shores of Lake Superior include some of the southernmost reaches of boreal forests that stretch to the Arctic. Among these islands, find plants more often seen on the northern tundra than the upper Midwest. In the cool shade of sandstone cliffs, butterworts and Arctic primrose blossom in muted pinks and purples through the early summer, and low-lying bogs on Devils Island are fragrant with Labrador tea and sphagnum moss. Visitors to the Apostle Islands will follow Ojibwe footsteps in a protected area that includes 21 islands that reach

25 miles into Lake Superior. It’s a wonderland for would-be explorers ready to take to the water, paddling kayaks or steering motorboats through waterways lined with old-growth forest. More than 50 miles of hiking trails invite wandering through woodlands, sand dunes and pristine shorelines, while scuba divers can discover shipwrecks strewn across the bottom of Lake Superior. “It stays with you your whole life,” says Erica Peterson, president of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. “People visit a national park and say, ‘Oh, it’s beautiful.’ They come here and realize it’s more than a beautiful place — they internalize the perspectives of people before them and people in the future.”

“People have been using the islands for hunting, fishing and gathering for thousands of years. And according to their spoken history, the Ojibwe people migrated to the Apostle Islands hundreds of years ago.” — NEIL HOWK, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

That link between the past and future of American wilderness served as an inspiration for then-Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who helped establish the national lakeshore in 1970. Nelson, a former governor who also founded Earth Day, was a fierce protector of the natural world in Wisconsin and beyond. It wasn’t always easy. “The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard,” said Nelson, who died in 2005 at age 89. But in 2020, visitors can offer those thanks by celebrating the islands he loved while hiking, paddling and preserving the land for generations yet to come.

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ONTARIO | TORONTO

Out and About A nature lover’s guide to Toronto By Courtney Sunday

OMETIMES WHEN YOU VISIT a city, your

exposure to the outdoors can be limited to the space between Starbucks and your hotel. Don’t let that be the case in Toronto, which has hundreds of square miles of parks and other recreation areas that show off much of the best the city has to offer. Here are the highlights, according to USA TODAY’s 10Best:

Toronto Island TOURISM TORONTO

TORONTO ISLAND Actually a group of 15 small islands connected by bridges and pathways, Toronto Island is a 15-minute ferry ride from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal on Queens Quay. Centre Island is the most popular and has a small amusement park; Hanlan’s Point is home to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, the oldest landmark in Toronto and the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes. There is also a clothing-optional beach on Hanlan’s Point (you’ve been warned).

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ONTARIO | TORONTO SPADINA MUSEUM

HUMBER RIVER TRAILS

The nearly 6-acre grounds have Victorian and Edwardian gardens, making this mid-19th-century home in Midtown an ideal place to visit in the summer. From chestnut trees to forget-menots, it is an understated place to frolic.

The Humber River travels 78 miles through rural and urban landscapes, and settlement along its banks traces back 11,000 years. Roughly 38 square miles of its watershed area is public land; it is a popular location for fishing and canoeing and includes the 8.1-mile Humber River Park Trail.

THE DOCKS Just minutes from downtown, you can work on your golf swing at the city’s only driving range, which is open seven days a week year-round.

SUNNYSIDE BEACH

High Park

HIGH PARK At approximately 400 acres, High Park is Toronto’s largest public park and the jewel in the city’s park system with historical buildings, hiking trails, a free zoo and playgrounds. High Park is a walker’s or runner’s delight, with pathways connecting the various natural habitats, as well as picnic areas, ponds and landscaped gardens.

TOURISM TORONTO

RIVERDALE FARM AND PARKS

ASHBRIDGES BAY PARK Ashbridges Bay is where Torontonians go to shake off their winter weariness. Its 86acre waterfront park includes a slow-pitch softball center, a skateboard park, bicycle trails and the Woodbine Beach boardwalk.

Spadina Museum

Riverdale Park TOURISM TORONTO

CITY OF TORONTO

The Great Egret is among 247 bird species found in Rouge Park.

EVERGREEN BRICK WORKS This former industrial site is billed as a demonstration hub for sustainable practices that will enable cities of the future to flourish. Download a self-guided tour brochure or pick one up at the welcome desk and trod your own path along 40 acres of wilderness. You can replenish those expended calories with a fantastic farm-to-table lunch or dinner at Cafe Belong.

Although it no longer has the amusement park that once made this west end area hop, it does have a beach and park. The waters of Humber Bay are popular with boaters, and dragon boating — 22 participants in oversized canoes — has gained a following among Torontonians. If you plan to swim, be sure to check the posted water quality (tested daily from early June to mid-September) before wading in.

This complex includes a working farm and offers stunning views of the Toronto skyline. Considered a fantastic place for a picnic or to watch a sunset, it also has a running track, tennis courts, ice rink and ball fields. Tuesdays from June to October, check out the Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market.

Evergreen Brick Works TOURISM TORONTO

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ROUGE NATIONAL URBAN PARK Part historic site, part protected wilderness, Rouge Park is comprised of 19.3 square miles of farms, wetlands, undisturbed meadows and forests. Bordering Lake Ontario, the park even has a great beach. Hiking and camping are popular, and its many trails offer fantastic views.

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MICHIGAN | TURNIP ROCK

WORTH THE PADDLE A trek to Turnip Rock requires a commitment of time and energy, but its beauty rewards the effort. Located on the thumb of Michigan’s lower peninsula and lapped by the waters of Lake Huron, it’s a 7-mile out-and-back kayak trip from Port Austin and surrounded by the 124-year-old private community of Pointe Aux Barques.

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