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Tourism
in the Great Lakes Region
What's New |
Overview |
General Resources |
Agencies & Organizations
Laws |
Publications |
Research |
Discuss
What's New
Michigan's oldest lighthouse to reopen Saturday after renovation Detroit Free Press (5/18) After four years and $700,000 in gentle renovations, Michigan's oldest lighthouse, the Ft. Gratiot Light, reopens Saturday.
Festival draw for birders Superior Telegram (5/18) The sixth annual Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival runs through Saturday and is expected to draw birders as well as nature lovers to the breathtaking south shore of Lake Superior.
2012 Discover Better Boating educational TV series (5/18) Sat., May 19 marks the 2012 debut of New York's “Discover Better Boating” educational series. Once a month, New York Sea Grant Coastal Recreation and Tourism Specialist Dave White and boating industry professionals will offer New York’s resident and visiting boaters information and tips to enhance the boating experience on New York’s diverse waters.
Evanston looks for faster lake water tests Chicago Tribune (5/16) The city of Evanston, Ill., is partnering with federal and state agencies to help the city better determine when bacteria levels will make the water unhealthy at local beaches.
Charter fishing bookings, hotel rooms see major growth as Sheboygan County prime tourism season arrives Sheboygan Press (5/14) Tourism operators say they're expecting one of their strongest summers in several years in Sheboygan County, after seeing a sharp increase in advance bookings for hotel rooms, charter fishing boats and other activities.
Massena mayor sees tourism potential in Seaway Watertown Daily Times (5/13) He said he would like to see Massena expand and improve its tourist offerings, and sees a reinvestment in the Seaway grounds as an important step.

Overview
Outdoor recreation in the Great Lakes region is a way of life. The Great Lakes offer outstanding tourism and recreation opportunities, ranging from pristine wilderness activities in national parks such as Isle Royale and Pukaskwa to waterfront beaches in major cities. A well-defined four-seasons climate supports many types of recreation from ice fishing, skiing and snowmobiling in the winter to golf, fishing, boating and swimming in the summer. The eight Great Lakes states have about 3.7 million registered recreational boats, or about a third of the nation's total. Michigan and Minnesota lead the nation in the number of boat registrations, and six Great Lakes states rank in the nation's top ten in total number. The commercial and sport fishing industry is collectively valued at more than $4 billion annually. Diving on shipwrecks is a growing Great Lakes sport, thanks to many underwater preserves and parks throughout the lakes. Off Lake Superior's Whitefish Point, better known to sailors as the "graveyard of the Great Lakes," it is said that more than 300 ships have been lost to Superior storms. For people who don't dive, the shipwrecks can be studied at many of the maritime museums throughout the region.

General Resources
The Great Lakes Circle Tour Ride along on the 6,500-mile Great Lakes Circle Tour: a scenic, international road system connecting the five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River! For new visitors to the region, this online travel guide offers informational maps, road routes and estimated mileages, and links to major cities, camping and recreation areas, and natural attractions.
GreatLakesLodging.com Find lodging, travel and vacation information on the various regions around the Great Lakes. Read about current weather conditions, events and helpful maps for planning your trip.
Midwest Weekends An insiders guide to travel in the upper Midwest. Midwest Weekends is an independent guide featuring stories about the Great Lakes region with comprehensive trip-planning tips.
The Great Lakes of North America This industry web site provides information on tourism in the Great Lakes region, industry news, a photo gallery, and information on each U.S. state and Canadian province in the region.

Laws
Travel Tips Government of Ontario Travel Tips, including custom and duty information, to make your Ontario visit more enjoyable.
Traveler Information U.S. Customs Service Official information for foreign nationals traveling to the United States including merchandise restrictions, visa requirements, and more.

Publications
Lake Superior Magazine The magazine about the world's largest freshwater lake and the people who live and visit there.
Midwest Living Featuring travel, dining, home & garden and shopping in the Midwest.
Outdoor Illinois Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) A subscription magazine about he Prairie State's great natural and cultural resources.
Outdoor Indiana Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Experiencing Indiana's valuable natural resources.
The Northern Michigan Journal Articles, reflections and news from and about northern Michigan.
Traverse Magazine Travel, events, dining and news from Up North.
Wild Ohio Ohio Department of Natural Resources Featuring Ohio's natural resources.
Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Articles and photographs featuring Wisconsin's natural resources.

Research
The Great Lakes, a Great Place! To live, to work, to visit Great Lakes Commission
Trends in Tourism Visitation - Duluth, Minnesota: 1980-1994 Minnesota Sea Grant

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