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Tourism
in the Great Lakes Region
What's New |
Overview |
General Resources |
Agencies & Organizations
Laws |
Publications |
Research |
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What's New
Pure Mich. summer ads may be canceled Traverse City Record-Eagle (3/18) The awarding-winning Pure Michigan tourism advertising campaign may be forced to cancel all summer advertising due to a lack of funds.
Boat tour operators overcome Ontario residents' objections The Buffalo News (3/15) Having overcome a challenge from neighboring residents, the operators of Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours are gearing up for a full season of rides this spring and summer through the white-water rapids of the lower Niagara River.
Historic Kingston Dry Dock restored, enhanced Daily Commercial News and Construction Record (3/11) Very soon, the Kingston Dry Dock, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, will be looking younger — new masonry and concrete work will have reversed the aging process and ensure the dry dock and the upgrades will last for decades to come.
Researcher fields questions on Pure Michigan study Livingston Daily (3/10) The founder of Longwoods International answered lawmakers' questions about a recent study showing the Pure Michigan advertising campaign produced $40 million in new taxes and nearly $600 million in spending by tourists from outside Michigan.
Millers Creek Film Festival (3/5) The Huron River Watershed Council presents the fifth annual Millers Creek Film Festival, a competition of amateur films about Michigan's Huron River. Past winners range from students to first-time filmmakers to professional directors! This year's event is Friday, Mar. 19 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Lakeland Boating Magazine (3/4) Lakeland Boating features information on Great Lakes boating and is geared specifically to the interests of freshwater boaters on the Great Lakes, as well as connecting waterways and inland lakes.

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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