Most Beautiful Riverwalks in Michigan
Over the weekend, I visited the Lansing Riverwalk with my mom and dad. It was lovely and reminded me that we have some of the most beautiful riverwalks in Michigan. Of course, the Detroit Riverwalk is spectacular and often wins national acclaim for being such a beautiful spot. But, there are a few other riverwalks in the Mitten that you shouldn’t ignore. Here are some of the most beautiful riverwalks in Michigan.
Most Beautiful Riverwalks in Michigan
The Grand River Edges Trail
If you’re on the west side of the state to visit Lake Michigan or have some of their famous beer, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the Grand River Edges Trail. This trial is 5.4 miles long and connects downtown Grand Rapids to Kent Trails and Millennium Park. The trail also features 2.2 miles of paved path in Riverside Park, where it connects to the Fred Meijer White Pine State Trail. Experience Grand Rapids notes that, “A 2.1-mile downtown loop segment passes by some of the city’s most notable attractions.” The entrance for this trail is located at Riverside Park at 2001 Monroe Avenue NE in Grand Rapids. This is really a perfect trail for a warm summer day. The next time I visit my uncle on the west side of the state, I’m going to check this trail out.
Detroit RiverWalk
Even though it already gets lots of attention, I can’t leave the Detroit RiverWalk off this list. It’s an absolute must-visit spot. I love this riverwalk, and it’s so refreshing on a warm summer day. According to VisitDetroit.com, the Detroit International RiverWalk covers more than three miles, from Rosa Parks Boulevard to the Belle Isle Bridge. “This breathtaking feature offers the RiverWalk Café for guests to fuel up for an enjoyable walk, run, bike ride or just to relax,” they note. You can view both the Motor City and Canada from the Detroit RiverWalk. There are plenty of things to do along the trial, too, including just walking, bike riding, playing around in the cool fountains, enjoying some splash parks, taking in the nature and more. There’s also a carousel for kids.
Lansing River Trail
The Lansing River Trail has glorious views and connects downtown Lansing to Michigan State University, REO Town and Old Town. It’s a massive trail, covering 20 miles. So, don’t try to walk it all in one day, unless you’re very ambitious. I love taking photos at this trail, because it offers the perfect mix of city and nature. It’s a unique urban-meets-nature vibe. It’s certainly one of the most beautiful riverwalks in Michigan.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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