Discover What’s New in 2020 in Pure Michigan

Release Date

  
Contact:
Kathleen Achtenberg
[email protected] 
 
LANSING, Mich. – There are plenty of new experiences and adventures in store for visitors in Michigan. From new businesses, attractions and restaurants to events, special exhibits and expansions, now is the perfect time to plan your trip.
 

NEW ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO


Adventure & Outdoor Recreation

  • The 2,000-square-foot Grand Ledge Jaycee Park SplashPad has 19 water sprays within different spray zones. The splashpad is universally accessible, making it the first amenity of this kind in Grand Ledge.
  • In addition to the new kayak and canoe launch and fishing dock, Holt and Delhi Township’s Esker Landing Park will serve as the starting point for the planned trail system connecting Holt and Mason.
  • Forbush Corner Cross Country Skiing Area in Frederic has opened 2.5 kilometers of groomed trail with all-new snow making equipment.
  • The Ludington Splash Pad at Copeyon Park is scheduled to open spring 2020. This splashpad with a non-slip surface will feature a variety of showers, streams, mists and sprays for recreational water play and it will be ADA-accessible from the parking lot.
  • A new par-3 golf course is slated to open in summer 2020 at Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon. The yet-to-be-named course, designed by Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns, features 10 holes between 50 and 150 yards.
  • The Copper Harbor Trails Club will construct several new mountain biking trails for the 2020 season in the Upper Peninsula. An easy crushed-gravel trail connecting the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge with Manganese Falls will stretch for more than two miles through mature forests with scenic views over Lake Superior. 
  • Plans are underway to build 3.25 miles of single-track along the Keweenaw Point Trail, helping bridge the gap to the rugged shores of High Rock Bay.
  • Upgrades to the Copper Harbor Trails network for 2020 will potentially include redeveloping the expert-level jump trail, Flying Squirrel; installing interpretive signage; and continuing work on the final phase of the Keweenaw Point Trail in the wilderness of the Keweenaw Peninsula. 
  • One of the newest adventures coming to Sault Ste. Marie this summer is The Locks Rock. This 28-foot rock climbing wall will be located across the main entrance to the Soo Locks Park on Portage Avenue.
  • Shepler’s Ferry will christen a new ferry boat in May. The “William Richard” is jet-powered and will hold 210 passengers. Amenities include wheelchair accessibility, a large aft deck for luggage, bikes and strollers, and enhanced climate control for passenger comfort.

 
Arts & Culture

  • Fab 5 Design at Whimsical Party Studio in downtown St. Johns offers do-it-yourself, make-and-take projects from reclaimed wood. Visitors can make custom wooden signs, clocks, boxes and more.
  • From birthday to bachelorette parties and corporate events to team building meetings, Lansing’s ALT Printing will help celebrate creativity with step-by-step instruction on the screen-printing process to create handmade items.
  • The Charlevoix Cultural Corridor, the city’s newest attraction, is a collaboration between the Charlevoix Public Library, Charlevoix Historical Society and Charlevoix Circle of Arts to raise awareness for the programs each entity has to offer.
  • Starting in February in Ludington, the Mason County Historical Society Research Center will house the administrative offices for the Mason County Historical Society.
  • A veteran’s memorial is being constructed at School Section Lake Veteran’s Park in Mecosta. The memorial, which plans to be completed by the park’s opening, will consist of flags for each branch of the military, an American flag and a State of Michigan flag.
  • Next to the Old Post Office Museum along Lake Street in Grand Marais, visitors can now enjoy a magnificent wind harp and a historical photography walk in what’s being called Art in the Park.
  • The Michigan History Museum in Lansing will open a new special exhibition, “I Voted – Michigan’s Struggle for Suffrage” (July 11). It tells the story of voting and citizenship in Michigan, and Michiganders who fought to expand those rights and the state’s emerging issues around voting.
  • The Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee will open a new exhibition “Mining for the Past: Archaeology at Fayette” (Feb. 29). The exhibit explores the history of Fayette Historic State Park from the objects left behind by generations of Native Americans, iron smelter company workers and tourists.
  • A new beehive exhibit at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit allows visitors to see inside on-site beehives. Solar-powered cameras transmit live video showing the outside and inside of the hives.
  • Jackson offers a brand new, self-guided Underground Railroad Walking Tour on the free Experience Jackson Tours app that takes visitors through significant historical locations in the city’s downtown.
  • Special exhibits at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) include “From Bruegel to Rembrandt: Dutch and Flemish Prints and Drawings from 1550 to 1700” (Feb. 15 - July 26); “Guests of Honor: Frida Kahlo and Salvador Dalí” (Feb. 8 - Sep. 27); and “Bruegel’s “The Wedding Dance” Revealed” (through Aug. 30).
  • Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes (March 28 - Sep. 7) makes its Midwest debut at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. From comics to film, the exhibit features more than 300 artifacts, including some of Marvel’s most iconic and sought-after pages, costumes and props.

 
Events

  • Aqua Freeze Festival on Lake St. Clair’s Nautical Mile in St. Clair Shores is returning in 2020 (Feb. 8). Die-hard winter fans take the annual Polar Plunge and dive into the frigid lake water.
  • Following a five year hiatus, Lakeshore Restaurant Week (Feb. 21 – 29) returns to Muskegon. Restaurants in the area will offer special discounts, menus and drink items.
  • Celebrate the craft beverage industry in Holland during Crafted Week (Feb. 23 - 29).
  • The NCAA Men’s Frozen Four (April 9 - 11) returns to Detroit as Michigan State University and the Detroit Sports Commission host the premier college hockey event at Little Caesars Arena.
  • A new beer festival is coming to Traverse City this spring. The Michigan Brewers Guild Spring Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, May 16 at Turtle Creek Stadium.
  • Back to the Brick will kick off its Promo Tour with the first stop in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Enjoy classic cars in downtown Mt. Pleasant on June 5.
  • In 2020 the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) makes its transformational move to June 7 - 20, expanding throughout downtown Detroit and utilizing the riverfront. NAIAS is going to be a bigger, more immersive experience than ever before with a host of new attractions, including outdoor entertainment and exclusive ride and drive opportunities. Public show days are June 13 - 20.
  • Traverse City Horse Shows has added two all-new events at Flintfields Horse Park: Traverse City Spring Horse Show (June 11 – 21) and North American Youth Championships (Aug. 4 – 9).
  • Mackinac State Historic Parks are celebrating their 125th anniversary with 125 days of events. Join in on the festivities at several new events in 2020, including a gala celebration on July 25.
  • An Ironman 70.3 competition will be held in Traverse City (Aug. 30). The 1.2-mile swim takes place in West Grand Traverse Bay, followed by a 56-mile bike along the Leelanau Peninsula and a half-marathon around the city.
  • The 2020 Michigan Lighthouse Festival will be held at Mission Point Lighthouse in Traverse City (Aug. 7 – 8), celebrating the lighthouse’s 150th birthday.
  • iHeartRadio is bringing the brand new Sunburn Music Festival to Heritage Landing in Muskegon on Aug. 15.
  • USA Softball of Michigan will host a fall softball tournament in Mt. Pleasant (Sep. 20 - 21).
  • 2020 is the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote. The League of Women Voters in Washtenaw County is organizing several events to celebrate the anniversary of women's suffrage.
  • After a five-year hiatus, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island will welcome back Halloween Weekend, with plenty of ghoulish excitement, including a welcome reception, haunted trail, Grand Halloween Ball and Costume Party with guest performer Delilah DeWylde (Oct. 30 – Nov. 1).

 
More Attractions

  • Meet the new black rhino calf, Jaali, at Lansing’s Potter Park Zoo when he makes his public debut in spring 2020. This year also marks the zoo’s 100th anniversary.
  • An axe-throwing bar is hitting Ann Arbor. With 12 lanes, and the ability to host parties of practically any size, Axe Ventura is Ann Arbor's newest hotspot.
  • Solitude Float & Wellness Spa opens in downtown Traverse City this winter offering what co-founder Matt Davis calls “Forced Mindfulness” through float therapy.
  • Mount Bohemia Resort in scenic Lac La Belle opened the Keweenaw’s first Nordic Spa which uses hot and cold water exposure followed by a relaxation period to deliver a rejuvenating spa experience.
  • Lakeview Square Mall in Battle Creek now has laser tag. Cereal City Elite Tactical Laser Tag is part of the mall’s move toward more experience-oriented businesses, such as escape rooms, a skate park, restaurants and a movie theater.
  • A functional fitness studio called The Train opened in January inside of Brighton’s state-of-the-art cycle studio, The Ride.
  • Wayne State University (WSU) is building a new $25 million basketball arena in Detroit’s Midtown. The 70,000-square-foot facility will seat 3,000 fans. The arena will host WSU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.
  • Rocket Arcade in South Haven offers retro arcade games, pinball and amusements for all ages. Enjoy classic sodas and snacks and shop a unique selection of classic arcade t-shirts, games, artwork and gifts.

 
Shopping

 

NEW TO EAT & DRINK

 
Restaurants, Cafés & Bakeries

 
Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries

 

NEW IN LODGING & EVENT SPACES

 

  • A 154-room Cambria Hotel, with modern amenities and a multi-functional meeting space, is slated to open in 2020 as part of a $47 million project to adapt the historic Walker-Roehrig Building in Detroit. The project includes restaurants, a rooftop lounge and retail tenants. 
  • A Thompson Hotel is coming to Detroit’s Midtown. It will be a 25-story building with 228-rooms across 16 floors with luxury condos making up the top nine floors. The hotel is expected to be complete in December 2020.
  • A comfortable and elegant space for a variety of gathering sizes, Black River Barn in South Haven is now open for events, and will be available for weddings by May 2020.
  • South Haven Creations Wedding and Event Center is a modern, wedding-friendly venue nestled in the woods of South Haven, just steps from the shores of Lake Michigan’s sugar sand beaches. Bookings starting May 2020.
  • In March 2020 SpringHill Suites hotel by Marriott will open in Holland. Modern amenities and spacious suites make this the ideal spot for enjoying all that Holland has to offer.
  • Visitors staying in Battle Creek for an extended time will soon have the option of Home2 Suites by Hilton. Opening in May 2020, the stylish suites are a home away from home, built with convenience in mind.
  • As the first Marriott franchise in the Upper Peninsula, the Fairfield Inn Hotel at Founders Landing in Marquette is slated to open this year and will feature 92 rooms and a pool.
  • A new Holiday Inn Express & Suites just opened on the southside of Ann Arbor, with easy access to downtown and only a short drive to the Detroit Metro Airport. 
  • The Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. Brewer’s Lounge in Muskegon is a new space available for events. It currently features seven taps and will also have outdoor seating available during the summer.  
  • A new Microtel Inn and Suites by Wyndham is planned for downtown Muskegon.
  • Capacity for up to 100 can be found at the 1,600-square-foot Northtown 794 Conference Center in downtown Muskegon. Offices and coworking spaces will be available in June 2020.
  • A 101-room Hampton Inn and Suites hotel is coming to Howell in July 2020.
  • In Walker a 106-room Fairfield Inn and Suites North will open fall 2020.
  • In Cedar Springs, a Holiday Inn Express with 76 rooms is set to open in fall 2020.
  • In Flint, a Hilton Garden Inn is set to open in 2020, occupying the former Genesee County Savings Bank built in 1920.
  • In St. Joseph, not far from beautiful Lake Michigan beaches, a Tru by Hilton is set to open in March 2020.
  • Tru by Hilton is coming to Comstock Park in Grand Rapids. This 98-room hotel is opening fall 2020.
  • As part of Grand Rapid’s Studio Park development, a 164-room Canopy by Hilton is opening in June 2020.
  • A Fairfield Inn and Suites will open January 2020 near the Metro Health Village in Wyoming.
  • A Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Wyoming is set to open in March 2020.
  • A 13-story building is under construction in downtown Grand Rapids, for a 12-story Marriott Residence Inn with a first-floor retail space. Scheduled to open in mid-to-late 2020.
  • In May 2020 a Holiday Inn Express & Suites is set to open in Caledonia.
  • A 109-room Staybridge Suites is scheduled to open in April 2020 in Grandville.
  • A TownePlace Suites is scheduled to open in February 2020 in Wyoming.
  • 2020 marks the first year that the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is under new management. Many renovations were made over the off season, including updated flooring for many shops, and improvements to employee buildings. The Grand Stables will also welcome two new Hackney horses, Courageous and Brickell Pilot.
  • New extended-stay condominiums—Above Mackinac Luxury Condos—are now located on Main Street in the heart of downtown Mackinac Island. There are two, two-bedroom units and one four-bedroom unit. This is a sister property to the Mackinac House Boutique Hotel and The Cottage Inn.


EXPANSIONS & IMPROVEMENTS 

Food & Drink

  • Buddy’s Pizza, home of the “Original Detroit-Style Pizza,” is now open in the Madison Building in downtown Detroit, and an outdoor patio will open this summer.
  • Detroit’s Brix Wine & Charcuterie is moving from West Village to Livernois Avenue in a new development.
  • As part of the Ferndale Project, Detroit’s Eastern Market Brewing Co. is expanding to a location on Livernois and is expected to open in the spring.
  • Detroit’s Bucharest Grill is expanding new locations in Royal Oak and Auburn Hills in 2020.
  • Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles in Detroit is reopening in February after completing renovations.
  • Tenacity Craft, a new location of Flint’s Tenacity Brewing, is opening in Virginia Park, Detroit.
  • The Argonne House in Charlevoix is set to complete major renovations in early 2020.
  • Boatwerks in Holland is remodeling their outdoor patio to provide a better experience for guests dining on Lake Macatawa.
  • Cold and snow bring new igloo dining locations to downtown Mt. Pleasant this year. Enjoy dinner in an igloo at The Brass Cafe and Midori Sushi & Martini Lounge.
  • Territorial Brewing Company is growing in Springfield. The German-inspired restaurant and brewery moved into a bigger space, complete with a beautiful view from the windows and a disc golf course.
  • This spring, Café Rica is moving into a bigger space in Battle Creek that will foster gathering and community connection.
  • Battle Creek’s Umami Ramen is moving into a bigger space this spring, allowing the opportunity for the community to grow around good food.
  • Alamode Café has closed its original location and will be sharing space with R Place, a new restaurant in Big Rapids. Alamode’s breakfast and lunch combined with R Place’s dinners will be an exciting new combination.
  • The Only Cannoli opened their first brick-and-mortar location in 2019 and quickly outgrew the space. In 2020 they will move to a larger, remodeled location on Third Street in Midtown Muskegon.
  •  Mr. B’s Pancake House has opened a new Brunch House location in Muskegon.
  • Cygnus 27 in Amway Grand Plaza is set to open in spring 2020 after a year of renovations.
  • Speciation Artisan Ales Tasting Room is opening a new tasting room location with Native Species Winery in Grand Rapids.
  • Ghost Isle Brewery in New Buffalo is undergoing renovations with an expected reopening of March 2020.  
  • In Mackinac, Goodfellow’s restaurants at Lake View Hotel, Chop House, Wings and Things, and Wine Cellar, will now be combined under one name: Great Turtle Brewery and Distillery.

 
Parks & Outdoor Recreation

  • Mosquito Creek Trails in Muskegon is expected to complete its final expansion phase for 2020, which includes three to four more miles of trail and two bridges.
  • Muskegon Luge & Sports Complex continues to become a year-round destination with a new zip line planned for early 2020.
  • The Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park is set to reopen in late spring 2020 after completing electrical upgrades and construction of a new toilet and shower building in the west loop.
  • Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails (TART) plans to complete the remaining 1.8 miles of the Boardman Lake Loop Trail in 2020. The trail will link Traverse City’s main library, multiple public parks and local businesses while providing non-motorized recreation options.  

 
More Attractions

  • The Motown Museum is preparing for a $50 million expansion that will add 50,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, a performance theatre, recording studios, meeting space and expanded retail space. The new Motown Museum will be designed and built around the current museum space and the historic Hitsville U.S.A. house. 
  • Follow the yellow brick road in Holland to discover the Oz Project. Comprised of The Wizard of Oz statues and a floral mosaic book, the Oz Project honors author L. Frank Baum who spent his summers vacationing in Holland. In 2020, a new bronze statue of a Wizard of Oz Tree and Flying Monkey was installed.  
  • S.S. Badger Lake Michigan Car Ferry is replacing its ticket office in Ludington at the S.S. Badger dock. The new building is expected to be completed this spring.
  • Camp Snoopy, a new Peanuts® themed children’s area, opens in May of 2020 at Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon.
  • The East Lansing Center City District is a mixed-use redevelopment project that includes significant placemaking improvements to Albert Avenue and Grand River Avenue. The project has changed the skyline of downtown East Lansing. Also included in this development is the community-based Foster Coffee, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and Barrio Tacos.
  • Ludington’s Captain Chuck’s II is moving to a new location and construction is slated to be completed spring 2020.
  • The Albion community rallied to save the historic Coca-Cola mural. Once the painting is restored, the remaining fundraiser money will go toward a new statue recognizing the invention of Tee-ball and a new mural on the side of Albion Malleable Brewing Co.
  • Muskegon’s Heritage Museum will join with the Lakeshore Museum Center, becoming the museum center’s fifth historical site.
  • The 103-year-old Playhouse of White Lake has reopened after a $3.9 million makeover and expansion.
  • Funky Buddha Yoga House is expanding to a fourth location in downtown Grand Rapids.
  • Mackinac State Historic Parks has planned the grand opening of the reimagined Biddle House in May, which features the Mackinac Island Native American Museum.
  • Destination Mackinac, a retail souvenir shop on Mackinac Island, is moving from the front of the Chippewa Hotel to the former location of Betty’s Gifts on Main Street.

 
Hotels & Event Spaces

  • Charlevoix’s Hotel Earl, formerly named The Lodge, is set to complete renovations and open in early spring.
  • In Holland, the Haworth Inn is slated to reopen, after renovations and remodeling, by spring 2020.
  • Baymont Inn in Mt. Pleasant has completed renovations to its lobby and breakfast area, as well as updating signage.
  • In St. Clair, the first stages of the renovated and restored St. Clair Inn opened for business in late 2019 and the lodging will be available in 2020.
  • In Port Huron, the historic Harrington Inn restoration project is moving along and is slated for reopening in 2020.
  • Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel and Waterpark in Frankenmuth will complete phase two of a $2 million upgrade in spring 2020. This phase will include over 250 feet of additional glass exterior that will enhance natural lighting and provide an open-air atmosphere for the original Splash waterpark.
  • Muskegon’s Motel 6 has completed a $2 million renovation and is now open.
  • West Bay Beach, a Delamar Resort in Traverse City, will undergo renovations to update the lobby and add a new restaurant.
  • Baywatch Resort of Traverse City is on track for a major expansion of their 51-unit hotel. A second four-story building next to the existing hotel will feature 48 rooms and connect to the first phase of the development through a shared, second-story continental breakfast dining room and common area. 
  • FireKeepers Casino Hotel is building a second tower to keep up with the demand for rooms. Estimated to open in late 2020, the expansion will add 203 hotel rooms, a new space for the Nibi restaurant, a high limit game area and a VIP lounge.
  • The Holiday Inn Jackson NW hotel is undergoing renovations in 2020 to improve and update their rooms.
  • The Pink Pony store in the Chippewa Hotel on Mackinac Island is expanding into the former location of Destination Mackinac. The hotel is also undergoing some renovations, including repainting and adding a new outdoor hot tub.
  • The Lilac Tree Suites and Spa on Mackinac Island is getting renovated, including new carpeting, cabinetry and fresh paint.
  • Mackinac Island’s Pine Cottage B&B is getting a full interior make-over.  Carpet was removed to expose wood floors and fresh paint have been added to each of the guest rooms along with new light fixtures throughout.

 

MILESTONES & ANNIVERSARIES

 
175 Years
City of Frankenmuth
 
150 Years
Mission Point Lighthouse – Traverse City
 
125 Years
Mackinac State Historic Parks
 
120 Years
Calumet Theatre
Portage Lakes Hockey Club – Houghton
 
100 Years
Potter Park Zoo – Lansing
 
90 Years
Mac Woods Dune Rides – Silver Lake
McClain State Park – Hancock
 
85 Years
Hartland Memorial Day Parade
 
80 Years
Isle Royal National Park
Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival
 
75 Years
Dewitt Ox Roast
Shepler’s Ferry Service – Mackinaw City
 
65 Years
Treetops Resort 65 Years of Ski & Snow – Gaylord
 
60 Years
Howell Melonfest
Bridgefest – Houghton, Hancock
Annual Eagle Harbor Art Fair – Eagle Harbor
 
50 Years
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Empire
Charlotte Frontier Days
For-Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum – Flint
Genesee Valley Center - Flint
 
40 Years
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
UP Health System’s Great Bear Chase Ski Marathon – Calumet
 
35 Years
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest – Howell
 
30 Years
Pinckney Art in the Park
Somewhere in Time Weekend – Mackinac Island
 
25 Years
Discraft Michigan State Championships – Ludington
The Lansing Lugnuts
 
20 Years
Jamesport Brewing Company – Ludington
 
15 Years
Renegade Theatre Festival – East Lansing
Smokin’ Jazz and BBQ Blues Festival – Brighton
 
10 Years
LudRock – Ludington
Mighty Uke Day – Lansing
National Writers Series – Traverse City
Titanic at the Grand – Mackinac Island
 
5 Years
Greater Lansing Balloon Festival


About Michigan Economic Development Corporation
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.