Discover the fun 'Pure Michigan' has to offer in 2014

Enjoy the fun at this year's 15th annual Elvis Fest in Ypsilanti (http://visitypsinow.com/)

Michigan has always been a tourist attraction but this year there's an especially long list of activities and destinations waiting to be discovered.
Check out our guide courtesy of area residents, travel enthusiasts and the folks at "Pure Michigan." From milestone anniversaries and music festivals to football exhibits and sailing -- pack a lunch or book a room and travel outside your normal circle for something new to do in 2014:

What's there to see?
The new LEED-certified Downtown Market Grand Rapids includes retail shops, a rooftop greenhouse, a commercial kitchen and the country’s first hands-kitchen for kids.
Bijou by the Bay a new 150-seat movie house created by the Traverse City Film Festival, has opened in the historic Con Foster building in Clinch Park.
After 70 years, the Flint Farmers' Market is returning to downtown Flint in the former Flint Journal printing facility.
 Binder Park Zoo is making a home in “Wild Africa” for their new cheetah exhibit, as well as welcoming three Alaskan bear cubs into a new home with plenty of shade and a water feature.
Castle Farms in Charlevoix introduces a new garden, “The Dragon Lair,” featuring Norm the Dragon, originally introduced at ArtPrize.
Museums
See the New USS Flier (SS 250) Exhibit at the USS Silver Sides Museum in Muskegon.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit “Gridiron Glory” will be on display at  The Henry Ford this fall.
Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame will open their museum in the Castle Museum in Saginaw.
A new German Christmas Museum, located with the  The Old Christmas Station in Frankenmuth, reflects on the history of Christmas decorating and the Brewery Museum focuses on the city’s brewing history.
The Dream it, Build it Exhibit opening March 1 at the  Grand Rapids Public Museum will feature architectural masterpieces recreated with LEGO© bricks by Certified Lego Professional Adam Reed Tucker.
Check out the DTE Energy Science Sizzle & Spark Gallery and other fantastic exhibits at the The Michigan Science Center

What’s there to do? 
Be enriched. From Friday night fun for children to visiting exhibits and this summer's Fash Bash (Aug. 14) one can always count on experiencing something extraordinary at the Detroit Institute of Arts

The Ludington State Park features a renovated Beach House on Lake Michigan and a handicap accessible fishing platform.
 Great Wolf Lodge has added a whitewater rafting element to its waterpark.
Traverse City has completed a nearly $3 million renovation of Clinch Park, including  a new terraced lawn area with stone sitting walls, interactive playground equipment, a kayak launch and a splash pad.
The Traverse Tall Ship Company operators of the schooner Manitou, have added a new vessel – the cutter Scout – to their Traverse City fleet.
Visitors will be able to zip-line, climb and navigate five different courses in the new Frankenmuth Adventure Park.
Rolling Hills Water Park in Ypsilanti features a new water slide structure and other improvements. Visit Washtenaw .

The Color Run

Runners take your mark and your washcloths to “The Color Run” also known as the "happiest 5K on the planet." Not only because it’s untimed run but designed to celebrate health, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community. Participants can run, jog, walk, or dance through the Ypsilanti trail. There are color-blasting stations at each kilometer ark, meaning you'll show up in white clothes and finish splashed in a rainbow. These quirky races are gaining popularity so where there is one – there’s sure to be another – soon after.

A view of the annual Color Run: Ypsilanti-MI Eastside. Get in on the fun June 21.

Construction is underway transforming the Globe Building in Detroit along the riverfront to a DNR Outdoor Adventure and Discovery Center The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will have a new hunting, fishing license and ORV permit structure in 2014 Michigan DNR
Find a spring activity the entire family can enjoy at a park nearby Metroparks
Sign up for sailing lessons with the  North Star Sail Club in Harrison Township
Check out the musical lineup for the annual Stars & Stripes Festival going on June 27-29 at Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights
The Detroit Electronic Music Festival will be a free event at Campus Martius Park and will be held in conjunction with the Federation of Electronic Music Technology (FEMT)  festival being held at Ford Field July 4-6, 2014.
Harbor Shores will host the 2014 Senior PGA Championship (pga.com) presented by KitchenAid, May 20-25, 2014.
The Great Lakes Bay region will host the Wood Cutter's Ball Women’s Professional Lumberjack Festival June 14-15, 2014 at the Auburn City Park.

Milestones and anniversaries
160 Years
Ingham County Fair
125 Years
City of Mt. Pleasant
120 Years
The Whitney, Detroit
115 Years
Perry Hotel, Petoskey
110 Years
The Inn at Stonecliff, Mackinac Island
85 Years
The Henry Ford, Dearborn
Tulip Time Festival, Holland
50 Years
Capri Drive-In, Coldwater
40 Years
Chateau Grand Traverse Winery, Traverse City
30 Years
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, Howell
25 Years
Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, Kalamazoo
15 Years
Annual Michigan ElvisFest Ypsilanti
For a complete list of what’s new regarding travel news, updates and information visit Pure Michigan
For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganBusiness.org.