In the last month, I’ve had the fun task of showing visitors from out of town around the Michiana region on multiple occasions.

After work hours, we carefully planned which destinations in Michiana were must-sees, so as to cram as many sights into the limited time we have. It was while planning these excursions that I realized just how much there is to see and do in Michiana.

After living in a region your entire life, it is easy to grow complacent and feel as if there is not much more to see or do, but every time I show someone my favorite places, I find another I had never discovered before.

Anyone who has ever entertained visitors in southwest Michigan is likely familiar with the dropped jaws and big eyes that animate the faces of those seeing Lake Michigan for the first time. Some of you have likely seen tears wiped from the eyes of Catholics who visit the Grotto on Notre Dame’s campus. You may have proudly shown off the bountiful hills of farmland that produces nationally known Michigan apples, asparagus and blueberries.

As with any adventure, as we visited these landmarks, I found a number of other places I had never visited before. One night, I was completely blown away as we tried The Strand, a relatively new microbrewery in Dowagiac (try the Brussels sprouts — and go in the evening so you can watch the sun set). During another trip to St. Joseph, I learned of several festivals being hosted on the lake this summer — some longstanding events that I never knew existed.

We are so fortunate to live in an area with so many amazing natural attractions and institutions, because those attractions and institutions draw new businesses, new events and new people constantly.

In next week’s newspapers (and on newsstands throughout the region) you will find this year’s edition of Explore Michiana, our annual guide to all the fun things to see and do throughout the region.

Preparing this publication is much like showing a new visitor around town. The main attractions stay the same, but each year brings new sights to see, adventures to experience, food to try out — you get the picture.

As the warmer months (finally) make their way to southwest Michigan, I encourage you to use this magazine as your own personal tour guide, or use it to plan your visits when entertaining guests from out of town.

Peruse the pages to find new places to see and things to do — and let us know your favorite places as you do. There is so much fun to be had throughout this region and we are so excited to be your guides.

 

Ambrosia Neldon is the general manager at Leader Publications. She can be reached by phone at (269) 687-7700 or by email at ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com