Add this to your next West Michigan trip itinerary: Charlevoix Walking Tours

 If you have seen the cover of the brand new 2013 Carefree Travel Guide, then you already know how absolutely beautiful Charlevoix is. Today, we are lucky enough to have guest blogger, Cathy Dewey from Beaver Island Boat Company to tell us all about the Historic Walking Tours in Charlevoix. Find out why this tour and stop in this historic city needs to be added to your itinerary for your next visit to Northern West Michigan!

Gangsters, gambling and galleries might not be the first words you would associate with Charlevoix but they have a permanent place in its history! The Charlevoix Historic Walking Tour takes you on an hour and a half tour of Charlevoix’s most historic locations.  The tour begins with a history of the famous drawbridge in Charlevoix. The current bridge has been in place since 1949 but there were 5 previous bridges, some of which were not the most efficient designs.

Charlevoix is surrounded by water which has always been their economic stability through fishing, lumber and boating. But you may not know that a famous actress went skinny dipping in Round Lake (want to know who? Go on the tour!) Or that it is home to one of the only rivers that has a current that goes both ways.

Find out how Charlevoix was known to many as a place to gamble or that famous gangsters, such as Al Capone, have a unique tie to the most beautiful town in America! From Art Galleries that were once where slot machines and banks stood; to a battle on sea and land, Charlevoix was never a boring little town.

The tour also includes history of famous architect Earl Young, including a history of 11 homes/buildings he built in Charlevoix. He even made a mark on the town through a unique boulder placements and hiding places.

Whatever brings you to Charlevoix, you can never fully appreciate this unique destination without knowing the great history behind it. Tours are only $14/adult and $12/child, which includes admission to the Harsha House Museum. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Beaver Island Boat Company office at 888-446-4095 www.bibco.com or visit them at 103 Bridge Park Drive in Charlevoix.

March Events in West Michigan

Ahhh, March! The first glimmer of springtime here in West Michigan. We can hear birds chirping, see the ice melting, and actually watch the sunset later than 5:30! But what is the best part about March, you ask? Well, that would have to be all the awesome events happening around the region!

For starters, March marks the month of laughter in West Michigans largest city, Grand Rapids. Laughfest kicks off this Thursday and runs through March 17. Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, is quickly earning a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists. The 10-day festival features stand-up, improv, film, authors, community showcases and a variety of seriously funny stuff. This year you can see acts such as Wayne Brady, Lewis Black, Brian Regan, and Joel McHale. The event kicks off every year by setting a Guinness Book World Record. In 2011, Laughfest set the record for the Largest Rubber Chicken Toss, and last years record was set for the Most People Wearing Animal Noses. This year, Laughfest will try to set the World Record for most people wearing a fake mustache! You can join in on this fun on Thursday, March 7 at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.


Other events that are famous to March in Grand Rapids are the opening of the John Ball Zoo and the Butterflies are Blooming event at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Both of which are family friendly and perfect excuses to get out and enjoy some of the sunshine we are starting to see again!




Other notable events this month include: 

Festivals, Events, and Expos
MARVAC Battle Creek Camper & RV Show | Battle Creek | March 7-10
West Michigan Women's Expo | Grand Rapids | March 8-10
Southwest Michigan Golf Show | Kalamazoo | March 8-10
Brew-Ski Festival | Harbor Springs | March 9
St. Patrick's Day Parade | Muskegon | March 16
Northwest Michigan Camper & RV Show | Traverse City | March 22-24

Arts, Culture, and Food
Butterflies are Blooming | Grand Rapids | Now through April 30
Super Saturday Family Program | St. Joseph | Saturdays in March
Titanic Adventures | Grand Rapids | March 10
Artful Retreat | Suttons Bay | March 10
Easter Brunch | Shelbyville | March 31

Outdoor Recreation
Treetops Amazing Race | Gaylord | March 8-10

For more events and happenings around West Michigan, please visit our events calendar.