Sometime in June, I will be picking up a rental car about mid-day in Detroit and have to join a group the next day at 3 PM in Grand Rapids. Of course, I will need time to return the car before joining my friends. I’d like to know if there are places of interest or scenic diversions along or near this route. The trip I am taking will already include Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Frankenmuth and the Gerald Ford Museum near Grand Rapids.

Most of the state of Michigan is between these two cities.

Depending on your route, you could go through Ann Arbor or East Lansing (or both), home to the two largest state universities (University of Michigan for the former, Michigan State University for the latter). And of course Lansing, the state capitol. You'd have options for museums here, and just generally beautiful buildings good for strolling, plus shopping.

You could, instead, head all the way west to Lake Michigan and visit any number of small towns up the coast before hitting Grand Rapids, including Saugatuck and Holland (and many others, but those are the two I've heard of most).

I'm sure there are lots of scenic parks, some with hiking opportunities, between the two as well.

Kalamazoo is a fun, smaller city than Grand Rapids, but only about an hour away from it (if that). There's an air museum there, but I've never been.

Any particular interests you have?

We are four on the lower cusp of the senior citizen mark and are interested in scenic views, quirky sites along the road, historic areas and interesting architecture. We are mostly into seeing as opposed to strenous activities. Hoped there might be some quaint little towns or places with interestings buildings as well as some places we had heard of all our lives but didn't know were just around the corner. For instance, I definitely want to detour through Kalamazoo just to say I've been there. The trip that we are joining will spend a couple of days along the coast north of GR but if the area south is unique...well...that's a good suggestion! State Universities = good suggestion, too. TY TY TY

Michigan State has the MSU Museum (natural history) and Kresge Art Museum on campus. Check www.museum.msu.edu or www.artmuseum.msu.edu. I'd also recommend the Capitol Building and Michigan State Museum in downtown Lansing.

U of M has the Kelsey Museum of Archology, the botanical gardens and arboretum, Sterns Instrument Collection at the Music School and the art museum. Check www.umich.edu, click on current students, then libraries and museums.

If you choose Lansing, I would recommend seeing the Capitol Building and the Michigan Historical Center.

If you're opt for Kalamazoo, you can also head to Battle Creek. Although Kellogg's no longer has plant tours, they have a simulated factory at Cereal City and you can get a box of Frosted Flakes with your picture on it. www.kelloggscerealcity.com

Since you're interested in architecture, you might want to check out the city of Marshall, which is historic, known for its turn-of-the-century architecture. It's off I-94, just east of Battle Creek (and Kellogg's!).

And, of course, by turn-of-the century, I don't mean the most recent one!!

Hit the beach! Go straight for the Michigan Lakeshore!

ttt

Of course you could always go through Hell (Michigan, that is). Just to say you've been there and back!