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6 Unforgettable Day Trips You Can Take Near Durand, MI

An image of the State Railroad History Museum in Durand, MI.
Durand, MI is a small town in the heart of Michigan. Once a key regional railroad hub, this picturesque little community boasts an impressive railroad history museum. The nearby towns and scenic surroundings offer many more excellent day trips. Read on to learn the best of them.

State Railroad History Museum

You really can't spend time in Durand without paying a visit to its locally famous 116-year old historic train station and museum. The unusual structure has led the Durand Union Station to become one of the most photographed train depots in the country. The trains and exhibits of the museum itself provide a wealth of knowledge about railroads. It's a place to delight avid train watchers, curious amateurs, and children alike.

Waterloo Recreation Area

To the south of town sprawls this magnificent state park, with over 20,000 acres of beautiful forests and scrublands to roam around. Here, you'll find 11 lakes good for fishing, with swimming beaches and plenty of picnic sites. For more energetic visitors, there are 47 miles of top-notch hiking paths, providing an ideal escape into the great outdoors.

Castle Museum in Saginaw

You can take your kids to learn about the region's history while exploring a genuine castle in the charming town of Saginaw, a short drive to the north of town. The excellent exhibits, which include quaint old-time wagons and cars, really bring Michigan's history to life. Once you're done, the town of Saginaw itself has many more pleasant sights to see, including a Japanese cultural center and tea house, and a zoo.

Dutch Hollow Golf Course

Durand's best golf course offers a fine day out on the greens, with 18 holes and 6,000 yards of well-kept fairway. The Dutch Hollow Golf Course's nearness to town makes this an ideal outing if you just want a quick afternoon of fresh air with a little fun and exercise. There's also a good restaurant and bar beside the course.

Detroit

For an exciting day of urban exploration, head southeast to the bustling city of Detroit. Here, you'll find all kinds of sights to suit your fancy, including the prestigious Detroit Institue of Arts, the Henry Ford Experience, and the lovely riverfront walkway, with its cafes, concerts, and fine river views. Michigan's capital has more than enough sights and activities to fill several outings, so make sure you plan your time with care.

Lake Huron

The state known as the "Great Lakes State" has more gorgeous stretches of water to boat across or hike around than any other in the country. Many consider Lake Huron to be the finest of them all, and a brief drive to the east will bring you to a handful of this magnificent lake's best state parks, which are clustered near to the shoreside town of Sarnia. For fishing, hiking, boating, and biking, you'll be hard-pressed to beat Fort Gratiot County Park. Whichever of the above days out you go for, once you're finished, pay a visit to Randy Wise Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Durand, for all your vehicle purchasing, servicing, and financing needs. Image via durandstation.org.
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Where to Find the Best Burgers in Durand, MI

There's nothing better than indulging in a delicious, homemade burger when craving a tasty patty for lunch or dinner. When you visit Durand, MI, you'll find some of the best burgers in the region's local diners and restaurants. 1. D-Railed Bar & Grill This local spot is one of the top burger joints in town. It's a favorite among residents and visitors to Durand and features a wide selection of homemade burgers, tasty tacos, chicken, seafood, and much more. There are daily specials, and every dish is prepared with high-quality ingredients. You can enjoy your favorite club sandwich with a pint of beer, quesadillas, or a fish platter. All burgers are made with high-grade beef, and you'll love the wide variety of toppings and sides available with each serving. D-Railed Bar & Grill is open seven days a week, and you can order dinner late into the evening after a night out with friends. Please drink responsibly and in moderation. more 2. Two Oh! Next Door Two Oh! Next Door is a fantastic diner that offers incredible burgers, fresh-cut fries, fried chicken, delicious salads, and onion rings. There's an excellent selection of unique ice cream flavors, which feature natural ingredients and are available year-round. All ice cream cones are hand-dipped, and the menu's dishes are served in large portions and prepared fresh for lunch and dinner. 3. Nick's Hometown Grill If you're looking for amazing burgers and comfort food in town, you'll want to plan a visit to Nick's Hometown Grill. This local eatery features friendly service and delicious, homecooked meals, including barbecued ribs, sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, and tasty sides, including onion rings and fries. You'll find all the dishes reasonably priced, and there's a great selection of specialty burgers with your choice of side dish. Nick's Hometown Grill is the perfect place to dine with the family, whether you're looking to enjoy your meal in the cozy eatery or place an order for takeout. 4. Union Station Smokehouse Union Station Smokehouse is a wonderful, locally-owned diner remodeled in an old gas station. This historic diner offers nostalgic décor and antique signs from the old auto shop, with comfortable seating and excellent comfort food. You'll love the gigantic burgers, delicious hotdogs, chicken wings, smoked meats, and hand-cut fries. There's an outdoor patio and plenty of indoor space for families and small groups. 5. Iron Horse Pub of Durand This cozy pub is ideal for enjoying a delicious burger with all your favorite toppings, tasty comfort foods, and delicious sides. Iron Horse Pub of Durand offers excellent subs, egg platters for breakfast, tacos, and tasty dishes. It's the perfect place to enjoy a hearty meal and a few drinks with friends after work or over the weekend. You'll find great burger joints and restaurants in and around the Durand area. Contact us today at Randy Wise Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Durand and inquire about our impressive showroom deals on your next visit to town.

7 Impressive Car Safety Features You'll Find on Today's Jeep Vehicles

Modern car safety features let you enjoy a sense of peace of mind on the road like you never thought was possible before. Here are some of the advanced features that will protect you when you choose your next vehicle from your local Jeep dealer. 1. High-Strength Steel Frame Jeep vehicles are known for their rugged durability, and that holds true with the high-strength frame every vehicle in the lineup is built with. This advanced engineering is your first line of defense in the event of a collision, helping to absorb and disperse force to minimize the impact you or your passengers feel. more 2. ParkSense Rear Park Assist System Add this available feature to your Jeep to make parking a more safe and secure experience. This feature will warn you if you're backing up too close to an obstacle that you may not be able to see otherwise. That helps you avoid any low-speed collisions that occur when backing into a space. 3. Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection Expand your vision with these systems that work hand-in-hand to help keep you aware of obstacles that may escape your notice. Radar-based sensors detect other drivers that are currently occupying your blind spot or crossing your path behind you when you're in reverse. That will keep you aware of any threats so that you can navigate accordingly. 4. Adaptive Cruise Control One common cause of accidents during highway driving is tailgating the other driver in front of you too closely. The adaptive cruise control feature available for your Jeep helps to mitigate that risk by automatically managing your cruise control speed to maintain a safe separation, ensuring you always have time to react to changes ahead of you. 5. Automatic High-Beam Headlamps Every aspect of your safety was accounted for when designing your Jeep. You'll even reduce your risk of accidentally blinding oncoming drivers by leaving your high beams on. This feature automatically manages the intensity of your headlights depending on if oncoming traffic is detected or not. 6. Forward Collision Warning For the road's most dangerous situations, forward collision warning will help keep you aware of an impending accident so that you can take steps to ensure the safety of everybody on board. This system can even automatically engage the brakes to reduce the impact if an accident does occur. 7. SiriusXM Guardian Safety and security in your Jeep don't stop when you get out from the driver's seat. The available SiriusXM features a theft alert system that will protect your vehicle when you aren't able to keep an eye on it. If the alarm is triggered, you'll receive an alert to your email so you know what's going on no matter where you are. Want to learn more about the advanced sense of security that our vehicles provide? Our team will be able to tell you all about the safety features available to you when you stop in at our dealership. Find out more at Randy Wise Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram today! Image via Jeep

3 Must-See Local Attractions Near Durand, MI

Located roughly halfway between Flint and Lansing, the city of Durand, MI, offers plenty of nearby local attractions every visitor must check out at least once. Whether you are into large cities, lakes, parks, or hiking areas, these are some great destinations you can reach in less than an hour by car. Prepare some snacks, fill up your tank, invite your friends, and hit the road to these fantastic spots. 1. Michigan History Museum Located about 40 miles southwest of downtown Durant in the city of Lansing, the Michigan History Museum is a place you should check out if you want to learn more about the history of the state. Dedicated to preserving the history of Michigan, this place features an interactive permanent exhibition that showcases the diverse past of the region, from its earliest Native American inhabitants to the late 20th Century. Getting from the Durand city center to the Michigan History Museum takes about 40 minutes by car, driving along route I-69. This place is open Fridays and Saturdays between 10 am and 4 pm, and on Sundays between 1 pm and 5 pm. Entrance fees are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $4 for young visitors aged 6-17. Guided tours for school children and adults are regularly organized by local volunteers. more 2. Waterloo State Recreation Area Open year round between 8 am and 10 pm, Waterloo State Recreation Area is another famous local attraction you should check out while in Durand. The third-largest park in the entire state of Michigan, this recreation area covers over 20,000 acres and features lush forests, beautiful lakes, wetlands, and an extensive network of hiking trails. Located about 55 miles south of downtown Durand, this recreation area can be reached in about an hour by car, driving along route M-52. A popular destination among weekend visitors and day trippers from all over Michigan, Waterloo State Recreation Area is the perfect spot to relax and get away from the urban life. Popular activities include fishing, wildlife watching, swimming, horseback riding, and picnicking. If you are looking for a longer getaway from the city, Waterloo State Recreation Area is also a top-rated camping spot offering well-maintained facilities that can be booked in advance. 3. Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge Covering almost 10,000 acres of territory and established in 1953, Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest wetland ecosystems in the state of Michigan. Home to plenty of local species of flora and fauna, this nature reserve is a perfect spot for wildlife watching, hiking, birding, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Open year-round between 7:30 am and 4 pm, this national wildlife refuge can be reached in about an hour by car from downtown Durand, driving south along route M-13. Are you ready to explore these and other fantastic destinations in Michigan and beyond? Before you leave, visit us at Randy Wise Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Durand! Check out our inventory of new and used cars, ask for a test drive, and talk to our agents about the convenient financing plans we have for our customers.   Image via Michigan