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Known for its history as a major railroad hub in the geographical center of the state, the city of Durand, MI, has a population of about 3,500. While the city itself might not have many green areas, its location makes it an excellent spot to check out different hiking trails, nature reserves, state parks, and other sites where you can practice outdoor activities with your friends or family, or simply relax and disconnect from the routine. 1. Sleepy Hollow State Park Spanning an area of almost 2,700 acres, Sleepy Hollow State Park is a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers, featuring 11 miles of trails going through lush forests and along the shores of Lake Ovid. This state park is located less than 25 miles west of downtown Durand, making it possible to reach it in about half an hour by car, driving along Newburg Road and E Bennington Road. The main path for hikers in this beautiful nature reserve is the Sleepy Hollow Trail, which has a total length of about 8.5 miles and passes through lush forests, the Little Maple River, and some beautiful viewpoints of Lake Ovid. Whether you are looking for a place to go on a challenging hike or a spot for a relaxing morning walk, Sleepy Hollow State Park is always a great idea. Other popular activities include picnicking, snowmobiling, and wildlife watching. more 2. Seven Lakes State Park Located less than 25 miles southeast of downtown Durand, Seven Lakes State Park is another great hiking destination featuring an area of almost 1,500 miles in the middle of Oakland County. The main path, known as Green Trail Loop, passes through beautiful hardwood forests and along the shores of the different lakes. For those looking for a challenge, this path can be combined with the Dickinson Nature Trail for a longer hike. Getting to the main entrance of Seven Lakes State Park from the Durand city center takes a little over half an hour by car, driving along Baldwin Road. Established in 1971 and administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, it is not only a great hiking spot but a perfect destination for a weekend escape. Some other popular activities here include fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, hunting, and mountain biking. 3. Holly State Recreation Area Featuring 35 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, Holly State Recreation area is a popular recreation spot spanning almost 8,000 acres in Groveland Township. The main path, known as Shields Trail, has a total length of 4.7 miles and features intermediate to difficult terrain. Besides hiking, this beautiful recreation area welcomes visitors with a vast array of outdoor sports and activities, including camping, fishing, snowmobiling, boating, and mountain biking. Directions from Durand to Holly State Recreation are can be found here. Going on a hiking adventure with your friends is always better in a new, comfortable, and reliable car. Before you check out any of these spots, make sure to visit us at Randy Wise Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Durand and take a look at the different models we have on sale in our new and used inventories at the best prices in town.

Are you looking for some great holiday shopping in and around Durand, MI? You'll find excellent local shops, boutiques, antique stores, and unique places to shop for gifts when you visit the town. Durand offers fantastic stores for one-of-a-kind items and trendy goods for all your gift-giving needs. 1. Main Street Rocks Main Street Rocks is where you'll encounter unique gems, carvings, rocks, and other collectibles that make the ideal gift. You'll find the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, providing all the information you need for every item on display. Whether you're an avid collector, create jewelry with gemstones, or want to buy something special for a friend, you'll find beautiful stones, fossils, gems, and accessories at this shop. This store is easy to find in town, and it's conveniently open seven days a week. You'll love the displays, and all items are priced reasonably. Main Street Rocks is one of the top places to visit during your drive through town. more 2. Then & Again Resale Boutique This boutique is a fantastic place to shop for quality clothing and accessories. Then & Again Resale Boutique offers sewing services and repairs, well-made goods, and great bargains on new and repurposed items. It's a popular, local favorite open for several years and offers excellent deals on all store items. You'll enjoy this spot if you're looking for designer and vintage clothing and items at a reasonable price. 3. Jon Michael's Jewelers Jon Michael's Jewelers is where you'll discover beautiful, in-house jewelry and hand-crafted items that make lovely gifts. This shop is a locally-owned shop with over 30 years of service and highly knowledgeable staff. It's a worthwhile place to visit when you're in town, whether you're just browsing for yourself or looking for something special for family or friends. You'll love the fantastic jewelry on display and the well-designed shop that features quality accessories at fair prices. It's a great small business to support when you're in town. 4. DaniJo Hawkins Pottery DaniJo Hawkins Pottery offers custom-designed pottery and high-quality, hand-crafted goods made to order. A well-established artist owns this local business, and all items are created to your specifications. You'll find this pottery business offers excellent options for gifts, including custom mugs, plates, vases, and other beautiful housewares and ornaments. 5. Dietrich's Flower Shop This popular florist is ideal for custom arrangements and gifts during the holidays. You'll find a lot of beautiful plants and floral arrangements in the shop and available for a custom order. Dietrich's Flower Shop is centrally located and offers friendly, knowledgeable staff to provide great suggestions and ideas on buying a holiday gift. There are plenty of great small shops, boutiques, and local businesses to visit on your next drive through Durand. Contact us Randy Wise Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Durand and inquire about some of our great showroom deals today. We have a fantastic inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles for all your driving needs. Image via Dietrich's Flower Shop GMB.

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. more 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.

Nowadays, it's more important than ever to have the option of enjoying some outside food in the comfort of your own home. Excellent delivery restaurants get meals to customers fast, fresh, and with a smile. So, if you have a craving for something you don't make and just don't feel like going out, here are a few places we recommend in the Durand, MI area. 1. Jim's Pizza Pizza is perhaps the standard when talking about delivery food, and this pizzeria is one of the best in town. Promising fast service and fresh ingredients, this location is back to being open 7 days a week for your convenience. As a proper Italian place, they not only have specialty pizzas, but also a nice selection of pasta dishes, subs, and salads. And if you have a sweet tooth, try the cheesecake, we hear it's amazing. more 2. Country Carriage Restaurant A local favorite that takes pride in treating its customers like family, this place is fully prepared to get your favorite comfort foods right to your door. Having your belly and your heart warmed has never been easier with a menu featuring mouthwatering country classics. If you truly want to feel right at home, go ahead and give them a try. 3. Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop That's right, it's a coffee shop known for a variety of fun and inventive coffees, teas, frappes, smoothies, and shakes. But the food menu is just as impressive with daily homemade specials. The wraps are fresh and made to order, and there are plenty of delicious sandwiches and other finger foods to choose from. If you're feeling crazy, try one of their famous "freakshakes". 4. Hungry Howie's Pizza If you need a pile of hot wings brought to your house late night, look no further. They get orders out hot and in a hurry, and our one of the only places that stay open late (12:00 am on the weekends). Wings come original or boneless. They also have pizzas with several crusts to choose from, and oven-baked subs, pastas, and breads. 5. China Star We can't talk about delivery and forget the necessity of a good Chinese place. Sometimes you need some crispy egg rolls with duck sauce, hot wonton soup, and beef fried rice. Check out their menu online, you'll see it includes all the classics. With good prices and large portions, they'll get it right to your door, so you can fill up fast. So as you can see, there are some fine choices for the entire family on that night when you just don't feel like cooking. Every now and then it's okay to sit back, turn on the TV, and enjoy some scrumptious food that was rushed over. If takeout is more your thing and you need a new ride to pick it up, stop by Randy Wise Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Durand, and see our huge selection of vehicles. Image via pexels.com.