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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