Belle Isle

When the winter blahs kick in and you need a little greenery and entertainment in your life, head into Detroit to visit Belle Isle, approximately an hour's drive from Ann Arbor.

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, run by the Belle Isle Botanical Society, is free. It features plants from around the world and is split into a variety of sections -- tropical plants, the cactus exhibit, and palm trees, to name a few. A well-maintained path leads you through the greenery, and at the end of the path you'll find a fountain, a beautiful location for photography. The Conservatory is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Once you're done with the plants, take a look at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. A history maritime museum, it focuses on Detroit's role in national and regional maritime history and hosts one of the largest collections of model ships in the world. Though many of the exhibits change, some of the permanent ones are the Miss Pepsi, one of the fastest hydroplane racing boats, and the SS William Clay Ford pilot house, which allows visitors to captain a freighter.

If the weather's warm enough, check out the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, open most days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It offers nature programs to the general public, including a fallow deer encounter where visitors can see deer from the island, an insider's view of an actual beehive, and a close-up interaction with turtles.

Big Bay

For those who enjoy the snow and cold weather, head into the Upper Peninsula to Big Bay, approximately a nine hour drive from Ann Arbor or a short flight to the UP, and go to the Big Bay Point Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast. High on a cliff with great views of Lake Superior, the B&B provides an interesting place for visitors to stay while snowshoeing along the shore and skiing area trails. The B&B also offers spa services, including hot stone massages, full body therapeutic massages, and herbal body wraps.

While in Big Bay, check out the Lumberjack Tavern, the site of the murder that inspired the movie Anatomy of a Murder. The Tavern offers domestic and imported beer and a full menu for fresh meals.

Frankenmuth

Called Michigan's Little Bavaria, Frankenmuth, approximately an hour and a half drive from Ann Arbor, offers a number of adventures to visitors. In April, the fourth annual Bringin' Back the 80s festival benefits the American Cancer Society and lets visitors pay tribute to the music and trends of the 80s. The Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the world's largest Christmas store, provides more than 50,000 Christmas decorations, gifts, and collectibles year round. The Michigan's Own Military & Space Museum features displays about the Michigan Veterans of six foreign wars and the space program.

For those who want to try local specialties, the St. Julian Wine Co, Michigan's oldest wine company, offers daily video tours and tasting. St. Julian's produces wine, champagne, spumante, brandies, and vodka. For food, some local favorites include Sullivan's Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill, which features a dozen hand-crafted beers and a full-service restaurant that includes fish and chips, deep dish pizza, and a variety of burgers and sandwiches -- check out the brewery tour if you have time, and the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, with family-style dinners of chicken, breads, fresh fruit preserves, soups, salads, and homemade ice cream as well as authentic German dishes. The Frankenmuth Cheese Haus specializes in chocolates, cheeses, and cheese spreads and provides visitors with specialty foods, gifts, and a coffee bar.

Whatever your pleasure or reason for getting away, do take the time to explore Michigan while you're here and, as always, remember the importance of saving yourself.

(1) A break in February in Michigan is nothing like a spring break.
(2) I grew up taking summer road trips back and forth across the country and therefore consider eight to ten hour drives as regular, easy trips, so your definition of a day trip or weekend trip may vary.

Carla's got plenty of ideas for bar trips, too. Get the full scoop by emailing her at rg@umich.edu.