27 Mar 2013
2013 is set to be an exciting year for the Great Lakes region. From major anniversaries that will firmly put the region on the map, to some weird and wonderful attractions and exhibitions that will appeal to many an inner fandom. There really is something for everyone......
Dates for the Diary
Anniversaries are big in the Great Lakes, with many major events and attractions celebrating big landmarks in style for 2013.
Tall Ships Challenge
The Tall Ships Challenge is taking over the Great Lakes again this summer with a voyage across all five great lakes. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the military events of the War of 1812, the challenge will be promoting awareness of the Lakes' ecosystems and fresh water conservation. The race will venture through Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio in July/August 2013 featuring point-to-point races with festivals, entertainment and celebrations at each port.
Great River Road National Scenic Byway celebrates its 75th Anniversary
The Great River Road, established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, turns 75 this year. Nearly 3,000 miles long and running through 10 states along the Mississippi River, the Great River Road offers a gateway to the river valley's extraordinary history, the blending of cultures and a host of recreational options. The anniversary will be commemorated in a series of celebrations in river communities along the entire length of North America's longest river. www.experiencemississippiriver.com/great-river-road.cfm
110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Harley-Davidson Motor Company turns 110 years old in 2013. The rumbling of Harley-Davidson engines will be heard throughout the entire world in celebration as 12 anniversary experiences span 11 countries on six continents. As the birthplace of Harley-Davidson, Milwaukee will serve as the location for a four-day long celebration at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Labor Day weekend from 29 August to 1 September, 2013.
The Milwaukee 110th Anniversary Celebration will include a custom bike show, motorcycle display, special HOG 30th anniversary celebration, and live entertainment. Don't miss the World's Largest Bike Night on 29 August at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Museums, Exhibits and Attractions
While the region offers an array of family friendly nature and history museums, its often the unique exhibitions that cause a stir. There is a wide range of spectacular exhibits taking place throughout the Great Lakes in the coming months...from a unique Avatar exhibition to a world famous Guitar round up, take a look at some of our top picks...
Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, presents an exclusive exhibition from the "World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band," which will open on Memorial Day weekend on 24 May until March 2014. The exhibition will be the Museum's first ever major exhibition capturing the band's legendary career spanning more than 50 years. It will include personal items and extraordinary collections that have never been seen before by the public.
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination
This exhibit will be on display from 5 May to September 2, 2013 at the Indiana State Museum located in White River State Park area of Indianapolis. This incredible exhibit explores how the imaginative technologies of the series may someday become real in our world. The exhibit also features props and costumes from all six Star Wars films, and a chance to have a "jump to lightspeed" experience in a full sized replica of the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon from Episode IV. Star Wars fans worldwide will flock to this one-stop-shop Star Wars appreciation exhibit.
Guitars! Roundups to Rockers
From 9 March to 4 August, 2013 more than 100 guitars, owned by greats including Roy, Rogers, Charlie Christian, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Woody Guthrie, Buddy Holly, and Les Paul, will be displayed for the first time together at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. Guitars! is the only chance to see all of these amazing instruments together in one place, as many come from museums and private collections nation-wide!
Avatar-The Exhibition
This exhibition dedicated to the highest-grossing film of all time, James Cameron's AVATAR, will take visitors behind the scenes of the making of this inventive film. At the Children's Museum of Indianapolis experience how the world of Pandora was created and displayed on the big screen. Have the chance to view props and costumes from the film, concept art, models, and other production tools at the world's biggest and best children's museum from 22 June to 22 September, 2013.
GateKeeper at Cedar Point
Thrill seekers after a new adrenalin high should head to Cedar Point to experience the newest coaster at the Ohio-based mega theme park. Opening in May, the GateKeeper will redefine the park's entrance and offer an exciting experience through rolling flyover manoeuvres that sweep riders over the entrance crowds while breaking records while you drop 164 feet—the longest drop of any winged roller coaster.
Hotels/Shopping Centres
If you're after somewhere to stay, the Great Lakes boasts a range of accommodations from camp grounds, budget B&Bs, houseboats, luxury boutique hotels and grand historic lodging options. To add to the list, some new additions include....
The Alexander
The Alexander is a $44 million hotel named after Alexander Ralston, the architect who mapped the city of Indianapolis, the very same architect that helped map out Washington D.C.
The hotel entry showcases work done by Brooklyn-based artist, Alyson Shotz, who had to salvage her commissioned artwork from Hurricane Sandy. The artwork is composed of all white acrylic; however the formation creates light bouncing off the natural light from outside. Art throughout the hotel is also curated by Indianapolis Museum of Art and a well-known British graffiti artist (who is a contemporary of the mysterious Banksy graffiti artist in England) to come and 'vandalise' the car parking garage.
21c Museum Hotel
Located in Cincinnati, 21c opened in December 2012. Taking over the former Metropole Hotel, 21c has embraced the architecture of the historic landmark to become 21c Museum Hotel. In addition to the 156 hotel rooms and suites guests can view cutting edge contemporary art in the 8,000+ sq. ft. of exhibition and event space, featuring curated rotating exhibitions. Guests also are able to enjoy culinary experiences that celebrate the region's sustainable producers in the new restaurant and bar, named Metropole, which emphasises the city's old-world roots and focuses on dishes cooked by Chef Michael Paley in a custom-built hearth.
www.21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati
Brewhouse Inn & Suites
The former brew house at the historic Pabst Brewery, which dates back to 1877, will be the home of the Brewhouse Inn & Suites, a new Milwaukee hotel. Opening in April, the hotel is part of downtown Milwaukee's newest sustainable neighbourhood known as The Brewery, the site of the former Pabst Brewing complex.
Constructed of iconic cream city brick, the Brewhouse Inn & Suites keeps many of the brewery's original features including six large copper brewing kettles, and will feature 90 suites, including studio, one and two bedroom units.
Radisson Blu Mall of America
The Radisson Blu is the opening of the Mall of America's first on property hotel. The Bloomington-based Radisson Blu Mall of America is ideal for business and leisure travelers alike with world-class shopping, dining and entertainment just steps from the hotel's location near MOA's south entrance.
Hotel guests enjoy complimentary high-speed, wireless Internet access, fashion-inspired room designs and Anne Semonin bath products in all of its 500 guest rooms and suites. www.radissonblu.com/hotel-mall-of-america
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Fashion Outlets of Chicago has announced that more than 120 stores that will be making their way to Rosemont for an Aug. 1, 2013, opening. Among the names include Barneys, Tory Burch, Prada and Halston and even more luxury retailers and top brands. This will certainly make for the best O'Hare layover ever - there's a shuttle service to/from AND a TSA-certified concierge on-site that will print your boarding pass and check your luggage to your flight.
The space spans 530,000 sq. ft and is fully-enclosed Anchor stores include: Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Off Fifth, Bloomingdales and Forever 21 Two fine-dining restaurants are set to open - Prasino and Villagio To highlight the role plays in fashion, the property will feature custom world-class art installations
www.fashionoutletsofchicago.com
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Editor's Notes
For further information on the Great Lakes USA, please contact Fiona Pettitt at Cellet Travel Services on 08456 020 574 / fiona@cellet.co.uk
The Great Lakes USA is the largest expanse of freshwater in the world with a unique and diverse landscape. This region which is the size of continental Europe includes the U.S. states of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
