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in the Great Lakes Region

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What's New
Great Lakes levels below normal next 6 months
The Associated Press (4/4)
Water levels across most of the Great Lakes are likely to remain well below average for the next six months, posing continued hardships for commercial vessels and tourist towns that cater to recreational boaters, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Duluth prepares for its Tall Ships to come in
Minnesota Public Radio (4/1)
Tickets will go on sale Monday for this summer's Tall Ships festival, which can attract about 250,000 people to Lake Superior.

Federal loan 'done deal' for downtown river development
Chicago Tribune (3/28)
A $100 million federal loan to build an urban playground along the Chicago River downtown is a "done deal," outgoing U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday. The Riverwalk extension is set to include a learning center focusing on the river's ecology.

Recreation projects across Michigan aided through bill signed by Gov. Rick Snyder
MLive (3/28)
A bill signed this week by Gov. Rick Snyder includes $23 million for 76 land acquisitions and recreational development projects across Michigan.

Kayaker John Loomis puts in the paddles every month 4 years running
The Holland Sentinel (3/22)
For the past 48 months, John Loomis has been launching his kayak wherever he can find open water. He set a personal challenge back in 2009 to kayak in Michigan every month — yes, even through the cold ones.

COMMENTARY: Low lake levels: don't fight nature, plan for it
National Geographic (3/22)
With record low Great Lakes water levels in the news, Dr. Philip Wilink of the Shedd Aquarium, shares his thoughts on what these fluctuations mean for all of us–people and animals–who rely on the Great Lakes.

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Overview
Outdoor recreation in the Great Lakes region is a way of life. The Great Lakes offer outstanding tourism and recreation opportunities, ranging from pristine wilderness activities in national parks such as Isle Royale and Pukaskwa to waterfront beaches in major cities. A well-defined four-seasons climate supports many types of recreation from ice fishing, skiing and snowmobiling in the winter to golf, fishing, boating and swimming in the summer. The eight Great Lakes states have about 3.7 million registered recreational boats, or about a third of the nation's total. Michigan and Minnesota lead the nation in the number of boat registrations, and six Great Lakes states rank in the nation's top ten in total number. The commercial and sport fishing industry is collectively valued at more than $4 billion annually. Diving on shipwrecks is a growing Great Lakes sport, thanks to many underwater preserves and parks throughout the lakes. Off Lake Superior's Whitefish Point, better known to sailors as the "graveyard of the Great Lakes," it is said that more than 300 ships have been lost to Superior storms. For people who don't dive, the shipwrecks can be studied at many of the maritime museums throughout the region.

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General Resources
The Great Lakes Circle Tour
Ride along on the 6,500-mile Great Lakes Circle Tour: a scenic, international road system connecting the five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River! For new visitors to the region, this online travel guide offers informational maps, road routes and estimated mileages, and links to major cities, camping and recreation areas, and natural attractions.

GreatLakesLodging.com
Find lodging, travel and vacation information on the various regions around the Great Lakes. Read about current weather conditions, events and helpful maps for planning your trip.

Midwest Weekends
An insiders guide to travel in the upper Midwest. Midwest Weekends is an independent guide featuring stories about the Great Lakes region with comprehensive trip-planning tips.

The Great Lakes of North America
This industry web site provides information on tourism in the Great Lakes region, industry news, a photo gallery, and information on each U.S. state and Canadian province in the region.

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Laws
Travel Tips
Government of Ontario
Travel Tips, including custom and duty information, to make your Ontario visit more enjoyable.

Traveler Information
U.S. Customs Service
Official information for foreign nationals traveling to the United States including merchandise restrictions, visa requirements, and more.

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Publications
Lake Superior Magazine
The magazine about the world's largest freshwater lake and the people who live and visit there.

Midwest Living
Featuring travel, dining, home & garden and shopping in the Midwest.

Outdoor Illinois
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
A subscription magazine about he Prairie State's great natural and cultural resources.

Outdoor Indiana
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Experiencing Indiana's valuable natural resources.

The Northern Michigan Journal
Articles, reflections and news from and about northern Michigan.

Traverse Magazine
Travel, events, dining and news from Up North.

Wild Ohio
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Featuring Ohio's natural resources.

Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Articles and photographs featuring Wisconsin's natural resources.

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Research
The Great Lakes, a Great Place! To live, to work, to visit
Great Lakes Commission

Trends in Tourism Visitation - Duluth, Minnesota: 1980-1994
Minnesota Sea Grant

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Updated: April 5, 2013
Maintained by: Christine Manninen, manninen@glc.org
Selected Photos: Copyright ©John and Ann Mahan
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