Top 8 Michigan Road Trip Destinations
Michigan is one of the best places to be when trying to plan a road trip! It’s full of iconic destinations, from beach towns to big cities, and everything in between. Looking to hike trails in a national park? Michigan’s got you covered. If boat tours, beach towns, or amusement parks interest you, you can find it here. There’s no shortage of places you could visit, so we’ve listed a few of our favorites here to get you inspired!
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is brimming with things to explore! It boasts almost 100 miles of trails, about 15 miles of breathtaking cliffs, and a variety of campgrounds for you to choose from. Want a little more structure in your trip? Take a tour! Pictured Rocks has all sorts of tours, from guided hikes to scenic boat tours. This beautiful national park is not to be missed!
- Known as the “Cherry Capital” of the world, Traverse City has so much to see and do! This stunning city offers lots in the way of shopping, museums, historical sights, and tours (from boat, to bike, to beer tours, there’s sure to be one for you). If you’re getting hungry after exploring, check out The Little Fleet, a food truck lot right in the middle of all the excitement with something to satisfy everyone!
- If you stop by Traverse City, you’re so close that you might as well go to Sleeping Bear Dunes too! Made up of miles of beautiful sand beaches, small coastal towns, a lighthouse, and the natural landscape full of forests and flora, Sleeping Bear Dunes is a place to consider for your trip!
- This stop will give you a little bit of a break from your car, because it’s Mackinac Island! Mackinac Island is about 3.8 square miles of charm, history, and natural beauty. There is no bridge to the island, so you park your car in one of the ferry services’ lots before you hop on the boat. While you’re on the island, you can rent a bike to do the eight mile loop to see all the gorgeous sights, visit museums, shop, and of course, you can’t forget about the fudge!
- One of the most scenic places in Michigan (in our opinion) is Tahquamenon Falls State Park. This state park, located in the upper peninsula, spans nearly 50,000 acres, and has 35 miles of trails, campsites, and you can’t miss the falls! Tahquamenon is made up of the upper falls (a waterfall over 200 feet wide), and a few miles down, the lower falls (smaller falls around an island). There are walkways that take you right up to the falls for the perfect view!
- If you are looking for something with some unique charm, Frankenmuth might be the stop for you! ‘Michigan’s Little Bavaria’ gets its nickname from the German roots that show through the architecture, museums, and culture. This city offers a ton of entertainment options too! On top of the museums there is a water park, tours, shopping, and a large free concert in the park series.
- Petoskey is home to the petoskey stone, which is a prehistoric fossil (and the Michigan state stone), and hunting for them around the shore brings people back year after year! You can find a variety of other things to do too, from hiking and kayaking, to shopping in the gaslight district and seeing a show.
- Are you not looking to travel far, but still want to get out and explore? Brighton Recreation Area or Island Lake state park are two great options around Brighton! Both areas offer trails to hike and bike, and places to swim, kayak, and paddle boat. These are also great options if you are just looking for a fun place to picnic with friends!
No matter what you are interested in, the beautiful state of Michigan has something to offer! So get out there, and explore!
5 Tips for the Best Summer Road Trip
Whether your destination is a local park with scenic trails, a beach campsite by Lake Michigan, or the sunny California coast, summer is an amazing time to get out there and explore! With only a short three months of the season, the last thing you want is to have any of your adventures ruined by issues with your car. Take some time to check over a few things to make sure your summer plans go off without a hitch.
- Check your Air Conditioning and Cabin Filter- Nothing is better than blasting the AC the moment you get in the car after being outside in the sun all day. If you notice a drop in the cooling capacity, be sure to have it checked out. It’s also a good idea to check and replace your cabin filter. Warm weather brings all sorts of pollutants like pollen and dust, so a good air filter is very important to a cool, clean, and comfortable drive.
- Check your Tire Pressure- The summer heat can affect the air pressure in your tires, so it’s good to check that regularly. While you’re there, you should check the tread on your tires as well to make sure they aren’t too worn down or wearing unevenly.
- Regularly Top Off Fluids- Like with your tires, the heat has an impact on your engine fluids. The summer temperatures can cause engine fluids to evaporate, so it’s good to top off those fluids often. Be sure to check on your engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washing fluid!
- Clean Out Your Car- Keeping your car clean is vital during these hotter months. The smell of the food that was dropped under the seat, or the melted plastic of the little toy in between the seats are extremely hard to get out of the floor mats, seats, and car in general. It’s also important to be careful with any products that you may leave in the car. Some items, like sunscreen, can lose their effectiveness if exposed to too much heat!
- Keep an Emergency Kit- In case you do run into car troubles on your adventures, it’s good to have an emergency kit in the car. Here is a checklist of some of the things that you might want to consider keeping in your vehicle. If you are heading somewhere you aren’t as familiar with, it’s also a good idea to also have a physical map with you. You never know where you are going to lose cell service!
So get out there and enjoy your adventures in the sun with confidence! As always, call us at 810-227-1171 if we can help with any of your vehicle needs!
Summer Fun in Brighton
With the sunny days and warm weather quickly approaching, it’s the perfect time to start planning your upcoming adventures. Sometimes trying to pick between all of the options can leave you a little overwhelmed though. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with a list of some of our favorite things to do and to check out around Brighton during the summer!
- Brighton Farmers’ Market- Every Saturday starting in May from 8am to 1pm, the Brighton Farmers’ Market is held in the City’s Municipal parking lot. Featuring foods sold directly by farmers, plant nurseries, food vendors, and artisans, the Brighton Farmers’ Market is a great way to spend a Saturday morning.
- Downtown Brighton Festivals- Downtown Brighton is known for its festivals during the summer! Some of the most anticipated festivals include Brighton Country Boots & Beats (June 21) and the Brighton Smokin Rock-N-Blues Festival (September 5-6) put on by The Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce , A Taste of Brighton (July 11-12) organized by Believe in Brighton, and the Brighton Street Art Fair (August 22-24) put together by The Guild of Artists and Artisans. Each one of these events offers unique food, entertainment, shopping, and more!
- Metroparks and Recreation Areas- Brighton is absolutely full of beautiful and nature rich places to explore! Parks like Huron Meadows Metropark, Kensington Metropark, and Island Lake Recreation Area are packed with places to swim, picnic, hike, ride bikes, boat, play, and just enjoy nature.
- Live Music and Entertainment- Do you love live music or trivia nights as much as we do? Well luckily there are so many incredible places around Brighton that offer live entertainment! Enjoy trivia and game nights at The Pound, live music at Label Kitchen & Bar, performances at Brighton Coffeehouse and Theater, and so much more!
- Shopping- Downtown Brighton boasts a wide variety of shops selling everything under the sun! You can find places offering fine jewelry, books, running shoes, and everything in between! An extensive list of shops can be found on the Believe in Brighton website here.
Whatever it is you’re looking to do this summer, Brighton is sure to have something for everyone. So take advantage of it, and enjoy all of the things our beautiful city has to offer!
Summer Event Recap
Autumn is well underway, and with the cold weather approaching we thought it’d be fun to look back at some of our favorite events from this summer! The warm weather means lots of exciting outdoor events happening around the Livingston County community and beyond.
What better way is there to really kick off the season than the Hartland Polo classic! Brighton Ford has had the opportunity to participate in this entertaining event put on by the Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce for the last few years, and this year was no different. Our marketing interns got the chance to enjoy the polo match as well as help the kiddos build their own hats for family day. Another annual favorite is Drive to Survive, put on by Fund A Life! There was food, a silent auction, timed autocross action, and even live music at this incredible event that raises money for families going through life altering situations.
A summer staple in Livingston County are all of the incredible festivals, parades, and free community events. We love setting up a tent, bringing some awesome vehicles for people to check out, raffling something off, and passing out anything from snacks to swag! Some of the incredible festivals and events that we got to hang out at this summer include the Greater Brighton Area Chamber’s Yellowstone Country Music Festival, The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, A Taste of Brighton, Touch a Truck, and so many more! And we can’t forget the 4th of July Parade. We had so much fun with the Michigan Bronco Club and 102.9 W4 Country joining us!
One thing that we always love here at Brighton Ford is giveaways (I mean who doesn’t love a giveaway)! An annual event that we love to be a part of is 93 Days of Summer, hosted by our friends at 93.5 WHMI. The Grand Prize winner walked away with $3,000 from Brighton Ford! On top of that, this year we also did a six part Summer Contest Series where we collaborated with local businesses to give away a ton of awesome prizes. The winners ended up with cool prizes from The Ceramic Studio etc, Tribute Salon and Spa, Brighton Dairy Queen, One Salon and Spa, The Pound, and Brighton Bar and Grill!
We are so thankful for our wonderful community, and all of the time and effort that goes into making sure amazing events like these ones are able to happen!
By: Skylar Deming
Pinckney’s Art in the Park
The Brighton Ford Intern team was thrilled to get back within the community and engage with many people from all over Southeast Michigan. The event, held at 131 S Howell St, Pinckney, MI, the location for Pinckney Art in the Park provided a perfect opportunity for many vendors, sponsors, and community members to connect and celebrate local artistry. This event setup was something new for all of us, alongside our set-up, there were many more tents all around the park. Ranging from hand crafted items, all the way to a tent with face paint for the little ones, they had it all for every age at this beautiful event. Working with two people allowed one of us to walk around and just peek, glance and maybe even purchase something from these local businesses.
Walking around opened my eyes to the vast difference every unique tent had. I would see a tent selling Pinckney Pirates merchandise, one tent selling handcrafted wood signs, and even one tent selling hand crafted kettle pop! Over the speakers while walking around, you could hear live music being played in the pavilion. With chairs in the gallery, you could sit down, relax, and eat while listening to live music being played by a band. Not to mention they had around 8 food trucks on the perimeter to choose from, with Traverse City Pie, Ray’s BBQ, and a carnival food truck all ready for your hunger needs.
The support from the local community is something to be proud of, in 2024 Pinckney Art in the Park had roughly 35 sponsors from local businesses ranging from all over Livingston County. Brighton Ford was a Pastel Sponsor, Starving Artist Sponsor, and Annual & Major Sponsor! It is something we take great pride in, being able to sponsor an event and give back to the local community. Pictured to the left is an example of how our setup looked at this event. We bring out a truck to attract eyes, and to get a first touch and feel for a brand new car. Underneath the tent will typically be two interns working, ready to talk and engage with the community. We like to do a fun giveaway at each event, it is picked between a free oil change, or a free interior/exterior detail. We also will have a few things to pick out for free, always there will be chips and candy, with a keychain, pen, and a mobile service information packet to pick from.
We are always excited to hear your stories and experiences with Brighton Ford, even if you do not drive a Ford! Events like these make the summer internship very fun, because each event is always going to be different!
By: Zack Nouhan
Firehouse Friday with W4 Country
Our Spirit Squad kicked off its first event together as a team for the summer. The first event that stood in front of us was Firehouse Friday. Taking place at the Brighton Firehouse located on 615 W. Grand River, Brighton, MI 48116. Bright and early the team, including Zackary Nouhan, Olivia Swamba, Elise Lippolis, and Miles Grey, arrived around 6:00 A.M. to set up our tent and brand new Bronco. We had to make sure everything was ready for a day filled with excitement and community involvement.
As the sun started to rise, breakfast was being served by local volunteers that were ever so willing to give back to our first responders. The spread included but not limited to, scrambled eggs, donuts, pancakes, waffles, fruit and so much more outstanding food. You could sense a little excitement in the air as the firefighters started to show their faces and talk to the community. Additionally, W4 Country was there giving out tickets to Faster Horses and tickets to a George Strait concert. Alongside Brighton Ford was giving out a free Interior/Exterior detail to one lucky winner who entered! We love giving back to our communities!
As breakfast was wrapping up, the first responders hopped in the trucks and started to line them up for viewing. Little did we know, they were letting everyone look inside, sit inside the vehicles and even press some fun buttons. You could see the smile from ear to ear on these children as they were in pure heaven. Additionally, the first responders had a few informative lessons up their sleeves to show the importance of closing doors and how the jaws of life worked on cars. Firehouse Friday was more than just an ordinary event, it was a morning of community connectivity, learning, and most importantly fun. We could not have asked for a better kickstart to our Intern summer, we were very pleased with how this turned out and were already eager for the next event to start.
By: Zack Nouhan
Which Ford Truck is Best for You?
Buying a new truck for you or your business can be a big investment, which is why it’s so important to pick the truck that works best for you! Ford has a variety of models, trims, and configurations, that all offer something different. To help get you on the right track to finding your new ride, here’s a quick overview of a few popular models and a rundown of some of their key features.
Probably the most well known of the Ford trucks is the Ford F-150. The 2024 F-150 is a full size truck with a staggering variety of customizations and powertrains (including gas, hybrid, and EV) that can get you anywhere from 10-20 MPG city, and 16-26 MPG highway! With such a wide array of available features, this truck has the widest price range of all the trucks listed here, spanning anywhere from $38,000 to upwards of $85,000. There are three cab sizes for you to choose from (Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew) as well as three bed sizes (5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, and 8.0 feet); and depending on which powertrain, cab size, and bed size you decide on, the F-150 has a max towing capability of 13,500 pounds, and max hauling of 2,445 pounds! All 2024 models have a 12” touchscreen display, and the F-150 has several trim levels including XL, STX, XLT, Tremor, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Raptor. Finally, the F-150 is incredibly highly rated in regards to safety! The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) gave the F-150 a five-star rating for safety, and the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) gave the truck the Top Safety Pick award. There’s a reason the F-series trucks have been named the most popular truck in America for nearly 50 years!
Looking for something a little bit smaller? The 2024 Ford Ranger is a midsize truck that comes standard with an I-4 2.3 liter turbocharged engine, which can get 19-21/19-25 MPG city/highway. The upgraded option for an engine in the Ranger is a V6 2.7 liter twin-turbocharged, which can get you 16-18/18-23 MPG city/highway. As far as the cab goes, this truck offers two options; SuperCab, or SuperCrew, and in terms of bed length, the 2023 model has the option for a 5’ bed or a 6’ bed, whereas the 2024 model only offers the 5’ bed. Towing and hauling are a large factor as to why people choose to get a truck, which is why the Ranger offers a max towing capacity of 7,500 pounds and a max hauling capacity of 1,805 pounds. All 2024 Rangers come standard with a 10” infotainment system, with a 12” screen in the upgraded models. The Ford Ranger will run you anywhere from $32,000 to $50,000 depending on your choice of trim (XL, XLT, Lariat, and Ranger Raptor), engine, and other customizations, making it a great mid-priced, midsize truck!
More interested in a compact truck? Take a look at the 2024 Ford Maverick! The Maverick is a compact truck that comes standard with a 2.0 liter turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine that gets you 22-23/29-30 MPG city/highway, or you also have the option to upgrade the engine to a 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid engine. The Maverick offers three trim levels; XL, XLT, and the Lariat, all of which have a four and a half foot bed. With the hybrid option, this truck has a towing capability of 2,000 pounds and a hauling capability of 1,500 pounds! There is also an optional 4K Tow Package with the standard turbocharged engine. With these different engine and trim options, the Maverick can run anywhere from $23,000 to upwards of $40,000!
We know that picking a new vehicle can be a big decision, so we want you to have as much information as possible! Do you have questions, or want to sit down with someone who knows the ins and outs of each of these trucks? Come on in to the dealership to chat with one of our incredible sales consultants, take a look at these trucks in person, and find the perfect fit for you!
6 Tips for your Last-Minute Summer Road Trip
Thinking about planning a road trip to make the most of the last few weeks of summer? Don’t let car troubles hold you back from making those summer memories. Here are a few car maintenance tasks to take care of to ensure your car is ready before you hit the road!
- Tires – Making sure your tires are in good shape is essential to a smooth and safe trip. Both overinflated and underinflated tires can cause problems, so be sure to check your tire pressure. If you aren’t sure what the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is, you can often find it on the placard on your driver’s side door jamb or in your car’s manual! While you’re at it, you should also check the tread on each of your tires. If they are wearing unevenly it might be time to rotate your tires, or if they’ve all worn down too much it might be best to replace them before your trip! Brighton Ford offers an array of tire care and maintenance, and has 13 different name brand tires for you to choose from!
- Fluids – Before you head out you’ll want to make sure the six major fluids are either changed or topped off. These major fluids include oil, radiator fluid (also called coolant or antifreeze), power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid. The need to change these fluids typically goes by mileage so check when you last had your vehicle serviced, and if you are going to hit that mileage milestone on your trip it’s best to get your car serviced before you go. The Works Fuel Saver Package at Brighton Ford comes with an oil change, as well as tire rotation, brake inspection, battery test, and Vehicle Check-Up Report, so it’s a great option to cover all your bases before a trip!
- Brakes – Having your brakes in good working order is a vital part of vehicle safety. To check on these, take a quick drive around to test out your brakes. If there’s any vibrating, grinding, or squealing, you should have a professional look at your brake pads to see if they need to be replaced. The technicians at Brighton Ford are highly trained and certified to perform all sorts of brake maintenance and repairs.
- Belts, Hoses, and Air Filters – A couple of other important factors for vehicle function and safety are the belts and hoses under the hood, and your air filters. Belts should be tight, and not have any visible frays or cracks, and there should be no leaks coming from the hoses. Both the engine and cabin air filters prevent debris from entering the vehicle, and they should be changed every 10,000 to 15,000 miles according to popularmechanics.com!
- Cleaning – There’s nothing better than a nice clean car, especially if you’re going to be driving for a long time! Before you set off for your adventure, take the time to give your vehicle a good clean. Remove all the trash and unnecessary items (those bags of clothes you’ve been meaning to donate are taking up valuable luggage and souvenir space!), and give your car a good vacuum! Don’t feel like doing a deep clean yourself? Brighton Ford has a fantastic team to do interior and exterior details!
- Emergency Kit – Sometimes, things go wrong in spite of all of our attempts to prevent it. That’s why it’s a good idea to have an emergency kit somewhere in your car! Your kit can include anything you may need in case of an emergency. Some staples could include jumper cables, water, non perishable snacks, a flashlight, batteries, a basic tool kit, a blanket or towel, and a first aid kit.
The best way to enjoy your summer road trip is worry free because you took the steps to ensure that your vehicle is safe, clean, and working at its best! Want to get service done on your car, but don’t have the time to come into the dealership? Brighton Ford offers Mobile Service! Our technicians can perform a lot of the same services remotely that we do in the dealership, such as oil and filter changes, brake services, batteries, tire rotations and more. Schedule a time for our Mobile Service Technicians to come to you, and get your vehicle ready to ride!
Call us at 1-800-NEW-FORD today!
President’s Award 2023
We are thrilled to share that Brighton Ford has received the President’s Award from Ford Motor Company for not only 2022, but 2023 as well!! Less than 500 dealerships out of over 5,000 earn this award throughout the entire country every year, and Brighton Ford is honored to be one of them. Ford Motor Company states that in order to receive this award “dealers must exceed customer expectations every day in every department. The pursuit of excellence requires passion, tenacity and hard work.”
What makes Brighton Ford special is not just the cars and the smiles, it is how each team member truly cares about each person that walks through our doors. We make customers for life because we truly care. At Brighton Ford, you are more than a sale and we are honored to have such a loyal, caring and passionate team that makes us who we are.
We sincerely thank each person, customer, and team member that have made the Brighton Ford experience truly award-winning.
By: Natily Hall
Affiliate Team
1800NEWFORD.com has been a project our team has been working on for about a year now and we are so excited to announce the launch of our affiliates who are working hard to help us get the word out . 1800NEWFORD.com is the latest development in buying cars that allows you to custom order a new car or pick one from the lot and have it delivered straight to your door without ever stepping foot in a dealership. It is a 100% remote process (if you want it to be). One of our favorite things is the ability to teach/mentor/coach or simply to be a cheerleader for others.
When we launched www.1800NEWFORD.com a little under a year ago, we weren’t exactly sure what was in store. Fast forward to now and we have a team of 17 brand affiliates who are able to help us create unique and uplifting content that is original to themselves, their followers and most importantly YOU! We’re so happy and proud because now it’s so much more. We have a community of strong, smart and empowered women that are the driving force behind this.
Tuesday night our team captain Lindsay Rowe from @rusticmarine hosted a few of the affiliates for an evening of brainstorming, collaborating and fun!
We are excited to see what the future holds. Thank you to our awesome affiliates!
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