Page 422 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

420  THE GREA T LAKES

Practical Information Etiquette
Residents of the Great Lakes are
Traveling around the Great Lakes states requires a lot of friendly and polite – especially
planning, since there is so much to see and do in such a wide in Minnesota, where the phrase
area. From the towering skyscrapers of bustling big cities such “you bet” epitomizes their
as Chicago to the idyllic pastures of Wisconsin, the attractions helpful attitude. Visitors to the
Amish communities in Indiana
here are as varied as the six states that form the Great Lakes and Ohio will be impressed by
region. With its rolling hills, endless farmlands, and sublime the shy, reserved manner of the
waterfront wilderness, America’s heartland abounds in Amish, whose simple, black
pristine wonders that offer a wide choice of outdoor pursuits. outfits and horse‑driven buggies
are common sights. Many prefer
not to be photographed, so ask
Tourist Information Getting Around
their permission first.
Each of the Great Lakes Most major cities have limited
states houses at least one public bus systems. Light rail, Festivals
state Welcome Center that subway, and/or commuter train
offers a full range of tourist services only run in Chicago, The Great Lakes states stage
information, as well as clean Minneapolis, St. Paul, and a diverse range of annual,
restrooms. Most airports have Cleveland. The Woodward community, regional, state,
information desks stocked Avenue streetcar in Detroit is and cultural festivals. As an
with free brochures and maps. expected to expand the People expression of Chicago’s strong
All the larger cities and many Mover loop downtown in 2017. Irish heritage, the city actually
smaller towns have Conven‑ However, driving is the best dyes the Chicago River green
tion & Visitors’ Bureaus or way to get around this region. as part of its boisterous
Chambers of Commerce, Seat belts are a must for St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The
with free directories of drivers, front‑seat passengers, Mexican‑American population
attractions, accommodations, and back‑seat passengers. residing in the region celebrates
and events. Child seats are mandatory for Cinco de Mayo (early May)
occupants aged four and under festivals in many of the Great
(seven and under in Indiana, Lakes cities; it is celebrated in a
Natural Hazards
Illinois, Minnesota, and big way especially in Chicago,
Winters in the northern parts Michigan). Helmets are Kansas City, and St. Paul.
of Michigan, Minnesota, and compulsory for motorcyclists Summer brings a deluge of
Wisconsin can be very cold, under the age of 18 in all of outdoor events, starting on
with blizzards and snow‑ the Great Lakes states, except Memorial Day weekend with
storms a common occurrence. Michigan, where motor cyclists the Indianapolis 500 auto race.
Visitors should dress warmly aged 20 and under must wear Fireworks are the norm for
and pack a small snow shovel, helmets, and Illinois, which various county and state fairs
gloves, and a hat when has no restrictions regarding that crop up in July and August.
traversing this region between helmet usage. Speed limits The Minnesota State Fair (August),
November and April. Ice and vary, but are usually 65–70 mph held in St. Paul is one of the
snow can make driving (105–113 km/h) on Interstate largest summer events, along
extremely treacherous. Highways outside urban areas. with Milwaukee’s immensely
popular Summerfest. Milwaukee
The Climate of the Great Lakes also hosts a series of ethnic
summer festivals on its lake‑
Weather in most of the Great Lakes states is fairly consistent. front, such as Irish Fest, a huge
Temperatures tend to be cooler in celebration of Irish culture.
the northern states of Michigan, CHICAGO
Wisconsin, and Minnesota, where
cold, snowy winters lure residents 86/30 Sports
to ski. The southern regions of °F/C The Great Lakes region harbors
Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois witness 66/19 65/18 a wide array of professional
a more temperate climate. 59/15 and amateur sports teams, with
Summer months are ideal for 32°F 40/4 46/8
33/1
touring the lakeside areas in Ohio, 0°C 19/–7 major pro baseball, football, and
Wisconsin, Michigan, and basketball franchises operating
Minnesota. Cooler temperatures 15 20 17 14 in nearly all of the major cities.
and fall colors make September to days days days days The onset of spring signals
October ideal for an extended trip 3.6 3.6 2.6 1.7 the beginning of the baseball
to Chicago and scenic drives in in in in season, with fans flocking to
through the rugged forests of month Apr Jul Oct Jan historic Wrigley Field, home of
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. the Chicago Cubs. Ohio boasts
some of the region’s best minor

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm