It's Easter vacation, and you don't have much cash to spare. Here are three day trips (or even better -- one-night getaways) in Michigan.
Lexington, Michigan's Thumb
Getting there: I-94 to Port Huron, then M-25 north to Lexington. It's 81 miles, takes about 1 hour, 30 minutes, and will cost about $19 in fuel.
What: This cute tourist town on Lake Huron is just waking up from a long winter's nap. The main draw for children is the old Lexington General Store at 7272 Huron Ave. Its big candy counter has amazingly patient clerks who will wait while a 5-year-old decides between a jawbreaker and a gummi worm. There also is a nice harbor area. Have lunch at the A&W, where waitresses still serve you at your car. It just reopened for the season at 5309 Main St.
Later: Stop at Lakeport State Park on M-25 south of Lexington to walk the empty rocky beaches and feel those Lake Huron breezes that promise spring.
Contact: www.lexingtonmichigan.org, 810-359-8631.
State Capitol, Lansing
Getting there: Corner of Capital and Michigan Avenue in downtown Lansing. From Detroit, it's 92 miles up I-96. That's about $20 in fuel round-trip.
What: Stare up at the intricate 160-foot-high neoclassical rotunda dome, and visit the House and Senate galleries -- minus the legislators, who will be on Easter break themselves. On weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., free tours run every half hour. Parties smaller than 10 do not need reservations.
Later: Bring your bicycles and ride through the bustling and beautiful campus of East Lansing's Michigan State University, which is not on break as students are in the final weeks of the semester. To top off your day, stop for homemade ice cream at the MSU Dairy Store at the MSU Union.
Contact: http://council.legislature.mi.gov/lcfa/capitol-tours.html, 517-373-2353.
Cross in the Woods Parish and National Shrine, Indian River
Getting there: OK, this is kind of a long day trip -- 260 miles and 4 hours from Detroit, up I-75 to the Indian River at Exit 310, about $54 in fuel. But it's an impressive religious site, apropos to Easter celebrations.
What: The world's largest crucifix was created by sculptor Marshall Fredericks, the same artist who did the Spirit of Detroit sculpture in downtown Detroit. The 7-ton crucifix is made of bronze. Widely visited in the summer, the free shrine, its gift shop and museum are open year-round, although last week there was still snow on the ground.
Later: Break up your trip home with dinner at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, my favorite.
Contact: www.crossinthewoods.com, 231-238-8973.
Contact ELLEN CREAGER: 313-222-6498 or ecreager@freepress.com