Elizabeth Washington

WDIV • May 23 2023

Where to find dog-friendly beaches in Michigan

For dog owners like me, finding parks with a body of water where my pup is allowed to play in can be challenging, even in Michigan.

According to Michigan’s DNR, pets are allowed along the shoreline but must be kept on a six-foot leash, even in the water.

Besides having your pet on a leash the entire time, it is important to remind pet owners that you should ALWAYS clean up after your pet. There may be times when parks don’t have waste bags on site, so having those handy would be a plus.

Pet o

WDIV • May 22 2023

Try these s’mores, other treats over a Michigan bonfire this summer

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is roasting a snack over an open fire.

Whether it’s a marshmallow or a hot dog, from sweet to savory, there are many foods that are tasty when roasted. We have gathered some recipes for fun snacks Insiders can make at your next bonfire.

Cookie s’mores recipes to try this summer from KOA
• None
• None Separating the Oreo cookies by twisting both sides until they come apart.
• None Toast your marshmallow and place it on one of the Oreo cookies.
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WDIV • May 22 2023

Where to find the best ice cream in Michigan

Ice cream. The cold treat comes in so many colors and flavors, it’s hard to choose the best spot to get your fix.

Sure, there is Superman, which Michiganders know is a flavor specific to our state. But what about white Russian cherry from Calder Dairy in Lincoln Park or John Deere Tracks from Moo-ville in Nashville?

Whether you are looking for a local spot around the block or a cone when you’re taking a trip across the state, below is a guide to shops across Michigan.

Get your sweet tooth fix

WDIV • May 22 2023

15 best Michigan State Parks, hiking trails to check out this summer

The state of Michigan has 360,000 acres of land within its state parks and recreation areas.

That amount of space is surely big enough for so many different activities! From camping to hiking, there are many ways to enjoy the outdoors in our beautiful state.

AllTrails, a hiking app, has collected data and discovered some of the most popular parks in the state according to its users.

Below are the top 15 state parks according to AllTrails

Here are the top 10 trails in the state

Click here to

WDIV • May 22 2023

Here’s your go-to guide for niche Michigan summer festivals in 2023

Summertime in Michigan is one of the best times because something is always going on.

Living in such a large state with such a diverse population, the events held within Michigan vary. From a Gizzard festival to a festival all about lighthouses, there’s an event for everyone.

Arts, Beats and Eats, the Detroit Jazz Festival, and the Romeo Peach Festival are all Labor Day weekend staples.

We wanted to list some festivals you may not know about and are probably worth taking a trip for.

Below is

WDIV • May 22 2023

Where to catch a baseball game this summer in Michigan

One of the most summer activities you can do is to head out to the ballpark and catch a baseball game.

While many are not as happy with the Detroit Tigers as they would like to be, there are plenty of minor-league teams within Michigan that you can root for.

Greenfield Village to host historic ‘base ball’ throughout the summer

The Dearborn museum is bringing back baseball to their visitors this summer. The 19th-century-styled team is set to play almost every weekend from June 17 through Sept.

WDIV • May 10 2023

Everything you need to know about Eastern Market’s Flower Day

DETROIT – Spring is in the air, which means that Eastern Market’s annual Flower Day is almost here.

Floral lovers from all over the area will gather at the Eastern market sheds to pick out the best plants to spruce up their homes.

Flower Day is set to take place on May 21 from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. The event will kick off the flower season, where on Tuesdays the market will sell plants on May 16, 23, and 30 from 9 a.m. - 3 pm.

According to Eastern Market, there will be over 15 acres of flowers from

WDIV • May 9 2023

🍹 Patio season is approaching: Here are ’S top Detroit patios

DETROIT – With recent temperatures, it makes sense why many Metro Detroiters are getting excited for patio season.

So many of us have been cooped up during the colder season and are ready to spend more time outdoors and enjoy summertime in the Motor City.

The Detroit dining scene is constantly evolving. Below are a few classics and new spots that feature some of our favorite patios in the city.

List of some of our favorite patios in Detroit

WDIV • May 8 2023

Woodbridge coffee shop announces closure after slinging drinks, fixing bikes for 5 years

DETROIT – A coffee shop in Woodbridge has announced it will be closing this month.

Bikes & Coffee, off of Putnam Street, announced on Instagram that May 14 will be the shop’s last day.

In the Instagram post, the shop addresses the pandemic, rising rent, and the cost of other things has put them in a tight spot.

Below is a statement from the coffee shop’s Instagram page:

With a heavy heart and an open mind we have to close this chapter and move on. We will miss you Putnam st. Our last day ope

WDIV • May 3 2023

New Corktown restaurant to offer local, seasonal cuisine is set to open this fall

DETROIT – A new restaurant is set to open this fall in Detroit’s Corktown.

Chickpea Hospitality has announced its latest project, Hamilton’s, a restaurant located on the ground floor of The Godfrey Hotel on Michigan Avenue.

The new Corktown restaurant will accommodate 93 guests in its dining room and bar. There will also be an outdoor terrace that can seat 38. The Corktown “tavern” will highlight both local and seasonal ingredients within its menu. The hospitality group states that the restaur

WDIV • May 3 2023

New Corktown restaurant to offer local, seasonal cuisine is set to open this fall

DETROIT – A new restaurant is set to open this fall in Detroit’s Corktown.

Chickpea Hospitality has announced its latest project, Hamilton’s, a restaurant located on the ground floor of The Godfrey Hotel on Michigan Avenue.

The new Corktown restaurant will accommodate 93 guests in its dining room and bar. There will also be an outdoor terrace that can seat 38. The Corktown “tavern” will highlight both local and seasonal ingredients within its menu. The hospitality group states that the restaur

WDIV • May 2 2023

Caribou Coffee heading back to Michigan after 10 year hiatus

A coffee chain that hasn’t served Michiganders their cup of joe for 10 years is making its way back to the Mitten.

Caribou Coffee has announced that the franchise will be opening more than 300 new locations throughout the United States. Michigan is set to have over 50 cafes open up across the state. The coffee franchise will work with Manna Development Group to plan where these new cafes will open within Michigan.

Currently, the closest Caribou Coffee to Detroit is in Findlay, Ohio.

The coffe

WDIV • April 4 2023

Thousands come together in Dearborn to celebrate holy month of Ramadan with food, festivities

DEARBORN, Mich. – Let me start by saying, Ramadan Mubarak to everyone celebrating!

Metro Detroit has one of the largest and most diverse Arab populations outside the Middle East. The Ramadan Suhoor Festival in Dearborn is the largest Ramadan festival in North America!

The festival runs overnight when many of us are asleep.

I figured, why not capture the sights and sounds of a festival many Metro Detroiters haven’t experienced before?

During the Holy Month, Muslims fast during the day - and b

WDIV • March 27 2023

Chef shows off southern fusion menu before hosting Detroit pop-ups this summer

DETROIT – The chef and curator of Arrie Restaurant and Lounge joined Local 4 to show off some of the staples that’ll be on their pop-up menu this summer.

Chef Devante Burnley showed off his skills to create a southern fusion menu. The menu consists of a creole version of mussels, fried green tomato soup, a sweet potato Creme Brulee and many other dishes.

The chef stated that the goal is to build a brick-and-mortar in the Motor City by 2024. The mission of Arrie Restaurant and Lounge is to help

WDIV • March 21 2023

Historic Book Tower to reopen in Detroit after $300M renovation

DETROIT – A historic Downtown Detroit building that was vacant for over a decade is near the end of its $300 million renovation.

On Monday, Bedrock released photos and a virtual tour of the nearly-restored historic Book Tower. The Detroit company announced that pre-leasing for apartments at Book Tower will be available in April 2023. The Book Tower was built in 1926.

According to Bedrock, the restoration transformed 38 floors and 500,000 square feet of space into 229 residential units, 117 ROO

WDIV • March 21 2023

Historic Book Tower to reopen in Detroit after $300M renovation

DETROIT – A historic Downtown Detroit building that was vacant for over a decade is near the end of its $300 million renovation.

On Monday, Bedrock released photos and a virtual tour of the nearly-restored historic Book Tower. The Detroit company announced that pre-leasing for apartments at Book Tower will be available in April 2023. The Book Tower was built in 1926.

According to Bedrock, the restoration transformed 38 floors and 500,000 square feet of space into 229 residential units, 117 ROO

WDIV • March 14 2023

College students embrace DIY drinking with ‘Borgs’ amid pandemic

Binge drinking is no stranger to college culture, and recently Borgs, also known as the “blackout rage gallons,” have been going viral on TikTok.

The recipe of Borgs are made with half water, half vodka (or any liquor really), a caffeinated flavor enhancer and a dash of powdered electrolytes.

NBC News reported that this drinking trend surfaced on the internet in 2020 during the pandemic. A TikToker who pops up on my feed frequently is Erin Monroe, who posted a video that this method of drinkin

WDIV • March 14 2023

Celebrate Dutch heritage on Michigan’s west side during the 94th Tulip Time Festival

HOLLAND, Mich. – Even though we are in winter, spring might be on your mind.

The iconic Tulip Time Festival on the west side of Michigan has announced its dates and events to celebrate the beautiful flower of Holland. Tulip Time Festival has been a tradition for the city of Holland since 1929.

From May 6-14, visitors can experience tulip events and activities within a four-mile radius in Holland.

Below are the locations where you can see tulips:

Click here to view the businesses involved in

WDIV • March 13 2023

Michigan ranks 5th in nation for maple syrup production

Michigan maple syrup is very nostalgic to me. When I was younger, I would visit my grandparents in Barry County, and during our visits, we would always have Eggo waffles with maple syrup from Vermontville, a small town nearby.

The state of Michigan was ranked fifth in maple syrup production in 2022. According to the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Great Lakes Region, there are a total of 570,000 taps throughout Michigan, draining sap from trees i

WDIV • February 19 2023

PETA will pay for Wienermobile’s catalytic converter repair if Heinz changes vehicle to a vegan hot dog

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is willing to pay for an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile catalytic converter repair if Heinz will convert the vehicle into a vegan hot dog.

While the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile may not be on CarFax’s list of most targeted vehicles for catalytic converter theft, that didn’t stop someone from stealing its catalytic converter this past month.

Following the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile having its catalytic converter stolen, PETA is offering to pay for the repa

WDIV • February 4 2023

Spring is near: McDonald’s announces date for Shamrock Shake, McFlurry seasonal release

McDonald’s has announced the return of its seasonal Shamrock Shake and McFlurry.

According to the company, the shake and OREO Shamrock McFlurry will be offered at participating locations all across the nation starting Feb. 20. The minty tasting goodies often return to McDonald’s menu for a limited time during the St. Patrick’s Day season.

The Shamrock Shake is made with vanilla soft serve and blended with Shamrock Shake syrup.

The shake was first introduced to McDonald’s lovers in 1970, and t

WDIV • January 29 2023

New York artist brings classic art, fast food together with limited edition White Castle puzzle

National Puzzle Day being on the weekend is as compatible as a White Castle slider served with a Dr. Pepper.

In honor of the national day, the fast-food chain has released a 285-piece jigsaw puzzle featuring White Castle sliders, fries and onion rings surrounded by flowers.

For each puzzle sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the White Castle’s Team Member Relief Fund, a program designed to help team members who encounter unexpected financial hardships.

The artist that designed

WDIV • January 26 2023

WDIV’s Pure Michigan photos in honor of the Great Lakes State turning 186

Happy birthday Michigan! While you might be turning 186 years young, here at Local 4 would like to say you don’t look a day over 40.

Whether you are all the way up north in Marquette or as south as Lambertville, we Michiganders can all agree that Michigan has been aging with beauty and grace.

We are blessed with 103 state parks that cover 357,000 acres of the Great Lakes state. From the Sand Dunes to Pictured Rocks, there are many ways to enjoy the beauty that our state has to offer.

Besides

WDIV • January 24 2023

Avoid the hangovers: Experts weigh in on why scaling back on drinking alcohol is good for your body, mind

Many people have stopped drinking alcohol as part of the “Dry January” challenge. But experts say, as this month nears the end, it’s a good time to think beyond January and consider scaling back more broadly.

Many people who started “Dry January” found they couldn’t make it to the end, and experts say that’s a red flag.

Around 1 in 10, U.S. adults have an alcohol use disorder, and deaths from alcohol-related liver disease have risen dramatically, and adults under 45 have been hit the hardest.