A blast of cannon fire and the smell of black powder fill the air on this crisp summer morning at Colonial Michilimackinac. The gunshot’s pale gray smoke wafts out over Lake Michigan momentarily before a gentle breeze blows it back inland toward a red-jacketed soldier and his entourage of tourists, most of whom have clapped their hands over their ears and broken into smile.

This is how mornings begin at the reconstructed 18th-century Fort Michilimackinac in Michigan’s Mackinaw City. It’s just one of many historic sites across the Great Lakes State. But the fort stands as one of Michigan’s most popular — and one of its oldest. To read more, click here to subscribe. >>