A Day for Curiosities and Michigan History

If you want to have a tasty breakfast not at home, stop in at this no-frills diner complete with breakfast specials and kitschy Americana decor, and Coca-Cola memorabilia. The menu delivers huge portions at modest prices, with off-beat offerings such as the Homer Simpson omelet, made up of radioactive peanuts, stale popcorn, and Duff’s beer. The family-owned diner has been in operation since 1941, and still runs with the mission to treat every guest like family—every local knows to enter through the kitchen, not the front door.

If you can, schedule a visit to the Ye Old Carriage Shop, an impressive private collection of old-fashioned cars, including 18 Jackson-made automobiles dating back to the early- to mid-twentieth century. During this period, Jackson was one of the largest manufacturers of automobiles in the Midwest. Lloyd Ganton, the founder of the museum, has also curated 15 other collections, including pedal cars, model aeroplanes, boxed toys, Coca-Cola memorabilia, and others. It's a must-see if you can make it—tours have to be booked by appointment at their phone number.

Park here to explore Jackson's street art and try the famous local hot dogs.
Once parked, walk through the spectacular murals painted across the city, which began as part of the international Bright Walls Mural Festival in 2018.
You can find the map via the link in the next event of the itinerary.

Since its inception, the festival has filled the city's buildings with more than 40 murals. Follow the map from the Bright Walls Festival team to help you see and identify each mural. When you are finished, head out for lunch.

For lunch, eat at the historic birthplace of Michigan's infamous Coney Island hot dogs.
Established in 1914, the Jackson Coney Island has fed the community through the Great Depression and two World Wars. Jackson Coney Island served the community and sat in front of the bustling Jackson Train Station on East Michigan Avenue, which had 50 trains running through it in its heyday. On your walk over, you will pass this historic train stop. Locals universally accept that Jackson Coney Island was the first Coney Island in Michigan, but it's up to you to decide if it's the best! When you are finished, walk back over to your car before heading out for ice cream.

Pick up your car and head a little east to stop for some desserts.

Stop at The Parlour of Jackson for some old-fashioned ice cream sundaes, banana splits, and over 40 hand-dipped ice cream flavors. Over a hundred years old, the red diner furniture, jukebox, and old-school employee attire catapult you back in time to a 1950s diner.

The Ella Sharp Museum is a peculiar museum on your route that features 11 nineteenth-century structures, including Ella's old farmhouse, a schoolhouse, an old log cabin, and a woodshop. Visit the museums' galleries and the Never Enough Time Gallery, a semi-permanent collection of curiously-looking clocks. Visit their website for additional information.

Head over to the grounds at Grand River Brewery, which boasts a brewery, distillery, winery, eatery, and full-service caterer, all in one stop. Formerly an 85-year-old public house, the neglected building was refreshed and converted to include a column vodka still and a 15-barrel steam-powered brewhouse. The menu serves hand-crafted and locally-sourced barbecue, pizza, and classic bar food. Choose from a wide selection of their house-made craft brews on tap.

End your route at The Cascades, a giant man-made waterfall that sits illuminated by a bursting light show. The falling waters were originally built in the 1930s to add positivity and attraction to the city. Now, after extensive restoration and renovations, the fountain and falls still stand, lighting up the city until now.