Sanford Historical Museum - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Pere Marquette Rail Trail is a spectacular outdoor experience. Spanning over 30 miles, it serves as a stunningly beautiful recreational trail encompassing lakes, woods and prairies. Formerly an old railroad line, the path is wide and flat, gently winding along scenic views of Chippewa River, Salt Creek and Warner Creek. Adventurers can enjoy bicycling, running or walking the diverse wildlife areas. It also provides horseback riding trails for more experienced riders.

Sanford Lake is a popular destination located in Midland County, Michigan. It stretches 225 acres and offers loads of outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, and even swimming. Surrounded by lush trees and rolling hills, it's the perfect place for taking a leisurely stroll or having a picnic with loved ones. The lake is home to a variety of wildlife like nesting cherries, green herons, Red-shouldered hawks, mallards and loons to name just a few.

Bradley Home/Carriage House Hall is a historical site with a rich and varied history. The main house was originally built by Mayhew and Daisy Bradley in the early 1920s, with the Carriage House being added later. Over the years, many renovations and updates have been made to both buildings. Today, the main house serves as a museum open to visitors featuring photographs of the original homesteaders and artifacts from the Bradley family.

Chippewa Nature Center is a popular destination for outdoor lovers. CNC offers both nature exploration and long-distance hiking trails. With over 18 miles of trails to explore, visitors can observe interesting wildlife or simply enjoy the scenic views. From cats to wolves and even songbirds, animal life abounds at CNC. In addition to the trails, CNC also has several educational classes offered each month with the intent of teaching visitors about Michigan's natural environment.

Emerson Park is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This sprawling park features a variety of activities and experiences—from fishing on the Sanford Lake beachfront to exploring the winding hiking trails of Emerson Park Woods. Guests can also take advantage of shelters for group events, picnic areas, children's playgrounds, and expansive open spaces perfect for lounging around.

The Midland Center for the Arts provides locals and visitors to the area with a dynamic and exciting performing arts center. From quality live theater performances to classical music and dance, this center offers a wide variety of experiences for their patrons. Additionally, the center also hosts a number of educational activities for students such as workshops, lectures, classes and camps that emphasize positive learning experiences.