Activities

Black Friday shopping in Michigan? Visit the Duty Free first!
November 14, 2011

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Black Friday is coming up, and that means it’s time to make hay for Canadian shoppers.  For some, the trip is just a swing over the border for a few hours.  For others, it’s a weekend filled with shopping and tourism.

If you’re planning on spending any amount of time over the border, be sure to check in at the Duty Free before you cross.  You’ll save the tax on already discounted goods, and can take advantage your personal exemption.  You’re allowed to exceed your limit for a relatively small state tax.
So long as you consume the balance of the amount your exceeded your exemption by, you won’t have to pay tax when coming back to Canada.

Outlet stores do not always follow outlet mall hours, so it’s a good idea to call any stores you are particularly interested in to make sure they will be open.

Michican has historically been a focal point of the holiday shopping season.  Suburban living exploded in the motor city because of the importance of the automobile to its economy.  There was vast investment in the state’s roadways, and in turn suburban communities sprung up alongside them, along with some of the nation’s first shopping centers.

  • Macomb Mall – Roseville, Michigan
    Gratiot & Masonic (13 ½ Mile)
    32233 Gratiot Avenue
    Roseville, MI 48066
    (586) 293-7800

Special Holiday Hours at Macomb Mall (.pdf)

See also: Southwest Ontario Region Specials –    Prairie Specials

  • Northland Center - Southfield, Michigan
    21500 Northwestern
    Hwy Suite 1212
    Southfield, Michigan
    48075-5018

See also: Southwest Ontario Region Specials –    Prairie Region Specials

northland center holiday hours

  • Oakland Mall - Troy, Michigan
    412 W. 14 Mile Road
    Troy, Michigan 48083
    (248) 585-6000

Located  between I-75 and John R Road,  just east of the I-75 junction.

See also: Southwest Ontario Region Specials –    Prairie Region Specials

  • Southland Shopping Center – Taylor, Michigan
    23000 Eureka Road
    Taylor, Michigan 48180-5254
    (734) 374-2800

November 24th – Closed
November 25th – 6:00 AM-10:00 PM

Macy’s - 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
JCPenney - 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
The Children’s Place - 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Charlotte Russe - 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Aéropostale - 12:00 AM – 10:00 PM

November 26th – 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
November 27th – 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
November 28th-30th – 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Shoppers who spend $100 on the morning of Friday, November 25th will receive a $10 Shop Etc. Gift Card when they present their valid receipts at the Merrier Shopping Redemption Zone located in Center Court.*

*Offer valid while supplies last. Redemption Zone opens 1 hour after mall opens & remains open for 6 hours. Eligible receipts must be from this center & dated November 25, 2011. Must be 17 or older & present I.D. See complete terms at Redemption Zone.

See also: Southwest Ontario Region Specials –    Prairie Region Specials

Climb, ski, ride, hike, bike, float, pitch a tent, cast a line or tee it up in Washington’s Great Outdoors
November 10, 2011

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washington olympic mountainsNo matter what time of year it is, Washington State is an excellent venue to travel to to experience the great outdoors.

Washington’s scenic byways are just the ticket for exploring many of the state’s greatest treasures. Recognized as the premier driving tours in the state, experience it all from culture and art, to agriculture and industry, to outstanding natural landscapes and outdoor recreation.
No other place in the world can you visit a rainforest, wine country, a river gorge, two mountain ranges, five volcanoes, numerous rivers, streams, and lakes, a desert and several islands – all without leaving Washington.

From the Osoyoos Lake State Park to estate and vineyard tours, the region lets you strike a balance between culture and the untamed wilderness.

Year round, wine festivals are held in and around Washington State to showcase the skill and quality of Washington vintners.

While each region is home to its own set of vintners, they’re also home to a unique set of opportunities to get active outdoors. The Ancient Lakes area is home to waterfalls in the desert, deep coulees, lakes, sagebrush, wildflowers, and a cacophony of bird songs. The Ancient Lakes area is part of the Quincy Lakes Unit, a product of erosion of lava flows by glacial floodwaters. Many layers of basalt are exposed in towering 800-foot cliffs, isolated mesas, stair stepped benches, box canyons and potholes.

During your travels, you might want to take in some of the local flavour over your radio. Here’s a list of the stations available to you:

Grunge, hip-hop, hair bands and everything in between. - GenX 104.9

The Classic Rock Station in Spokane Washington – KKZX 98.9

QCountry - QCountry 102.9

Spokane and Coeur d’Alene’s best country – KIX 96

(Mix) – “Your music – your station.” – 103.1 KCDA

Oldies – 95.7

Spokane and Coeur d’Alene’s Best Mix of Lite Rock Favorites – Kiss 96.1

Sports – Seattle’s Local Sports Station - AM 950

Top 40 and pop – Kiss 106.1

Hip Hop – KUBE 93

Don’t forget to stop at the Duty Free before you cross the border!

There are plenty of goods that you can save tax on, on already discounted merchandise!

Visit your nearest store:

British Columbia

Peace Arch – Surrey, Hwy#99
West Coast – Surrey, Hwy#15
Aldergrove
Abbotsford
Osoyoos
Kingsgate
Tobacco Plains – Roosville

Alberta

Altan – Coutts

Drive down the west coast – make it the drive of a lifetime.
October 24, 2011

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Have you ever noticed how many car commercials are shot on a winding highway, high above the ocean, with nothing but a mountainous coastline and a shiny car in view?

The majority of these are shot on California’s Pacific Coast Highway.

Listed on National Geographic’s list of Drives of a Lifetime, this 1056 km (656 mi) highway runs down the majority of the west coast of the United States.  The Big Sur section from San Luis Obispo to Carmel is an official National Scenic Byway.

Bloggers have catalogued their trips down the west coast by letting their pictures do the talking.  Indeed there’s not much more to be said than “sheer beauty.”

You can click on the links above to see official information on these destinations.  Or, you can take a look from the point of view of some recent west coast road trippers:

Seattle City – Mariners Style: @DaleTidy

Seattle to Vancouver “The Coast with the Most”:   @SarahDickerman

West Coast Road Trip – Spokane to Anaheim: Craig Shillam

Road Trip Adventures – Santa Monica: @manicmanagedmom

Stop at the Duty Free Canada land border location nearest you before you cross the border.  You’ll save tax and more on premium goods!

The Ultimate Round Trip – United States segment
October 20, 2011

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Two South Africans have gone on an extended vacation around the world to take in and share their experience in an online blog. This follows the trend of staying connected with friends and family by way of the internet during long-distance journeys.

Tristan had just finished studies in Town Planning at university. Likewise, Dominique finished postsecondary studies and wanted more. Tristan said, “I feel like there’s so much more fun stuff to do rather than sitting behind a desk all day. So that’s where this trip, and subsequently this blog, come into the frame.”

To say this is a small undertaking would be a gross understatement. “I’m absolutely petrified about traveling around the world,” he said.

However, Tristan says he feels a “true sense of excitement and adventure” and that he will try his best to keep the stories (and photos) coming.

Their most recent updates are updating the Southern US portion of their travels. When you visit their site, you can browse through their tour of Daytona, Orlando, New Orleans, Austin, San Diego and more.

Their trip has amassed

    156 days travelling

    66 271 kilometres travelled

    14 flights

    14 bus trips

    4 4X4 trips

    11 train rides

    5 ferry rides

    3 self-driven car rides

    1 self-driven RV road trip

    40 places visited

    12 countries visited

Visit their website at www.theultimateroundtrip.com for many great pictures and videos describing their travels mapped out below! And you can follow them on Twitter @theURTblog
View Larger Map

Norsk Høstfest – North America’s Largest Scandinavian Festival!
September 26, 2011

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Celebrating its 34th year, the festival starts the evening of Tuesday, September 27th and continues through to Saturday, October 1st.

Tens of thousands of people attend the event annually to celebrate and partake in Scandinavian culture and entertainment. Over 200 internationally recognized artisans, craftsmen and chefs participate. The experience is an eclectic array of contemporary and traditional themes. The cuisine as well as the clothes, art and jewelry are authentic, fine quality and exquisitely Nordic.

The Nordic history and heritage is alive from the Clog Shop and the Import Shop to the Sølje Shop and the General Store. Unique and fascinating shops abound in the International Marketplace. Buy silver jewelry, Norwegian sweaters, authentic Scandinavian gifts, fine art and souvenirs.

The cuisine cannot be matched — And you won’t find such a wide variety of authentic Scandinavian food anywhere else in North America. People come to Norsk Høstfest just for the superb fare! Choose from four sidewalk cafés, The Scandinavian Kitchen, Swedish Bakery, En To Tre Fine Dining, and many more. Indulge in such culinary favorites as Danish Aebelskivers, lefse, Oof-Da Tacos, rice pudding, Swedish meatballs and Viking-on-a-stick.

Feel the warmth of the Scandinavian hospitality at Norsk Høstfest as you meet and make new friends. There is a tradition here of introducing yourself with, “Hi, and where are you from?” And you’ll hear it often. If you participate and ask the right person, that person being the “Mystery Viking,” you’ll win $100! A surprise and potential new friend is around every corner. Dance with a troll or play “Knock The Fleas Off The Black Plague Rat!” Camaraderie — This is what Norsk Høstfest is all about.

Visit your local land border Duty Free on your way South. Remember, you don’t pay tax or duty on already discounted products!