Episode 101 In the first episode of "Under the Radar - Michigan", Tom shares the mind-blowing aviation experience that the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo -- voted the best place to take someone visiting Michigan -- has to offer. He then heads to Royal Oak to Zumba, a restaurant that prides itself on its authentic and fresh Mexican food that’s also a steal.

Next, Tom makes his way to one of Detroit’s hidden treasures, the Inn on Ferry Street in Midtown, a collection of bed and breakfasts nestled near the epicenter of Detroit’s art, music, and culture. These three destinations are just the beginning. Michigan has over 10 million people, 300 cities, 260 villages, 1200 townships. With “Under the Radar - Michigan,” audiences will discover them all.

Learn more at: www.utrmichigan.com

Episode 102 Episode 102 of “Under the Radar Michigan,” is loaded with good food, phenomenal people and fabulous hot spots to stop and rest a spell.  Tom Daldin takes you through the thriving city of Grand Rapids, where he explores the following: the B.O.B (aka The Big Old Building) an old grocery warehouse turned into the city’s main entertainment center.

“Under The Radar- Michigan” travels next to the city of Cadillac, which prides itself on being a great place to live and a great place to play!  Many new businesses are coming into the new main street area, such as the large and whimsical Toy Town, which local business owners believe really contributes to the city’s growth. You’ve got to see the first class European style hotel in the Herman’s European Café & Hotel which lets visitors unwind after a day of fishing, hiking, and boating. 

Tom’s third stop takes him to the lake town of Port Huron, with its large boardwalk, lake front homes, and plenty of boating activities, making it the Maritime capital of the Great Lakes.  The main attraction however is the United States Coast Guard Cutter Bramble.  Part of the Port Huron Museum program, the Bramble allows groups of 20 people to experience what it would be like to live and sleep on a Coast Guard Cutter.  These three destinations are only the beginning.  Michigan has over 10 million people, 300 cities, 260 villages, and 1200 townships.  With “Under the Radar Michigan”, audiences will discover them all.

Episode 103 In the third episode of “Under The Radar - Michigan”, host Tom Daldin asks viewers to revisit the city of Detroit, a city that is coming back to life with its new businesses, restaurants, and entertainment centers.  New strips popping up across the city help this historic city thrive once again, and Detroit’s historic entertainment district offers something for everyone, especially if you love jazz.  Cliff Bells, a restored jazz club from the 1930s, offers great food, classic cocktails, and amazing musicians to transport you back to when jazz was king and elegance was everything.

“Under the Radar – Michigan” then travels to our state’s capitol in Lansing.  This city isn’t only for housing our government however.  Along with the historic museums, libraries, and courts, Lansing has a brand new city market and Old Town, filled with young business and old (like the 3 quarters of a century old Peanut Shop, which boasts every kind of nut imaginable), combining history with the present to create the future. One of the most famous places to visit in Lansing however, is Elderly Instruments, housing one of the largest collections of stringed instruments in the world.  This internationally renowned music store specializes in new, used, vintage, and rare instruments and is used by many famous musicians from all over the world.  If you play a stringed instrument, or are just interested in music at all, Elderly Instruments is the place to go!

Tom’s last stop takes him to the rolling countryside of Battle Creek.  This home of the Kellog company displays history in it’s 100 year old buildings while also combining beautiful river walks and city living.  The biggest attraction in Battle Creek however, is the Binder Park Zoo.  Rated one of the best zoos in America, The Binder Park Zoo’s Zuri National Park offers a chance to travel to Africa right from Michigan!  Take a tram to an authentic African village and hike through forests and plains filled with African wildlife.  Don’t forget to stop to feed the giraffes!

Episode 04
Marquette
Where a Beautiful Waterfront, a Great Meal, and Quirky Creativity Meet

Host Tom Daldin, of Under The Radar Michigan reminds viewers that the best vacation doesn’t have to include a trip to the airport. A day’s drive will take you to lovely Marquette, nestled in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near the southern shores of Lake Superior.

A hilly college town, Marquette’s downtown area bustles with a hum of friendly energy and is filled with character and charm. A walk along the waterfront reveals beautiful homes that were once old factories—providing great photo opportunities as well as showing the city’s transformation.

If you love authentic Cajun/Creole food, you won’t want to miss “Laginappe – A Cajun Creole Eatery”. Master Chef Dan has taken special care to bring Louisiana’s finest culinary favorites and Bourbon street essence to downtown Marquette.  His black beans and rice and traditional shrimp jambalaya will leave you saying, “Wow!” 

Marquette is also a creative hub where an artist with creative materials, combined with a unique artistic approach can fashion every day items into quirky and beautiful art. One such resident is Andy Gregg, a former cyclist turned artist who displays his unique, one-of-a-kind chairs, stools, and tables made entirely from old bicycle parts.  Marquette also boasts the wonderfully bizarre Lakenenland, a free drive-through art exhibit of industrial scrap yard art.  These beautiful, freaky, and unique creations of scrap machine metal are a must-see for those looking to complete their Marquette experience.  Feeling creative yourself?  Be sure to visit “Hot Plate,” a paint your own pottery store which allows visitors to relax, have fun, and produce something they can be proud of!

Alpena
Dinner with Ghosts; The Twin Sinks and Shipwrecks
Under The Radar Michigan then travels to the city of Alpena.  More than the cement capital of Michigan, Alpena offers comfortable urban spaces filled with beautiful neighborhoods and historic homes all within walking distance of the shoreline.

Hungry adventurers may want to try the “John A Lau Saloon,” which offers great meals, cold beverages, and cool ghost stories.  Enjoy the authentic saloon style dining, but watch out for the ghost who is said to haunt the building, and is not afraid to let you know if you’re not wanted. If you’re looking for a dining experience with a little less.

Episode 05
Traverse City:
Where High Class Spirits Meet a Small-Town Vibe 

Host Tom Daldin ventures to beautiful Traverse City, located at the base of Traverse Bay in northeastern lower Michigan. It’s a city that boasts a great downtown area that is filled with wonderful restaurants and is known for its exceptional spirits—specifically, vodka.

It’s a little known fact that Traverse City produces the top 6 best vodkas in the world. To investigate, Tom visits the Grand Traverse Distillery, which produces these high-class spirits. One visit is all it takes to see why it has been the proud winner of numerous blind-tasting events and how it has developed into a local institution, simultaneously elevating the status of Michigan products the world-over.

Traverse City is also home to an already iconic Michigan product: the cherry. The National Cherry Festival, now in its 84th year, attracts million of visitors, and has helped Traverse City earn its title as the cherry capital of the world.

Port Austin:
A Town for Families, Kayak Adventurers, and Food and Art Lovers

Located in the tip of Michigan’s thumb is Port Austin, a town that greets families with a happy and relaxed atmosphere, sandy beaches, picturesque piers, beautiful bed and breakfasts, and a wonderful downtown filled with shops all within walking distance.

 Families that want to get a taste of the quaint, cozy side of Port Austin can stay at ‘The Little Yellow Cottages,’ whose location in the heart of town leaves visitors with only a short walk to the parks, pier, and shops.

Art lovers can enjoy the creations of Dave Thuemmel, a dairy farmer turned Port Austin’s premier woodturner. A life-long resident, Dave has perfected his technique of handcrafting greenwood into usable, unique art. One look at his finely and painstakingly made creations shows how the simplest materials can be used to bring out greenwood’s natural beauty.

Learn more at: www.utrmichigan.com