New website helps visitors plan outdoor adventures in Port Austin, Michigan
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EmailInteractive web-based virtual tour allows people to explore the Port Austin community to plan their outdoor adventures.
In an effort to promote Port Austin, Michigan as a great place to get families outdoors on a natural resource adventure, Port Austin Kayak has partnered with Map-N-Tour to develop a virtual tour that maps out all the great kayaking, biking, paddle boarding, hiking and geo-caching locations in the area. The objective behind the development of this online tool is that families will choose to vacation in Port Austin as this website highlights all the great outdoor activities in the area and shows site visitors a map of 
where to go and what to expect.
The project is an outgrowth of the Lower Lake Huron Integrated Assessment Project, funded by Michigan Sea Grant and led by researchers at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. The project focused on how stakeholders in Michigan’s Thumb region could work together to promote natural resource-based activities related to community and economic development. Several recreation profiles and sample itineraries were developed through stakeholder input on the project.
This new online tour offers people a chance to explore, virtually, the region to plan vacations and other outings. When users visit the tour website, it is recommended that they start by clicking on the top left guided tour. From there, users are taken through the best outdoor adventures in the Port Austin area. After the tour, visitors may try clicking on some of the icons to open up bubbles with descriptions and pictures of why the trail or spot was mapped. Sample itineraries take visitors on a virtual tour of places and environmental features such as sea caves, sand dunes, Lake Huron shoreline, Pinnebog River, Table Rock, Turnip Rock, and Port Crescent State Park. “We’re excited to be a part of this great project. We hope that by virtually highlighting these opportunities, people will be encouraged to visit and experience Port Austin” said Chris Boyle, owner of Port Austin Kayak.
The website works best with Google Chrome and requires the use of Google Earth. It also functions as an app on many mobile phones and other portable devices. The tour is available via the web and mobile platforms. For mobile and tablet devices, search for Map-N-Tour in your favorite app store.
