Greenfield village is a living historical museum. The Cherry Festival in Traverse City pulls thousands of people from around the country to taste cherry concoctions of your wildest dreams. Beaches, lighthouses, lakes, parks, bridges, historical churches, Mackinaw Island, for goodness sake! There are loads of reasons to convince someone to visit Michigan. But what is the biggest tourist attraction in the state?

Cabela’s.

I am not a hunter, in fact my lone hunting friend is sometimes referred to as Bambi-killer, so I will not pretend to have a full understanding of the draw. I like to fish, camp, and wear warm clothes now and then, but there are lots and lots of items at Cabela’s that I never even knew there was a market for.

Like big game strollers.

And very expensive fly-tying vises.

None the less, Cabela’s fascinates me, and so if given the chance I like to go.

During the Holiday break, my kids, their cousins, my mom and I piled into the minivan for a Grandma Day Trip. On the way out of town, I told my mom we should take the kids to Cabela’s. I think she was a little perplexed.

“For what?” she asked, having never been there, and feeling no need for anything in camoflague.

"It’s neat, the kids will like it."

“Oh.”

I promised it wouldn’t take long and in we went. Needless to say, the kids were dumbfounded. Evan, age 6, was tickled to see a live trout in the river that runs through the store --about the same size as the one he remembers catching two summers ago. Serena, age 8 was excited to see eight not so tiny reindeer in a wintry scene near the back of the store. Kayley, age ten, was plotting a way to find out if the animal fur was as soft as it looked, or if the turtles in the aquarium may actually be for sale as pets. And little Seth was equally amazed and fear-filled by the animals on display on the mountain in the center of the store.

“This is better than the zoo, have you EVER been this close to a live elephant? Look at the wrinkles on its nose!”

“Mom, it’s no longer actually live…”

“Yes, but this is soo cool! I cannot believe it is free to get in. Hey let’s find out how much that pontoon boat is…”

Cabela’s is a sight to be seen located 20 minutes south of Ann Arbor in Dundee Michigan. You can check out their impressive store photo gallery here.

The store holds classes and events most every weekend. In January, you can learn more about underwater cameras, snowshoe fun, winter camping, outdoor video games, selecting a backpack, and CCW classes. The complete listing is on the website.

Lead Shopping Blogger Angie Smith will hunt for deals and dish on the latest in retail in Ann Arbor. Readers will attain notices of great deals, and store happenings in and around the city. To report a news item or tip contact her at angieannarbor@gmail.com