By AMANDA SAOUD

Senior Reporter

With the price of gas getting higher every day, that carefree summer road trip

is becoming less affordable. But don’t worry. These trips provide a great

escape from that summer job without breaking the bank. All of these

destinations are within 100 miles of Oakland

University, which means you can get

there and back on just one tank of gas!

Known to most as a college town, Ann Arbor

is also one of the most culturally diverse and activity-filled cities in the

Metro area, especially during the summer.

Some of the best dining and nightlife in all of Michigan

can be found in Ann Arbor. Whether

you are looking for a place to listen to smooth music, laugh with up-and-coming

comedians or dance all night long to the latest songs, you will find it here.

A popular event of the summer is the Ann Arbor Art Fair, running this year from

July 16 to 19. Comprised of four award-winning, juried art fairs, this renowned

event transforms Ann Arbor into an

impressive outdoor art gallery showcasing the best in fine art and fine crafts.

If you are a musician, or just an aficionado, don’t miss the Riverfolk

Festival, which begins August 1 to 3. Enjoy a weekend of professional

performances as well as music workshops for children and adults.

If the idea of driving to Mackinac, Traverse City

or the Upper Peninsula is more than your wallet can

handle, check out the region known affectionately as “The Thumb.” With more

than 150 miles of shoreline and 51,000 acres of public recreation land, it offers

something for every outdoor lover.

Consisting of about a dozen small towns and villages on the shore

of Lake Huron, the thumb area

provides the up north feel without the distance. These towns have embraced

local tourism, and according to Thumbtourism.org, there is an event almost

every weekend.

Here is just a small sampling of all the fun events throughout the summer:

•20th Annual Yale Bologna Festival, July 25 to 27.

•Harmony Weekend in Caseville, August 1 to 3.

•The Sarnia to Lexington

Sailboat Race, August 2 to 3.

•Pirates on the Great Lakes in Port Austin,

August 22 to 23.

Most of the restaurants and hotels in the area are family owned, providing a

quaint feel, and generally lower prices than in bigger cities. Renting cottages

and cabins on the beach is also a popular option if you are traveling with a

group.

Don’t forget that downtown Detroit

has a lot to offer during the summer as well. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix

is August 29 to 31, and the ongoing Rockin’ on the Riverfront free concert

series is every Friday night through August 22 according to

Downtowndetroit.org. The series include musicians such as

The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult and Foreigner, and admission is free.

On August 23 the Heidelberg Project of Detroit is hosting “It’s all about the

D,” a festival that includes Hair Wars, Detroit Fashion Week and other local

artists. For more info go to Heidelberg.org.

The Magic Stick in Detroit always

has concerts to see, and the venue provides pool tables at $8 an hour. Upcoming

shows include:

•August 6: RX Bandits

•August 16: Cute is What We Aim For

•September 4: Reggie and the Full Effect

Check out more dates and events at Majesticdetroit.com.

For a sense of something different that is just around the corner, visit Detroit’s

Greektown.

Filled with restaurants, bars, clubs, shopping, lodging and entertainment,

Greektown is ideal for an OU student wanting to experience something different.

Learn more at Visitgreektown.com.