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Foursquare is all the buzz right now… and I can’t help but wonder why city-based badges are popping up, but we don’t have any Michigan badges yet .  Although I currently reside in Jersey City, I love my home state of Michigan and “check-in” there regularly!  Even with a struggling economy, Michigan is a beautiful state with a strong sense of community and a commitment toward innovation.  Hantz Farms is taking a battered Detroit and creating the largest urban farm in the world.  Grand Rapids-based open ArtPrize competition has been attracting national coverage and has been referred to as “magical” and “the city’s revival” by the TODAY show.

As I sit here awaiting the Michigan vs. Michigan State football rivalry this Saturday afternoon, I think back to growing up in the Lansing area.  In fact, I just visited last week.  The downtown East Lansing Shopping District, the restaurants, the beautifully renovated Capitol building and surrounding areas are still bustling with local businesses and smiling faces.

That brings me to the point… finally.  Foursquare is located in New York, and if I’m not mistaken, they operate on a small staff of about 30 employees. I’m not sure that any of these employees have spent the amount of time I have in Michigan, so I thought I’d help out with some new badge ideas just in case they’re looking for recommendations.  After all, those of you who know me from Java Social Networking already know that one of my personal goals is to create buzz about Michigan local business.  This avid Foursquare user believes that badges in Michigan will most likely lead to increased tourism and business buzz.  So Michigan sports teams, communities, local businesses… let’s get our Foursquare on.

Here are the Top 10 Michigan Badges that I’d like to see!

Great Lakes Badge for checking in at one state park on each of the 5 Great Lakes: Michigan, Superior, Huron, Ontario, and Erie.  Yes, I realize you have to go to the U.P. (aka upper peninsula for the out-of-towners) to check-in at Lake Superior. And yes, I realize that Lake Ontario isn’t even accessible through Michigan.  That’s ok… adventure is the name of the game.

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Little Bavaria Badge for checking into five locations in Frankenmuth. For those who aren’t familiar, Frankemuth is a small German Village that attracts 3 million tourists annually.  The chicken is amazing, and there’s plenty of sites for a day trip.  These might include The Bavarian Inn, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland (world’s largest Christmas store),  Frankenmuth Cheese Haus, Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, Frankenmuth Brewery (tasty brews, try the sampler), and/or Willi’s Sausage Company.  DO NOT leave Frankenmuth without trying the chicken at Bavarian Inn or Zehnders.  Seriously… don’t do it.

Big-B Badge for checking into 10 different Biggbys locations.  You could probably take a stroll around Lansing and accomplish this.  Biggbys (previously Beaner’s Coffee) originated in 1995 in East Lansing, Michigan.  Since then, they’ve changed the name and became the largest coffee franchise in the country with just shy of 120 stores last I checked peppered down the east side of the U.S.  Bob Fish, aka @BiggbyBob is a big believer in personal branding and marketing through social media.  In the Lansing area alone, I count about 20 locations.  If you’re in Boston, you drink Dunkin Donuts coffee.  If you’re in Seattle… well, you should already have your Barista Badge.  If you’re in Lansing, you drink Biggbys.

Motown Badge could be obtained by checking into 5 Detroit music venues.  Detroit has been long known for it’s music roots.  Over the years, many have claimed Detroit as their home including: Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Kid Rock, Eminem, ICP (even through I’m pretty sure they’re from Novi), Sonny Bono, Aaliyah, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, The Spinners, Grand Funk Railroad, George Clinton, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper… anyhow, I think you get the idea.  Detroit concert venues are still some of my favorite in the country, The Fox Theatre, St. Andrews Hall, The Majestic / Magic Stick, Alvin’s, and The Fillmore (fka The State Theatre).  I’d also include the Detroit Opera House and the Max M. Fisher Music Center (home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra) on this list. Badgeworthy, for sure.

Turtle Badge could be obtained if you check in on Mackinac Island.  In the popular book, 1000 Places To See Before You Die, Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel is the only destination listed within the State of Michigan.  I actually think they must not have not spent much time here to know otherwise.  With that said, Native Americans named this island for it’s shape; that of a turtle’s back.  Tourists can visit the island by ferry.  Motor vehicles are not allowed on the island to this day but there’s plenty to see and do.  Visitors get around by carriage, bicycles, horseback or by foot.

Michigander Badge could be obtained by checking in at 10 of the local attractions across the state including: Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (Grand Rapids), Hart Plaza (Detroit), Bronner’s Christmas Store (Frankenmuth), Dominoes Farms (Ann Arbor), Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit), Comerica Park (Detroit), Michigan Capitol Building (Lansing), Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Tahquamenon Falls), Soo Locks (Sault Ste Marie), Hot Dog Hall of Fame (Rockford), The Joe Louis Sculpture (Detroit)… the list goes on.

Rock Bottom Badge – Hell, Michigan is small town nestled amidst a chain of lakes somewhere between Ann Arbor and East Lansing.  People drive from all over to mail their taxes at the general store/post office aka “Hell In A Hand Basket,” where you can grab a cup of coffee while they burn the edge of your envelope and mail it off to the IRS.  If it’s a hot day in Hell, stop into Screams Ice Cream or the Dam Site Inn for a drink.  There’s even a wedding chapel if you’re looking for a marriage in hell.  Anyone who can get enough reception in hell to check-in deserves a badge.

Blinded By The Light Badge – There are more than 115 lighthouses across the Great Lakes.  Many of these are taken care of by local volunteers who stay for a week or two at a time.  Michigan’s beaches are a summer destination for many, and we look forward to it as we’re scraping ice from our windshields during those long winter months.  The sunset strolls along the boardwalks are always breathtaking.  This badge could be summer seasonal since I’m not sure of the practicality of checking in while ice fishing with full cold weather gear and gloves.

Model T Badge – You would obtain this badge by checking into The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village.  A walk through the history of American Innovation, this is a unique and memorable destination for visitors near and far.
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Octopus Badge - Home of the successful Red Wings NHL franchise, Detroit is commonly referred to as Hockeytown.  For over 50 years, hockey fans hoist octopi onto the ice during playoff season in a custom symbolic of the 8 games it takes to win the playoffs.  Red Wings official mascot is also a purple octopus named Al.  A check in at Joe Louis Arena would earn the Octopus Badge.

Let’s hear it Michigan… what am I missing?  hunting, skiing, Big 10… what badges to you want to see?

P.S. Foursquare, let me know if there’s something I can do to get Michigan involved… contact Pure Michigan, The State Legislators, The Red Wings…  I’m merely a few subway stops from the Village Voice Bldg.  We can chat, I’ll bring the coffee, and I’ll check-in while I’m there.