Searching for the very best locations to check out in Michigan? Explore this amazing and varied state with this expert’s guide to the very best things to do in Michigan by a regional. Michigan is a preferred trip location for nature enthusiasts, professional photographers, travelers, severe sports lovers, and anybody searching for an extraordinary experience.
The Great Lake State draws in visitors from around America and Canada. From the north coast of Lake Michigan to the Motown and Motor City heritage of Detroit, there are lots of factors to check out Michigan.
Finest Places to Check Out in Michigan
These are the best locations to check out in Michigan as suggested by Michigander Sherry Trautman who was born and raised in your area. If you are searching for trip concepts, include these locations in Michigan to your journey. This post has actually been upgraded by The World D for 2023.
1. Detroit
You can not have a list of the very best things to do in Michigan and not consist of the Motor City of Detroit. Detroit is Michigan’s biggest city and has a lot more to provide than simply automobiles and Motown (although those are quite cool too). Detroit has a cool art scene with the Detroit Institute Of Arts Museum and the Heidelberg Job simply among others.
If you do check out Detroit you do not wish to miss out on the museums. From the Motown Museum and the Detroit Historic Museum to the Henry Ford Museum, you can find out everything about what Detroit resembled in its prime time and a see to Corktown and the East MArket will provide a terrific check out the city’s culture.
If you wish to discover more about all the terrific things to do in Detroit, make certain to have a look at our extensive short article here. Learn more: 21 Finest Things to Do in Detroit Michigan
Where to Remain In Detroit
The Marriott at the Renaissance Center lies straight on individuals Mover making it an excellent main area. Found in among the 7 towers of the Renaissance Centre, this is a terrific area in Detroit.
Doubletree Suites by Hilton — We enjoyed our stay here in Fort Shelby, a historic district at the train station. The Fox Theatre and Detroit Opera Home neighbor, and a few of the location’s noteworthy landmarks consist of Masonic Temple and Ambassador Bridge.
2. Charlevoix
Did you understand you can see your own little piece of Hobbiton in Michigan? Charlevoix is not just a terrific location to make a base in Northern Michigan, however it is likewise house to the special mushroom homes developed by distinguished designer, Earl Young.
Found 4 hours north of Detroit, a see to Charlevoix was among our preferred things to do in the lower peninsula. Its attractive setting makes it among the very best romantic vacations in Michigan.
Start by taking a directed trip of the gorgeous houses that look like mushrooms, look for Petosky stones at Angler’s Island State Park and Lake Michigan Beach, and take a trip of Castle Farms, among Michigan’s premier historical destinations. This castle was integrated in 1918 already Sears, Roebuck & & Co-president, and provides a little piece of Europe in the heart of Michigan. There is a detailed design railway and hedge labyrinth. This is a gorgeous stop on any check out to Michigan. Learn more: Mushroom Houses of Charlevoix– All Hobbits Welcome to Michigan!
3. Unwind on Mackinac Island
There’s a reason Mackinac Island tops our finest locations to check out in Michigan. It is such a picturesque island location for travelers, dreamers, and enthusiasts.
No automobiles are enabled on the island and because horse-drawn carriages, strolling, and bikes are the only modes of transport on the island, you’ll feel your mind and body gradually unwind. An excellent concept is to go horseback riding on the island.
Close your eyes for a minute and picture the calming noises of waves lapping versus the rocks, the soft “clop, clop” noise of horse-drawn carriages gradually going by, and the heat of the sun on your face.
Positioned in between the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula of Michigan in the Straits of Mackinac, Mackinac Island is house to gorgeous sundowns, art programs, and limitless chances for water activities. It resembles an island escape on the magnificent Lake Huron. Prior to taking the ferryboat over to the Island, drop in at Bridge View Park to take an image of the renowned Mackinac Bridge. It is the fifth-longest suspension bridge on the planet. Take a look at 8 Factors You Should Check out Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Where to Remain on Mackinac island
An excellent location to remain is The Grand Hotel. This historical grand hotel has actually been inviting visitors because 1887 and has actually been called the very best hotel by the similarity Conde Nast and Travel and Leisure. See evaluations on TripAdvisor
Things to do
Lease a bike as the island is 8 miles in area.
Climb up the 207 stairs up Castle Rock (yes, I counted!) to see the popular Arch Rock and spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
Learn more about the island’s history while visiting Fort Mackinac (and if you are fortunate, you may get to fire the cannon!).
Check out the gorgeous Butterfly Home.
Lease a kayak to delight in elegant, seldom-seen views of the island and the Straits of Mackinac..
Indulge your craving for sweets on velvety Mackinac Island Fudge..
Visit the renowned Grand Hotel and its magnificent gardens..
4. Grand Rapids
If you enjoy microbrews or beer in basic Grand Rapids is a location you do not wish to miss out on. Found on the banks of the Grand River not far from Lake Michigan, Grand Rapids has more than 80 Craft Breweries and various awards and you will quickly learn why they have actually nicknamed Grand Rapids “Beer City U.S.A.”.
If beer is not your thing Grand Rapids likewise has some great art galleries and shopping. You do not wish to miss out on the Grand Rapids Art Museum or the Frederik Meijer Gardens & & Sculpture Park, both should have a see on your next journey to Michigan. Kids will not be neglected either with a see to the John Ball Zoo.
If you are searching for outside activities, make certain to paddle along the Grand River Heritage Path, the 41-mile waterway is an outside fan’s play area. And history enthusiasts will delight in The Gerald Ford Presidential Museum.
For an enjoyable day with the entire household, go out to Michigan’s Experience, the state’s biggest theme park with roller rollercoasters, water parks, and family-friendly trips.
5. Traverse City
Traverse City is ripe (pun planned) for exceptional red wine tasting, kayaking, cycling, checking out, and enjoying all things cherry. The biggest city in northwest Michigan, Traverse City lies at the southern pointer of Grand Traverse Bay and is a must-stop on a Northern Michigan trip.
The Cherry Capital of the World and its 5 surrounding counties produce forty percent of the yearly tart cherry crop in the United States. While checking out Traverse City, snap an enjoyable image in front of the World’s Largest Cherry Pie Pan, delight in an ice cream flight at Moomers, and start a high ship experience. If you check out in July, the National Cherry Celebration will remain in full speed. This enjoyable Michigan celebration draws over 500,000 visitors each year! Traverse City’s cherry blossoms flower in Might, providing exceptional photography chances while tasting red wine on the Leelanau and Old Objective peninsulas.
Tours and Where to Stay
Discover the scary side of the city by visiting the deserted state psychological center and steam tunnels at the Town at Grand Traverse Commons, among the biggest historical conservation and adaptive reuse redevelopments in the nation. This 1.5 hour ghost trip let’s you check out traverse city during the night as you stop at a few of the popular destinations.
This apartment in Traverse City has 2 bed rooms, 2 baths and sleeps 6. There is parking, and it is strolling range of downtown Traverse City, with all the wonderful dining establishments and stores. Examine it out on VRBO.
Sugar Beach Resort Hotel situated straight on the beach of East Grand Traverse Bay.
Cool Truth: In 2009 TripAdvisor called Traverse City the # 2 village travel location in the United States and it has actually been called among the Leading 10 Places to retire in the nation.
6. Discover Shipwrecks and Fossils in Alpena
Alpena rests on the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron. Did you understand there are over 200 shipwrecks in this sanctuary? While checking out Alpena, make certain to take an exciting glass-bottom boat trip to see a number of sunken wrecks throughout Thunder Bay. It’s an extraordinary experience!
The Alpena area likewise provides impressive hiking, gorgeous cycling routes, checking out, and kayaking chances at Island Park, Besser Natural Location, and Rockport State Park. Learn more at Enjoyable and Distinct Things to do in Northern Michigan
7. Frankenmuth– Fried Chicken and Christmas Wonderland
As a word of caution, Frankenmuth, Michigan, can quickly take your heart. This lovely Bavarian-themed town is house to the popular Holz Bruke-covered bridge, horse-drawn carriage trips, and alluring sausage, taffy, and fudge stores. For a special experience, book a pretzel rolling class at the Bavarian Inn or start a riverboat adventure on the family-owned Bavarian Belle.
Frankenmuth is among Michigan’s leading traveler destinations and part of the 6 neighborhoods that comprise the Great Lakes Bay area. A Trademark motion picture or more has actually even been shot in Frankenmuth thanks to its christmas style.
Your journey to Frankenmuth isn’t finish up until you have actually treated yourself to Zehnder’s popular fried chicken or looked for handcrafted accessories at Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s biggest Christmas shop. And make certain to stop at the Frankenmuth Historic Museum to learn more about the interesting history of the location. You will not leave the seven-acre shop empty-handed as 50,000 trims and presents will lure you at every turn!
8. Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a hectic park with exceptional waterfalls. One appears like a small Niagara Falls. I might see us staying for a day or more for treking, swimming and just taking pleasure in the surroundings. There were a great deal of individuals checking out the Falls. There are 2 entryways, an upper and lower falls.
This stop on our finest locations to check out in Michigan belonged of our picturesque drive through the Lake Superior Circle Trip– Ultimate 2 Week Schedule. We drove from the Canadan border through Whitefish Point and Grand Marais.
The upper is the bigger and more gorgeous of the 2, however the lower had a choice to take a boat or opt for walkings so they are both a must-stop. 3 are 40 miles of picturesque routes to go treking through so invest a day and delight in the outdoors.
Grand Marais produces a terrific base to check out Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. More on that listed below.
9. Rockport State Park
If you are feeling daring, invest a number of hours at Rockport State Park looking for the extensive rock quarry and interesting bat hibernaculum. You can likewise discover and bring house unusual Devonian fossils going back 400 million years!
Found simply north of Alpena, Rockport State Parks covers 4,237 on the coasts of Lake Huron. Go treking to discover the series of sinkholes and watch out for the Devonian Duration fossils. This is a terrific park for treking and biking. Plus it is understood for its dark skies.
10. Picture Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is among the most attractive locations to check out in Michigan. Found on the south coast of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula it is a summertime and winter season play area. Snowmobiling, cross-country snowboarding in the winter season, treking, and kayaking in the summertime deal spectacular views of the magnificent sandstone cliffs and unblemished beaches.
There are roughly 100 miles of treking routes to check out to delight in a serene communicate nature. In the winter season this is a popular area for cross-country snowboarding.
If you check out Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore throughout the winter, a number of frozen waterfalls deserve treking or snowshoeing a number of miles. You can even go ice climbing up as imagined rocks have a few of the very best ice climbing up in the nation. You can likewise check out the spectacular Eben Ice Caves situated in Eben Junction, simply 20 miles southwest of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
11. Sand Dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-see while checking out Michigan. Found in Michigan’s lower peninsula on the coasts of Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is simply 30 miles from Traverse City. The dunes themselves increase over 150 feet above the coasts of Lake Michigan and reaching the top is certainly worth it. Maybe among the most picturesque and varied views of the dunes is Pierce Stocking Drive situated near Empire, Michigan.
You will have the chance to picture large sweeping dunes, climb up an extremely high dune and start picturesque walkings, consisting of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Path, which follows the coastline of Lake Michigan and provides some spectacular panoramas. While you are checking out Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seaside and the surrounding location, think about driving south on M-22 to see Point Betsie, among Michigan’s the majority of gorgeous lighthouses.
Where to Stay
To check out sleeping bear dunes, this trip leasing lies simply tone blog site from Empire Beach on Lake Michigan in the historic village of Empire. See it on VRBO.
Sleeping Bear is likewise situated simply 40 minutes from Traverse City. An excellent location to remain in Traverse City at Sugar Beach Resort Hotel situated straight on the beach of East Grand Traverse Bay.
This apartment in Traverse City has 2 bed rooms, and 2 baths, and sleeps 6. There is parking, and it is strolling range of downtown Traverse City, with all the wonderful dining establishments and stores. Examine it out on VRBO.
12. Rafting Experience in East Jordan
Rafting, tubing, and kayaking fans will enjoy the clear, fast-moving rapids of the East Jordan river. Views of the imposing evergreen are spectacular with each turn and bend in the river. Rafting down the river with Jordan River Outfitters after a fresh snowfall is a cold yet gorgeous and thrilling winter season experience.
The Jordan River is found on the northwestern part of the lower peninsula and takes you through the untamed wilderness where you might identify beavers, otters, white-tailed deer, and possibly the evasive bald eagle.
13. Sand Dunes of Silver Lake
If heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping action is your concept of a wonderful trip, think about including a dune buggy experience in Silver Lake to your Michigan trip travel plan. Upon showing up, you will discover the town feels alive, nearly vibrating with energy and enjoyment.
Adrenalin fans can lease jeeps or buggies to crest and hurry down the towering dunes ignoring gleaming Silver Lake. For a much shorter, family-friendly dune experience, start an exciting dune trip with a regional trip business.
14. Midland’s Record-Breaking Canopy Stroll
For a special Michigan experience, check out the Country’s Longest Canopy Stroll in the Great Lakes Bay Area of Michigan. Found at Dow Gardens and Whiting Forest in Midland, this 1400-foot-long canopy walk weaves through a red pine forest.
Open year-round, find what it resembles to roam amongst the treetops and stroll suspended 40 feet in the air. While checking out Midland, cheer on the Loons throughout a rousing baseball video game or check out the Tridge, a three-way wood footbridge providing a bird’s eye view of the Chippewa and Tittabawassee rivers.
It lies 30-minutes northwest of Saginaw and 2 hours from Detroit.
15. Unwind and Check Out East Tawas
Tawas Point State Park is a wonderful location to check out throughout all 4 of Michigan’s seasons. The warmer weather condition months provide chances to kayak, paddleboard, bike, camp, unwind on the beach or meander along the Saginaw Bay Birding Path. Throughout winter season, secure some crampons onto the sole of your boots and check out the Sandy Hook Nature Path paralleling Lake Huron. Tawas Point Lighthouse’s brilliant red brick is likewise a striking contrast versus gleaming white snow.
Downtown East Tawas provides exceptional store shopping and dining on Newman Street. Roam the boardwalk around the close-by marina for views of glamorous boats bobbing in the water and waves cresting on Lake Huron. As you walk, get a Pronto Puppy, a remarkably crispy corn canine on a stick for an enjoyable afternoon treat.
16. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Among the very best locations to check out in Michigan if you desire a more remote journey is the Upper Peninsula’s Porcupine Mountains. Found on the western pointer of this location of Michigan, the Porcupine Mountains is the outside traveler’s location of option.
With over 60,000 acres of wilderness you can take on treking routes that take you to gorgeous waterfalls and neglects and if you check out in the winter season snow shoeing and cross nation snowboarding are on the menu.
Whichever method you choose to check out the Porcupine mountains, treking, getting on the cycling brails, or paddling you will make certain to value the appeal that surrounds you in this part of Michigan. Ensure you do not miss out on the Lake of the Clouds, it was our preferred part of the Porcupine Mountains.
17. Holland
Something you will discover when you are taking a look at the very best locations to check out in Michigan is that a great deal of them are Wacky little towns. Holland certainly fits this description.
Found not far from Grand Rapids, Holland was established by Duch Americans and is nicknamed the “Tulip City”. Holland certainly commemorates its Dutch heritage. You will seem like you have actually gone back in time with Duch-inspired architecture and even a 250-year-old windmill (DeZwaan) that has actually been imported from the Netherlands in The Duch Town.
No check out to Holland would be total without vising the Windmill Island Gardens. Walking through the gorgeous gardens is particularly unforgettable if you exist in the spring throughout the Tulip Time Celebration when over 100,000 tulips remain in flower throughout the garden. It is rather a sight to see.
18. Island Royale National Forest
For a really off-the-beaten-path experience in the far north of the Upper Peninsula, make your method to the separated Island Royale National forest.
Found in Lake Superior, Island Royal National Forest is just available by boat or floatplane and provides backcountry hiking and outdoor camping through its north woods forest. It is the biggest island in Lake Superior with a lot of outside leisure and nature activities. Island Royal, there are a lot of outside activities for hikers, kayakers, and canoeists and there is diving here too.
19. Ann Arbor
The heart of Ann Arbor is its lovely downtown location, filled with store stores, scrumptious dining establishments, and dynamic bars. The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum is an interactive museum that is ideal for households with kids, as it provides hands-on displays and activities that teach visitors about science, innovation, and more.
It’s likewise house to the University of Michigan. Thanks to the trainee population. The list of leisure activities here is limitless. Take a trip of the gorgeous school and have a look at the museums and galleries, consisting of the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology and the University of Michigan Museum of Art.
Ann Arbor is house to a successful craft beer scene, with various breweries and taprooms to pick from. Take a trip of a brewery or check out a taproom to sample a few of the very best beers in the area. The Kerrytown District is the historical Market district that is ideal for shopping in stores. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is a popular location in Kerrytown for residents and travelers alike. The marketplace includes a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, baked products, and other items from regional farmers and craftsmens.
Check out vineyards, delight in carrying out arts, dance the night away in the lots of nightclubw. If you’re fortunate you get to view sports occasions at the Michigan arena, among the greatest in the state.
20. Lansing
A see to Michigan would not be total without a see to its capital, Lansing. Warm weather condition and spectacular view of the terrific lakes wait for. Go To the Michigan State Capital structure. This National Historic Landmark was is among the very first capital structures in the United States to include a cast iron dome.
Lansing feels extremely varied and vibrant thanks to its big trainee population. The city has something for everybody both old and young. Start by checking out the capital structure or discover more about the history of Michigan at the Michigan History Center, a museum committed the early European explorers.
The R.E. Olds Transport Museum is committed to Old American modes of transport from an old steam engine to classic automobiles.
21. Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo has more to provide than its ancient name may recommend. The city is house to Western Michigan University and provides limitless chances for experience applicants. Popular destinations for visitors here consist of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum which has plenty of fascinating exhibits on science, innovation, and history. Its hands-on displays make it a special experience for the entire household.
A stop at The Nature Center The center is well-kept and with great deals of flowers. A walk through the garden is extremely soothing experience thanks to the noises of singing birds and water streaming.
Check Out the Kalamazoo Insitute of Arts. The institute boasts an outstanding collection of thought-provoking pieces by American artists and all over the world.
23. Bay City
Bay City is a stunning town situated on Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. It is among the 6 neighborhoods that comprise the Great Lakes Bay Area. We checked out throughout the high ships celebration and we extremely advise it. However there are a lot of things to do in Bay city from visiting the USS Edson. This fight ship is docked full-time in the harbor. Even if you are not a history enthusiast, the trip is fascinating due to the fact that of the guides.
A see to the historical Regent Theater is a should and make certain to go cruising to check out the gorgeous coast.
Map of the very best Places to Check Out in Michigan
Fall for Michigan
So there you have it. These are my preferred locations to check out in Michigan. If you are checking out Michigan, make certain to leave Detroit and see all the cool destinations that the Great Lake State needs to provide.
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