Welcome to the bigroads.com travel guide to Michigan! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Michigan.
Take note that I build and maintain this website as both a hobby and public service. I take joy in performing travel research and sharing my experiences and adventures. I currently do not make a profit from this website, and you will see no invasive or annoying ads on it. Your constructive feedback about this site and its content is encouraged. Please email me if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement.
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Michigan is the most underrated state in the U.S. Much of that is probably due to the highly publicized struggles that Detroit has experienced since the 2008 economic crisis. There is still much to like about Detroit, and a heck of a lot more to love about the rest of the state. Michigan is split into two major regions-the lower and upper peninsula-and both are sensational in their own way. The lower peninsula boasts many beaches and attractive towns along the shores of the Great Lakes. The upper peninsula has some of the best nature preserves and waterfalls in the eastern half of the country. If you love the great outdoors, it won't take long to fall in love with Michigan.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN MICHIGAN
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Michigan? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Michigan, in no particular order:
✮ Wander the lively Bavarian-themed tourist town of Frankenmuth
✮ Visit the excellent Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn
✮ Take a boat tour to visit the cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Marvel at the gardens and art sculptures of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids
✮ Hop on a ferry to explore beautiful Mackinac Island on foot and/or bicycle (bicycle rentals are widely available on the island)
✮ Relax on one of the fine beaches of Lake Michigan in western Michigan
✮ Mountain bike the Copper Harbor Bike Trail System
✮ Hunt for scenic waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula (e.g. Bond Falls, Laughing Whitefish Falls, Tahquamenon Falls, etc.)
✮ Climb the sand dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Go backpacking in Isle Royal National Park
If I could select only one place to visit in Michigan, I would choose the Upper Peninsula. The outdoor activities and nature parks in the "Up" are phenomenal.
For a list of 10 great attractions in each U.S. state, click here.
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN MICHIGAN
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Michigan. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Michigan bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Upper Peninsula: West (including Copper Harbor, Marquette, Ontonagon, and Isle Royale National Park)
✮ Adventure Mining Company, Greenland - guided tours of an underground copper mine
✮ A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan Tech, Houghton - features two great mineral and gem collections
✮ Bond Falls, Ontonagon - an impressive 50-foot tall waterfall in Ottawa National Forest
✮ Brockway Mountain Drive - a 9-mile long scenic drive with great views of Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula
✮ Chutes and Ladders, Houghton - probably the best outdoor children's playground you'll find in Michigan
✮ Da Yoopers Tourist Trap, Ishpeming - a gift shop known for its outdoor roadside attractions; not everyone will appreciate this quirky spot
✮ Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, Eagle Harbor - a brick lighthouse located at the rocky entrance of Eagle Harbor
✮ Hiawatha statue, Ironwood - the world's largest Native American statue; one of Michigan's best roadside attractions
✮ Hunter's Point Park, Copper Harbor - features a reddish-colored pebble beach and hiking trails that lead out onto a spit of land
✮ Isle Royale National Park - visit a set of isolated/remote islands that offer fantastic hiking, biking, camping, and boating opportunities
✮ Keweenaw National Historical Park, Calumet - offers mine tours, mining exhibits, and lots of outdoor recreation (e.g. hiking, canoeing, etc.)
✮ Lakenenland Sculpture Park, Marquette - see a free and awesome collection of "junkyard art"; one of Michigan's best roadside attractions
✮ Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park, Rock River Township - includes a short hike to one of Michigan's best waterfalls
✮ Mountain biking the Copper Harbor Bike Trail System - one of the finest mountain biking trail systems in the Great Lakes region
✮ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon - Michigan's largest state park offers 90 miles of trails and many scenic views
✮ Presque Isle Park, Marquette - beautiful nature park along the shores of Lake Superior with sandstone cliffs, hiking trails, and cycling routes
Upper Peninsula: East (including Grand Marais, Munising, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
✮ Boat tours from Munising - e.g. sightseeing tours of Lake Superior and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, shipwreck tours, etc.
✮ Castle Rock, St. Ignace - a tourist attraction that climbs a 195-foot tall limestone stack that offers scenic views
✮ Fayette Historic State Park, Garden - features a historic townsite, beach, hiking/cross-country skiing trails, and scenic limestone cliffs
✮ Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Paradise - small but excellent shipwreck and maritime museum
✮ Miners Castle Overlook / Miners Castle Rock, Munising - a famous natural landmark within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Palms Book State Park, Manistique - see the largest freshwater spring in Michigan (Kitch-iti-kipi aka "Big Spring") on an observation raft
✮ Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - offers rugged beauty along the Lake Superior shoreline; outstanding hiking, boating, and paddling
✮ Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Seney - a large refuge with excellent birding and a 7-mile long wildlife viewing drive
✮ Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie - take a tour of the "largest waterway traffic system on earth"; the "Panama Canal of North America"
✮ Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise - a large state park with several waterfalls, including the 50-foot tall, 200-foot wide Upper Falls
✮ Whitefish Point Lighthouse, Paradise - see the oldest operating lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula
Lower Peninsula: North (including Charlevoix, Mackinac Island, Petosky, Traverse City, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)
✮ Arch Rock, Mackinac Island - this 50-foot wide natural arch is the most famous geological feature on Mackinac Island
✮ Boat tours from Traverse City - e.g. sightseeing cruises, schooner cruises, sunset cruises, fishing charters, sailing tours, etc.
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Au Sable River - great day and overnight paddling trips are possible on this river
✮ Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City - visit a reconstructed 1700s-era French & British fort
✮ Dinosaur Gardens, Sanborn Township - a tourist attraction with dozens of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animal sculptures
✮ Dune Climb, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - a fun hike up some of the biggest sand dunes in the Midwest
✮ Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island - visit an original Revolutionary War fort
✮ Front Street, Traverse City - one of Michigan's most attractive tourist districts; there are many shops and restaurants here
✮ Gaylord's City Elk Park, Gaylord - odds are high that you can spot some elk if you stop at the viewing areas that peer into this park
✮ Giant Crucifix and Nun Doll Museum, Indian River - features a 55-foot tall crucifix and the world's largest collection of nun dolls (525!)
✮ Historic Gaslight District, Petoskey - a popular shopping district with shops, art galleries, and restaurants
✮ Jack Pine Lumberjack Show, Mackinaw City - one of the highest-rated lumberjack entertainment performances in the U.S.
✮ Little Traverse Wheelway - often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Mackinac Bridge ("Big Mac"), Cross Village - a five-mile beautiful toll bridge that links Michigan's two peninsulas
✮ Mackinac Island - a car-less island with a bustling Main Street, several museums, a grand historic hotel, and outstanding cycling routes/trails
✮ Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island - features hiking and biking trails, a natural arch, historic landmarks, scenic views, and more
✮ Mushroom houses in Charlevoix - this town has more than 20 mushroom-shaped stone structures; at least one company offers guided tours
✮ Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Mackinaw City - a brick lighthouse in Fort Michilimackinac State Park
✮ Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House & Insect World, Mackinac Island - features a variety of butterflies and other insects
✮ Petoskey State Park, Petoskey - highlights include a beautiful mile-long beach, two campgrounds, and hiking trails
✮ Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - a 7.4 mile long scenic drive within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - features beaches and towering sand dunes along 35 miles of Lake Michigan's shoreline
✮ Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Alpena - this marine sanctuary has more than 100 shipwrecks and offers outstanding scuba diving
✮ Village at Grand Traverse Commons, Traverse City - tours of a historic hospital and asylum
Lower Peninsula: Central (including Frankenmuth, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Saugatuck)
✮ Bavarian Belle Riverboat, Frankenmuth - tour the Cass River on a stern-paddlewheel boat
✮ Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Ludington - see this famous lighthouse within Ludington State Park
✮ Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, Frankenmuth - probably the largest Christmas-themed retail establishment in the U.S.
✮ Dow Gardens, Midland - a top-rated botanical garden set on 110-acres
✮ Frankenmuth - a small and very popular Bavarian-themed town with many boutique shops and restaurants (some of which offer "famous chicken dinners"); the town also has an excellent indoor water park and the world's largest Christmas-themed store
✮ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids - has botanical gardens, an art museum, and many impressive outdoor art sculptures
✮ Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park - often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids - a famous presidential attraction
✮ Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier, Grand Haven - a walking pier with a pair of red-painted lighthouses
✮ Holland State Park Beach, Holland - a popular beach in one of Michigan's most popular state parks; views of the Big Red Lighthouse
✮ Ludington State Park, Ludington - includes unspoiled beaches and sand dunes; also has good kayaking and a famous lighthouse
✮ Mac Wood's Dune Rides, Mears - highly-rated guided sand dune tours in/near Silver Lake State Park
✮ Meyer May House, Grand Rapids - tour a historic home designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright
✮ Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon - the largest amusement park in Michigan; it has more than 35 rides and attractions
✮ Oval Beach, Saugatuck - one of Michigan's best beaches; also features tall sand dunes
✮ Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon - features 2.5 miles of public beach and a pair of lighthouses
✮ Pere Marquette Rail-Trail - often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, Bay City - tour the decommissioned USS Edson, a U.S. Navy destroyer
✮ Saugatuck Dune Rides, Saugatuck - a company offering highly-rated guided sand dune tours
✮ Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Saugatuck - features 2.5 miles of shoreline, sand dunes, and 13-miles of hiking trails
✮ Silver Lake State Park, Mears - offers some of the best sand dune ORV-riding in the U.S.; Mac Wood's Dune Rides offers a 40-minute tour
✮ Stearns Park, Ludington - the largest beach in Ludington (about 0.5 miles wide)
✮ USS Silversides Submarine Museum, Muskegon - tour a decommissioned World War II submarine
Lower Peninsula: South (including Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Detroit)
✮ Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, Portage - has more than 60 historic airplanes & spacecraft on display
✮ Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor - an excellent child/family-focused science and technology museum
✮ Comerica Park, Detroit - a famous MLB baseball stadium; home of the Detroit Tigers
✮ Detroit Institute of the Arts, Detroit - one of the best art collections in the U.S.
✮ Detroit RiverFront, Detroit - a popular riverfront park with walking trails, art sculptures, and access to many downtown Detroit attractions
✮ Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak - a good medium-sized zoo with more than 2,000 animals
✮ Ford Field, Detroit - an indoor football stadium; home of the Detroit Lions NFL team
✮ Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, Detroit - visit the birthplace of the Ford Model T vehicle
✮ Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Dearborn - take a self-guided tour of a Ford production plant; part of the Henry Ford Museum complex
✮ Giant Carrots, Ann Arbor - a roadside attraction featuring eight 10-foot tall carrots
✮ Giant Fist of Joe Louis, Detroit - a roadside attraction of a giant fist near Hart Plaza; this is in a walkable area with several other attractions
✮ Giant Uniroyal Tire, Allen Park - an 80-foot tall tire that you can see from I-94; unfortunately, I don't think you can pull over for a picture
✮ Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners - an auto museum with over 120 classic cars on display
✮ Greenfield Village, Dearborn - an impressive collection of classic American homes spread across seven historic districts
✮ Henry Ford, The / Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn - one of the finest museum complexes in the U.S.; historic signs, vehicles, railroads, etc.
✮ Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park - often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum, Farmington Hills - a large collection of arcade games, animatronics, and other mechanical items
✮ Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor - a series of lovely indoor and outdoor gardens
✮ Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor - a famous college football stadium with nearly 110,000 seats; the largest stadium in the United States
✮ Motown Museum, Detroit - a small museum at the site of where Motown-style music earned its fame
✮ Silver Beach Carousel, St. Joseph - ride a gorgeously restored historic carousel with 48 unique figures
✮ Silver Beach County Park, St. Joseph - a small but popular public beach
✮ South Haven Light, South Haven - a famous red-painted lighthouse at the end of a catwalk
✮ St. Joseph Lighthouses, St. Joseph - see a pair of lighthouses in St. Joseph
✮ Warren Dunes State Park, Bridgman - famous for its lakeshore beaches and large sand dunes; one of Michigan's most popular attractions
✮ Yates Cider Mill, Rochester Hills - a historic cider mill with a variety of baked goods available for purchase; "a Michigan landmark"
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Michigan? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
For a list of 5-star attractions in neighboring states, click on any of these links:
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN MICHIGAN
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These towns and cities in Michigan are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
Upper Peninsula
✮ Copper Harbor - a very small lakeshore town that serves as a gateway to Isle Royale National Park; many outdoor activities exist in the area
✮ Grand Marais - a very small lakeshore town close to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; many outdoor activities exist in the area
✮ Marquette - a small city close to many outdoor recreation opportunities (including those found in Presque Isle State Park)
✮ Munising - a small town close to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; there are many outdoor activities, waterfalls, and boat tours in the area
Lower Peninsula
✮ Ann Arbor - a medium-sized city that is home to the huge University of Michigan (and its super popular football team)
✮ Charlevoix - a small lakeshore town on Lake Michigan that offers water sports, harbor views, and boutique shops
✮ Detroit - a major city known for its famous museums, Motown music, professional sports teams, and its automotive industry
✮ Frankenmuth - a small and very popular Bavarian-themed town with many boutique shops and restaurants (some with "famous chicken dinners"); the town also has the world's largest Christmas-themed store
✮ Frankfort - a small lakeshore town on Lake Michigan that has beaches, sand dunes, a lighthouse, boutique stores, and many Victorian homes; it's also very close to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Grand Haven - a small lakeshore city that offers beaches, fishing, golfing, a lighthouse, and water sports
✮ Grayling - a very small town with excellent canoeing, tubing, and fishing on the AuSable River; has a small but attractive downtown area
✮ Holland - a small city with Dutch heritage and several great attractions (e.g. DeZwaan Windmill and Holland State Park)
✮ Ludington - a very small city famous for its beaches and lighthouses on Lake Michigan; good fishing and strong maritime history
✮ Mackinac Island - a lovable island town with a lively but touristy downtown area; there are excellent cycling trails found all over the island
✮ Petoskey - a small lakeshore town on Lake Michigan with a historic shopping district; there is lots of Victorian architecture in the town
✮ Saugatuck/Douglas - a pair of adjacent small towns with beaches on Lake Michigan; the "art coast of Michigan"; popular for dune tours
✮ Traverse City - a small city with lots of attractions, including beaches, water sports, golfing, and wineries/vineyards; it is also very close to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
If you want to visit Mackinac Island, you can either stay on the island itself, Mackinaw City on the Lower Peninsula, or St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula. There are frequent boat ferries from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace to Mackinaw Island. No reservations are current needed for these ferry rides (you can just show up, pay, and ride the ferry that day).
If you want to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, stay in Grand Marais or Munising. Make sure to go for a hike and also take a boat cruise to explore the lakeshore.
If you want to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, stay in Traverse City or Frankfort. Traverse City is a major tourist destination with many shops and restaurants.
Click here if you'd like to see a complete list of towns and cities that I find interesting across the entire U.S.
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WHAT IS MICHIGAN FAMOUS FOR?
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Here are some things that Michigan is famous or well-known for:
✮ automobile industry / auto manufacturers
✮ beaches
✮ bi-peninsular state
✮ cherries
✮ fly-fishing
✮ fudge
✮ great lakes
✮ lakeshore towns
✮ lighthouses - there are more than 100 lighthouses in Michigan!
✮ mountain biking trails
✮ sand dunes
✮ shipwrecks
✮ shorelines
✮ waterfalls - the upper peninsula of Michigan is packed with scenic waterfalls (including some of the best in the eastern U.S.)
Click here if you'd like to explore what other U.S. states are famous for.
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NATIONAL PARKS IN MICHIGAN
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There is currently only one national park in Michigan. There are also several other federally-managed parks and properties in the state, including:
National Parks
✮ Isle Royale National Park - visit a set of isolated/remote islands with fantastic hiking, biking, camping, and boating opportunities
National Recreation Areas
✮ Grand Island National Recreation Area
National Forests
✮ Hiawatha National Forest
✮ Huron-Manistee National Forest
✮ Ottawa National Forest
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
✮ Keweenaw National Historical Park
✮ North Country National Scenic Trail
✮ Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - offers rugged beauty along the Lake Superior shoreline; outstanding hiking, boating, and paddling
✮ River Raisin National Battlefield Park
✮ Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - features beaches and towering sand dunes along 35 miles of Lake Michigan's shoreline
My two favorite national parks in Michigan are Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In fact, I'm surprised they have never been elevated to official "national park" status.
For more information on Michigan's national parks, visit the Michigan page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all U.S. national parks, click here.
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Michigan has more than 100 state parks. I would rank Michigan's state park system among the best in the country. Here is a list of what I believe are Michigan's finest state parks:
Upper Peninsula: West (including Copper Harbor, Marquette, Ontonagon, and Isle Royale National Park)
✮ Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park, Rock River Township - includes a short hike to one of Michigan's best waterfalls
✮ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon - Michigan's largest state park offers 90 miles of trails and many scenic views
Upper Peninsula: East (including Grand Marais, Munising, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
✮ Fayette Historic State Park, Garden - features a historic townsite, beach, hiking/cross-country skiing trails, and scenic limestone cliffs
✮ Palms Book State Park, Manistique - see the largest freshwater spring in Michigan (Kitch-iti-kipi aka "Big Spring") on an observation raft
✮ Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise - a large state park with several waterfalls, including the 50-foot tall, 200-foot wide Upper Falls
Lower Peninsula: North (including Charlevoix, Mackinac Island, Petosky, Traverse City, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)
✮ Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island - features hiking and biking trails, a natural arch, historic landmarks, scenic views, and more
✮ Petoskey State Park, Petoskey - highlights include a beautiful mile-long beach, two campgrounds, and hiking trails
Lower Peninsula: Central (including Frankenmuth, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Saugatuck)
✮ Holland State Park Beach, Holland - a popular beach in one of Michigan's most popular state parks; views of the Big Red Lighthouse
✮ Ludington State Park, Ludington - includes unspoiled beaches and sand dunes; good kayaking and a famous lighthouse
✮ Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Saugatuck - features 2.5 miles of shoreline, sand dunes, and 13-miles of hiking trails
✮ Silver Lake State Park, Mears - offers some of the best sand dune ORV-riding in the U.S.; Mac Wood's Dune Rides offers a 40-minute tour
Lower Peninsula: South (including Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Detroit)
✮ Warren Dunes State Park, Bridgman - famous for its lakeshore beaches and large sand dunes; one of Michigan's most popular attractions
To see my list of the top 100 state parks in the country, click here.
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BEST WATERFALLS IN MICHIGAN
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Michigan has several hundred natural waterfalls, making it one of the very best states for "waterfalling" in the country. Nearly all of its best waterfalls can be found in the Upper Peninsula ("the
UP"). Here are many of the best waterfalls in Michigan:
Upper Peninsula: West (including Copper Harbor, Marquette, Ontonagon, and Isle Royale National Park)
✮ Bond Falls, Ottawa National Forest
✮ Dead River Falls, Marquette
✮ Great Conglomerate Falls, Ottawa National Forest
✮ Laughing Whitefish Falls, Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park - close to the center of the Upper Peninsula; between Marquette & Munising
✮ Manabezho Falls, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
✮ Manido Falls, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Upper Peninsula: East (including Grand Marais, Munising, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
✮ Miners Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Munising Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Sable Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Spray Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park
✮ Wagner Falls, Wagner Falls Scenic Site, Munising
For a listing of all known waterfalls in Michigan, visit the World Waterfall Database.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN MICHIGAN
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Michigan:
Upper Peninsula
✮ Brockway Mountain Drive - a seasonal 9-mile paved route from Mohawk to Copper Harbor on the Keweenaw Peninsula
✮ MI-28 from Munising to Marquette - a 43-mile paved route along the shores of Lake Superior (west of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
✮ Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway
- a 43-mile paved route along the shores of Lake Superior from Brimley to Paradise
Lower Peninsula
✮ MI-22 from Manistee to Traverse City - a 116-mile paved route along Lake Michigan that begins at the MI-22/US-31 junction in Manistee
✮ Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - a seasonal 7-mile paved route off MI-109 with many scenic overlooks
✮ River Road Scenic Byway - a 19-mile paved route from MI-65 near Five Channels Dam in Oscoda east to the shores of Lake Huron
✮ US-23 from Standish to Mackinaw City
- a 194-mile paved route along Lake Huron
The Top of the Lake Scenic Byway seems like it would be a decent scenic drive as well.
The Tunnel of Trees Drive
(M-119) is a pretty drive, but it doesn't really have any significant scenic views (really just trees and great fall foliage).
For a list of great scenic drives in each U.S. state, click here.
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BEST GREAT LAKE BEACHES IN MICHIGAN
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Michigan has the best collection of Great Lakes beaches of any state. you'll find most of the best beaches in the southern and central sections of the western coast of the lower peninsula. Here is a list of many of the best Great Lakes beaches in Michigan:
Lake Michigan (western side of the Lower Peninsula)
✮ 1st Street Beach, Manistee
✮ Buttersville Park, Ludington
✮ Cherry Beach, Three Oaks
✮ Duck Lake Beach, Whitehall
✮ Esch Beach, Honor
✮ Fifth Avenue Beach, Manistee
✮ Grand Haven City Beach, Grand Haven
✮ Grand Haven State Park, Grand Haven
✮ Hagar Park/Beach, Coloma
✮ Ludington State Park, Ludington
✮ New Buffalo Beach, New Buffalo
✮ North Beach, South Haven
✮ Oval Beach, Saugatuck
✮ Peterson Beach Sleeping Bear Recreation Area, Honor
✮ Silver Beach, Bridman
✮ South Beach, South Haven
✮ Stearns Park, Ludington
✮ Weko Beach, Bridgman
Lake Huron (eastern side of the Lower Peninsula)
✮ McGraw County Park, Austin
✮ Mich-e-ke-wis Park / Starlite Beach, Alpena
✮ Oscoda Beach Park, Oscoda
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN MICHIGAN
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Michigan has many outstanding rail trails, especially in the Lower Peninsula region. Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Michigan:
Upper Peninsula
✮ Iron Ore Heritage Trail
Lower Peninsula
✮ Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Trail
✮ Fred Meijer Heartland Trail
✮ Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park - often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park - often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Little Traverse Wheelway - often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park
✮ North Central State Trail
✮ Pere Marquette Rail-Trail - often rated one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
For detailed information on all known rail trails in Michigan, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN MICHIGAN
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There are a few notable amusement parks in Michigan, including:
✮ Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark, Boyne Falls
✮ Bavarian Inn and Lodge Water Park, Frankenmuth
✮ Cedar Valley's Wild Frontier Fun Park, Comins
✮ Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, Traverse City
✮ Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon - this is Michigan's largest theme park
✮ Wildwater Adventure, Muskegon
✮ Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel and Water Park, Frankenmuth
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Michigan has many great museums. The best museums in Michigan include:
Upper Peninsula: West (including Copper Harbor, Marquette, Ontonagon, and Isle Royale National Park)
✮ A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum of Michigan Tech, Houghton
✮ Keweenaw National Historical Park, Calumet
Upper Peninsula: East (including Grand Marais, Munising, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
✮ Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Paradise
Lower Peninsula: North (including Charlevoix, Mackinac Island, Petosky, Traverse City, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)
✮ Call of the Wild Museum, Gaylord
✮ Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City
✮ Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island
✮ Giant Crucifix and Nun Doll Museum
✮ Music House Museum, Williamsburg
Lower Peninsula: Central (including Frankenmuth, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Saugatuck)
✮ Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids
✮ Impression 5 Science Center, Lansing
✮ R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, Lansing
✮ Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, Bay City
✮ USS Silversides Submarine Museum, Muskegon
Lower Peninsula: South (including Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Detroit)
✮ Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, Portage
✮ Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Ann Arbor
✮ Detroit Institute of the Arts, Detroit
✮ Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners
✮ Greenfield Village, Dearborn
✮ Henry Ford, The / Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn
✮ Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum, Farmington Hills
✮ Motown Museum, Detroit
✮ University of Michigan Museum of Art
✮ University of Michigan Museum of Natural History
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BEST DAY HIKES IN MICHIGAN
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Michigan has many excellent hiking trails. Much of the best hiking is found in the Upper Peninsula, but there's a lot along the western shoreline of the Lower Peninsula too. Here are many of the best day hikes in Michigan:
Upper Peninsula: West (including Copper Harbor, Marquette, Ontonagon, and Isle Royale National Park)
✮ Clark Lake, Sylvania Wilderness Area
✮ Craig Lake State Park trails
✮ Escarpment Trail, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
✮ Hogback Mountain, Various Property Owners / Managers
✮ Lake of the Clouds Overlook, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
✮ Lake Superior Trail, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
✮ Presque Isle Park Loop, Presque Isle Park
✮ Sugarloaf Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area
Upper Peninsula: East (including Grand Marais, Munising, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
✮ Miners Castle Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Miners Falls Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Mosquito & Chapel Falls / Chapel Loop, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ North Country National Scenic Trail-Pictured Rocks section, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Pyramid Point Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Lower Peninsula: North (including Charlevoix, Mackinac Island, Petosky, Traverse City, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore)
✮ Chippewa Trail, Negwegon State Park
✮ Dunes Trail-Dune Climb, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Dunes Trail to Sleeping Bear Point, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Empire Bluff Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Highbanks Trail, Huron National Forest
✮ South Manitou Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Lower Peninsula: Central (including Frankenmuth, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Saugatuck)
✮ Ledges Trail, Fitzgerald County Park
✮ Lighthouse Trail / Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Ludington State Park
✮ Livingston Trail Loop, Saugatuck Dunes State Park
✮ Rosy Mound Natural Area, Rosy Mound Natural Area
✮ Saugatuck Dunes South Trail, Saugatuck Dunes State Park
The highpoint of Michigan is Mt. Arvon (1,979'). A moderate hike is required to reach the top.
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN MICHIGAN
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Michigan offers many excellent backpacking opportunities. Some of premier backpacking routes in Michigan include the following:
Upper Peninsula: West (including Copper Harbor, Marquette, Ontonagon, and Isle Royale National Park)
✮ Greenstone Ridge Trail, Isle Royale National Park
✮ McCargoe Cove Trail to Rock Harbor, Isle Royale National Park
✮ North Country National Scenic Trail
✮ Porky Loop, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Upper Peninsula: East (including Grand Marais, Munising, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
✮ Lakeshore Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Mosquito & Chapel Falls / Chapel Loop, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ North Country National Scenic Trail
Lower Peninsula
✮ Jordan Valley Pathway, Mackinaw State Forest
✮ Manistee River Trail / North Country Trail loop, Huron-Manistee National Forests
✮ North Country National Scenic Trail
✮ North Manitou Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Shore-To-Shore Trail
✮ South Manitou Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN MICHIGAN
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Michigan offers many excellent outdoor adventures, including these classics:
Upper Peninsula
✮ Backpacking the Greenstone Ridge Trail in Isle Royale National Park
✮ Backpacking the North Country National Scenic Trail
✮ Backpacking in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Backpacking in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
✮ Bouldering in/around the Marquette area
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Paint River
✮ Cycling the Iron Ore Heritage Trail
✮ Day hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Day hiking in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Dog-sledding in McMillan or Shingleton
✮ Ice climbing in/around the Munising area (e.g. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore)
✮ Kayaking in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
✮ Mountain biking the Copper Harbor Bike Trail System
✮ Mountain biking the Munising Mountain Bike Park
✮ Mountain biking the
Noquemanon Trail Network (aka South Marquette trails)
✮ Rock climbing on Silver Mountain in Ottawa National Forest
✮ Snowmobiling in/around Munising
Lower Peninsula
✮ ATV/ORVing in South Haven
✮ Backpacking the North Country National Scenic Trail
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Au Sable River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Crystal River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Huron River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Lower Platte River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Manistee River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Pine River
✮ Cross-country skiing the Big M Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Trail in Huron-Manisttee National Forests
✮ Cycling Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park
✮ Cycling Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park
✮ Cycling the Little Traverse Wheelway
✮ Cycling Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park
✮ Cycling the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail
✮ Day hiking in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
✮ Kayaking Mackinac Island
✮ Mountain biking the Big M Cross-Country and Mountain Bike Trail in Huron-Manisttee National Forests
✮ Parasailing in Traverse City or Mackinaw City
✮ Rock climbing in Oak Park/Grand Ledge
✮ Scuba diving in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
✮ Skydiving in Allegan, Charlevoix, Fowlerville, Grand Haven, Jackson, or Ray
✮ Tubing the Au Sable River
✮ Tubing the Chippewa River
✮ Tubing the Horn River
✮ Tubing the Lower Platte River
✮ Tubing the Manistee River
✮ Tubing the Muskegon River
✮ Tubing the Rifle River
✮ Tubing the Thornapple River
✮ Tubing the White River
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There are more than 25 ski resorts in Michigan. While the vertical drop is limited, you can still have some serious fun skiing there. These ski resorts are generally considered the best in Michigan:
Premier Ski/Snowboard Resorts:
✮ Boyne Mountain Resort - 60 trails; 500ft vertical drop; 1,120ft summit
✮ Crystal Mountain - 45 trails; 375ft vertical drop; 1,132ft summit
✮ Highlands, The - 54 trails; 552ft vertical drop; 1,290ft summit
✮ Mount Bohemia - 81 trails; 900ft vertical drop; 1,440ft summit
Other Notable Ski/Snowboard Resorts:
✮ Big Powderhorn
✮ Caberfae Peaks
✮ Indianhead
✮ Marquette Mountain
✮ Nubs Nob
✮ Shanty Creek
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN MICHIGAN
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Michigan:
✮ almond boneless chicken (warr shu gai)
✮ cheese curds
✮ cherries / cherry pie
✮ chicken dinner (e.g. Frankenmuth restaurants)
✮ chipati
✮ coney dog / coney island
✮ cudighi
✮ Detroit-style pizza
✮ fudge (e.g. Mackinac Island)
✮ pasty / pasties
✮ smelt
✮ Vernors Ginger Ale (soda)
✮ walleye
✮ whitefish
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Michigan (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each of the 50 U.S. states, click here.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Michigan (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY MICHIGAN INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about Michigan:
State Capital:
Lansing
Major Airports:
Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) and Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) near Grand Rapids
Largest Cities:
Detroit (624,177), Grand Rapids (201,093), Warren (140,453), Sterling Heights (135,276), Ann Arbor (125,835), Dearborn (112,340)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-69, I-75, I-94, I-96
State Highpoint:
Mt. Arvon (1,979') in the western region of the Upper Peninsula; a moderate day hike is required to reach the top
Professional Sports Teams:
MLB: Detroit Tigers
NBA: Detroit Pistons
NFL: Detroit Lions
NHL: Detroit Red Wings
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Bad Axe, Climax, Colon, Hell, Maybee, and Paradise
Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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Giant Santa at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan
downtown Detroit, Michigan
World's Former Largest Cherry Pie Pan in Charlevoix, Michigan
famous sign in Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Gearhead in Lansing, Michigan
Giant Carrots in Ann Arbor, Michigan
hot dog restaurant in Mackinaw City, Michigan
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan
Lakenenland Sculpture Park in Marquette , Michigan
Miner's Falls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
Ice Age National Scenic Trail sign in Michigan
Big Gus, Day Yoopers Tourist Trap in Ishpeming, Michigan
Uniroyal Giant Tire in Allen Park, Michigan
Awakon Park in Onaway, Michigan
Mackinac Bridge, Michigan
downtown area of Mackinac Island, Michigan
Arch Rock on Mackinac Island, Michigan
Smiley Face Water Tower in West Branch, Michigan
the Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island, Michigan
45th parallel sign in Gaylord, Michigan
Traverse City sign, Michigan
In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any book cover to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com.
 
 
 
 
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MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or those that come highly recommended by trusted peers.
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