Nestled between four of the Great Lakes, Michigan is a state with a lot of natural beauty on its doorstep. There’s also a lot of history and culture to explore here from craft beer to cars. Below are just five of the biggest attractions you must visit while in Michigan.
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is located at the northern tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula. Visiting this island can feel like a trip back in time. It’s full of historic buildings dating back to the 18th century and there are no cars – only horse and carriages. The town has an old-timey ‘seaside’ feel to it with its beaches overlooking the lake, plus it’s the best place to try homemade fudge in America. If you’re looking for a physically active adventure, make sure to hike up to Arch Rock or consider a bike trip along the scenic shoreline highway. Stay here for a couple nights to get the most out of the island. If you’ve got money to spend, you may try the historic Grand Hotel.
Pictured Rocks National Seashore
Located in the upper peninsula, Pictured Rocks National Seashore is known for its impressive multicolored sandstone cliffs. There are lots of fun ways to explore the lake from the water including catamaran cruises and kayak trips. There are lots of woodland hiking trails for those that want an active vacation – or you can simply relax on the beaches and take in the beautiful surroundings. Make sure to visit in fall when the trees all turn yellow, orange and brown, creating an explosion of color.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a national park on the Northwest coast of Michigan’s lower peninsula. The national park is named after its huge sand dunes, which you can climb up in order to take in magical views of Lake Michigan. Many people come here to reconnect with the wild. It’s a great place to go hiking and you can try some wild camping here too. Deer, red foxes, porcupines and raccoons are common sights.
Henry Ford Museum
The Great Lake State is also home to Detroit – a city sometimes known as ‘Motor City’ for its history in the automotive industry. A suburb worth visiting is Dearborn, where Henry Ford lived and created the world-famous Ford car brand. The Henry Ford Museum is full of fascinating historical items – not just related to Ford but American life in general (the Rosa Parks bus and JFK’s limo can be found here). There’s a lot more to see and do in Dearborn and these city resources show. Consider booking a hotel in this suburb so that you can explore all the local attractions.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Midtown Detroit is another part of the city well worth visiting. Here you’ll find Wayne State University and a range of restaurants, nightclubs and music venues. The Detroit Institute of Arts is one attraction that you’ll definitely want to visit. This gallery has one of the greatest collections of art in America. The building itself also has an opulent feel about it, boasting many huge rooms with giant paintings.
