Michigan will captivate you with natural beauty, rich history, lively cultural scene, and a diverse array of attractions and activities. Here are our 7 favorite things to do during your trip.
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Detroit
Many people think of Detroit as a failed metropolis, but it has revitalized in recent years and is deserving of a place in your Michigan itinerary. If you love music, art, and sports, it’s a must-visit!
Start your visit in the revitalized downtown area. Enjoy strolling or biking down the 3 mile Detroit Riverwalk where you can see views of both Detroit and neighboring Canada. Visit Campus Martius Park and enjoy the fountain and events and concerts often hosted there. There’s even an urban beach for you to enjoy!
Detroit has many wonderful museums. The Motown Museum explains the history of Motown music and showcases the recording studio where artists like Stevie Wonder and The Supremes recorded their hit songs. The Detroit Historical Museum explains the role of the automotive industry, musical legacy, and significant events in the city. The Michigan Science Center has interactive exhibits on a variety of topics including physics, astronomy, health and engineering. And the Detroit Institute of Arts houses an impressive collection of art, including works by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Diego Rivera’s famous Detroit Industry Murals.
Sports enthusiasts will love attending games and touring stadiums of the many Detroit based teams. From football (Lions), baseball (Tigers), basketball (Pistons), hockey (Red Wings), and soccer (Detroit City FC), the city is sure to feature your favorite sport!
There are many great places to stay in the area. And there are many other fun things to see and do.
Great Lake Circle Tours
Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes, so there are plenty of opportunities to participate in watersports and activities. No matter where you are in the state, there’s water nearby!
A wonderful way to see the Great Lakes is by taking a Circle Tour scenic drive. These aren’t something you can do in one day. But if you have some time to dedicate, you will delight in the scenic beauty, diverse landscapes, charming villages, historic lighthouses, national and state parks, and historical sites you will see. And there’s no shortage of recreation opportunities, either. Pack up an RV and go!
- Lake Michigan – 1,000 mile loop taking you through Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin
- Lake Superior – 1,300 mile loop taking you through Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario
- Lake Huron – 1,059 mile loop taking you through Ontario and Michigan
- Lake Erie – 629 mile loop taking you through Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan
But if you aren’t in the mood for a road trip, you can base yourself just about anywhere in the state and enjoy one of the lakes. For Lake Michigan, try Traverse City (hotels/activities). Ironwood (hotels/activities) is a great place to experience Lake Superior. Lake Huron is best experienced in Mackinac Island (see more below). And Monroe (hotels/activities) is a great place to base yourself for Lake Erie.
Mackinac Island
Looking for timeless charm? Look no further than picturesque Mackinac Island. Located on Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mackinac Island is known for its Victorian architecture. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island. Instead, you can explore the 8-mile perimeter of the Island by horse-drawn carriage or by bike.
Take the Mackinac Bridge or a ferry to enter the island, enjoying views of the Straits of Mackinac along the way. Once you are on the island, you may never want to leave! Get a better view by hiking up Arch Rock, a natural limestone arch 146 feet above the ground. Then relax on one of the many beaches on the island.
You can’t miss exploring Mackinac Island State Park. It covers 80% of the island. You can hike the trails, enjoy the scenic overlooks, and marvel at the island’s beauty. History lovers will also enjoy visiting Fort Mackinac, Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and many other historic sites.
For the ultimate Mackinac Island experience, stay in the circa 1887 Grand Hotel. Renowned for its grandeur, the hotel oozes with refinement. Sit on the world’s longest porch (660 feet) and enjoy breathtaking views, or wander through the gardens containing more than 150 varieties of flowers. Indulge in afternoon tea and fine dining, enjoy evening entertainment, and rest well in the hotel’s elegantly appointed rooms. And there’s plenty of other activities to keep you busy. Even if you aren’t an overnight guest, you can pay a fee to self-tour the grounds, play golf onsite, and experience some of the dining options.
If the Grand Hotel is not your speed, there are many great places to stay on the island. And there are many other fun things to see and do.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Located along Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has sand dunes rising up to 450 feet above the water. Climb the dunes to experience panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. If the physical demands of climbing a sand dune is to much, there are several scenic overlooks to see all the sites. Take the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to enjoy even more scenery.
Active travelers will enjoy the park’s many hiking trails. Don’t miss the 1.5 mile Empire Bluff Trail for great views, particularly at sunset. And the 4.25 mile paved Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is great for cyclists or people with wheelchairs or strollers. If you love the water, Glen Lake provides fishing and kayaking opportunities. Or you can swim and enjoy the beaches of Lake Michigan. And scuba divers can inspect shipwrecks in the Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve. In the winter, skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing opportunities are available.
If you like historical sites, the park has you covered. There’s a maritime museum, a historic village, and a heritage center on site. And you can drive, hike, or bike through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District to see the historic farms and get an idea of what 19th century farming was like.
You can camp in the park. Or there are many great places to stay and things to do in the area.
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Dearborn
No Michigan itinerary is complete without paying homage to the automotive industry, and Dearborn is just the place to do it. This is where the Henry Ford created the Ford Motor Company. Here he established the assembly line and standardization of parts that allowed for the mass production of affordable cars. Start your visit at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Here you will see iconic vehicles of all types and exhibits on technological advancements through the years. Then experience the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Here you will see a real working factory showcasing Ford’s revolutionary assembly line in practice.
Continue your visit by touring Greenfield Village. This 80 acre living history museum contains seven districts including working farms, craftworks, the Ford Model T, railroads, Main Street, Thomas Edison’s workshop, and historic homes. You can tour the sites, interact with costumed interpreters, and take rides in a Model T or a horse-drawn Omnibus.
You can also visit Fair Lane Estate where Henry Ford and his wife Clara lived from 1915 to 1950. It is currently being restored to its former glory, but visitors can visit the gardens and grounds.
While in Dearborn, make time to see the Arab American National Museum, the first and only institution dedicated to telling the story of Arab Americans. Dearborn has a significant Arab American population, and this museum explores and celebrates their contributions to our country.
There are many great places to stay and fun things see and do in Dearborn.
Upper Peninsula
Michigan is known as the “Mitten” due to the Lower Peninsula’s shape on the map. But don’t leave out the stretch of Michigan above the Mitten called the Upper Peninsula. Here you will find diverse and scenic landscapes, plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, and a tranquil atmosphere. There’s no shortage of things to do during your Upper Peninsula sojourn, but here are a few ideas.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Don’t miss Tahquamenon Falls State Park featuring one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Take advantage of 35+ miles of hiking trails to see both the Upper and Lower Falls. You can also view the Lower Falls from the riverbank or even by rowboat. The park is also teeming with wildlife, including black bear, moose, otter, bald eagles, beaver and more. Lodging is available onsite or you can stay nearby. There’s plenty of other things to do in the area.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Next on our Upper Peninsula agenda is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This park features sandstone cliffs, colorful rock formations, and forests. Take time to explore the shoreline by boat or foot. Check out the rock structures called Miner’s Castle and Chapel Rock. And visit the historic Au Sable Light Station lighthouse and keeper’s quarters are a must-visit. You can camp in the park or stay nearby. And don’t miss these other great things to do!
Keweenaw National Historical Park
Make your way to Keweenaw National Historical Park to learn more about how the copper mining industry shaped the land and its people. You can experience what life was like during the days mining was active, and even go underground to get a feel of what miners experienced daily. There are great places to stay and plenty more to do in the area.
Agate Beach
Near Keweenaw you will find one of the most unique things to do in the Upper Peninsula: agate hunting on Lake Superior’s shores. And one of the best places to do it is the aptly named Agate Beach! Plan to be there after dark and bring an ultraviolet light as the rarest agates are found at night.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
The last stop on our tour of the Upper Peninsula is Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This 60,000 acre park has 35,000 acres of old growth forest and incredible water features such as waterfalls, rivers, and streams. Called “the Porkies” by locals, the park offers fantastic natural attractions like Lake of the Clouds and the Presque Isle River Corridor. Take time to experience the views from the Summit Peak observation tower. And in winter, visit the Porkies Winter Sports Complex for downhill skiing, snowboarding, Sno-Go bikes, and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking. You can lodge or camp at or near the park. Take advantage of the many other great things to do nearby.
Sault Ste. Marie
Our last sensational site in Michigan is Sault (pronounced Soo) Ste. Marie. This city is on the border with Ontario, Canada. One of the most interesting things to see is the Soo Locks that connects Lakes Superior and Huron. You can observe the locking process as ships move through as well as learn about the operation of the locks and history of the region.
If you enjoy history, visit the Museum Ship Valley Camp, a maritime museum housed in a freighter ship. You will also enjoy the Tower of History, a 210 foot structure offering an overview of the area’s history and observation decks for views of the city and the Soo Locks. And the River of History Museum explores the formation of St. Mary’s River by glacier melt to the 20th century.
It’s easy to hop across the border to visit Ontario, Canada. Just walk across the International Bridge. Don’t forget to bring your passport! Once you are on the Canada side of Sault Ste. Marie, don’t miss the Agawa Canyon Tour Train. This 10 hour scenic train ride takes you to Agawa Canyon Park and gives you time to explore before heading back to the station.
There are many great places to stay in Sault Ste. Marie. And there are plenty of other things to do nearby!
What’s on your Michigan trip itinerary?
These are just 7 of the sensational sites to see in Michigan. But the state is full of many more incredible destinations that are worth exploring. Tell us below where you plan to visit!
We hope you have enjoyed this installment on our 7 Sensational Sites in Each State of the USA series. Tell us what you think in the comments below. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post.
