Nestled within the northern fringes of the USA, Michigan is a state that’s bought heaps occurring! It’s a tremendous state to go to as a part of a wider US highway journey, and so price stopping by some key spots inside Michigan itself. There are various of the very best locations in Michigan scattered all through the state.
From cities like Detroit, to wider museums and the shoreline of Lake Erie, you’re going to be spoilt for selection! So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your time in Michigan, we’ve jotted down all our favorite spots that it’s a must to see once you go to.
Oh, and all the time, pop us a message should you want some other recommendations on visiting Michigan. Have a tremendous time!
1.) Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Nestled within the wider area close to Detroit, particularly within the metropolis of Dearborn, is the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Now, don’t be fooled into pondering you could be into vehicles to take pleasure in this place; it’s truly actually particular and effectively price visiting with all of the household.
Inside, you’ll be capable to see historic vehicles and be taught extra about a few of America’s nice minds and their innovations. Not solely that, you’ll get to see issues like previous presidential limousines, that are so cool to see.
Additionally, don’t neglect to take a look at the working farms, take a experience in a Mannequin T, and go to the prepare depot the place you’ll be able to go for a experience on a steam-powered locomotive. Visits will take a couple of hours, and it’s the right place to go to to be taught extra in regards to the heritage of Michigan and its significance within the automotive historical past of America.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Detroit
2.) Detroit
Detroit typically will get a foul rap on the subject of enjoyable cities to go to within the US, however I promise, there’s loads to see and do. In actual fact, I’d go so far as saying it’s probably the greatest locations in Michigan to go to if you’d like extra of a metropolis break within the state.
As soon as right here, ensure to go to the Detroit Institute of Artwork, or DIA because it’s usually abbreviated as. This institute boasts an enormous assortment of labor from nice artists from America, Asia and Africa. It holds a whopping 60,000 distinctive and superior artworks in over 100 galleries, which may take a while to get round! Not solely that, the DIA options an interactive show, which is nice should you’re visiting with the household.
Not solely that, there are world-renowned European work contained in the DIA, together with works from Picasso, Matisse, and Rembrandt. If , you may also be part of their Arts and Minds Lectures or the Drop-In Workshop. Simply ensure to present your self at the least ninety minutes to walk round (although, for my part, you’ll be able to spend for much longer right here). It’s simply probably the greatest issues to do in Michigan should you’re an artwork lover!
Afterwards, head over to Detroit’s Belle Isle Park. Belle Isle Park sits proper throughout the Detroit River, bordering Windsor in Canada. The park is a shelter to the historic Belle Isle Aquarium, the oldest aquarium within the US. Simply bear in mind, the aquarium closes at 4 pm every day. Inside, the historic aquarium (from 1904) homes heaps of native and extra unique seafaring species. If that’s not your factor, there are many different spots on Belle Isle Park which you can simply go to. Locations just like the Anna Scrips Whitcomb Conservatory, Dossin Nice Lakes Museum, Belle Isle Boat Home, James Scott Memorial Fountain or simply stroll across the park itself. You possibly can simply spend an entire afternoon right here.
Getting peckish? Then head over to Jap Market. Established within the 1800s, it’s one among Detroit’s oldest public markets and continues to be going robust to today. Now, for me, I’d suggest occurring a weekend because it appears busier with distributors then. As soon as right here, you may get items similar to baked items, vegetation and different goodies.
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3.) Eagle Bay (Turnip Rock)
Simply shy of Port Austin in Michigan, Turnip Rock (Google Maps pin) is a singular little spot to go to should you fancy exploring the good outside within the state. It’s an incredible little spot to go to, particularly if you wish to head out kayaking to see the beautiful shoreline right here.
Now, we discovered it helpful to lease a kayak from Port Austin Kayak; these guys know their stuff and offer you all the data and native situations you’ll must know earlier than setting out. Journeys take about 3-4 hours, and it’s a stunning little out of doors exercise in Michigan that’s a lot enjoyable. Only one factor, if the wind picks up, it may be fairly powerful to paddle – so ensure you have a comparatively good stage of health, simply in case.
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4.) Grand Island
On the banks of Lake Superior, Grand Island (Google Maps pin) is without doubt one of the greatest locations in Michigan to go to as you drive the northern fringes of the state.
Now, there’s little or no by way of services right here; don’t anticipate eating places, shops or issues like that. Grand Island is extra of a retreat-style journey, if that is smart? It’s an incredible little island should you like to camp, with among the nicest spots round Trout Bay.
Now, to get right here, you’ll be able to be part of the Grand Island ferry that docks in Williams Touchdown. It’s all so peaceable and an incredible little spot to go to.
Additionally, don’t neglect, you’ll be able to be part of a shipwreck tour on the well-known glass-bottom boats that may take you to 2 of the biggest wrecks within the bay. We booked ours with Shipwreck Excursions, and it was fairly cool, particularly should you’re visiting with youngsters and don’t wish to swim within the lake itself.
5.) Silver Lake State Park
On the western fringes of Michigan is the long-lasting Silver Lake State Park (Google Maps pin). This entire space round Lake Michigan is simply unimaginable and the right place to go to should you’re driving a loop across the state itself.
As soon as right here, ensure to move straight to the well-known dunes! The entire panorama right here is so ethereal and exquisite. Additionally, you’ll be able to be part of a experience on the dunes with Mac Wooden’s Dune Rides. It’s a lot enjoyable, and the guides are a hoot!
Additionally, don’t neglect to identify Little Sable Lighthouse (Google Maps pin). It’s really easy to see, particularly should you’re heading down North Lighthouse Drive.
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6.) Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore
Situated on the South Shore of Lake Superior, the Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore (Google Maps pin) is beautiful to go to. Now, the entire space bought its identify as a result of wealthy colors of iron, copper, and manganese oxide on the rocks, which makes the shoreline beautiful. The water is normally a shining blue-green mixture, and the cliffs, seashores, dunes, and rocky shoreline kind lovely surroundings.
As soon as right here, you’ll be able to discover the paths, with Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore having means over 100 miles of trails across the park itself. Additionally, don’t neglect, you’ll be able to head out boating and kayaking should you fancy getting on to water. Simply make sure to all the time hearken to native security recommendation, as this will change every day, relying on native climate situations.
Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore is very easy to go to should you’re already heading to Grand Island, because it’s simply east of the island itself.
7.) Grand Rapids
Within the west of Michigan, Grand Rapids is a good metropolis to go to if you wish to anchor your self in a single space and discover the western edges of the state. It’s truly fairly a big metropolis (by way of measurement for the state) and effectively price staying in a single day right here.
As soon as right here, ensure to go to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Visiting is well probably the greatest locations in Michigan to go to for its beautiful grounds and walkways. The botanical backyard has indoor and out of doors services, so don’t fear if it’s too chilly to move outdoors. There are nature trails for navigating by way of the backyard, which offer an excellent show of gorgeous artworks that encompass all of the foliage. Simply ensure to see the American Horse, which is 24 ft tall and Louise Bourgeois’s Spider.
Afterwards, head for a go to to Meyer Could Home (Google Maps hyperlink). It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is without doubt one of the historic properties you’ll be able to’t miss in Grand Rapids.
Lastly, hop on over to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. This can be a good spot to go to with the household, and there are heaps of displays inside. Plus, there’s a very cool Planetarium to go to while you’re right here!
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Detroit
8.) Isle Royale Nationwide Park
Isle Royale Nationwide Park is located on the northwest of Lake Superior and is well probably the greatest locations in Michigan to go to should you’re on an outdoorsy journey to the state. You see, the Ice Age Glaciers created this entire panorama, and since their melting (hundreds of years in the past), it left Isle Royale.
It has heaps of lakes and streams, together with heaps of forest trails stuffed with roaming wildlife, with trails you’ll be able to discover. You possibly can see among the wildlife there, similar to foxes, otters, ospreys, herring gulls, falcons, and extra. To get a greater view of the park, you’ll be able to go mountain climbing or go on boat excursions.
Simply don’t neglect, to entry the island, you’ll be able to solely go by a seaplane or boat.
9.) Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is simply off the shores of St Ignace and a fairly particular place to go to while in Michigan. First issues first, you’ll must get the ferry from St Ignace (Google Maps pin) or from Mackinaw Metropolis (Google Maps pin). From these two factors, you’ll be capable to get to hop on the ferries that may lead you straight to Mackinac Island.
As soon as right here, it’s a must to go to the beautiful Arch Rock (Google Maps pin). The entire shoreline on this facet of the island is beautiful, and it’s such an exquisite space to discover on the paths. One phrase of warning, there will be snakes round this space, so all the time maintain your eyes peeled.
Afterwards, head to city and go to Pink Pony for his or her epic grilled meats. This place is beautiful in summer season as you’ll be able to sit outdoors and eat alfresco. In actual fact, I’d go so far as saying it’s probably the greatest locations in Michigan to eat outdoors. We cherished it! Their honey apple and brie flatbread. Plus, their BBQ pulled pork sandwich is the whole lot!
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Detroit
10.) Lansing
One other superb metropolis to go to in Michigan, Lansing is correct within the coronary heart of the state and completely straightforward to go to as you drive from Detroit to Grand Rapids (or vice-versa).
Now, being the capital of Michigan, Lansing has heaps occurring, regardless that it’s a smaller metropolis. As soon as right here, ensure to discover the Michigan State Capitol space. On the opening of the constructing in 1879, it was thought-about a groundbreaking architectural achievement.
Afterwards, ensure to move to the Michigan Historical past Heart. Truthfully, if you are interested in figuring out the correct and detailed historical past of Michigan, it’s a must to go to. Even should you assume you don’t, it’s nonetheless price a go to because it’s an incredible place to go to the Michigan Historical past Museum. As soon as right here, you’ll be able to see heaps of displays on issues just like the native geology of Michigan, Native American historical past within the space, the formation of the broader Nice Lakes Area, and a lot extra! Simply ensure to present your self two to a few hours to wander round totally.
Additionally, don’t neglect to go to the Shigematsu Japanese Backyard (Google Maps pin). It’s a small however completely spectacular Japanese backyard that solely takes about 10 minutes to stroll round.
For a chunk to eat, head to Meat BBQ. Their smoked wings and brisket are so yummy. It’s probably the greatest locations in Michigan should you love barbecued meat.
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