Nestled within the northern fringes of the US, Michigan is a state that’s bought heaps occurring! It’s an incredible state to go to as a part of a wider US street journey, and so value stopping by some key spots inside Michigan itself. There are lots of 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 alternative! So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your time in Michigan, we’ve jotted down all our favorite spots that you need to see once you go to.
Oh, and at all times, pop us a message when you want some other recommendations on visiting Michigan. Have an incredible 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 must be into automobiles to get pleasure from this place; it’s really actually particular and properly value visiting with all of the household.
Inside, you’ll be capable to see historic automobiles and study 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 journey in a Mannequin T, and go to the prepare depot the place you’ll be able to go for a journey on a steam-powered locomotive. Visits will take a number of hours, and it’s the proper place to go to to study extra in regards to the heritage of Michigan and its significance within the automotive historical past of America.
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2.) Detroit
Detroit typically will get a foul rap in terms of enjoyable cities to go to within the US, however I promise, there may be loads to see and do. In reality, I’d go so far as saying it’s among the finest locations in Michigan to go to if you’d like extra of a metropolis break within the state.
As soon as right here, ensure that 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 when 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 too can be a part of their Arts and Minds Lectures or the Drop-In Workshop. Simply ensure that to offer your self no less than ninety minutes to walk round (although, for my part, you’ll be able to spend for much longer right here). It’s simply among the finest issues to do in Michigan when you’re an artwork lover!
Afterwards, head over to Detroit’s Belle Isle Park. Belle Isle Park sits proper inside 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 that you could 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 may simply spend an entire afternoon right here.
Getting peckish? Then head over to Japanese Market. Established within the 1800s, it’s one in all Detroit’s oldest public markets and remains to be going sturdy to at the present time. 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 corresponding 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 novel little spot to go to when you fancy exploring the nice outside within the state. It’s an important little spot to go to, particularly if you wish to head out kayaking to see the attractive shoreline right here.
Now, we discovered it useful to lease a kayak from Port Austin Kayak; these guys know their stuff and offer you all the data and native situations you’ll have to know earlier than setting out. Journeys take about 3-4 hours, and it’s a beautiful little outside 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 degree 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 finest locations in Michigan to go to as you drive the northern fringes of the state.
Now, there may be little or no when it comes to amenities right here; don’t anticipate eating places, shops or issues like that. Grand Island is extra of a retreat-style journey, if that is sensible? It’s an important little island when you like to camp, with a few of the nicest spots round Trout Bay.
Now, to get right here, you’ll be able to be a part of the Grand Island ferry that docks in Williams Touchdown. It’s all so peaceable and an important little spot to go to.
Additionally, don’t neglect, you’ll be able to be a 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 when you’re visiting with children 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 proper place to go to when you’re driving a loop across the state itself.
As soon as right here, ensure that to move straight to the well-known dunes! The entire panorama right here is so ethereal and delightful. Additionally, you’ll be able to be a part of a journey 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 when 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 title as a result of wealthy colors of iron, copper, and manganese oxide on the rocks, which makes the shoreline beautiful. The water is often a shining blue-green mixture, and the cliffs, seashores, dunes, and rocky shoreline kind stunning surroundings.
As soon as right here, you’ll be able to discover the paths, with Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore having manner over 100 miles of trails across the park itself. Additionally, don’t neglect, you’ll be able to head out boating and kayaking when you fancy getting on to water. Simply be sure you at all times take heed to native security recommendation, as this will change day by day, relying on native climate situations.
Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore is very easy to go to when 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 really fairly a big metropolis (when it comes to dimension for the state) and properly value staying in a single day right here.
As soon as right here, ensure that to go to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Visiting is definitely among the finest locations in Michigan to go to for its beautiful grounds and walkways. The botanical backyard has indoor and outside amenities, so don’t fear if it’s too chilly to move exterior. There are nature trails for navigating by means of the backyard, which offer a superb show of lovely artworks that encompass all of the foliage. Simply ensure that to see the American Horse, which is 24 ft tall and Louise Bourgeois’s Spider.
Afterwards, head for a go to to Meyer Might 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. It is a great place to go to with the household, and there are heaps of reveals inside. Plus, there’s a very cool Planetarium to go to while you’re right here!
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8.) Isle Royale Nationwide Park
Isle Royale Nationwide Park is located on the northwest of Lake Superior and is definitely among the finest locations in Michigan to go to when 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 may see a few of the wildlife there, corresponding 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 reasonably particular place to go to while in Michigan. First issues first, you’ll have to 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, you need to go to the beautiful Arch Rock (Google Maps pin). The entire shoreline on this aspect of the island is beautiful, and it’s such an exquisite space to discover on the paths. One phrase of warning, there may be snakes round this space, so at all times 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 time as you’ll be able to sit exterior and eat alfresco. In reality, I’d go so far as saying it’s among the finest locations in Michigan to eat exterior. We cherished it! Their honey apple and brie flatbread. Plus, their BBQ pulled pork sandwich is every little thing!
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10.) Lansing
One other wonderful metropolis to go to in Michigan, Lansing is true within the coronary heart of the state and completely simple 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 that to discover the Michigan State Capitol space. On the opening of the constructing in 1879, it was thought of a groundbreaking architectural achievement.
Afterwards, ensure that to move to the Michigan Historical past Middle. Actually, if you are interested in figuring out the correct and detailed historical past of Michigan, you need to go to. Even when you suppose you don’t, it’s nonetheless value a go to because it’s an important place to go to the Michigan Historical past Museum. As soon as right here, you’ll be able to see heaps of reveals 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 that to offer your self two to 3 hours to wander round absolutely.
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 among the finest locations in Michigan when you love barbecued meat.
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