Nestled within the northern fringes of the US, Michigan is a state that’s acquired heaps occurring! It’s a tremendous state to go to as a part of a wider US highway journey, and so value stopping by some key spots inside Michigan itself. There are various of one of the 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 probably 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 all the time, pop us a message in the event you want another tips about 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 considering you should be into vehicles to get pleasure from this place; it’s truly actually particular and properly value visiting with all of the household.
Inside, you’ll have the ability to see historic vehicles 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 experience in a Mannequin T, and go to the prepare depot the place you possibly can go for a experience 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 generally will get a nasty rap in relation to enjoyable cities to go to within the US, however I promise, there’s lots to see and do. In reality, I’d go so far as saying it’s among the best 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 in the event 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 that to present your self at the very least ninety minutes to walk round (although, in my view, you possibly can spend for much longer right here). It’s simply among the best issues to do in Michigan in the event 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 keep 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 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 possibly can simply spend a complete afternoon right here.
Getting peckish? Then head over to Japanese Market. Established within the 1800s, it’s one among Detroit’s oldest public markets and remains to be going robust to this present day. Now, for me, I’d advocate occurring a weekend because it appears busier with distributors then. As soon as right here, you may get items corresponding to baked items, crops 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 in the event you fancy exploring the nice outside within the state. It’s an excellent 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 hire a kayak from Port Austin Kayak; these guys know their stuff and provide you with 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 likely one of the finest locations in Michigan to go to as you drive the northern fringes of the state.
Now, there’s little or no when it comes to amenities right here; don’t count on eating places, shops or issues like that. Grand Island is extra of a retreat-style journey, if that is sensible? It’s an excellent little island in the event you like to camp, with a number of the nicest spots round Trout Bay.
Now, to get right here, you possibly can be part of the Grand Island ferry that docks in Williams Touchdown. It’s all so peaceable and an excellent little spot to go to.
Additionally, don’t neglect, you possibly can 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 in the event 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 enduring Silver Lake State Park (Google Maps pin). This complete space round Lake Michigan is simply unimaginable and the proper place to go to in the event 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 possibly can 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 in the event 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 gorgeous to go to. Now, the entire space acquired its identify as a result of wealthy colors of iron, copper, and manganese oxide on the rocks, which makes the shoreline gorgeous. The water is often a shining blue-green mixture, and the cliffs, seashores, dunes, and rocky shoreline kind lovely surroundings.
As soon as right here, you possibly can discover the paths, with Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore having approach over 100 miles of trails across the park itself. Additionally, don’t neglect, you possibly can head out boating and kayaking in the event you fancy getting on to water. Simply remember to all the time take heed to native security recommendation, as this could change each day, relying on native climate situations.
Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore is very easy to go to in the event 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 (when it comes to measurement 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 well among the best locations in Michigan to go to for its gorgeous grounds and walkways. The botanical backyard has indoor and out of doors amenities, so don’t fear if it’s too chilly to move exterior. There are nature trails for navigating by the backyard, which give a very good show of lovely artworks that encompass all of the foliage. Simply ensure that to see the American Horse, which is 24 toes 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 likely one of the historic properties you possibly can’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 extremely 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 well among the best locations in Michigan to go to in the event you’re on an outdoorsy journey to the state. You see, the Ice Age Glaciers created this complete panorama, and since their melting (1000’s 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 possibly can discover. You possibly can see a number of the wildlife there, corresponding to foxes, otters, ospreys, herring gulls, falcons, and extra. To get a greater view of the park, you possibly can go mountain climbing or go on boat excursions.
Simply don’t neglect, to entry the island, you possibly can 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 must get the ferry from St Ignace (Google Maps pin) or from Mackinaw Metropolis (Google Maps pin). From these two factors, you’ll have the ability 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 gorgeous Arch Rock (Google Maps pin). The entire shoreline on this aspect of the island is gorgeous, and it’s such a stupendous space to discover on the paths. One phrase of warning, there might be snakes round this space, so all the time preserve your eyes peeled.
Afterwards, head to city and go to Pink Pony for his or her epic grilled meats. This place is gorgeous in summer time as you possibly can sit exterior and eat alfresco. In reality, I’d go so far as saying it’s among the best locations in Michigan to eat exterior. We liked it! Their honey apple and brie flatbread. Plus, their BBQ pulled pork sandwich is the whole lot!
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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 that 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 that to move to the Michigan Historical past Middle. Truthfully, if you are interested in figuring out the correct and detailed historical past of Michigan, you need to go to. Even in the event you suppose you don’t, it’s nonetheless value a go to because it’s an excellent place to go to the Michigan Historical past Museum. As soon as right here, you possibly can 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 that 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 chew to eat, head to Meat BBQ. Their smoked wings and brisket are so yummy. It’s among the best locations in Michigan in the event you love barbecued meat.
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