Nestled within the northern fringes of the USA, Michigan is a state that’s bought heaps happening! 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 various of the perfect 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 will help you get probably the most out of your time in Michigan, we’ve jotted down all our favorite spots that you need to see whenever you go to.
Oh, and at all times, pop us a message if you happen to want every other tips about 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 vehicles to take pleasure in this place; it’s truly actually particular and nicely value visiting with all of the household.
Inside, you’ll be capable of 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 overlook 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 couple of hours, and it’s the right 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 nasty rap in the case of enjoyable cities to go to within the US, however I promise, there may be loads to see and do. Actually, I’d go so far as saying it’s top-of-the-line 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 might take a while to get round! Not solely that, the DIA options an interactive show, which is nice if you happen to’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 provide your self at the least ninety minutes to walk round (although, in my view, you possibly can spend for much longer right here). It’s simply top-of-the-line issues to do in Michigan if you happen to’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 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 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 Japanese Market. Established within the 1800s, it’s one in every of Detroit’s oldest public markets and continues to be going robust to at the present time. Now, for me, I’d advocate happening 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 novel little spot to go to if you happen to fancy exploring the nice open air within the state. It’s an ideal little spot to go to, particularly if you wish to head out kayaking to see the beautiful shoreline right here.
Now, we discovered it useful to lease a kayak from Port Austin Kayak; these guys know their stuff and provide you with 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 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 robust to paddle – so be sure to have a comparatively good degree of health, simply in case.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Detroit
4.) Grand Island
On the banks of Lake Superior, Grand Island (Google Maps pin) is likely one of the greatest locations in Michigan to go to as you drive the northern fringes of the state.
Now, there may be little or no by way of 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 ideal little island if you happen to 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 ideal little spot to go to.
Additionally, don’t overlook, you possibly can be part of a shipwreck tour on the well-known glass-bottom boats that can take you to 2 of the most important wrecks within the bay. We booked ours with Shipwreck Excursions, and it was fairly cool, particularly if you happen to’re visiting with children and don’t need 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 entire space round Lake Michigan is simply unbelievable and the right place to go to if you happen to’re driving a loop across the state itself.
As soon as right here, ensure to go straight to the well-known dunes! The entire panorama right here is so ethereal and exquisite. 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 overlook to identify Little Sable Lighthouse (Google Maps pin). It’s really easy to see, particularly if you happen to’re heading down North Lighthouse Drive.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Detroit
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 possibly can discover the paths, with Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore having approach over 100 miles of trails across the park itself. Additionally, don’t overlook, you possibly can head out boating and kayaking if you happen to fancy getting on to water. Simply you’ll want to at all times hearken to native security recommendation, as this could change every day, relying on native climate situations.
Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore is very easy to go to if you happen to’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 superb 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 dimension for the state) and nicely value 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 definitely top-of-the-line locations in Michigan to go to for its beautiful grounds and walkways. The botanical backyard has indoor and out of doors amenities, so don’t fear if it’s too chilly to go outdoors. There are nature trails for navigating by the backyard, which give an excellent show of lovely artworks that encompass all of the foliage. Simply ensure to see the American Horse, which is 24 toes 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 likely one of the historic properties you possibly can’t miss in Grand Rapids.
Lastly, hop on over to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. It is 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 definitely top-of-the-line locations in Michigan to go to if you happen to’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 filled with roaming wildlife, with trails you possibly can discover. You possibly can see a number of the wildlife there, similar to foxes, otters, ospreys, herring gulls, falcons, and extra. To get a greater view of the park, you possibly can go mountaineering or go on boat excursions.
Simply don’t overlook, 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 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 of get to hop on the ferries that can 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 a phenomenal space to discover on the paths. One phrase of warning, there might 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 possibly can sit outdoors and eat alfresco. Actually, I’d go so far as saying it’s top-of-the-line locations in Michigan to eat outdoors. We liked it! Their honey apple and brie flatbread. Plus, their BBQ pulled pork sandwich is every part!
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 simple to go to as you drive from Detroit to Grand Rapids (or vice-versa).
Now, being the capital of Michigan, Lansing has heaps happening, 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 of a groundbreaking architectural achievement.
Afterwards, ensure to go to the Michigan Historical past Middle. Actually, if you are interested in understanding the correct and detailed historical past of Michigan, you need to go to. Even if you happen to suppose you don’t, it’s nonetheless value a go to because it’s an ideal 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 to provide your self two to 3 hours to wander round absolutely.
Additionally, don’t overlook 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 top-of-the-line locations in Michigan if you happen to love barbecued meat.
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