Nestled within the northern fringes of the US, Michigan is a state that’s acquired 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 numerous 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 probably the most out of your time in Michigan, we’ve jotted down all our favorite spots that you must see whenever you go to.
Oh, and at all times, pop us a message in the event you want some 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’ll want to be into vehicles to get pleasure from this place; it’s truly actually particular and effectively 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 overlook to take a look at the working farms, take a journey in a Mannequin T, and go to the practice depot the place you possibly can go for a journey on a steam-powered locomotive. Visits will take a couple 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.
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
2.) Detroit
Detroit generally will get a nasty rap in the case of enjoyable cities to go to within the US, however I promise, there may be a lot to see and do. Actually, I’d go so far as saying it’s probably the greatest locations in Michigan to go to in order for you extra of a metropolis break within the state.
As soon as right here, make sure that to go to the Detroit Institute of Art, 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 , it’s also possible to be part of their Arts and Minds Lectures or the Drop-In Workshop. Simply make sure that 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 probably the greatest 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 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 that you would be able to 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 Eastern Market. Established within the 1800s, it’s one in every of Detroit’s oldest public markets and continues to be going sturdy to today. Now, for me, I’d suggest 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.
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
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 good outside 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 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 beautiful 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 ensure you have a comparatively good stage of health, simply in case.
Read more: Best things 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 when it comes to 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 sensible? It’s an ideal little island in the event you like to camp, with among 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 may take you to 2 of the biggest wrecks within the bay. We booked ours with Shipwreck Tours, 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 long-lasting Silver Lake State Park (Google Maps pin). This complete space round Lake Michigan is simply unbelievable and the proper place to go to in the event you’re driving a loop across the state itself.
As soon as right here, make sure that to move straight to the well-known dunes! The entire panorama right here is so ethereal and exquisite. Additionally, you possibly can be part of a journey on the dunes with Mac Wood’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 in the event you’re heading down North Lighthouse Drive.
Read more: Best things 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 acquired its identify because of the 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 type lovely surroundings.
As soon as right here, you possibly can discover the paths, with Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore having means over 100 miles of trails across the park itself. Additionally, don’t overlook, you possibly can head out boating and kayaking in the event you fancy getting on to water. Simply you’ll want to at all times hearken to native security recommendation, as this may change every 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 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 (when it comes to dimension for the state) and effectively value staying in a single day right here.
As soon as right here, make sure that to go to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Visiting is definitely 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 via the backyard, which offer a great show of lovely artworks that encompass all of the foliage. Simply make sure 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 link). 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 reveals inside. Plus, there’s a very cool Planetarium to go to while you’re right here!
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
8.) Isle Royale Nationwide Park
Isle Royale National Park is located on the northwest of Lake Superior and is definitely probably the greatest 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 (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 possibly can 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 possibly can go mountain climbing 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 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 have the ability to get to hop on the ferries that may lead you straight to Mackinac Island.
As soon as right here, you must go to the beautiful Arch Rock (Google Maps pin). The entire shoreline on this facet of the island is beautiful, and it’s such a good looking space to discover on the paths. One phrase of warning, there will 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 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 all the pieces!
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
10.) Lansing
One other superb 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 happening, regardless that it’s a smaller metropolis. As soon as right here, make sure 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, make sure that to move to the Michigan History Center. Actually, if you are interested in figuring out the correct and detailed historical past of Michigan, you must go to. Even in the event you 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 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 make sure that to provide your self two to a few 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 probably the greatest locations in Michigan in the event you love barbecued meat.
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit














































































