Cities & Towns
20. Detroit
Kalamazoo is a popular getaway destination because of its location about halfway between Chicago and Detroit. In many ways, Kalamazoo is your typical midwestern town, complete with a historic downtown area and plenty of nature surrounding it. This quiet city is one of the best stops on the 275-mile Lake to Lake Trail. While you visit, getting out on the trail is one of the best ways to experience Kalamazoo.
Pin me for later:
19. South Haven
This incredible park is wonderful to visit during any season. Summer is the most obvious season to explore the trails and get out on the water, but winter is an unexpectedly ideal time to visit because of the unique ice formations that appear among the rocks.
18. Traverse City
Frankenmuth was once home to one of the largest concentrations of German immigrants, which is evident in the city’s gastronomy, architecture, and overall German pride. A great way to start your trip is with a Bavarian Belle Riverboat tour along the Cass River.
17. Grand Rapids
Kalamazoo has some neat museums as well, like the Gilmore Car Museum and the Midwest Miniatures Museum. The city is also home to an impressive collection of breweries, which you can experience on a West Michigan Beer Tour.
Keweenaw is known for its hiking trails, some of which lead to underground tunnels and old mines that you can explore. As you walk through the forests and meadows, you’ll also run into some neat old-timey cabins and other historical replicas that bring the park to life.
16. Kalamazoo
This impressive state park boasts 35,000 acres of old-growth forest, waterfalls, rivers, streams, and hiking trails that will take you through the best parts of the park. There are great options for camping, too. You’ll find modern and rustic campsites, along with plenty of options for backcountry camping.
15. Mackinac Island
South Haven is home to some excellent trails for hiking and biking, plus a few noteworthy beaches that are ready for your summertime visit. Downtown South Haven is hip and charming, with quirky landmarks, tasty restaurants, and cool breweries to visit.
14. Manistee
One of Copper Harbor’s best feature is its diversity of landscapes. From the lake inland, the scene changes from sandy beaches to towering mountains and flat meadows. To see Copper Harbor in all its glory from above, hike to the top of Brockway Mountain to get a bird’s eye view.
13. Harbor Springs
A quirk of Traverse City is its reputation for being extremely haunted. The city is home to an old asylum building that you can tour at night. Super spooky! Not only that, but you can also do a full city haunted tour here too!
12. Frankenmuth
This scenic route shows off the very best of Michigan’s forests and has some dreamy lakeside overlooks as well. Harbor Springs is one of many small towns along the route. If you’re on a road trip through the midwest, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on this drive.
The main drag in town is the Manistee Marina, where you’ll find shops, restaurants, bars, and historical landmarks. Manistee prides itself on its natural beauty, and even has a few Fall Colors Tours if you’re visiting during that time of year. If visiting in the summer, you’re sure to stay busy enjoying the many hiking trails and water adventures. Heading to Manistee in the wintertime? There’s still plenty to do in the colder months.
11. Ann Arbor
In the thick of the Superior Wilderness lies Isle Royale National Park, a rugged isolated island that is a stellar escape from civilization. Because of its remoteness, you’ll also get an incredible view of the stars at night. Isle Royale is perfect for both beginner and advanced backpackers, kayakers, and even scuba divers!
Known as the Motor City, a visit to Detroit isn’t complete until you take a deep dive into the city’s industrial history. Check out The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Automotive Hall of Fame, and the original Ford factory at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant.
10. Marquette
This lakefront gem of a city is the perfect place for outdoors enthusiasts and relaxed vacationers alike. South Haven is home to some of the most spectacular sunsets over Lake Michigan and has plenty of water activities to choose from.
On the Keweenaw Peninsula is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in Michigan: Copper Harbor. Boasting rugged Lake Superior shoreline, plus thick forests and rolling hills, this is the ultimate place for adventure. There are great beaches to enjoy, complete with opportunities to paddle board, kayak, or canoe on the lake. You’ll also find the famous Copper Harbor Lighthouse which dates back to 1886.
9. De Tour Village
If you want to see the northern lights without having to go too far north, give it a try in Charlevoix. The dark skies of northern Michigan, plus the general absence of light pollution make this town a great spot for stargazing or catching a meteor shower. For the best chance to see the aurora borealis, check out Fisherman’s Island State Park and Mt. McSauba during the winter months.
Click to read more posts about
8. Holland
This tiny town is also home to a historical relic–the DeTour Reef Light. This landmark was built in 1931 and carries many stories and history from the area. You can take a tour to learn more about it.
Although Mackinac Island is quite a popular tourist spot, the island prides itself on not having a single chain hotel. Another quirk is that there are no cars on the island. To get there, you have to take a ferry. Once on the island, visitors and locals alike mostly get around by bicycle. You might even see some horse-drawn carriages as well!
7. Copper Harbor
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is the largest state park in Michigan at about 60,000 acres. It’s one of the few expansive wilderness areas left in the Midwest, making it perfect for travelers who want to truly unplug and connect with nature.
6. Charlevoix
As the second largest city in Michigan, this one definitely packs a punch. Grand Rapids is known for its vibrant music scene and is also one of the state’s best foodie havens. You’ll also find some neat museums, like the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
Ann Arbor also has an impressive food scene, with delicious cafes and bistros dotting the streets of downtown. Every fall during college football season, the whole town is buzzing with excitement as spectators support the U of M’s football team. Summertime is a more chill time in Ann Arbor, as most students leave town for the summer.
National & State Parks
5. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Picture Rocks has a wealth of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and campgrounds to enjoy. Being on such a gorgeous lakefront, this is also a fantastic place to embark on a kayaking adventure, checking out the noteworthy rock formations and caves along the coast.
4. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Along the deepest harbor in the Great Lakes is lovely Harbor Springs, a quiet waterfront community with unmatched charm. The obvious attractions there revolve around watersports, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and more. However, one of the absolute best things to do in Harbor Springs is to go for a drive through its famous Tunnel of Trees.
To learn all about the rich history of the Upper Peninsula at Keweenaw National Historical Park. This particular area is famous for its copper mining history, which dates back to when Native Americans began mining it 7,000 years ago. Although no copper is mined here anymore, what remains is a wealth of heritage sites within the park which tell the stories of the past.
Located on the rocky shores of Lake Superior, Picture Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the best places in Michigan to enjoy the wild beauty of the lake. Within this over 70,000 acre park, you’ll find sand dunes, forests, waterfalls, inland lakes, and the famous sandstone cliffs.
3. Isle Royale National Park
2. Keweenaw National Historical Park
As Michigan’s largest city, this one is a no-brainer. Detroit has deep historical roots and the city is full of world-class museums, cultural gems, and iconic architecture. It’s home to one of the largest open-air markets in the United States and has new green spaces popping up everywhere. The city is working hard to revamp and renew its reputation.
Similar to South Haven, Traverse City is a hub for watersports and outdoor adventures on the calm shores of Lake Michigan. Traverse City’s food and wine scene is especially impressive and will have you making plans to go back immediately after leaving. You’ll find farm-to-table restaurants and wineries with local wines in this charming small city.
1. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
One of the best things to do at Sleeping Bear is climb the dunes. You can also explore the best of the park with a hike along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. Most visitors begin their Sleeping Bear adventure at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center where they can check out the trail map and watch a quick informational video before heading out into nature.
We’ve written about Mackinac Island before on our most beautiful places in the USA and August travel destinations in the USA. Mackinac is actually pronounced like “Mackinaw” due to the complex linguistic history of Native American, British, and French names for the island. This quiet destination in northern Michigan is known for its charm and laid back atmosphere.
In the spirit of all things Dutch, the town also has an impressive Dutch food and beverage scene, including award-winning breweries, microbreweries, and brew pubs. There’s even a theme park modeled after the Netherlands, called Nelis’ Dutch Village where you can get classic treats and watch performances.
span,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-submit:hover > span,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-button:focus > span,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-submit:focus > span{background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.1);}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-button > span,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-submit > span{display:block;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;padding:12px 24px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-input{background:#ffffff;font-size:15px;padding:12px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;line-height:1.4;margin:0;-webkit-transition:border-color ease-out 300ms;transition:border-color ease-out 300ms;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-input:focus{outline:none;border-color:#1677be;-webkit-transition:border-color ease 300ms;transition:border-color ease 300ms;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-input::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-input::-moz-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-input:-ms-input-placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-input::placeholder{color:inherit;opacity:0.8;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”dropdown”]{position:relative;display:inline-block;width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”dropdown”]::before{content:””;top:calc(50% – 2.5px);right:10px;position:absolute;pointer-events:none;border-color:#4f4f4f transparent transparent transparent;border-style:solid;border-width:6px 6px 0 6px;height:0;width:0;z-index:999;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”dropdown”] select{height:auto;width:100%;cursor:pointer;color:#333333;line-height:1.4;margin-bottom:0;padding:0 6px;-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;appearance:none;font-size:15px;padding:12px;padding-right:25px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;background:#ffffff;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”dropdown”] select:focus{outline:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”]{text-align:left;margin:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”]{margin-bottom:10px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] *{cursor:pointer;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”]:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] input[type=”checkbox”]{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] input[type=”checkbox”] + label::after{content:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] input[type=”checkbox”]:checked + label::after{border-color:#ffffff;content:””;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] input[type=”checkbox”]:checked + label::before{background:#10bf7a;border-color:#10bf7a;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] label{position:relative;display:inline-block;padding-left:28px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] label::before,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] label::after{position:absolute;content:””;display:inline-block;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] label::before{height:16px;width:16px;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;background:#ffffff;left:0px;top:3px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-group=”checkboxes”] [data-group=”checkbox”] label::after{height:4px;width:8px;border-left:2px solid #4d4d4d;border-bottom:2px solid #4d4d4d;-webkit-transform:rotate(-45deg);-ms-transform:rotate(-45deg);transform:rotate(-45deg);left:4px;top:8px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-alert{background:#f9fafb;border:1px solid #e3e3e3;border-radius:5px;-webkit-flex:1 0 auto;-ms-flex:1 0 auto;flex:1 0 auto;list-style:none;margin:25px auto;padding:12px;text-align:center;width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-alert:empty{display:none;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-alert-success{background:#d3fbeb;border-color:#10bf7a;color:#0c905c;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-alert-error{background:#fde8e2;border-color:#f2643b;color:#ea4110;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-spinner{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:0px;width:0px;margin:0 auto;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;width:0px;overflow:hidden;text-align:center;-webkit-transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;transition:all 300ms ease-in-out;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-spinner > div{margin:auto;width:12px;height:12px;background-color:#fff;opacity:0.3;border-radius:100%;display:inline-block;-webkit-animation:formkit-bouncedelay-formkit-form-data-uid-ff60a8d270- 1.4s infinite ease-in-out both;animation:formkit-bouncedelay-formkit-form-data-uid-ff60a8d270- 1.4s infinite ease-in-out both;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-spinner > div:nth-child(1){-webkit-animation-delay:-0.32s;animation-delay:-0.32s;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-spinner > div:nth-child(2){-webkit-animation-delay:-0.16s;animation-delay:-0.16s;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-submit[data-active] .formkit-spinner{opacity:1;height:100%;width:50px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-submit[data-active] .formkit-spinner ~ span{opacity:0;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-powered-by[data-active=”false”]{opacity:0.35;}@-webkit-keyframes formkit-bouncedelay-formkit-form-data-uid-ff60a8d270-{0%,80%,100%{-webkit-transform:scale(0);-ms-transform:scale(0);transform:scale(0);}40%{-webkit-transform:scale(1);-ms-transform:scale(1);transform:scale(1);}}@keyframes formkit-bouncedelay-formkit-form-data-uid-ff60a8d270-{0%,80%,100%{-webkit-transform:scale(0);-ms-transform:scale(0);transform:scale(0);}40%{-webkit-transform:scale(1);-ms-transform:scale(1);transform:scale(1);}}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] blockquote{padding:10px 20px;margin:0 0 20px;border-left:5px solid #e1e1e1;} .formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″]{max-width:700px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] [data-style=”clean”]{width:100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-fields{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:0 auto;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-field,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-submit{margin:0 0 15px 0;-webkit-flex:1 0 100%;-ms-flex:1 0 100%;flex:1 0 100%;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″] .formkit-powered-by{color:#7d7d7d;display:block;font-size:12px;margin:0;text-align:center;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”700″] [data-style=”clean”],.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”800″] [data-style=”clean”]{padding:10px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”700″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”],.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”800″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”]{margin-left:-5px;margin-right:-5px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”700″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”] .formkit-field,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”800″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”] .formkit-field,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”700″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”] .formkit-submit,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”800″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”] .formkit-submit{margin:0 5px 15px 5px;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”700″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”] .formkit-field,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”800″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”] .formkit-field{-webkit-flex:100 1 auto;-ms-flex:100 1 auto;flex:100 1 auto;}.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”700″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”] .formkit-submit,.formkit-form[data-uid=”ff60a8d270″][min-width~=”800″] .formkit-fields[data-stacked=”false”] .formkit-submit{-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;} ]]>
USA