Michigan Bucket List – Reasons To Visit The Great Lake State

Things To Do In MichiganThe world’s longest fresh water coast line, 11 thousand inland lakes, 19 million acres of woods, and festivals throughout the year make Michigan worth visiting.

Things To Do In Michigan

1. The Henry Ford – Voted as one of the best museums in the country, this museum dedicated to the iconic Henry Ford and boasts 26 million artifacts waiting to be explored by all. Any trip to the Dearborn area isn’t complete without touring the 250 acres of innovation that chronicles the life of the man that helped shape America.

2. Miners Beach Falls – There are so many waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that it’s easy to overlook little gems like Elliot Falls at Miners Beach. It isn’t a tall fall, but it’s known as the most  photogenic in the area.  Catch it in the right light, and you can see the sandstone layers below.

elliott-fallsFlickr/Pure Michigan

3. Belle Isle Park – Natural beauty and rich history abound at this state park. The 987 acre park will thrill you with scenic views of the Detroit skyline.  Don’t forget to stop in at the maritime museum, aquarium, conservatory to get the most out of your visit!

4. Zehnder’s Splash Village – 50,000 square feet of water park makes this the largest indoor water park in Michigan. From its onsite hotel and restaurant, to its tube slides to family raft rides, to its beach entry pool with water geysers, waterlogged excitement awaits all in Frankenmuth.

zehnders-splash-village-waterparkZehnders

5. 12 Corners Vineyards – Whether you enjoy wine tastings or wine by the glass, this vineyard, with 2 locations, one in Benton Harbor and one in downtown Grand Haven, and tasting rooms in both locations, is sure to supply a wine to please any palette.

6. Cranbrook Institute of Science – Offering programs for kids and adults, the premier science and natural history museum of Michigan, located in Bloomfield Hills, boasts events for the entire family.

cranbrook-institute-of-scienceFacebook

7. Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park & Wild Water Adventure – Over 60 thrilling rides and attractions, from water rides to a mile-long wooden roller coaster, await in Muskegon. Two parks for one low price makes for lasting memories.

8. Boathouse Restaurant – Traverse City is the home for one of the best restaurants in all of Michigan. Steaks, Seafood, and a large local wine selection make this nautical themed cottage restaurant a great place to sit back and enjoy the views of the docks while dining.

boathose-resturantBoathouse on West Bay

9. Blu – With a menu that changes daily, simplicity and flavor are the held to the highest standards in this James Beard recognized restaurant sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan in Glen Arbor.

10. Tunnel Park – With a name like Tunnel Park, you’ve probably guessed that to get to this park you must go through a tunnel, but what you wouldn’t have guessed is that this park is one of the best places to watch a beach sunset. That’s right, you don’t have to travel to an ocean to enjoy beach sunsets!  Bring the kiddies to enjoy the playground or explore the dunes in Holland.

tunnel-parkFlickr/Pure Michigan

11. Webster House – Voted in the Top 10 of Bed and Breakfasts in the United States, this home built in 1886 has been beautifully restored to better than its original grandeur. With its feather top bed and jacuzzi suites, relaxation and romance can be enjoyed by all in Bay City.

12. Whitefish Point – This gorgeous lighthouse is the oldest operating light on Lake Superior, and quite possibly the most important. All vessels entering and leaving Lake Superior must pass the light. It stands on the treacherous southern shoreline of Lake Superior known as the “Graveyard of the Great Lakes” in an area with more shipwrecks than any other area of the lake. The entire beach is lined with stones, perfect for collectors!

whitehouse-beachFlickr/Gregg

13. Turnip Rock – No trip to Michigan is complete without a visit to Turnip Rock, a small geological formation. It is privately owned, but you can take a 7 mile kayak trip via the Point aux Barques trail. The shallow waters surrounding Turnip Rock allow you to get out and enjoy the area as well as snap a few photos while you are there.

With so much to please the entire family, Michigan will provide something for everyone.

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Comments

  1. We had the opportunity to visit Copper Harbor Michigan and seeing all the stones @ Turnip Rock was a reminder of that enjoyable time looking for stones with our good friends.

  2. Looks like a beautiful place to visit.

    • Mary's Beach says

      Michigan is very beautiful I live there. The absolute best part is all the lakes…the Great Lakes of course but also the thousands of inland lakes are awesome…some are in a chain of lakes that you can travel by boat one to another and check out all the gorgeous homes and landscaping. There are also many beautiful metro parks and state parks with beaches, bike trails and mountain bike trails. Michigan is a water lovers paradise and I for sure am one of them

  3. vickie couturier says

    the pictures are awesome,,never been there yet

  4. ellen beck says

    We have only been in the very lower part of Michigan. It is a pretty state, but much like our own. In summer it would be nice to vist or late fall.

  5. Angela Saver says

    I would love to plan a trip to Michigan with my family! I am pinning this for the future!

  6. Julie Wood says

    There is so many wonderful places to visit in Michigan. I did not even know this. I would love to take a vacation and see this state!

  7. Oh I have never been to Michigan. Looks like so much to see there. We will have to plan a trip there! The Miners Beach Falls looks so beautiful!!!!

  8. Very lovely pictures. Have never been there but now I want to.

  9. Audrey Stewart says

    The pictures you have of Michigan. are so pretty. I would love to visit.

  10. shelly peterson says

    Looks like a beautiful place with so much to do. The Tunnel Park would be great to check out.

  11. I’ve lived here my whole life and the Northern Michigan is my favorite, instead of going to the big cities. Traverse city and Petosky, Harbor Springs which is by Petosky are a must see. Harbor Springs has the tunnel of trees which is beautiful in the Fall. Also, pictured rocks in the UP. Too many places to mention, but Fall is gorgeous up north too. I

  12. denise roberts says

    Lake of the Clouds in the porcupine mountains state park, bond falls, in Paulding, Wilkinson Fort in the Copper Country are a few of the places to visit in the U.P. of MI

  13. LOVE Zender’s Splash Village! My family used to take us kids there every Easter. Frankenmuth is a very nice town in general!

    Here are my suggestions as a Traverse City/ Leelanau County Gal:
    -Visit the Traverse City Commons (an old “insane asylum” that has been turned into a very classy indoor mall)
    -Go to the Traverse City National Cherry Fest (Late June-Early July)
    -Check out the Charlevoix Apple Festival (Mid October)
    -Go to Fishtown (in Leland) ANY day of the week. It’s SUCH a cute town!!!
    -Check out Northport’s weekly (summertime only) Friday “Music in the Park.” You may even catch sight of a mermaid swimming there, F.Y.I. ♥

    And because I AM a Professional Mermaid and am a bit in love with my MerCommunity, I’ll say this… Go to South Haven over Memorial Day Weekend for a huge mermaid festival. Mermaid MegaFest just started up this year and was FABULOUS!!! I mean, I could be a bit biased, but really… where else can you see 400+ mermaids in one place!?!? ♥♥♥

    Thanks for the blog post! I have a lot of Michigan exploring to do, it seems!

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