You have every reason to tour Michigan at least once in your lifetime. But what are the best places you spend your time in while in the state.
Michigan is an interesting state. It’s the only state that touches four of the five great lakes. Secondly, it’s the only state with two peninsulas. Another unique attribute of the great lakes state is that it has the longest shoreline of freshwater in the country.
With that in mind, you have every reason to tour Michigan at least once in your lifetime. But what are the best places you spend your time in while in the state?
1. Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is a popular city with important cultural attraction sites and museums in Michigan. You can visit the city alone or with friends to experience the Matthaei Botanical Gardens, the Michigan Theater or the Leslie Science & Nature Center.
If you wait till Summer, ensure you buy tickets to attend the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. It congregates artists from different genres, chefs and artists. There are also circus performers, magicians and comedians.
If you’re a sports fan, visit Michigan Stadium. With a capacity to host 115,000 people, stadiums don’t come bigger than this. Of course, visit the stadium when there’s a football, soccer or ice hockey game.
2. Four Winds Casino New Buffalo
Whether you’re looking for a place to stay or a spot to have fun in the evening, Four Winds New Buffalo Casino in New Buffalo City has it all. It’s equipped with 415 exquisite rooms and over 3000 slots and table games.
The Four Winds Casino is an expansive establishment with tons of restaurants, bars, and a multi-purpose events center. If you would rather stay in your hotel room but still want to have fun, though, check out online casinos in Michigan on time2play.com.
The site has handpicked the best, licensed, safe and reputable gambling sites in the state. All you need is to compare the list and choose a casino that suits your gaming needs.
3. Mackinac Island
Fancy a place you can relax while absorbing nature’s beauty? Visit Mackinac Island and participate in horse riding, biking, boating or walking through beautiful gardens.
Another must visit place is the Mackinac Island State Park. It occupies 80% of the island anyway. But the beauty of it is that the state park is home to loads of red oak, white pine, cedar and other indigenous trees.
Additional places you can check out while on the island include Fort Mackinac, St Anne’s Catholic church and the Round Island Lighthouse.
4. Detroit city
A lot of things have been said about Detroit—both good and bad. But if you’re trying to have a good time, there’s no shortage of places you can visit while in the Motor city.
Let’s start with the Detroit Institute of Arts. It is home to 65,000 pieces of art, dating back to hundreds of years ago. If you’re looking for a place to inspire you with beautiful art, this is the place.
The next best place to checkout is the Motown Museum. It’s a place to learn about famous artists contracted by Motown Records. We’re talking about the likes of Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Dianna Rose and Marvin Gaye.
Additional places to visit in Detroit include the Guardian Building, the Comerica Park and Belle Island. Then there’s Henry Ford—a must visit place for car enthusiasts. You can also walk along the Detroit River or view wild animals at the Detroit Zoo.
5. Great Lakes Bay
The Great Lakes Bay is one of the most awe-inspiring places in Michigan State. It’s a great place for romantic escapades, whether you want a voyage in a tall ship, ride bikes at the Dow Gardens or drink beer at a local distillery.
The Great Lakes Bay is pretty popular with people out to engage in watersports. So, if you want to canoe, go on a fishing expedition, try out kayaking or rest on the beach—it’s a place to visit.
That being said, spend time comparing attraction sites in the Great Lakes Bay before you visit. You can even combine activities to maximize your time while in the place.
6. The Upper Peninsula
Everyone knows Florida is the Peninsula State. But Michigan has two of these bad boys. And the northern Peninsula is one of the best places to visit during the winter.
Of course, the best thing to do at a place known for outdoor recreation during the winter is skiing. But you could also try out dog sledding, ice climbing and snowshoeing.
While there, book time to visit the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. It’s the largest state park in the state. It’s gorgeous and endowed with plenty of natural beauty.
If you want an alternative, check out the Pine Mountain Ski Jump, the Brockway Mountain to view Lake Superior, or go bird watching at the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory.
7. Holland
There are few places as beautiful as Holland City in Michigan. Of course, with the exception of the original Holland in Europe. As you might have guessed, this city is inspired by the Netherlands.
It’s jam-packed with stunning landscapes, Windmill Island gardens, theme parks and a nature reserve. Hollad.org, a site dedicated to the city, features a host of fun things to do while in the place.
They include visiting the BAM! Entertainment Center, the DeGraaf Nature Center and the Holland Aquatic Center. If you visit during the summer, ensure you participate in the Tulip Festival. It draws thousands of crowds who meet up for firework displays, music entertainment and parades.
8. Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is the second largest city in the state of Michigan. It’s located off the shores of the Grand River. That said, it’s a city packed with exciting activities for everyone in it to have a good time.
From restaurants and bars to weekend getaways for families, you don’t need to leave Grand Rapids to have fun in Michigan. Start by checking out the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
It’s a recreational and educational destination with a 158-acre conservatory. It’s full of tropical plants, mostly rare plants. Additionally, it has picturesque trails and exhibitions.
The next best place to visit in Grand Rapids is the city’s public museum. Here, you can view culturally and historically important artifacts. There are 250,000 artifacts, so you’ll need to spend at least an hour to view the best of them.
Also, consider visiting the Grand Rapids Art Museum. As the name suggests, this modern museum focuses on art from the 19th and 20th centuries. It has a bias for American and European art, but that’s alright.
Exploring Grand Rapids at night unveils a captivating blend of vibrant city lights, artful displays, and a lively atmosphere that transforms the already charming city into a captivating nocturnal wonderland.
Finally, check out the John Ball Zoo. It has more than 1100 animals curated from all major continents. Additionally, it features fun activities like zip lining across the zoo, taking a tram and taking camel rides.
Photo by William Duggan on Unsplash
