It is no doubt that Michigan features a perfect combination of nature and industry. For this reason, it offers an exciting experience to every traveler. However, with the endless options comes the difficulty of choosing how you spend your time.
If you love beaches, berries, and forests, Michigan is the state you should be in. The state takes pride in its numerous beaches, and over half of Michigan is covered in woods and forests. What’s more, an unimaginable amount of berries and cherries go into baking a significant number of pies every year.
If we look at the cities, Detroit, the main city, is an industrial legend in the US. Additionally, the state is also surrounded by great lakes, including Michigan and Superior, alongside brilliant and peaceful lake islands that are ideal for enjoying nature at its best.
It is no doubt that Michigan features a perfect combination of nature and industry. For this reason, it offers an exciting experience to every traveler. However, with the endless options comes the difficulty of choosing how you spend your time. For this reason, we have put together a bucket list for you to ensure you visit all the best attractions in the state.
Visit Traverse City and the Cherry Festival
There is no ideal time to visit Michigan. You can be in the state any time of the year and enjoy a memorable experience. However, if we are to choose the perfect time to be in the state, that would be July.
July is when numerous visitors from around the country flock to the northern Michigan town, located on the shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay, for the Northern Cherry Festival.
Michigan is one of the largest producers of tart cherries in America. So, it is only right that the National Cherry Festival happens in Traverse City. A week-long celebration, it is held at the beginning of July every year and is a must-attend event for anyone who loves cherries and the Michigan beaches.
During the Cherry Festival, the downtown Traverse City comes to life with over 150 events, ranging from cherry pit-spitting and pie-eating contests to dog water acrobatics and turtle races. You will also find a midway with rides, small vendors selling baked goods, cherry-themed arts and crafts, and more.
Traverse City will appeal to you even if you aren’t a Cherry Festival enthusiast because it is an excellent spot for a getaway just about any time of the year. Resting on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, it is enveloped by breath-taking terrain that is perfect for hiking, skiing, biking, snowshoeing, and more. In addition, the Scenic Old Mission Peninsula also holds some of the best wineries in the nation. So, a leisurely trip to the peninsula is going to offer you a worthy experience.
Experience sports betting in Michigan’s online casinos
Sports betting became live in Michigan earlier this year. Meaning you can now bet on sports from anywhere in Michigan, leveraging the numerous online sportsbooks like BetMGM, DraftKings, Caesars, FanDuel, and more.
You have to be in Michigan physically to wager on sports. Additionally, ensure you use a sportsbook approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. This way, you can earn some money as you go from the Michigan online casinos to cover some of your travel expenses.
Visit the Upper Peninsula’s Soo Locks and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
The two undeniably best attractions of the Upper Peninsula are the Soo Locks and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.
The Soo Locks is an engineering marvel that you shouldn’t miss. It is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the ships are raised and lowered by the parallel locks to let them pass through the narrow St. Mary’s River that connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. Watching them in action is going to be an experience in itself. So, consider going on a Soo Locks boat tour to see the locks up close.
Similarly, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is also so much fun to see and learn. A remote lighthouse located on Lake Superior, it is a popular destination among tourists, despite its location on the ominous “Lake Superior’s Shipwreck Coast.” Once here, you will get to learn about the tragic voyage of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and the other unfortunate cruises on the Great Lakes.
Whitefish Point is also an ideal spot along the Lake Superior coast. It marks the critical entry and exit points for ships on Superior, and you can learn about the beauty of the deceitful Lake Superior as you view artifacts from the vessel that surrendered to her waves at the museum.
Tour the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore by boat
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, located on the coast of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, is commonly found on any US or Michigan travel bucket list. The place holds over 40 miles of dramatic sandstone cliffs containing dunes, beaches, waterfalls, and beautiful rock formations.
The long stretches of mineral stains that run along the cliffs make the National Pictured Rocks a natural treasure of Michigan. The tall, colorful sandstone cliffs on the shores of Lake Superior truly are works of art.
There are several hiking trails and camping spots here that will let you get a complete experience of the Pictured Rocks. Also, consider getting on a Pictured Rocks Tour boat that runs for around three hours. This will help you take a closer look at the rocks.
