Are you planning on going on a holiday somewhere far from your home? Are you eyeing to bring your family to Michigan to visit as many of its beaches as you can? If that is the case, you’re in the right place because we will be talking about some of the best places to visit in this state. Michigan is unique in that it is the one and the only state in America that has two peninsulas. For travelers who happen to be sea lovers, too, it only means one thing: lots and lots of time in the beach swimming, engaging in watersports, and playing in the sands. Of course, it has a lot of things to offer besides its beautiful beaches. So, without further ado, let’s talk about the best places to visit in Michigan, USA.
1. Holland
Located in the lower peninsula of Michigan, Holland has a lot of places to keep its visitors entertained. It is home to several famous tourist spots, such as Holland Museum, Holland Harbor Lighthouse, and Windmill Island Gardens. The city is also a beach haven, as it has several well-managed beaches located in Kouw Park, Kirk Park, and the least touristy but certainly not the least among Holland’s beaches, Laketown Beach. The city also hosts many events every year, such as Girlfriend’s Weekend, Macatawa Water Festival, and arguably the most famous event, Tulip Time. With all of these attractions and events, you will surely have a great time in Holland!
Holland
Address: Michigan 49423, USA
Website: Holland
2. Grand Haven
Grand Haven is another haven of beaches and beautiful sights for travelers to see! Located in the eastern parts of Lake Michigan, it is one of those cities best enjoyed when you’re itching to go sunbathing or swimming or building sandcastles. It is home to one of the most revered beaches in all of the US which is situated in Grand Haven State Park. Some of the activities you and your friend will enjoy doing in the city are boating, fishing, skating, and biking. What’s more is that there is a virgin forest in Grand Haven called Duncan Woods where you can hike and be one with nature. These are just some of the ton of things that you can enjoy in Grand Haven–it’s best you visit the city because you will discover more!
Grand Haven
Website: Grand Haven
3. Traverse City
In the heart of northern Michigan lies Traverse City which is famous for being one of the major players in the tart cherry industry–in fact, the city is known to be the cherry capital of the world! While the National Cherry Festival is its most famous even and tourist attraction, it is also known for the beautiful Mission Point Lighthouse situated in Old Mission Penisula, as well as its famous shopping district, Front Street, and Grand Traverse Pie Company, which is the go-to cafe of many locals because of the variety of pies to choose from. These are but samples of the places you should visit in Traverse City, and there’s much more for you to explore!
Traverse City
Website: Traverse City
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Manistee (from USD 165.0)
Beaches, Coney Hotdogs, and tart cherries–these are but some of the few things tourists from many places expect in Michigan, but as with every other places in the world, there’s more to the city than its mainstream offerings. If you haven’t already, you should visit the Manistee River and ride a canoe, hike its nearby hiking trail, or go camping in its woods. The best way to experience all of these, with the guidance of an expert, is through a tour such as this the Manistee River overnight campout tour! You’ll have the opportunity to bond with your loved ones, for one whole day and night, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included!
Manistee River Overnight Campout
Duration: 2 days
5. Mackinac Island
We’ve talked about the land of tart cherries and the realm of Coney Hotdogs, let’s now talk about the island of fudges–Mackinac Island! If you love sweets, the island has several stores that sell sweets made of butter, milk, and sugar famously known as fudges. Of course, because the city is an island, it is surrounded by beaches. And you know what beaches mean–water sports such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and more! Also, Mackinac Island is home to Arch Rock, a natural rock formation located in the eastern part of the island which can be a perfect spot for selfie-takers and professional photographers alike.
Mackinac Island
Website: Mackinac Island
6. Petoskey Area
Named after a Native American chief Petosega, Petoskey Area is famous for its uniquely patterned stones that resemble the rising sun. These stones are famously known as Petoskey Stones, named after the town. The other things to experience while you’re in the city are zip lining, and hiking, as well as wine-tasting and playing golf. There are also several museums where you can learn more about the town of Petoskey, such as Crooked Tree Arts Center.
Petoskey Area
Address: Michigan 49770, USA
Website: Petoskey Area
7. Grand Rapids
The second-largest city in Michigan next to Detroit, and also one of the most famous destinations for tourists, Grand Rapids offers many recreational sites to keep its guests as happy as they can be! Some of the places to visit here are John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, and Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. There are also several upcoming events to watch out for, such as the Veteran’s Day Parade, Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, and more! Be sure to check the city’s website for more information!
Grand Rapids
Website: Grand Rapids
8. Ann Arbor
Bar-hopping is fun, right? You get to mingle with different people and taste the difference between alcoholic beverages served in different bars. But have you ever tried streetfood-hopping? If not, you should go to Ann Arbor, where you can sample a wide variety of cuisines, such as Mexican and Korean, along with other culinary delights! If you want your streetfood-hopping to be more informative, then join this tour. A friendly and knowledgeable foodie guide will be with you for half a day and entertain and inform you about the different food you’ll taste.
Half-Day Classic Food Tour in Ann Arbor with Lunch
Duration: 3 hours
9. The Henry Ford Museum
If you’re a history buff, you might want to visit The Henry Ford Museum where you can learn about the history of American innovation! The famous museum has four different venues, all for the purpose of promoting innovation and technology. The first venue is the Museum of American Innovation, a place where you will learn about America’s brightest and persistent inventors who’ve contributed so much to the whole world; Greenfield Village is where you will experience how to work on a new invention like how the Wright Brothers worked on their airplane; Ford Rouge is where you will see the famous work of Henry Ford, the Ford F-150; Giant Screen Experience is where you will learn about the past, present, and future of American technology.
The Henry Ford Museum
Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124, United States
Website: The Henry Ford
Opening hours: Mon: 9am - 5pm; Tue- Sun: 9:30am - 5pm
Price: From 24 USD
10. Lansing
Lansing is Michigan’s capital, and it also has its share of recreational places for travelers who happen to want to see the city. From places where nature is evident to man-made wonders, Lansing can accommodate you and your friends. Some of the highlights of the city are the Lansing River Trail, Fenner Nature Center, and the Minor League Baseball at Cooley Law School Stadium. Also, Lansing is hosting several different events every year, such as the LGBT Pride Parade so you have to keep on the lookout for their upcoming events that you might want to experience or participate in.
Lansing
Website: Lansing
11. Escanaba
Escanaba is located in the upper peninsula of Michigan and is known for its pasties–a type of pie that is typically stuffed with minced meat, potato, and other ingredients. Some of the best-known restaurants that serve the best-tasting pasties are Dobber’s Pasties and Gram’s Pasties. If you’re looking for some historical sites where you can get some bits and pieces of information about Escanaba, head to Delta County Museum and Fayette Historic Townsite. For people who love drinking beer and spirits, the best place to be are Northern Sun Winery and Upper Hand Brewery. Water lovers can swim all they want at Gladstone Beach. There’s plenty of things to do, see and experience in Escanaba for every type of tourist!
Escanaba
Address: Michigan 49829, USA
Website: Escanaba
12. Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth is home to what’s dubbed as the biggest Christmas Store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland–a place that you might want to visit since Christmas Season is nigh! Also, Frankenmuth is known for its Bavarian-themed businesses that tourists from many places visit just to get a taste of Bavaria, which also make for good places to take photographs. Some of the places of interest that you might want to drop by when you come here are Cobbler’s Bench Foot Health Center for people who want to shop for footwear, Fortress Golf Course to play golf, and Frankenmuth Cheese Haus for foodies who can’t last a day without eating cheese.
Frankenmuth
Website: Frankenmuth
13. Tecumseh
A city in Lenawee County, Tecumseh is known for River Raisin Run where visitors can enjoy many sorts of water sports such as canoeing. If you’re more into a sport that is played on land, Raisin Valley Golf Club is a place where you can compete with friends or family members in a game of golf. If you want to take a picture of the local wildlife, head to Indian Trails Walking Path or maybe Mill Pond and you’ll have doe, wild ducks, geese, and herons for a subject. For people who have a green thumb, Hidden Lake Gardens has a wide array of plants to be seen!
Tecumseh
Address: Michigan 49286, USA
Website: Tecumseh
14. Muskegon
Muskegon is a city in Michigan located on its western shores, which means that tourists who have a natural affinity to water activities will have a great time when they visit the place. Some of the places to visit if you want to get suntanned are Kruse Park, Hoffmaster State Park, and Pere Marquette Park. If you’re fascinated with submarines, the place to be is at USS Silversides Submarine Museum. If you want to relax and pamper yourself, then Hair-itage Spa is the place to be. Head to Muskegon’s Farmer’s Market if you want to shop for local produce fresh from Muskegon’s farms!
Muskegon
Website: Muskegon
15. Kalamazoo
In the southwestern parts of Michigan lies the city of Kalamazoo, and if you are planning to visit the city, make sure to drop by its local donut shop, Sweetwater’s Donut Mill, a popular place for locals and even tourists alike which is open 24/7, ready to satisfy donut cravings anytime! If coffee is what you want, Water Street Coffee is the popular coffee shop to be! And if you want to play soccer, or just watch professionals play, you’d best head to Bronson Park. Partying all night long is also an option when you decide to visit Kalamazoo as there are several bars and clubs at its entertainment district.
Kalamazoo
Website: Kalamazoo
16. South Haven
Located near the mouth of the Black River, South Haven is a port city where all sorts of water activities can be enjoyed, from simple swimming to boating and fishing. This is also where the famous botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey was born, and her house is now a museum where travelers can learn about her life and her work. Other notable places to visit are Van Buren State Park, Michigan Theatre, and Black River Tavern. In addition, there are several events worth participating in, such as the Blueberry Festival, Holiday in the Park, and New Year’s Eve in Haven.
South Haven
Address: Michigan 49090, USA
Website: South Haven
17. Isle Royale
Isle Royale is last, but certainly not the least on our list of the best places to visit in Michigan. If you want to be closer to Mother Nature, then you have all the more reason to adore her at Isle Royale. It is home to wolves, moose, and trees that serve as shelter for these creatures. Its woods are an ideal place to go camping. Rock Harbor is part of the national park and is where you can go kayaking, diving, or canoeing. Because of Isle Royale’s rich forests and waters, whether you want to appreciate nature through land or through water, expect to leave the park a little bit happier than your first arrival.
Isle Royale
Address: Michigan, USA
Website: Isle Royale
Price: 7 USD
18. Detroit (from USD 29.0)
Detroit is one of the most well-known cities in the state of Michigan, though not as famous as a tourist spot as compared to other cities in the state. But don’t think that Detroit has fewer attractions than the rest because it is home to several places of interest, such as Belle Isle Park, Henry Ford Museum, and Museum of African-American History. There’s also the Coney Dog, which is one of the best food that Detroit is known for! Or, you can also join a walking tour to learn more about the history of the city; for two hours, you will be guided by an expert who will take you to some of the most famous landmarks in Detroit aboard a People Mover, with an order of a Coney Dog included!
Detroit Walking Tour Including Rides on the People Mover
Duration: 2 hours
Are you ready for Michigan?
That’s all there is to this article, but there’s still much more for you to discover! So which of these places are you going to visit first? It’s time to prep your things and head to the best places to visit in Michigan, USA!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to