The state, whose name means “large lake,” has over 3,200 miles of shoreline and miles and miles of gorgeous wilderness.
Go on a journey through the beautiful Midwest state, and then it will take you through gorgeous scenic inland waterways, massive dunes, ancient forests, and endless inland seas. Here are my favorite spots to explore…
1. Holland State Park Beach
The state park covers around 140 acres and is four miles west of Holland. In my opinion, the beach is gorgeous and offers many opportunities for swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, and playgrounds.
Between the park and the beach, this area gets 1.5 to 2 million visitors yearly, a testament to its magnificence! When it comes to state parks, this one is the most visited in the entire state, and if you see it just once, like me, you’ll understand why!
We can book your trip hopping around Michigan’s beautiful places through our free, top-rated travel planning service!
2. Arch Rock and Mackinac Island
This resort area and island cover more than four square miles between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. The British built the original fort during the American Revolutionary War, and it now offers a slew of activities for tourists and locals alike.
Arch Rock is part of the landscape and is a natural limestone arch that reaches 146 feet above the ground. Other famous geologic formations and properties have beautiful architecture, many plants and birds, museums, and churches. I would suggest visiting all those, too!
3. Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Covering 158 acres, this unique tourist spot is a gem partly because it genuinely offers something for everyone. A Japanese garden covers eight acres and sculptures of modern and contemporary designs.
There are also numerous nature trails, shade gardens, children’s gardens, a 15,000-square-foot conservatory, heirloom orchards, vegetables, and figurative animal sculptures. I would highly recommend visiting if you’re ever in the Grand Rapids area!
4. Mount Bohemia
Mount Bohemia is a ski resort in Mohawk, providing two chairlifts and the second-highest vertical drop in the Midwest.
While this ski slope is not for beginners because it is challenging, it is still a beautiful resort offering black and even double and triple black diamonds.
It doesn’t have snow-making equipment, but it doesn’t need it mostly because the area gets roughly 250 to 300 inches of snow every year. The ski areas cover over 500 acres, with 95 runs, the longest being more than one mile long.
5. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the state’s upper peninsula, this lakeshore runs for 42 miles and covers more than 73,000 acres.
It gets its name because it offers some of the most beautiful scenery you’ve likely ever seen, including colorful sandstone cliffs, shallow caves and arches, and waterfalls.
If you’re adventurous, I highly recommend getting involved in the activities on offer, such as scuba diving, kayaking, boating, and numerous winter sports, such as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and even ice climbing!
6. Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes in the United States and the second-largest by volume. The lake is not only an imposing site; a few other states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, also share it.
There are beaches and various small islands, not to mention ferries, parks, and even lighthouses.
If you love the water, I personally think Lake Michigan is the place to be! You can also occasionally view ice volcanoes, which aren’t that uncommon at the end of the winter season.
7. Yankee Springs State Park
A haven for outdoor lovers, this sprawling 5,200-acre park is in a protected state-managed area in Yankee Springs Township in Barry County.
It’s a popular place to vacation, and I love that it has a gorgeous rustic feel. There are 120 camping sites and two cabins located here. Come here to go hiking amongst stunning landscapes, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, swimming, and much more.
8. Pere Marquette Park
The beach in this area is surf-raked daily. This clean, white, sandy beach attracts tens of thousands of visitors yearly, and I’m also a huge fan!
The park offers many activities, including volleyball, a playground area, picnic tables, snack bars, and restaurants.
Whether you want to swim, work on your tan, or participate in a good game of beach volleyball, you’ll be able to do it at Pere Marquette Park. It is located at the northernmost end of Lake Michigan, which covers a 2.5-mile area owned by the city.
9. The Crisp Point Lighthouse
This lighthouse is one of five U.S. Lifesaving Service Stations on Lake Superior, about 14 miles west of Whitefish Point. In 1915, these service stations merged with the U.S. Coast Guard, and the lighthouse now stands on 15 acres of land.
It is also 58 feet high and has suffered damage from erosion and various storms. To protect it as much as possible, the Crisp Point lighthouse now has 1,000 cubic yards of stone in front of it.
Today, the lighthouse is in excellent condition and is the site of numerous events that tourists and locals enjoy.
10. Historic Gaslight District Petoskey
Located on the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan, the Petoskey Gaslight District has been one of the state’s best shopping areas for more than 100 years. Included in the area are boutiques, galleries, and lots of shopping. If you love shopping or eating, this is the place to be.
Natural gas lighting lines the street just like it did long ago, adding to the district’s charm. You can even enjoy a beautiful view of Little Traverse Bay while you’re there.
There are also distilleries, bed-and-breakfast facilities, casinos, waterparks, and many opportunities for bird-watching and nature enthusiasts.
11. Silver Beach County Park
Like other types of parks, Silver Beach offers something for everyone. This includes swimming in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter, as well as picnic opportunities, sunbathe, kayak, paddleboard, play volleyball, and walk through one of several walkways.
There are grills for people who wish to barbecue, and both drinking fountains and concession stands are for those who need a snack or something cool to drink.
There is also an on-site pavilion you can rent for weddings, retirement parties, birthday parties, and numerous other special events.
12. Presque Isle Park
Consisting of more than 300 acres, this park is located in Marquette and offers beautiful scenic drives, untouched forests, sandstone cliffs, rocky outcrops, and a few secluded coves and pebble beaches.
If you love nature, this is the place for you because you can enjoy plants and animals that include more than 100 species of native plants, raccoons, Canada geese, and white-tailed deer.
You also have access to numerous foot trails if you’d like to be out in the open to enjoy the scenery, making this a versatile park.
13. Cut River Bridge State Roadside Park
Located along Highway 2 in Mackinac County, this park is found near the Cut River. It has a majestic bridge is 641 feet long and was made out of 888 short tons of structural steel. The bridge is indeed a wonder, but a nearby set of wooden stairs was built after the bridge was built.
While people do not usually use the staircase, it is still interesting because of its age and architecture. This is a great place to stop and visit while on the road and an even better location if you need a place to relax for a while.
14. The University of Michigan
Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor and now covers roughly 780 acres. It has nearly 600 significant buildings, more than 45,000 students, and almost 7,000 academic personnel.
Many famous people, including former U.S. President Gerald Ford and 26 living billionaires, attended the university.
The football team is known as the Wolverines and is a member of the Big 10 Conference. This is a beautiful university, and its buildings include many historically and architecturally unique facilities.
15. Ludington State Park
Located on 5,300 acres of land, this park is crossed by a stretch of the Big Sable River and is home to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse, which is 112 feet high and dates back to the 1870s.
You can swim on Lake Michigan or Hamlin Lake, go tubing on Big Sable River, and enjoy their hiking trails, cross-country skiing, biking, or even canoeing.
There are lighthouse tours and eateries to enjoy, so it’s easy to see why so many people spend the day at the park whenever they need to escape it all.
16. Porcupine Mountains State Park
Established in 1944, this park provides campgrounds, places to swim and go boating, hiking and backpacking trails, and even rustic cabins for overnight stays.
One of the park’s most significant areas is the Lake of the Clouds Overlook, which has some of the most stunning scenery you’ve ever seen.
In the 19th century, the area was famous for mining copper, and the entire park now covers more than 59,000 acres. It is located in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties and has an elevation of nearly 1,500 feet.
17. Copper Harbor Trails
If you love mountain biking, this is where you want to be. It’s also one of the few 5-star trails in the Midwest, and everyone who has ridden the trails has testified that they deserve every star. Yes, they are a bit rugged, but they aren’t just for more experienced riders.
Anyone can enjoy the Copper Harbor Trails, mainly because they are remote, out-of-the-way, scenic, and fun. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and everyone else as well!
18. Tahquamenon Falls
Not all beautiful waterfalls can be found with an Internet search, and the Yellow Dog River Falls is a perfect example. To get there, take County Road 510 West from Big Bay in Marquette County, then park by the small bridge you see.
Next, hike about a half-mile to see these gorgeous falls.
Not too far from the Yellow Dog River Falls are the Big Pup Creek Falls, which you can find simply by going a little farther on CR 510. Both waterfalls are nothing short of amazing.
19. Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale was once voted the least-visited national park, but that’s a shame because it has much to offer.
Although it’s remote and almost inaccessible during the winter, the park offers cottages to rent to go boating and, best of all, lots of animals to see, including wolves and moose.
You can go camping there, hike or backpack through one of their many trails, and even visit a few lighthouses. The park is astounding because its waters are perfect for all activities, and the coastline and forests are no less extraordinary.
20. Log Slide Overlook at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
This overlook is seven miles west of Grand Marais and has a 300-foot-high dune. Its stunning views include Lake Superior and the Grand Sable Banks and Dunes.
A trail extends west from the overlook to the Au Sable Light Station, and if you follow that trail along Lake Superior, it becomes almost level with the water.
Once you see the water, you can get off the trail and enjoy swimming or working on your tan at the beach area!
Wow! This is a really wonderful location. And I love it, as well as the cool images.