Nestled in the northern fringes of the United States, Michigan is a state that’s got heaps going on! It’s an amazing state to visit as part of a wider US road trip, and so worth stopping by some key spots within Michigan itself. There are many of the best places in Michigan scattered throughout the state.
From cities like Detroit, to wider museums and the coastline of Lake Erie, you’re going to be spoilt for choice! So, to help you get the most out of your time in Michigan, we’ve jotted down all our favourite spots that you have to see when you visit.
Oh, and always, pop us a message if you need any other tips on visiting Michigan. Have an amazing time!
1.) Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Nestled in the wider region near Detroit, specifically in the city of Dearborn, is the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Now, don’t be fooled into thinking you need to be into cars to enjoy this place; it’s actually really special and well worth visiting with all the family.
Inside, you’ll be able to see historic cars and learn more about some of America’s great minds and their inventions. Not only that, you’ll get to see things like past presidential limousines, which are so cool to see.
Also, don’t forget to check out the working farms, take a ride in a Model T, and visit the train depot where you can opt for a ride on a steam-powered locomotive. Visits will take a few hours, and it’s the perfect place to visit to learn more about the heritage of Michigan and its importance in the automotive history of America.
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
2.) Detroit
Detroit sometimes gets a bad rap when it comes to fun cities to visit in the US, but I promise, there is plenty to see and do. In fact, I’d go as far as saying it’s one of the best places in Michigan to visit if you want more of a city break in the state.
Once here, make sure to visit the Detroit Institute of Art, or DIA as it’s often abbreviated as. This institute boasts a huge collection of work from great artists from America, Asia and Africa. It holds a whopping 60,000 unique and awesome artworks in over 100 galleries, which can take some time to get around! Not only that, the DIA features an interactive display, which is great if you’re visiting with the family.
Not only that, there are world-renowned European paintings inside the DIA, including works from Picasso, Matisse, and Rembrandt. If interested, you can also join their Arts and Minds Lectures or the Drop-In Workshop. Just make sure to give yourself at least ninety minutes to stroll around (though, in my opinion, you can spend much longer here). It’s easily one of the best things to do in Michigan if you’re an art lover!
Afterwards, head over to Detroit’s Belle Isle Park. Belle Isle Park sits right within the Detroit River, bordering Windsor in Canada. The park is a shelter to the historic Belle Isle Aquarium, the oldest aquarium in the US. Just remember, the aquarium closes at 4 pm each day. Inside, the historic aquarium (from 1904) houses heaps of local and more exotic seafaring species. If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of other spots on Belle Isle Park that you can easily visit. Places like the Anna Scrips Whitcomb Conservatory, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle Boat House, James Scott Memorial Fountain or just stroll around the park itself. You can easily spend a whole afternoon here.
Getting peckish? Then head over to Eastern Market. Established in the 1800s, it’s one of Detroit’s oldest public markets and is still going strong to this day. Now, for me, I’d recommend going on a weekend as it seems busier with vendors then. Once here, you can get goods such as baked goods, plants and other goodies.
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
3.) Eagle Bay (Turnip Rock)
Just shy of Port Austin in Michigan, Turnip Rock (Google Maps pin) is a unique little spot to visit if you fancy exploring the great outdoors in the state. It’s a great little spot to visit, especially if you want to head out kayaking to see the gorgeous shoreline here.
Now, we found it handy to rent a kayak from Port Austin Kayak; these guys know their stuff and give you all the information and local conditions you’ll need to know before setting out. Trips take about 3-4 hours, and it’s a lovely little outdoor activity in Michigan that’s so much fun. Just one thing, if the wind picks up, it can be quite tough to paddle – so make sure you have a relatively good level of fitness, just in case.
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
4.) Grand Island
On the banks of Lake Superior, Grand Island (Google Maps pin) is one of the best places in Michigan to visit as you drive the northern fringes of the state.
Now, there is very little in terms of facilities here; don’t expect restaurants, stores or things like that. Grand Island is more of a retreat-style trip, if that makes sense? It’s a great little island if you love to camp, with some of the nicest spots around Trout Bay.
Now, to get here, you can join the Grand Island ferry that docks in Williams Landing. It’s all so peaceful and a great little spot to visit.
Also, don’t forget, you can join a shipwreck tour on the famous glass-bottom boats that will take you to two of the largest wrecks in the bay. We booked ours with Shipwreck Tours, and it was pretty cool, especially if you’re visiting with kids and don’t want to swim in the lake itself.
5.) Silver Lake State Park
On the western fringes of Michigan is the iconic Silver Lake State Park (Google Maps pin). This whole area around Lake Michigan is just incredible and the perfect place to visit if you’re driving a loop around the state itself.
Once here, make sure to head straight to the famous dunes! The whole landscape here is so ethereal and beautiful. Also, you can join a ride on the dunes with Mac Wood’s Dune Rides. It’s so much fun, and the guides are a hoot!
Also, don’t forget to spot Little Sable Lighthouse (Google Maps pin). It’s so easy to see, especially if you’re heading down North Lighthouse Drive.
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
6.) Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Located on the South Shore of Lake Superior, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Google Maps pin) is stunning to visit. Now, the whole area got its name due to the rich colours of iron, copper, and manganese oxide on the rocks, which makes the shoreline stunning. The water is usually a shining blue-green combination, and the cliffs, beaches, dunes, and rocky shoreline form beautiful scenery.
Once here, you can explore the trails, with Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore having way over 100 miles of trails around the park itself. Also, don’t forget, you can head out boating and kayaking if you fancy getting on to water. Just be sure to always listen to local safety advice, as this can change daily, depending on local weather conditions.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is really easy to visit if you’re already heading to Grand Island, as it’s just east of the island itself.
7.) Grand Rapids
In the west of Michigan, Grand Rapids is a great city to visit if you want to anchor yourself in one area and explore the western edges of the state. It’s actually quite a large city (in terms of size for the state) and well worth staying overnight here.
Once here, make sure to visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Visiting is easily one of the best places in Michigan to visit for its stunning grounds and walkways. The botanical garden has indoor and outdoor facilities, so don’t worry if it’s too chilly to head outside. There are nature trails for navigating through the garden, which provide a good display of beautiful artworks that surround all the foliage. Just make sure to see the American Horse, which is 24 feet tall and Louise Bourgeois’s Spider.
Afterwards, head for a visit to Meyer May House (Google Maps link). It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is one of the historic properties you can’t miss in Grand Rapids.
Finally, hop on over to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. This is a great spot to visit with the family, and there are heaps of exhibits inside. Plus, there’s a really cool Planetarium to visit whilst you’re here!
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
8.) Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park is situated on the northwest of Lake Superior and is easily one of the best places in Michigan to visit if you’re on an outdoorsy trip to the state. You see, the Ice Age Glaciers created this whole landscape, and since their melting (thousands of years ago), it left Isle Royale.
It has heaps of lakes and streams, including heaps of forest trails full of roaming wildlife, with trails you can explore. You can see some of the wildlife there, such as foxes, otters, ospreys, herring gulls, falcons, and more. To get a better view of the park, you can go hiking or go on boat tours.
Just don’t forget, to access the island, you can only go by a seaplane or boat.
9.) Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is just off the shores of St Ignace and a pretty special place to visit whilst in Michigan. First things first, you’ll need to get the ferry from St Ignace (Google Maps pin) or from Mackinaw City (Google Maps pin). From these two points, you’ll be able to get to hop on the ferries that will lead you straight to Mackinac Island.
Once here, you have to visit the stunning Arch Rock (Google Maps pin). The whole coastline on this side of the island is stunning, and it’s such a beautiful area to explore on the trails. One word of caution, there can be snakes around this area, so always keep your eyes peeled.
Afterwards, head to town and visit Pink Pony for their epic grilled meats. This place is stunning in summer as you can sit outside and eat alfresco. In fact, I’d go as far as saying it’s one of the best places in Michigan to eat outside. We loved it! Their honey apple and brie flatbread. Plus, their BBQ pulled pork sandwich is everything!
Read more: Best things to do in Detroit
10.) Lansing
Another amazing city to visit in Michigan, Lansing is right in the heart of the state and totally easy to visit as you drive from Detroit to Grand Rapids (or vice-versa).
Now, being the capital of Michigan, Lansing has heaps going on, even though it’s a smaller city. Once here, make sure to explore the Michigan State Capitol area. At the opening of the building in 1879, it was considered a groundbreaking architectural achievement.
Afterwards, make sure to head to the Michigan History Center. Honestly, if you have an interest in knowing the accurate and detailed history of Michigan, you have to visit. Even if you think you don’t, it’s still worth a visit as it’s a great place to visit the Michigan History Museum. Once here, you can see heaps of exhibits on things like the local geology of Michigan, Native American history in the area, the formation of the wider Great Lakes Region, and so much more! Just make sure to give yourself two to three hours to wander around fully.
Also, don’t forget to visit the Shigematsu Japanese Garden (Google Maps pin). It’s a small but totally impressive Japanese garden that only takes about 10 minutes to walk around.
For a bite to eat, head to Meat BBQ. Their smoked wings and brisket are so yummy. It’s one of the best places in Michigan if you love barbecued meat.
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