Now that the world is allowed to wear their travel pants again, it’s time to look for hidden gems and vacation spots. Even though Michigan is the 10th most populous state in the United States of America, it is not looked upon favorably as a travel destination.
Those who overlook the beautiful state of Michigan are losing out. Named after the Ojibwe indigenous word “Mishigamaa,” the state of Michigan stands for its large water bodies. This is a state where tourists will always be within six miles of a natural water body.
There is both indoor and outdoor fun in Michigan. Apart from its stunning water bodies, Michigan is also known as the center of the American automobile industry. This means there are plenty of historical and cultural attractions that drive tourists.
Read on to plan your trip to Michigan and discover the best places to visit in Michigan!
Family-Friendly Michigan Itinerary
A short trip to Michigan is all you need to beat the COVID blues. If you want to plan a fun family camping trip in Michigan, here are some of the fun things to do in Michigan!
- Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island spreads across 3.8 square miles with the Lake Huron. A historic place, Mackinac Island offers a look at a simple way of life. It used to be the indigenous home of the Odawa people and a strategic fur trading center during the colonial period.
Today, the island is preserved as an extension to the Mackinac Island State Park, and there is a variety of tourist attractions all year round. You can take a ferry to the island and spend your day wandering through old local shops, hike, or take a trip around the Island on a traditional horse-drawn carriage.
- Detroit Institute of Arts
With more than 65,000 works of art spread across 100 galleries, the Detroit Institute of Arts is known for its extensive collection of humanity’s best works. The Detroit Institute of Arts makes sure that people from across the globe and all cultures are represented. If you’re looking for some weatherproof indoor activities in Michigan, this is where you should head.
While you’re in the neighborhood, don’t forget to sneak a look at the Detroit Historical Museum and the Detroit Public Library.
- Four Winds Casino
If you’re in the mood for some pure adulterated fun in Michigan (without the kids), we have a surprise for you! Book a hotel room at Four Winds and escape into their casino. Four Winds is a luxury resort with impeccable room service and amazing slot games. The nightlife here is Michigan at its finest.
In case you’re not able to make it to the Four Winds, you can stay in your Airbnb and have fun in some Michigan online casinos. Here you will find innumerable slot games to spend your money at.
- Michigan Stadium
While you’re in Michigan, don’t forget to go blue and see a football game. Modeled after the Yale Bowl, the Michigan Stadium is a historic sports stadium. With a capacity of 107 601, it is the largest stadium in the United States. Witnessing a football game at the Michigan Stadium is a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Boyne Mountain Resort
Within the village of Boyne Falls, you’ll find the Boyne Mountain Resort. Another historical place, this ski resort, has been in operation for at least half a century. Here you can experience family-friendly outdoor activities in Michigan, including skiing trails, waterparks, zipline adventure, and so on. They also have a wide variety of hotel rooms to offer, ranging from creekside condos to alpine-style chalets.
- Pictured Rocks National Rockshore
On the Southshore of Lake Superior, you will find the Pictured Rocks National Rockshore. If you want to plan a fun family camping trip in Michigan, this is the place to go. The landscape here is expansive; there is a mix of dunes, forests, cliffs, rocky shorelines, and beaches. To enjoy adventurous activities, make sure you come here.
- Detroit Zoo
If you’re on the hunt for family-friendly outdoor activities in Michigan, there is no better place to visit than the Detroit Zoo. Children love it here. The Zoo has an impressive collection of animals in multiple habitats that represent all corners of the globe.
The Australian Habitat is home to two wallabies and sixteen resident kangaroos. The Arctic habitat is dedicated to the Zoo’s beloved polar bears. The exotic Asian Forest has Amur tigers, red pandas, and more. The North American Habitat is famous for the continent’s local species, including bears and wolverines.
A picnic here would be lovely!
- Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
If you want to experience peace, there is nothing better than the synthesis between nature and art. The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park has outdoor gardens with traditional foliage, a children’s garden with unique plants, a butterfly maze, and a Japanese garden with twin waterfalls. Besides, you will also spot a farmhouse, a conservatory, exotic plants, and much more!
- Isle Royale National Park
Located in Northwestern Lake Superior, near the Canadian front, is the Isle Royale National Park. Ice Age glaciers surround the place, and the area spreads across 432-square miles. Here you will find many lakes, forests, gorgeous wildlife, exotic plants, and so on. If you are looking for a remote wilderness experience, this is the place to go.
The best way to explore the Isle Royale National Park is either through a boat trip or a hiking trail. The island can be accessed through a boat or by seaplane. You can go on a planned trip which usually starts from Houghton to Copper Harbour in Michigan or from Grand Portage in Minnesota. It’s good for a cross-country adventure.
- Tahquamenon Falls State Park
The Tahquamenon Falls State Park is Michigan’s second-largest state park. Following the path of Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay to the Tahquamenon River, this place spreads across 46, 179-acres. The place is named after the Tahquamenon Falls, which is the eastern U.S’ second-most voluminous waterfalls. Here you can enjoy canoeing, fishing, snowmobiling, wildlife watching, camping, and even cross-country skiing.
