Best summer vacation spots in michigan
Michigan is well known for its beauty and has a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or planning your summer vacation, here are some of the best summer vacation spots in michigan.
When it comes to summer vacation spots in Michigan, there are many locations that are popular. Most of them are on the beach, but there are also some other great recommendations as well. While most people associate this state as “mitten-shaped” when in fact it is so much more.There is a lot to see here and some of the best summer vacation spots in Michigan include places like Traverse City, Detroit and Mackinack Island.
Mandarin Oriental in Detroit is one of the top hotels for vacation and travel. We stayed there for two nights. The hotel seemed to be undergoing renovation and had many employees working on it, which somehow added to the excitement of being there.
Michigan is home to some of the best summer vacation spots in the country.
If you’re looking for a place that’s close to home but far enough away to feel like you’re on an adventure, these are the places you should be going this summer.
- The Sleeping Bear Dunes – This national lakeshore is located just north of Traverse City and offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and beautiful sand dunes. You can hike through the dunes, swim in Lake Michigan, and drive along the shoreline on your way to view more sights like Manitou Islands or Lighthouse Point.
- Mackinac Island – This island off Michigan’s upper peninsula has been nicknamed “the Victorian Disneyland” because it looks like something out of a children’s book! There are no cars allowed on this island, so you can enjoy strolling around town or riding bikes or horse-drawn carriages instead. You’ll also find plenty of shops selling souvenirs from the area, as well as restaurants serving up some delicious dishes such as fudge sundaes made with homemade ice cream (yum!).
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – Located along the Great Lakes Water
Michigan is a beautiful state, and the best summer vacation spots in Michigan are no exception.
From the pristine beaches of Lake Michigan to the lush forests of northern Michigan, there’s a lot to love about this state. Here are some of our favorite places to visit:
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Mackinac Bridge
- Mackinaw City
You don’t have to travel far to find the best summer vacation spots in Michigan.
Michigan is famous for its lakes, and there’s no better place to enjoy the water than at one of our many beaches. You can take a dip in Lake Superior or rent a boat and explore the rest of the Great Lakes.
You can also enjoy some of the state’s natural wonders, like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior or Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan. The scenery at these locations is absolutely stunning—you’ll want to stop every few minutes so you can take pictures!
If you’re looking for something more urban, try shopping at Detroit’s Eastern Market or exploring Chicago by boat along Lake Michigan.
1. Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is one of the best vacation spots in Michigan. The experience on the island is reminiscent of a vintage summer vacation, complete with rocking chairs on the porch; horse and carriage rides; and a stillness over Lake Huron, with mesmerizing sunsets that put a dramatic stamp on the end of a memorable day.
This quiet island on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is only accessible by ferry, and there are no cars, so vacationers enjoy the simplicity of riding bicycles and walking along the neighborhood streets. Activities on Mackinac Island range from kayaking and horseback riding to a sunset boat cruise under the Mackinac Bridge.
The historic Grand Hotel sits on the hill overlooking the elegantly landscaped gardens. Lodging ranges from luxury inns to bed and breakfasts.
2. Detroit
The energy in Detroit is infectious. The town has a vibe that comes from its Motor City roots in the transportation industry. Some of the best things to do in Detroit relate to that history, like The Henry Ford Museum, the Automotive Hall of Fame, and the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant/Model T Automotive Heritage Complex.
Other must-visits include the Motown Museum and the Parade Company where you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of costumes and floats designed for the Michigan Thanksgiving Parade.
Modern-day Detroit has trendy neighborhoods to visit for dining and artsy experiences, like Midtown and Rivertown. The Eastern Market is a fun place to visit, with more than 150 years of history – it’s one of the best things to do in southern Michigan. The open-air market is the largest historic public marketplace in the United States.
The Entertainment District is where you will find 50 blocks of theaters and sports complexes for evenings out on the town.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Detroit: Best Areas & Hotels
3. Great Lakes Bay
The Great Lakes Bay region in central Michigan is a laid-back location that is great for romantic getaways and for families. It is an agricultural region, with several communities that have experiences to enjoy, from farmers markets and antique stores to outdoor recreation and art galleries.
There are more than 100 miles of trails for hiking and scenic walks, and parks that are popular for birding. One of the must-sees in the Great Lakes Bay area is the longest canopy walk in the Unites States located in Whiting Forest in Midland. The city of Saginaw is a great place to stay in the region, as it has a public market, children’s zoo, art museum, and eco tours at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
The city of Frankenmuth is one of the most known in the Great Lakes Bay. It is a tourist town created to replicate a small Bavarian village. Frankenmuth is known for its festivals, chicken dinners at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, and the world-famous CHRISTmas Wonderland Christmas store. To stay in the center of it all, the Bavarian Inn Lodge is a popular option because it keeps you close to everything.
A nice day trip in the Great Lakes Bay area is Bay City on the waterfront of Lake Huron. The waterfront area is a nice place to walk around, and you can book themed cruises for a day or evening on the water. It is also home to the largest antique center in Michigan, covering an entire city block.
4. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
One of the best places to visit in Michigan is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In fact, if you are looking for a great first experience in Michigan, this is where to start. It is located on Michigan’s western coast with a 35-mile shoreline along Lake Michigan. The glacier-carved region has a unique environment, with lakes, streams, and beaches.
The sand dunes are the main draw at Sleeping Bear Dunes, as visitors climb them and capture memorable vacation photos trekking the 300-foot-tall face. The area has 70,000 acres of wilderness, so there are many outdoor experiences to fill your agenda, from hiking and camping to swimming and kayaking.
There is also a Maritime Museum and the Glen Haven Historical Village. For a cool experience head to the Sleeping Bear dunes in winter, when you can enjoy some unforgettable sledding.
5. The Upper Peninsula
The Upper Peninsula is one of the best places to visit in Michigan in the winter. With 200 inches of snowfall every year this northern region becomes a playground for winter outdoor recreation. You can book a weekend at one of several dozen ski resorts or hit one of the many groomed cross-country ski trails through the UP forests.
The Upper Peninsula is a great place to try out some new winter adventures, like ice climbing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing.
The scenery is stunning, with ice-encased structures like lighthouses, frozen waterfalls, ice-accented cliffs along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and winter festivals. Perhaps one of the best reasons to go to Michigan’s UP in the winter is the cozy lodging, where you can end your day warming up by the fireplace.
6. Ann Arbor
The city of Ann Arbor is one of the best towns to experience the creative side of Michigan. There are many opportunities for relaxing at a local bistro or outdoor café as you people-watch in the downtown area. Ann Arbor’s downtown is pedestrian-friendly, so it is easy to park the car and go sightseeing on foot.
Ann Arbor is known for its shopping opportunities, especially in the Main Street area and State Street District, which have many small boutiques and galleries. There are scenic trails nearby, and activities like stand up paddleboarding and kayaking on the Huron River.
If you visit during the fall, you can join the exciting college sports scene at The Big House for a University of Michigan football game.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Ann Arbor
- Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Ann Arbor
7. Traverse City
Beautiful Traverse City is one of the best cities to visit in Michigan, in part because of the scenery but also for the diversity of things to do. Traverse City is in northwest Michigan, and it is a prime spot for skiing, fat bike riding, and snowshoeing in the winter, and water recreation in the summer. Traverse City is also known for its golf courses and spas, where you can plan a relaxing weekend.
A nice day trip while in Traverse City is driving along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It is a seven-mile scenic route that takes you past some of the most stunning Michigan sites, with panoramic views from a number of overlooks on Lake Michigan, Glen Lake, and the towering sand dunes.