I may be biased, but Michigan is one of the most beautiful states in the country. We all know about the Great Lakes, but there are also countless vacation spots right here in our state. Sure, the Caribbean is nice, but it’s also quite expensive and requires more than a weekend to truly enjoy your vacation.
As Michiganders, we have the luxury of taking a weekend getaway to vacate in our very own state! Here’s a list of some of the most desired vacation spots in Michigan.
Mackinac Island
Probably the most popular vacation spot in Michigan is Mackinac Island. Most usually begin by touring Mackinac City and then taking the ferry to Mackinac Island where there’s plenty of activities such as hiking at Mackinac Island State Park, water crafting on the Straights of Mackinac, or learning the history of Mackinac Island through various historic sites and museums.
While some do decide to stay overnight on the island, maybe at the luxurious Grand Hotel, many know it to be more affordable to stay off the island at a hotel or stay at one of the many campgrounds in the area.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
I’d say Pictured Rocks is a hidden gem in the U.P, but any Michigan Native can tell you how beautiful the multicolored rocks are in Munising, MI. There are plenty of options for exploring the rocks, but most tourists go on a guided kayak or boat tour.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Tahquamenon Fall State Park, located in Paradise, MI. Also known as the “Root Beer Falls” for its notably brown color waterfalls, is another popular attraction in the U.P. The falls are split up between the “Upper Falls” and the “Lower Falls”. The Upper Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, has a drop of nearly 50 feet, is more than 200 feet across, and has a maximum water flow of more than 50,000 gallons per second. Just 4 miles downstream is the Lower Falls, which consists of a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island that can be reached by a rowboat rented from a park concession.
Traverse City
The city of Traverse city is most known for the numerous wineries and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. While both wine tasting and hiking may seem like fun attractions, I would highly recommend not trying to do both in one day.
This is due to the physical toll the hike takes. The 3.5 miles “Dune Climb” is no easy task. While climbing up sandy hills and reaching Lake Michigan may seem like a fun journey, the difficulty of the hike is often underestimated. That’s not to say it’s not worth it, just be prepared.
Aside from the dunes, the wineries in Traverse City are amazing. Here’s a list of some of the most popular wineries in the area.
Saugatuck
Saugatuck, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, is known for its harbor, marinas, scenery, the view from atop Mount Baldhead, and tourist attractions as well as Oval Beach on Lake Michigan.
In addition, Saugatuck has an exquisite art collection. Referred to as “The Art Coast of Michigan”, the city was recognized as one of the best art towns in America by Expedia.com.
Grand Haven
Right here in West Michigan, Grand Haven is notorious for beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets. At Grand Haven State Park, tourists and Michigan Natives often spend time on the beach, enjoying the view from the pier that leads onto Lake Michigan.
Rosy Mound National Area also is the perfect place to hike and overlook Lake Michigan at what’s known as the “Dune Deck”.
Holland
Mostly known for its 6 million tulips, Holland attracts thousands of tourists each year for their annual tulip festival, known as “Tulip Time”. While the tulips are quite the attraction, the blooming season is short, as most of the tulips don’t make it to June.
In addition to the tulips, Holland is a great place for water crafting at Holland State Park, which features Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. There’s also so much to learn about Holland at the Holland Museum, where you’ll learn about the Dutch’s arrival and other artifacts that tell hundreds of stories.
