The 14 Must-See Destinations in Michigan

Michigan’s charm lies in its beautiful beaches, lush forests, and quaint towns. Many are surprised to find that four of the five Great Lakes surround the state, with over half of it blanketed in woodlands.

Wondering what to do amidst this natural splendor? We have the answers, ensuring you’ll also find an urban experience. Here are Michigan's top spots to explore.

1. Detroit

The Ultimate Destination for Art and Nightlife

It's hard not to be captivated by the vibrant, can-do attitude of Detroit. Everywhere you go, the dynamic public art scene welcomes you, from the expansive, polka-dotted Heidelberg Project to the 100-plus murals transforming the warehouses of Eastern Market. For art lovers, the Detroit Institute of Arts boasts one of the finest collections in the world.

When the sun sets, the city comes alive, with live music pouring out of venues like Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, a classic jazz hotspot frozen in time. Stylish hotels and cozy eateries nestled in repurposed buildings contribute to the city's vibrant atmosphere.

Travel tip: Detroit is budget-friendly, offering a variety of free attractions to explore.

2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Ideal spot for beach days

Spanning 35 miles along the breathtaking Lake Michigan shoreline, this is one of Michigan’s most spectacular national parks and key attractions. There are two main ways to take in the stunning lake views: the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a picturesque 7-mile loop dotted with picnic areas, and the Dune Climb, which challenges you to ascend a towering 200-foot sand dune. The climb may test your legs, but the panoramic vista of turquoise waters at the top is incredibly rewarding.

With 14 pristine beaches and 100 miles of wooded hiking trails, the park offers even more breathtaking scenery, attracting families who return year after year to relish these experiences.

Don’t miss Glen Haven Historic Village within the park. Established in 1857 as Sleeping Bearville, it is regarded as the best-preserved cordwood station along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and possibly throughout the Great Lakes.

Detour: Just a stone's throw away is the charming town of Glen Arbor, featuring a beautiful beach, a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as kayak and canoe rentals.

Planning tip: If you’re looking for accommodations, the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor offers numerous outdoor activities for any weather.

3. Traverse City 

Best destination for couples

Despite its modest population of around 15,000, Traverse City stands as the “big” city of northern Michigan, boasting excellent restaurants and trendy shops. Enjoy beach days, parasailing, cycling along scenic trails, and kayaking to local breweries with outfitters like Paddle TC. The downtown area perfectly marries vintage charm with modern flair, featuring an array of unique stores and delightful eateries.

Detour: The nearby Old Mission Peninsula is covered in vineyards, boasting ten wineries across an 18-mile stretch that offer delightful chardonnays and pinot noirs. This region enjoys a microclimate similar to France's Bordeaux and Italy’s Piedmont, producing equally exquisite wines. Visit Brys Estate and Peninsula Cellars for bottles perfect for a beach picnic.

Planning tip: Traverse City is well-known for its week-long cherry festival, attracting over 500,000 attendees each year.

4. Mackinac Island

Ideal destination for families

Just a quick 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland, Mackinac Island is a delightful spot filled with fudge shops, Victorian-style cottages, and 18th-century forts perched on hills. With cars banned since the late 1800s, transportation relies on horse-drawn carriages or bicycles, adding to the nostalgic charm. You can circle the island in about an hour—one of Michigan’s must-do activities—but consider taking more time to visit Fort Mackinac, where costumed staff delight visitors by firing cannons. Enjoy a meal at the fort’s restaurant with stunning views of the harbor.

Planning tip: Once the day visitors leave, Mackinac transforms into a serene retreat, revealing a sky filled with countless stars.

5. Isle Royale National Park

Ultimate destination for pristine wilderness

Morning mist dances above the lake as you hear splashing along the shore, where a moose comes to take a drink. A loon calls out—could it be a wolf howling instead? Both are possibilities on Isle Royale, one of the most secluded national parks in the US.

This 45-mile-long island stands solitary in Lake Superior, accessible by a three- to six-hour ferry ride from Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. With no roads in sight, it features unspoiled forests, 165 miles of hiking trails, 36 rustic campgrounds, and a single lodge. Adventures range from the multi-day Greenstone Ridge Trail that spans the island to the scenic yet easy Stoll Trail.

Planning tip: If camping isn't your style, there are accommodations on the island. Rock Harbor Lodge, run by Isle Royale National Park, offers sweeping views of Lake Superior, two dining options, and a convenience store. You can also rent watercraft and canoes at the park marina.

6. Saugatuck

Ultimate destination for LGBTQI+ travelers

Famed for its golden beaches, fragrant pine breezes, delightful fruit pies, and an inclusive atmosphere, Saugatuck attracts countless vacationers. Oval Beach is celebrated as one of Michigan's finest, known for its soft sands and vibrant sunsets. For an adventurous approach, hop on the lively Saugatuck Chain Ferry from downtown, then take the scenic path over the dunes. Artists can explore the historic Ox-Bow school in the woods, where they can participate in painting, glass blowing, and metalsmithing classes.

Planning tip: The area is home to numerous LGBTQI-friendly businesses, including The Dunes, one of the largest LGBTQI resorts in the nation.

7. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Top destination for kayaking and boating

This stunning area features cliffs and caves adorned with vibrant colors, making it the premier attraction of the Upper Peninsula. The striking visuals come from blue and green minerals weaving through the red and yellow sandstone, creating a breathtaking palette. Viewing these formations from the water offers the best perspective.

Companies like Pictured Rocks Kayaking can equip you to navigate through arches, caverns, waterfalls, and rock formations with whimsical names such as Lovers Leap and Flower Vase. If you'd prefer a more leisurely experience, enjoy the sights aboard Pictured Rock Cruises or glass-bottom Shipwreck Tours as they cruise past these natural wonders.

8. Grand Rapids 

Leading destination for craft breweries

As Michigan's second-largest city, Grand Rapids has embraced its beer culture, boasting around 25 craft breweries within the city limits and many more in neighboring towns. The Ale Trail connects them all, allowing you to stroll between various breweries, often at budget-friendly prices. Leading the pack is Brewery Vivant, renowned for its Belgian-style brews served in a charming former chapel.

Side trip: After sampling the local brews, visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, where you can explore stunning landscapes and admire sculptures by world-renowned artists.

9. Keweenaw Peninsula

Best destination for autumn foliage

The rugged forests of the Keweenaw Peninsula are located at the northernmost tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Once the world's leading copper producer, this area’s history is highlighted at Keweenaw National Historic Park. However, the main attraction is the breathtaking Brockway Mountain Drive, which offers stunning high-altitude views.

The 10-mile trek offers fantastic vistas of Lake Superior, especially breathtaking in early October when the foliage bursts into vibrant colors. The outdoor towns of Houghton and Copper Harbor frame the peninsula, each boasting breweries, snowboarding, mountain biking, and ferries to Isle Royale.

10. Holland

Top spot for camping

Holland is named after its Dutch counterpart, with tulips, clogs, and windmills prevalent in both locations. During the eight-day Tulip Time Festival, six million tulips bloom, drawing over 600,000 visitors. The festival features traditional klompen stampers (clog dancers) in authentic Dutch attire. Year-round, you can explore the over 200-year-old windmill at Windmill Island Gardens.

Enjoy splashing in the waves, fishing from the pier, sailing, witnessing stunning sunsets, and capturing photos of Big Red, the iconic lighthouse overlooking the beaches. The ultimate destination for sun and surf, however, is Holland State Park.

Tip for planning: For those looking to fully experience this outdoor haven, camping is essential. However, there are also excellent hotels situated in the picturesque historic downtown area.

11. Marquette

Best destination for thrill-seekers

Eager to discover the rugged, untamed beauty of the Upper Peninsula? Marquette, one of the most picturesque towns in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, serves as an ideal launchpad for outdoor adventures. As the largest town in the region, it’s a hub for adventure sports. In winter, locals enjoy skiing, snow biking, and exploring ice caves, while summer brings opportunities for kayaking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. 

Much of the excitement is centered around Presque Isle Park, where cliffs and forests extend into Lake Superior just north of downtown. Nearby, Sugar Loaf Mountain features easy hiking trails and the chance to catch glimpses of the northern lights. After a day of adventures, everyone meets at Black Rocks Brewery to share stories of their exploits and injuries.

12. St. Joseph

Best destination to relive history

Experience the charm of St. Joseph, perched on a bluff where the St. Joseph River flows into Lake Michigan. Stroll along tree-lined streets to explore numerous boutiques, galleries, ice cream shops, wine-tasting rooms, and restaurants featuring scenic rooftop terraces that overlook the beach. 

Below the bluff, visit Silver Beach and Lion’s Park Beach for swimming, sunbathing, and volleyball games. Enjoy a ride on the hand-carved animals at the Silver Beach Carousel, stroll along the pier, tour the historic lighthouse, go fishing, explore the Curious Kids’ Children Museum, or play in the Whirlpool Compass Fountain.

13. Ann Arbor

Best destination for dedicated food lovers

While a Big Ten school with a football team draws crowds, it's the vibrant food scene that attracts many to Ann Arbor. The historic Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market, operating for over 105 years, features 125 vendors offering fresh produce, food, flowers, and more. Located in the trendy Kerrytown area near downtown, it’s just across from Zingerman’s, one of the state’s most renowned delis. Here, you can select fine wines, charcuterie, olive oils, and cheeses from around the globe, or enjoy a sandwich on their outdoor patio during pleasant weather.

For some outdoor action, rent a kayak and paddle along the Huron River at Gallup Park, or wander through “The Arb,” the 123-acre Nichols Arboretum, which boasts numerous paths and the largest peony garden in the world.

14. Alpena

Best destination for underwater exploration

Beneath the waves of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, over one hundred shipwrecks await discovery. Navigate these historic vessels along the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail on a glass-bottomed boat. While diving is an option, most visitors prefer the boat ride for a unique view.

On land, take a stroll through the historic downtown, where you’ll find shops like Glik’s, a family-run clothing store with a rich 125-year history. Treat yourself at Illuminate Wellness, where you can find beauty treatments, crystals, essential oils, and salt lamps. Don’t miss Austin Bros. Beer Co for craft brews and their weekly food specials. For a taste of Poland, enjoy pierogi and kielbasa or try creative dishes like Polish Primavera and Polish Ramen Bowl at The Old Polish Corner.

Continue planning your Michigan adventure

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Discover how to plan your Michigan getaway on a budget.

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