Michigan Travel: Your Guide to Visiting Michigan
by: Melissa Morrison
Michigan, affectionately known to all as the mitten shaped state,
provides 3,200 miles of fresh water shoreline, 3.9 million acres of
DNR managed land and dozens of cultured cities with museums,
upscale restaurants and extraordinary shops. Michigan is a four-
season state. Visitors have everything from fishing, boating, hiking,
snowmobiling, skiing and much more. Michigan is most commonly
known for its Upper and Lower Peninsula’s. Below are just a few
places to visit throughout the state.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a nature-lover’s paradise. Visitors
should plan plenty of time to visit the 384-mile-long peninsula. The
Upper Peninsula is home to the highest mountains in the Midwest
and to all but two of Michigan’s 152 waterfalls. Here are just few
places you may want to make sure you visit during your stay in
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Mackinac Island – Take a beautiful ferry ride to the island of Mackinac.
A place that will take you back in time to horse-drawn carriages,
quaint shops, and historical exhibits. Fort Mackinac was built by the
British in 1782 during the American Revolutionary War to control the
strategic Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
During the summer months, you can transport yourself back in time
with reenactments and tours of the historical buildings on the Island.
Pictured Rocks – An awe-inspiring sight of multicolored sandstone
cliffs lining Lake Superior. This 15-mile stretch of shoreline received
its name due to the pictures that seem to appear on the rocks from
multicolored sandstone and mineral stains on the rock surface. This
stretch is known for its hiking trails, beaches and glass bottom boat
tours.
Isle Royale – Wander freely with the wolves and moose in this North
Woods sanctuary. 99% of this land mass is federally designated as
wilderness. This archipelago is composed of ridges resulting from
lava flows, which were tilted and glaciated. Isle Royale has 165 miles
of scenic hiking trails, excellent fishing, paddling, shipwrecks and
plenty of places for observing wildlife.
Houghton/Copper Harbor – Observe fantastic views from Lake
Superior’s rugged shoreline to the top of Brockway Mountains. Here
you can take a scenic drive up the mountain (hopefully you’ll see a
black bear in the woods), do some mountain biking, kayak the
Keeweenaw Water Trail or just relax along the beach. If you are
looking for a white covered, snowy retreat than Copper Harbor gives
you great snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Drummond Island – Two-thirds of Drummond Island is state owned.
The diverse topography ranges from cedar swamps to rock ledges,
prairie meadows to groves of hardwoods, rocky shores to sandy
beaches. The recreation available is as diverse as the terrain. Here
you can hunt, fish, swim, hike, bike, stargaze and explore the area.
Paradise – Paradise, Michigan is a great little town on the shores of
Lake Superior at the northeastern tip of the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan. If you are a bird watcher, than this is the place to visit in the
spring or fall to watch raptors, waterfowl, and smaller birds in their
migration to and from Canada. If you love waterfalls, than be sure to
visit The Tahquamanon Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the
Mississippi River. You can take a short walk to the Observation Point,
walk down to the bottom of the Falls, or hike on the extensive trail
system that runs throughout the Park. Paradise, Michigan also offers
wonderful beaches, hiking, canoeing, snowmobiling and many other
outdoor recreation activities.
Northern Michigan – Lower Peninsula
Northern Michigan is an often-visited vacation spot offering its guests
fishing, shopping, beaches, canoeing and much more.
Traverse City - Traverse City, is located on the west side of Michigan’s
Lower Peninsula at the base of the Leelanau Peninsula. Traverse City
offers travelers world class wineries, fantastic water sports, golf, a
great downtown with shopping and restaurants, and much more.
Michigan produces 70 to 75 percent of the tart cherries grown in the
United States and in recognition, Traverse City celebrates with their
Cherry Festival in July. This is a big event and is one you shouldn’t
miss. Make sure to make reservations well in advance, as this is a
busy time.
Gaylord - Here, in Otsego County, you can kick back and take in the
beauty that is Northern Michigan: shimmering lakes, flowing rivers,
wildernesses, scenic trails and great golf. With an average annual
snowfall of over 150 inches, the Gaylord area is blessed with some of
the most reliable snow conditions in Northern Michigan. Three
downhill ski resorts and nine cross-country ski areas provide facilities
and groomed trails for a great winter vacation.
Manistee and Ludington – Hiking and fishing are the attractions that
draw most to this these two cities. Be a part of The North Country
National Scenic Trail, which stretches through seven states. Michigan
has the largest percentage of this trail and it stretches through the
scenic Manistee National Forest. Visit The North Country Trail website
for additional information about this historic scenic 4,400 footpath.
Ludington, Manistee’s neighbor, is known for it’s premier fishing. The
waters between the Big Sable Point and the Little Sable Point offer
some of the best fishing anywhere in the state. While the “big lake”
fishing is definitely something to brag about, our inland lakes and
rivers also offer the opportunity to reel in more than one “fish story.”
Western Michigan – Lower Peninsula
West Michigan has so much to see and do, you'll start planning your
next visit before you finish your first! If your sights are set on learning,
you'll love their museums and historic places. Experience the zoos.
Explore the lighthouses. If it's adventure you're after, take a day cruise.
Rent a dune buggy. Tame a wild water park. If culture is your pursuit,
let West Michigan entertain you with festivals galore and performing
arts year around.
Grand Haven - Visit the lakefront areas of Spring Lake and Ferrysburg
or stroll along Grand Haven's magnificent two and one-half mile
boardwalk to the spectacular beaches. Here, near the water, you will
find the restaurants, snack shops, marinas, charter fishing boats,
boutiques & specialty shops, trolley rides and other attractions.
South Haven – South Haven is renowned for great swimming off five
miles of white-sand beach that stretches south and north from both
sides of the harbor pier heads. A paved walkway runs from the south
pier through town and out to the north pier, around the entire harbor.
Not all trails are paved. South Haven is a town that likes to party. It is
host to a wealth of year-round festivals from fine art fairs, the Annual
Blueberry Festival each August, antique boat exhibits and many more
activities each weekend.
Saugatuck – It's a trendy resort community, snuggled along the
Kalamazoo River on the last leg of its journey to Lake Michigan.
Saugatuck is a haven for fine art lovers, featuring more than 26 art
galleries, studios and showrooms. Its streets are lined with upscale
shops and restaurants, parks and gardens, outdoor tiki bars with live
entertainment and waterfront dining. Pleasure yachts parade the river
while seagulls cry overhead, soaring below the tips of sand dunes
that rise like mountains to the west.
Southeast Michigan
Southeast Michigan, a region of seven counties, revolves around
metropolitan Detroit. Southeast Michigan is home to many of the large
corporations and businesses throughout Michigan.
Detroit – Detroit, like other Downtowns, has great things to offer. From
cool nightclubs, to great restaurants, to awe-inspiring museums,
Detroit has something for everyone. Looking for a sporting event?
Detroit has two brand new stadiums in the heart of downtown. How
about catching a play? Detroit’s theatre district offers nightly shows
you won’t want to miss. Feeling lucky? Try your hand at the black jack
table at one of three downtown casinos.
Ann Arbor – Centered on the Big Ten College, The University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor offers all who visit great restaurants, shops,
museums and plenty of outdoor activities. Spend your day hiking the
Waterloo Recreation area, one of the largest state parks in the Lower
Peninsula. Explore nine unique galleries containing more than 250
interactive exhibits at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.
Lexington and The Thumb - Gorgeous sunrises, rich landscapes,
sandy shores and playful beaches are hallmarks of what makes
Michigan's "Thumb" area an excellent choice for vacations and day trip
visits. Boating, beaching and fishing are the highlights of this
wonderful area. Close to Metro-Detroit, it offers its visitors the ability to
swim in the clear waters of Lake Huron and to spend your days
catching fish like Salmon, Trout, and Perch. Don’t have your own
boat? No problem, many charter-fishing companies are available in
this area.
Michigan has so much to offer its visitors. This guide only touched on
a few of the many wonderful cities throughout this grand state. From
outdoor recreation, to fine restaurants, shops and museums, there is
something for everyone. When planning your next Michigan vacation
getaway, make sure to visit Rentalbug Michigan Vacation Rentals,
your connection to Michigan lodging. Rentalbug specializes in cabins,
cottages, bed and breakfasts and much more. No one knows
Michigan like we do.
About The Author
Melissa Morrison is owner of Rentalbug Michigan Bed and Breakfasts and
Vacation Rentals, a lodging directory dedicated to Michigan bed and breakfasts,
cottages, cabins, and more. To list your property visit rentalbug.com.
by: Melissa Morrison
Michigan, affectionately known to all as the mitten shaped state,
provides 3,200 miles of fresh water shoreline, 3.9 million acres of
DNR managed land and dozens of cultured cities with museums,
upscale restaurants and extraordinary shops. Michigan is a four-
season state. Visitors have everything from fishing, boating, hiking,
snowmobiling, skiing and much more. Michigan is most commonly
known for its Upper and Lower Peninsula’s. Below are just a few
places to visit throughout the state.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a nature-lover’s paradise. Visitors
should plan plenty of time to visit the 384-mile-long peninsula. The
Upper Peninsula is home to the highest mountains in the Midwest
and to all but two of Michigan’s 152 waterfalls. Here are just few
places you may want to make sure you visit during your stay in
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Mackinac Island – Take a beautiful ferry ride to the island of Mackinac.
A place that will take you back in time to horse-drawn carriages,
quaint shops, and historical exhibits. Fort Mackinac was built by the
British in 1782 during the American Revolutionary War to control the
strategic Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
During the summer months, you can transport yourself back in time
with reenactments and tours of the historical buildings on the Island.
Pictured Rocks – An awe-inspiring sight of multicolored sandstone
cliffs lining Lake Superior. This 15-mile stretch of shoreline received
its name due to the pictures that seem to appear on the rocks from
multicolored sandstone and mineral stains on the rock surface. This
stretch is known for its hiking trails, beaches and glass bottom boat
tours.
Isle Royale – Wander freely with the wolves and moose in this North
Woods sanctuary. 99% of this land mass is federally designated as
wilderness. This archipelago is composed of ridges resulting from
lava flows, which were tilted and glaciated. Isle Royale has 165 miles
of scenic hiking trails, excellent fishing, paddling, shipwrecks and
plenty of places for observing wildlife.
Houghton/Copper Harbor – Observe fantastic views from Lake
Superior’s rugged shoreline to the top of Brockway Mountains. Here
you can take a scenic drive up the mountain (hopefully you’ll see a
black bear in the woods), do some mountain biking, kayak the
Keeweenaw Water Trail or just relax along the beach. If you are
looking for a white covered, snowy retreat than Copper Harbor gives
you great snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Drummond Island – Two-thirds of Drummond Island is state owned.
The diverse topography ranges from cedar swamps to rock ledges,
prairie meadows to groves of hardwoods, rocky shores to sandy
beaches. The recreation available is as diverse as the terrain. Here
you can hunt, fish, swim, hike, bike, stargaze and explore the area.
Paradise – Paradise, Michigan is a great little town on the shores of
Lake Superior at the northeastern tip of the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan. If you are a bird watcher, than this is the place to visit in the
spring or fall to watch raptors, waterfowl, and smaller birds in their
migration to and from Canada. If you love waterfalls, than be sure to
visit The Tahquamanon Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the
Mississippi River. You can take a short walk to the Observation Point,
walk down to the bottom of the Falls, or hike on the extensive trail
system that runs throughout the Park. Paradise, Michigan also offers
wonderful beaches, hiking, canoeing, snowmobiling and many other
outdoor recreation activities.
Northern Michigan – Lower Peninsula
Northern Michigan is an often-visited vacation spot offering its guests
fishing, shopping, beaches, canoeing and much more.
Traverse City - Traverse City, is located on the west side of Michigan’s
Lower Peninsula at the base of the Leelanau Peninsula. Traverse City
offers travelers world class wineries, fantastic water sports, golf, a
great downtown with shopping and restaurants, and much more.
Michigan produces 70 to 75 percent of the tart cherries grown in the
United States and in recognition, Traverse City celebrates with their
Cherry Festival in July. This is a big event and is one you shouldn’t
miss. Make sure to make reservations well in advance, as this is a
busy time.
Gaylord - Here, in Otsego County, you can kick back and take in the
beauty that is Northern Michigan: shimmering lakes, flowing rivers,
wildernesses, scenic trails and great golf. With an average annual
snowfall of over 150 inches, the Gaylord area is blessed with some of
the most reliable snow conditions in Northern Michigan. Three
downhill ski resorts and nine cross-country ski areas provide facilities
and groomed trails for a great winter vacation.
Manistee and Ludington – Hiking and fishing are the attractions that
draw most to this these two cities. Be a part of The North Country
National Scenic Trail, which stretches through seven states. Michigan
has the largest percentage of this trail and it stretches through the
scenic Manistee National Forest. Visit The North Country Trail website
for additional information about this historic scenic 4,400 footpath.
Ludington, Manistee’s neighbor, is known for it’s premier fishing. The
waters between the Big Sable Point and the Little Sable Point offer
some of the best fishing anywhere in the state. While the “big lake”
fishing is definitely something to brag about, our inland lakes and
rivers also offer the opportunity to reel in more than one “fish story.”
Western Michigan – Lower Peninsula
West Michigan has so much to see and do, you'll start planning your
next visit before you finish your first! If your sights are set on learning,
you'll love their museums and historic places. Experience the zoos.
Explore the lighthouses. If it's adventure you're after, take a day cruise.
Rent a dune buggy. Tame a wild water park. If culture is your pursuit,
let West Michigan entertain you with festivals galore and performing
arts year around.
Grand Haven - Visit the lakefront areas of Spring Lake and Ferrysburg
or stroll along Grand Haven's magnificent two and one-half mile
boardwalk to the spectacular beaches. Here, near the water, you will
find the restaurants, snack shops, marinas, charter fishing boats,
boutiques & specialty shops, trolley rides and other attractions.
South Haven – South Haven is renowned for great swimming off five
miles of white-sand beach that stretches south and north from both
sides of the harbor pier heads. A paved walkway runs from the south
pier through town and out to the north pier, around the entire harbor.
Not all trails are paved. South Haven is a town that likes to party. It is
host to a wealth of year-round festivals from fine art fairs, the Annual
Blueberry Festival each August, antique boat exhibits and many more
activities each weekend.
Saugatuck – It's a trendy resort community, snuggled along the
Kalamazoo River on the last leg of its journey to Lake Michigan.
Saugatuck is a haven for fine art lovers, featuring more than 26 art
galleries, studios and showrooms. Its streets are lined with upscale
shops and restaurants, parks and gardens, outdoor tiki bars with live
entertainment and waterfront dining. Pleasure yachts parade the river
while seagulls cry overhead, soaring below the tips of sand dunes
that rise like mountains to the west.
Southeast Michigan
Southeast Michigan, a region of seven counties, revolves around
metropolitan Detroit. Southeast Michigan is home to many of the large
corporations and businesses throughout Michigan.
Detroit – Detroit, like other Downtowns, has great things to offer. From
cool nightclubs, to great restaurants, to awe-inspiring museums,
Detroit has something for everyone. Looking for a sporting event?
Detroit has two brand new stadiums in the heart of downtown. How
about catching a play? Detroit’s theatre district offers nightly shows
you won’t want to miss. Feeling lucky? Try your hand at the black jack
table at one of three downtown casinos.
Ann Arbor – Centered on the Big Ten College, The University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor offers all who visit great restaurants, shops,
museums and plenty of outdoor activities. Spend your day hiking the
Waterloo Recreation area, one of the largest state parks in the Lower
Peninsula. Explore nine unique galleries containing more than 250
interactive exhibits at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.
Lexington and The Thumb - Gorgeous sunrises, rich landscapes,
sandy shores and playful beaches are hallmarks of what makes
Michigan's "Thumb" area an excellent choice for vacations and day trip
visits. Boating, beaching and fishing are the highlights of this
wonderful area. Close to Metro-Detroit, it offers its visitors the ability to
swim in the clear waters of Lake Huron and to spend your days
catching fish like Salmon, Trout, and Perch. Don’t have your own
boat? No problem, many charter-fishing companies are available in
this area.
Michigan has so much to offer its visitors. This guide only touched on
a few of the many wonderful cities throughout this grand state. From
outdoor recreation, to fine restaurants, shops and museums, there is
something for everyone. When planning your next Michigan vacation
getaway, make sure to visit Rentalbug Michigan Vacation Rentals,
your connection to Michigan lodging. Rentalbug specializes in cabins,
cottages, bed and breakfasts and much more. No one knows
Michigan like we do.
About The Author
Melissa Morrison is owner of Rentalbug Michigan Bed and Breakfasts and
Vacation Rentals, a lodging directory dedicated to Michigan bed and breakfasts,
cottages, cabins, and more. To list your property visit rentalbug.com.
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