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Favorite Must See Places In Upper and Lower Michigan!
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items These are places near and dear to my heart! I currently live in Florida but grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I highly recommend visiting any of these places if you're thinking about making a trip to Michigan.
Sections
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Upper Peninsula Of Michigan
Lower Peninsula Of Michigan
Upper Peninsula Of Michigan
Although it's quite the drive if you don't live in the Upper Peninsula this place has one of the most beautiful views.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Growing up I visited Fayette often. It's a beautiful little ghost town in the middle of nowhere. The history there is incredible. Definitely worth visiting.
Fayette Historic State Park
I love this wildlife park. I visited often as a child. There's so many animals to see, and it's not like a typical zoo. Must visit if you're in the area!
Garlyn Zoo Wildlife Park
I used to live close enough to the locks to watch the boats from my apartment. While the area can be a bit touristy in the summer it's definitely worth seeing.
The Soo Locks, Sault Ste Marie
The waterfalls at this state parks are out of this world. I visited often as a child, and love the fact that the campground goes all out every year for Halloween. Must visit for sure!
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
If you love boats and you love history this is definitely one of the coolest things to do on Lake Superior!
Shipwreck Tours - Munising
This Island is beautiful! There's so much to see and do. When you go I recommend getting bikes or a horse and buggy otherwise it's a lot of walking. The fort is incredible and I always reccomend the butterfly house. 🦋
Mackinac Island
This is the clearest spring I've seen in my entire life. While you can not swim here it's definitely something still worth visiting.
Palms Book State Park
This bridge is probably the scariest bridge I've been on, yet it's so beautiful when lit up at night.
Mackinac Bridge
You must take a boat tour while in the Soo!
Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours: Home
If you're a fellow crystal lover like myself, you'll love exploring the beaches on the keewenaw peninsula. You'll want to bring a black light in order to find these precious stones, but it's one hundred percent worth it.
Visit Keweenaw: Keweenaw Michigan, Lodging, Activities, Events
If you love hiking and nature, you'll be obsessed with this park! They offer many wooded trails to hike along, and the cliffs make for some incredible scenery.
Presque Isle Park
If you need to take a break from driving this is one of the most breathtaking rest areas you can stop at. The falls are beautiful!
Agate Falls Scenic Site
If you're in the area looking for Yooperlites this is worth visiting! This used to be an area that was mined for copper! They offer underground tours, and the museums explain a lot of the history here.
Keweenaw National Historical Park
If you love animals, this is a fun place to visit. I used to visit often as a child. You can feed the bear apples and walk around the property! The owners are super friendly.
Oswald's Bear Ranch
If you love a good hike, this is a great spot to explore the ice caves in the Upper Peninsula!
Eben Ice Caves Trailhead
If you're exploring the Upper Peninsula and have interest in the mines, this museum is interesting! The tour is free, and if you visit during the summer, there's a hiking trail. If you're there during the winter, you'll miss out. Great for all ages!
Michigan Iron Industry Museum
If you're into camping and love exploring the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, this is a great place to stay. If you have kayaks, bring them! The lake is perfect for swimming during the summer!
Indian Lake State Park
Castle Rock only costs $1 to climb! Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes! The view is stunning. You can see all of St. Ignace and then some.
Castle Rock
This is an absolutely beautiful place to get married, but if you love adventure, it's also a great place to stay! You have to take a ferry across. There's over 100 miles in ORV trails and hiking trails.
Drummond Island Resort
The staff here is super friendly. The gift shop is nice, and the information you absorb here about the mines is incredible. It's affordable and a great place to take the kids!
Iron Mountain Iron Mine
If you love history and ghosts, this is a great place to visit. They offer guided tours and explain why this place is so haunted. It's also a beautiful lighthouse. It's a great place to visit for sure.
Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse
If you're in the area looking for Yooperlites, you should check out this lighthouse! The lake views are beautiful, and the gift shop offers adorable knicknacks to bring home from your adventure.
Whitefish Point Lighthouse
This lighthouse is beautiful. The scenic views offer picturesque settings and there's also a hike you can take along the beach!
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse
This is a beautiful park. The trail is about 1.6 miles long, and located in a small town called Rapid River outside of Escanaba Michigan.
Rapid River Falls Park
Lower Peninsula Of Michigan
If you love history and cars, this museum is worth visiting for sure. They offer tours and live performances. I would recommend checking out if you're in the area!
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
Traverse City is a very cute and historical city to visit regardless of the cherry festival, but this is a great time to go! The Cherry Festival is an eight day event that usually takes place in July. There's a carnival, parade, and live concerts. It...
National Cherry Festival
This museum is worth visiting if you're in the area. Not only can you participate in the town festivities, you can visit the historical museum and learn about the areas German roots.
Frankenmuth Historical Museum
Frankenmuth is an adorable city that features Bavarian style architecture. The perfect time to visit is during the fall when they have their fall festival going on. The whole city gets decked out for the holiday season.
Frankenmuth Michigan
If you love Christmas as much as I do, Bronners is definitely a fun place to visit when you're in Michigan. They're open year round!
Bronner's Christmas Wonderland
I highly recommend visiting if you're in the area. Sleeping Bear Dunes is not only beautiful, but a whole phenomenon in itself. Don't go down if you don't think you can get back up. It'll cost you more than you think. 🙃
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service)
Going to the island can be pricey! This downtown area in Mackinac City is super cute and historical.
Mackinaw City Vacation, Explore Mackinaw City | Mackinaw Area ...
This is a beautiful space to walk around and observe if you're in Michigan during the summer!
Lavender Labyrinth and Herb Garden
Not only is this an absolutely beautiful wedding venue that I'd literally die to get married at, but they also offer tours. There's a WW1 museum and an outdoor model railroad that's super cool!
Castle Farms
If you're not afraid of heights this is a super cool place to visit if you're in the area. In the fall it's even more beautiful considering all the leaves change colors!
SkyBridge Michigan
This area is quite quiet and perfect for hiking or a stroll, but you can also get a tour of the lighthouse and view the area from above.
Grand Traverse Lighthouse
If you love the outdoors, I highly recommend visiting the tunnel of trees! It's even more beautiful during the fall!
Tunnel of Trees - M 119
Point Betsie Lighthouse is a must-see! This is a restored 19th century lighthouse and museum, and no need to worry about the weather! It's open year round!
Point Betsie Lighthouse
If you're not so much into nature, this is a great option if you love theme parks! They have over 60 rides, including 7 coasters! I've been visiting since I was a kid.
Michigan's Adventure
I love this little aquarium! It offers a wide variety of aquatic life, and I LOVE the vaulted ceilings. While the admission is free, they do accept donations! This is a great place to take the kids.
Belle Isle Aquarium
The Detroit Zoo offers a petting zoo and gift shop, but my favorite things to look at while I'm visiting are the fuzzy polar bears and the penguins! The staff is super friendly as well! 🐻❄️🐧
Detroit Zoo
Free admission and a super friendly atmosphere! If you're an art lover like me, this is the perfect place to visit in Detroit, Michigan.
Detroit Institute of Arts
This is a beautiful historical landmark in downtown Detroit. You are more than welcome to take a tour if you'd like, but you can also get a pick me up at the café and just enjoy the beautiful architecture.
The Guardian Building - Detroit
This botanical garden is worth visiting if you're in Michigan! The sculptures are quite incredible, and the place is quite serene.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
This muesum offers a lot about the history of the president and the time frame surrounding his life. There's also a scavenger hunt for the kiddos and a cute gift shop! Must see if you're in the area!
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
If you're just curious about the history of Michigan while you're visiting this is a great place to explore! Free admission on Sundays!
Michigan History Center
Even if you just happen to drive by the state capitol grounds and architecture are stunning.
Michigan State Capitol
The staff at this muesum is super friendly and knowledgeable! It offers beautifully restored Oldsmobiles and unique car memorabilia!
R.E. Olds Transportation Museum
This zoo offers a wide variety of animals to admire. The camel rides are always fun. It's a great place to take the kids!
Potter Park Zoo.
I loved this little tour! The architecture of the mushroom houses is to die for. The tour also highlights the history of the area, and the guides and staff are always friendly.
Mushroom House Tours