If the Upper Midwest is on your bucket list, Michigan should be a priority. The state offers a bit of everything, from bustling cities to unique and naturally stunning landscapes.
Nicknamed the Great Lakes State, Michigan has a special position of any state harboring a portion of the Great Lakes.
Besides the namesake Lake Michigan, the state also borders Lakes Superior, Erie, and Huron. That makes Michigan the only state to border four of the five Great Lakes.
Without a doubt, Michigan offers some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Midwest due to its location in the Great Lakes region. For an explorer, the state is not to be missed.
Let’s explore some of the most popular tourist destinations in Michigan.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
There’s no place like Pictured Rocks.
It would be sufficient if the park is the only place you visit for outdoor adventure while in Michigan.
Located in the Upper Peninsula, Pictured Rocks boasts miles of beautiful, golden beaches on the shores of Lake Superior and scenic sandstone cliffs.
But the shoreline is not the end of the natural wonders at Pictured Rocks. There are miles of forest trails for avid hikers and inland lakes for paddling, swimming, and fishing.
Other attractions in the national lakeshore include the historic lighthouse, cruising sites, and campsites.
Kitch-iti-Kipi
Exploring the state’s Upper Peninsula can’t really feel complete without visiting the famous Kitch-iti-Kipi, the state’s largest freshwater spring.
Located outside Manistique and within Palms Book State Park, the spring attracts thousands of visitors year-long looking to experience its unchanging beauty.
The gigantic spring, stretching 200 feet across and 40 feet deep, is known for its intensely clear bluish-green waters, allowing visitors to see old branches scattered at the bottom of the spring.
The spring is hemmed in by a thick aspen forest that makes the area particularly enchanting during fall.
Mackinac Island
The quaint and scenic Mackinac Island is not a destination to miss. Nestled on Lake Huron, the colorful and historic island has a unique charm that makes it unforgettable.
You’ll instantly notice the slower pace of life, leaving you with a nostalgic old-world feeling. The lack of cars and Victorian architecture marge the past with the modern in a unique way that gives Mackinac its identity.
With a state park that makes up 80% of the island, exploring the outdoors would offer you exceptional views.
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids has everything a visitor would like, making it one of the top destinations in Michigan.
If history and arts interest you, the city presents exciting spots like the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
The Grand River offers a stunning riverfront downtown with world-class entertainment and dining nooks, making for a vibrant nightlife. Once you experience the local cuisine and craft brewery, you’ll want to come back.
Petoskey
Petoskey in the Lower Peninsula is a tourist magnet with many attractions. Visitors flocking the shores of Lake Michigan’s scenic Little Traverse Bay enjoy sightseeing and water sports like surfing and water skiing.
During winter, the city offers amazing skiing opportunities as it is home to three large ski resorts.
There’s also much fun to have at Petoskey State Park, where you hunt down the iconic Petoskey Stones. These are entirely stones but fossils.
You may also want to check out Crooked Tree Arts Center for local cultural events and experience the city’s nightlife at Odawa Casino or one of the chill bars.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
The Upper Peninsula is filled with incredible attractions, and one of these unmissable destinations is Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
The park, spanning 20,000 hectares, is a haven for nature lovers with plenty of opportunities for wildlife observation, hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, and more.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to see Niagara Falls, Michigan’s largest waterfall, the Tahquamenon Falls will make up for it. It’s smaller but equally picturesque.
Final Thoughts
Michigan is a tourist hotspot with many places and activities that continue to give Americans and foreigners a reason to visit.
One aspect of Michigan’s tourism growing in popularity is cannabis tourism. With a fully legal industry, travelers come seeking weed-friendly activities ranging from festivals to consumption lounges.
There are few states like Michigan if you hope to use marijuana recreationally during your stay. The same goes for medical marijuana.
If you’re a patient, Veriheal can guide you on how to access the state’s Medical Marijuana Program.
