The Definitive Guide To Uncovering Michigan’s Best Attractions — Small Towns, Gorgeous Parks, Museums, And More!
If you’re looking for adventures and fun, look no further than Michigan. The state has scores of attractions that offer wonderful experiences, whether you’re down in Detroit or up in the far reaches of the Upper Peninsula. You’ll find wild and beautiful parks, quaint farmers markets, pulse-quickening swing bridges, lively zoos, and scenic train rides.
But that’s just the start of what you can discover in the Great Lakes State. Step into a unique general store; go antique shopping in a multi-level emporium, or sample a fine Michigan vintage wine in one of the state’s excellent wineries. There’s so much to do in this great state. Here are some of Michigan’s best attractions you should put at the top of your list.
The Best Small Towns In Michigan
Michigan has some of the most charming small towns in the Upper Midwest - everything from quaint lakeside villages to beautiful but tiny hamlets tucked into the wilderness. Step into Galen, a hamlet founded before the Civil War or Barton Hills, a charming town once known as Huron Farms. Pop into Deerfield, a place that produced comedian Danny Thomas, or Onstand, a town tucked into Michigan's Irish Hills. Stephenson is a place to launch a hunting and fishing adventure in the Upper Peninsula, Lake Angelus offers good times on and off the water and if you love pristine beaches, you have to visit Manistee. Have you ever visited any of these amazing Michigan towns?
The Must Visit General Store In Michigan
You'll find a lot of wonderful general stores in Michigan that offer a throwback shopping experience that never goes out of style. There's a particularly charming shop near Lake Michigan that will surely capture your heart with its perfect blend of history, selection, and service. Fortino’s General Store in Grand Haven is a must-visit. It's been a favorite with locals and visitors for more than a century, and it sells a wonderful selection of chocolates, wines, meats, cheeses, snacks, and more. Does this store make you long for simpler times?
The Unique Park In Michigan
Art and function come together in a beautiful way at Fish Ladder Park. Artist Joseph Kinnebrew designed an amazing sculpture here that helps migrating fish circumvent powerful man-made rapids. The park draws crowds in the spring and late summer, when fish jump their way up the ladder, so they can continue their way up river. It's a one-of-a-kind fixture in a one-of-a-kind park. Have you ever seen anything quite like this?
The One Of A Kind Boat Ride In Michigan
There are secrets to be discovered beneath the waves of the Great Lakes, and a special boat in Alpena will help you find them. Alpena Shipwreck Tours is a glass-bottomed excursion boat that gives passengers a crystal-clear look at maritime mishaps that happened more than a century ago. Due to Lake Huron's icy waters, these wrecks are remarkably well-preserved. Thanks to Alpena Shipwreck Tours, you can get a front-row seat to the amazing scenes below. Does this experience seem a little like time travel?
The Most Charming Farmers Market In Michigan
In Ann Arbor, you'll find a Famers Market that has it all - fresh produce and grocery items, delicious cafe food, and flavorful coffee. The Argus Farm Shop has two locations, and both prove that the simple act of picking up groceries can be an experience to cherish. The stores have loads of locally-sourced items. Does this sound like a place you need to discover?
The Magical Train Ride In Michigan
The Old Road Dinner Train is a one-of-a-kind attraction located in Blissfield that offers an amazing way to experience an evening of train travel. This train car is a restaurant, theater performance, and murder mystery dinner train all in one. It has been running for years, and it draws visitors from all over the country. Does this seem like an experience that will keep your next evening on track?
The Longest Swinging Bridge In Michigan
If you're looking for a thrill, look no further than the Croswell Swinging Bridge. It's the longest (and only) pedestrian suspension bridge in Michigan, and to traverse this bridge is truly an experience. It’s 139 feet long, and as you slowly make your way across the Black River, you'll be aware of every single step. Do you think you would feel a little like Indiana Jones crossing this bridge?
One Of The Most Unique Museums In Michigan
If you pay a visit to a museum in Michigan, you'll find that some great things can come in very small packages. Midwest Miniatures is a quirky little museum that has a unique collection of miniature items. If; you love doll houses, you have to make a pilgrimage. This is not just a house of miniature items; it's a city. The museum has been a longtime fixture in Hickory Corners but is in the process of relocating to a new larger space in Grand Haven. Have you ever seen a museum this unusual?
