A See-It-All Michigan Road Trip Is Right Here And It’s A Fun-Filled Adventure
You may have been dying to see more of the great state of Michigan but haven’t, so far, figured out how to do so in a short amount of time. It’s almost as if you need an “optimal” guide to taking a road trip through Michigan, backed up by the technology of GPS to conceive just how to pull it off. That’s where Michigan native Randy Olson comes into play. He’s made a name for himself for creating such maps for every state in the country, including our beloved Mitten.
Olson’s Michigan map spanned 2,098-miles and 43 sites all over the state – both Lower and Upper peninsulas included. He claims the entire trip should take about 40 hours on the road. While fall may just be the best time of the year for such a trip, we can’t help but feel like this comprehensive map will serve as a great visual check list any time of the year for those of you who want to get as much out of this beautiful state as possible.
Here’s his map, along with 19 photos of highlights in alphabetically order from this ultimate road trip. And make sure to click here for the full list and a link to Olson’s interactive map.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Gather some friends and prepare to see the best of Michigan... these communities are beautiful!
Alpena is an incredible little town of nearly 10,500 residents, and, boy, is it full of charm. It's lovely all year long, and tourists love its diversity of attractions including shipwreck tours, museum, and nature spots.
Ann Arbor isn't as small as some communities on this list with its circa 114,000 residents, but it has a sort of small town atmosphere. It's known for surprising landmarks, including fairy doors.
Bay City attracted its first residents in the 1830s, and locals have been celebrating ever since. This community of 35,000 is known for its festivals, and for being the hometown of famous musician Madonna.
Cadillac has just over 10,000 residents, but it's known for its plantlife. Tree City, USA (as locals call it) is full of historic landmarks and great places to dine, like 13th Street Market & Restaurant.
When it comes to cities in Michigan, Detroit is one of the most iconic. A bustling urban jungle with some 670,000 residents, Detroit is known for its nightlife, auto industry, and rich history.
Grand Rapids is one heaping dose of charm. The city is home to around 200,000 residents, but the surrounding metropolitan area has circa one million. With features like the Gerald R. Ford Museum, a zoo, and historical points of interest, this area is perfect for tourism.
Who doesn't love a visit to Holland?! Holland is a Lower Peninsula community with 33,000 residents... but it's the Dutch population that has shaped local architecture and culture. This community deserves a visit on every road trip through Michigan.
As the county seat of Jackson County, Jackson was named for the sitting president at the time of its founding. Now with 33,500 residents, this area is known for being the birthplace of the Republican party and the site of the state's first prison... and locals today brag about its roller rink.
Kalamazoo is one of Michigan's many cities with a funny name. It's said to be an early interpretation of a Potawatomi word, as the area has a rich history of indigenous cultures. Today this community of 74,000 is an awesome place to kick back and relax.
No trip to Michigan is complete without a visit to Lansing, the state capital. It's the only state capital that is not the county seat of its respective area, and it has a unique culture. If you're in the area, you might also hear tales of Lake Lansing Amusement Park, which closed in the 1970s.
Ludington is only home to circa 8,000 locals, but its landscape is unbelievable. It's surrounded by beautiful landmarks like Ludington State Park, but you'll also find Amber Elk Ranch adding to the local scenery.
Mackinac Island draws in tourists with its charming architecture and no car ordinance, but it has a permanent population of under 500. Grand Hotel is one of the many incredible local edifices, having attracted presidents and American icons.
Manistique is home to circa 3,100 residents right on the shore of Lake Michigan. It has a lovely local landscape, a fact that's earned it the nickname of "The Emerald City." There's much to see and do, whether you're a tourist or a local.
Muskegon is one of the largest cities in western Michigan, boasting some 38,500 locals. The enchanting scenery has entertained human residents for thousands of years, and its name derives from an Ottawa word. This area is a dream in the winter months.
Petoskey is a petite community of 5,700 residents, and its name is said to mean "where the light shines through the clouds" in an indigenous language. Petoskey is absolutely beautiful, featuring a state park and a terrain that produces fascinating fossils known as Petoskey stones.
Not too far from Detroit, Port Sanilac is a picture perfect village of just over 600. Its charm is emphasized by landmarks like the Port Sanilac lighthouse, the Sanilac County Museum, and an underwater shipwreck preserve that scuba divers adore.
Sault Saint Marie, the oldest town in Michigan, is home to just over 14,000, but that's just on the U.S. side. This border city stretches into Canada, and its Ontario counterpart has circa 73,368 locals. St. Mary's River paints the local landscape and fueled its early history, having once hosted indigenous settlements and early French fur traders.
With under 4,500 residents, South Haven isn't the biggest community on this list. However, it is overflowing with charm. This area is known for its picturesque sailboat tours and landmarks like the South Haven Lighthouse.
Now, for the last but not least destination on our road trip through Michigan. Traverse City has nearly 15,000 residents, but it's known for another quantity: the massive amounts of tart cherries it produces! Nicknamed The Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City is predictably full of delicious dining.
Does this seem like the ultimate road trip through Michigan? Have any of you seen this before and have attempted the complete the challenge? Tell us about it!
Address: Alpena, MI 49707, USA
Address: Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Address: Bay City, MI, USA
Address: Cadillac, MI 49601, USA
Address: Detroit, MI, USA
Address: Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Address: Holland, MI 49423, USA
Address: Jackson, MI, USA
Address: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Address: Lansing, MI, USA
Address: Ludington, MI 49431, USA
Address: Mackinac Island, MI 49757, USA
Address: Manistique, MI 49854, USA
Address: Muskegon, MI, USA
Address: Petoskey, MI 49770, USA
Address: Port Sanilac, MI 48469, USA
Address: Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, USA
Address: South Haven, MI 49090, USA
Address: Traverse City, MI, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Road Trip Through Michigan
July 26, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What is the oldest town in Michigan?
The oldest town in Michigan is Sault Saint Marie, having been founded in 1668 by French fur traders.
What is the largest city in Michigan?
Detroit is the most populous city in Michigan, boasting 667,272 residents as of 2020.
What is the smallest town in Michigan?
Omer is a tiny town, boasting under 300 residents! As of 2020, it had a population of 289.
Address: Alpena, MI 49707, USA
Address: Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Address: Bay City, MI, USA
Address: Cadillac, MI 49601, USA
Address: Detroit, MI, USA
Address: Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Address: Holland, MI 49423, USA
Address: Jackson, MI, USA
Address: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Address: Lansing, MI, USA
Address: Ludington, MI 49431, USA
Address: Mackinac Island, MI 49757, USA
Address: Manistique, MI 49854, USA
Address: Muskegon, MI, USA
Address: Petoskey, MI 49770, USA
Address: Port Sanilac, MI 48469, USA
Address: Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, USA
Address: South Haven, MI 49090, USA
Address: Traverse City, MI, USA
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Serena Maria Daniels is an award-winning freelance journalist in Detroit, by way of Chicago, by way of the West Coast. She writes about Michigan for OIYS. Serena enjoys learning about language and culture and taking road trips with her beagle Ralph.
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