A See-It-All Michigan Road Trip Is Right Here And It's A Fun-Filled Adventure
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Serena Maria Daniels
Author
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 the ultimate Michigan road trip, 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 by 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 road trip through Michigan 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 checklist 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 alphabetical order from this ultimate road trip. And make sure to check out Olson’s interactive map for a full list of sites as well as details on each only-in-Michigan destination.
Alpena, MI 49707, USA
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, museums, and nature spots.
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Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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.
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Bay City, MI, USA
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, MI 49601, USA
Cadillac has just over 10,000 residents, but it's known for its plant life. Tree City, USA (as locals call it) is full of historic landmarks and great places to dine, like 13th Street Market & Restaurant.
Detroit, MI, USA
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, MI, USA
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.
Holland, MI 49423, USA
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.
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Jackson, MI, USA
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, MI, USA
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.
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Lansing, MI, USA
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, MI 49431, USA
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, MI 49757, USA
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.
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Manistique, MI 49854, USA
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, MI, USA
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, MI 49770, USA
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.
Port Sanilac, MI 48469, USA
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, Sanilac County Museum, and an underwater shipwreck preserve that scuba divers adore.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, USA
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.
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South Haven, MI 49090, USA
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.
Traverse City, MI, USA
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! And if you’re getting ready to hit the road, take a look at our ultimate road trip packing list to make sure you have everything you need.
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More to Explore
Ultimate Michigan Road Trip
What are some of the best towns to visit in Michigan?
Looking for more charming towns in MI to add to your Ultimate Michigan Road Trip? Here are some undeniably charming little towns in Michigan we think you ought to visit:
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Saugatuck is one of the cutest towns to visit and, especially so, in the winter. Butler Street is the shopping hub with eclectic and artsy shops. The winter highlight is Saugatuck State Park, a breathtaking hike that winds through a forest and ends at the icy shores of Lake Michigan.
- St. Joseph is one of the loveliest beach towns in Michigan and has stunning sunsets. The quaint downtown has antique stores and a delicious chocolate shop that serves the best hot chocolate. St. Joseph’s treasure is the Silver Beach Carousel which took its first spin in 1910 and has been delighting visitors ever since.
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Escanaba, lovingly referred to as “Esky,” is a Little Bay de Noc port city located in the Upper Peninsula. You can rent a kayak at Ludington Park and spend the whole day on the water. Once you’re finished, visit the restored Sand Point Lighthouse, a historic structure built in 1867.
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Allegan has one of the best flea markets in Michigan and it takes place in the summer months. Allegan Antique Market is full of vintage furniture, kitschy knick-knacks, and every antique imaginable. When you’re finished at the flea market you can explore the historic downtown that is very walkable, family-friendly, and even has its own zipline!
- Ferndale is a little locale just north of Detroit that's warm and welcoming. It's also close to Royal Oak and Birmingham, two other walkable small towns just a stone's throw from all the amenities and attractions of Motor City!
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Charming Northville is a historic community about 30 miles outside of Detroit. In September, Northville hosts The Victorian Heritage Festival to celebrate the town’s history. There is a traditional Victorian parade with town residents wearing period costumes and you may even see someone riding an antique unicycle down the street!
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Frankenmuth is an impossibly charming small town in MI that is known for its Bavarian-style architecture which makes you feel like you’re in a small German village. No trip to Frankenmuth is complete without stopping at the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s!