10 Best Things to Do in Michigan

You'll find Mackinac Island in Lake Huron between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. The entire island is considered to be a National Historic Landmark due to its impact in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 and its preservation efforts dating back to the late 19th century. In fact, the whole island feels like a step back in time, given the absence of cars and buses. The primary means of transportation here are horse-drawn carriages and your own 2 feet.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan offer a satisfying getaway among some of the best natural features in the country. Once named the most beautiful place in America, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers scenic hills, sandy beaches, and sparkling waters. The streams are particularly useful if you're looking for a place to go boating or tubing. Visitors who stop by during the winter can enjoy skiing and snowboarding around the dunes.

Making it into the Detroit Institute of Arts is a common dream of many creators in the Detroit art scene eager to show off their work. This impressive showcase of creations contains a wide variety of works dating back to antiquity, with quite a few modern works as well. These works come from all over the world, including pieces from Africa as well as several Monets. In total, you'll find more than 65,000 pieces here, along with 400 works from African American artists at the General Motors Center for African American Art portion of the facility.

When you visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, you'll find all the outdoor adventures you could ever want, whether you're interested in picturesque hiking trails or visiting sandy beaches for a swim or some fishing. Additionally, you'll find towering sandstone cliffs that are as imposing as they are magnificent. All of this is set on a backdrop of a lush forest depicting the best the northern woodlands have to offer. Visit during the winter, and you can enjoy some cross-country skiing as well.

At the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, you can enjoy pristine art and vibrant flora in equal measure. The sculpture portion of the park is packed full of fascinating outdoor sculptures, including works from Miro and Rodin, in one of the Midwest's largest collections. You'll find rotating exhibits as well, so you can always expect something a little different. Meanwhile, the garden portion of the park has quite a few different sections. You'll find a Japanese garden and a Victorian garden in addition to a carnivorous-plant house.

Detroit's Grande Ballroom is one of the most iconic spots in the entire city. This Moorish Deco-style building was crafted in the late 1920s as a live music venue. In the decades since, numerous rock and roll legends have performed some of their best shows here while crowds enjoyed the 1,500-person capacity dance floor. While the Grande Ballroom fell out of fashion and became abandoned decades ago, the building still stands, and visitors can admire the exterior architecture of what was one of the most magnificent and popular spots in town.

Isle Royale National Park contains more than 200 islands, with Isle Royale itself being the largest by a significant margin. Isle Royale is just the largest in the group by a significant margin. Among these islands, you'll find plenty to do, including hiking and fishing. Keep in mind that the park is notably secluded, as you can only reach it via boat or plane. That sense of remoteness can be perfect, however, if you're looking for a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Detroit Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in all of Detroit and the greater Michigan area, thanks to its wide variety of exhibits. You can enjoy a diverse array of species in a variety of habitats, including the Great Apes of Harambee, amphibians in the conservation center, and everyone's favorite Antarctic critters, penguins. You'll find a butterfly garden and a section of the zoo focused on life found in the Arctic Circle, including polar bears. Consider planning your trip around the holidays if you want to see the zoo's Wild Lights event, in which the complex is lit up with vast strings of lights.

Turnip Rock in Port Austin is the state's most popular area for kayaking. This rock protrudes out of the ground in the shape of a giant turnip, and it's surrounded by clear, shallow waters. Thanks to the impressive geological formation and calm waters, even amateur kayakers can enjoy the sights and thrills of this area. Just make sure you wear the proper footwear if you plan to get out of your kayak in the water, as the rocks can be quite slippery.

There's nothing quite like Windmill Island if you're looking for a relaxing adventure outdoors complemented by dazzling and vibrant colors. Located in Holland, this island is named after an iconic windmill that's the only authentic Dutch windmill still operating in the country. In fact, it's not just for show. It's still used to grind wheat into flour, which you can then buy for yourself at the local shop. If you can, consider visiting during the spring to see over 100,000 tulips in bloom throughout the garden displaying a wide array of colors.