Must See Destinations to Explore Across Michigan: Celebrating National Michigan Day

Jan 20, 2024

Since January 20th is National Michigan Day, we thought it would be fun to share some of the amazing places to see in Michigan in case you’re looking for some “road trip inspo” and adventure fuel. Love to explore the great outdoors and take in some natural wonders? Have a hankering for weird and wild roadside attractions? Enjoy shopping for unique memorabilia and collectibles? We’ve got it all on today’s blog.

Well, what are you waiting for? Hop on into the driver’s seat and gather your friends and family, and take your new car from Classic for a spin as you trek along and make new memories. From the must-see tourist spots to the strange and unusual, you’ll find plenty of excitement here in our Michigan travel guide!

Appreciating Nature and the Great Outdoors

Isle Royale National Park is a secluded, remote island wilderness area in the middle of sprawling Lake Superior; you’ll need to either access it by ferry or seaplane, or book a private charter. The area is jampacked with activities for outdoor enthusiasts! It has three beautiful lighthouses: Rock Harbor Light, Menagerie Island Light, and Passage Island Light.

Kitch-it-Kipi in Manistique There are numerous hiking trails including Rock Harbor, Stoll Memorial Trail, Scoville Point. Wildlife photographers and naturalists will enjoy wildlife sightings which include red foxes, loons, moose, snowshoe hares, beavers, minks, martins, river otters, and so much more!

Windmill Island Gardens in Holland is beautiful year round, but it’s most stunning season is of course in the Spring, when thousands of tulips bloom in April and May. The area takes great pride in its Dutch settler heritage, celebrating with displays like the “Little Netherlands”, a “Tulip Grove” carved from old-growth oak trees, replica historical structures, a working street organ from post-WWII Amsterdam, and numerous walking trails through natural areas home to riverfowl and wildlife.

Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens in Midland features 54 sprawling acres of woodlands, ponds and streams, apple orchards, and gorgeous meadows. The 1,400 foot-long canopy walk is the longest in the US, and the main attraction of this natural forest area. In addition to the tree canopy walkway, there are also two other pedestrian bridges, an outdoor amphitheatre, a forest classroom, and a wonderful family friendly playground. There is also an annual display of cultivated plants, flowers, and botanical displays. And you can sign up to enjoy a lecture, special workshop, or a seasonal birding and wildlife tour.

Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids is a truly stunning 158-acre botanical garden with an art museum and outdoor sculpture park. You’ll want to spend at least 2 to 3 hours to tour the gardens in full, and take in the many spectacular sights and artworks. The park is known for its unique blending of arts, culture, and nature featuring exotic and rare plants from all around the world. It’s considered one of the most comprehensive and expansive outdoor sculpture collections in the Midwest, so you will want to put this on your bucket list for sure! Check the calendar to attend one of the special events such as food and wine nights, and live entertainment. The grounds are open year round with all-seasons attractions and photo-ops.

Belle Isle Conservancy, Park, and Aquarium in Detroit is a 985 acre park which includes the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle Nature Center, and more. The park is open during all seasons, andi includes views of the cityscape, a beach, paddling and fishing, special events, and more. Efforts are underway since 2011 to renovate, restore, and preserve the grounds and enhance the facilities for future generations. It’s free and open to the public!

Petoskey State Park in Harbor Springs encompasses 330 scenic acres of nature, located on Little Traverse Bay, and is home to 2 campgrounds, a beautiful beach along Lake Michigan, and beautiful hiking and biking trails. In warmer weather, you can enjoy the beach and picnic areas as well as swimming, fishing, and hunting. In the winter, the area is popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts will love the scenic beauty of the ara, and doing a little birding and animal watching. Pets are not allowed along the lakeshore area due to it being a piping plover habitat, and dogs must be on no longer than a 6-ft lead in any of the dog-friendly trails or campgrounds.

Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Mears is located between Lake Michigan and Silver Lake, and covers 2000 acres of rolling sand hills between 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long. They’re the only sand dunes to the East of the Mississippi River which allow visitors to drive private motorized vehicles over the shifting sand dunes, making it prime recreational real estate for those with a keen sense of adventure; the only tour company for the area has been in operation since 1930, and it includes a 40 minute tour over a 7-mile route, injected with history and humor along the way! You’ll find gorgeous lakefront beaches to surf, swim, fish, kayak, and more. If you’re interested in lighthouses, take a tour of the Little Sable Lighthouse while you’re there!

Arts, Culture, and History

Arab American National Museum in Dearborn is the first and only museum in the US devoted to documenting and sharing Arab American contributions. It features one of the most extensive archives of Arab American historical documents, culturally enriching guided tours of exhibits, beautiful cutting-edge art installations, and special events and lectures.

Detroit Institute of the Arts in Detroit is a sprawling, massive art and culture collection worth a full day of exploring and then some. The DIA provides visitors with unparalleled art exhibits and rotating installations, cultural and artistic resources, creative programming, and a diverse collection featuring more than 65,000 works!

John K. King Used & Rare Books in Detroit houses more than 1,000,000 books and an unprecedented collection of more than 25,000 collectors items and rare books!

A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum in Houghton has on view more than 4,000 specimens of gemstones, minerals, and other geological exhibits.

Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners is perfect for transportation enthusiasts! Located on 90-acres of historic campus, it houses more than 400 vintage automobiles and motorcycles on display, making it one of the largest automobile museums in North America.

American Museum of Magic in Marshall has been operating since 1978, and houses an incredible collection of devices and accessories belonging to The Great Harry Blackstone, famed illusionist and stage magician! You’ll find thousands of photos, showbills, magazines, and archival documents for magicians and stage illusionists, along with magic sets, ephemera, and more.

Weird, Wild, and Whimsical Tourist Stops

If you seek the strange and unique side of traveling, we know you’ll love these odd roadside attractions and unique art installations featuring curious collections of art, sculpture, interactive exhibits, tiny reproductions of historic buildings, model and scale houses, dark and mysterious artifacts, and much more: