While the Mitten State gets nothing but praise from its residents, many out-of-state visitors are unaware of the beauty it has to offer. From sand dunes to beaches, small towns to bustling cities, rolling hills to dense forests, Michigan has it all. Take a look.
Hit the beach, the waters fine!
Nearly the entire state of Michigan is framed by one (or more!) of the Great Lakes. All along the western coast of Michigan, you will come across miles and miles of pristine, white sandy beaches. All summer long, the water is refreshing, and best of all, free of salt! This is how beaches are supposed to be.
Take a hike
Most of Michigan is bursting with outdoor opportunities, but there are only two national forests located within the lower part of the State. Manistee National Forest is one of them. It’s full of miles and miles of picturesque hiking trails for you to enjoy. However, if hiking isn’t your style, you could also…
Take a canoe
Canoe, raft, or paddle along the 190 miles of the Manistee River. It’s just as serene as the forest, but just a little bit better.
Bike more, drive less
On top of gorgeous bike trails that extend across the state, the fabled Mackinac island boasts to not having any cars on their island, but instead only bikes or horses. Your legs are going to look great after this trip.
Welcome to Cherry Country
Located on the northwest tip of the mitten, Traverse City is the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States, effectively making it Cherry County, USA. Each year, over 500,000 guests visit for the annual cherry festival, sampling everything from cherry ice cream to cherry wine, all the way to cherry salsa. Go figure!
Have a beer, its local
In the last few years, Michigan has cranked out some incredible local breweries. Between Bells, Founders, and the other countless breweries, pubs, and microbrews popping up in Grand Rapids AKA “Beer City,” you’re going to have to sample a pint or two before you go.
Spend some time up north
Sure, the mitten is truly beautiful, but if you’re trying to get some untapped nature on your trip, you simply must venture North past the five-mile Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Pennisula. Up there lies 16,500 square miles of forests, beaches, and some of the best hiking spots this eye-popping state has to offer.
See a Pure Michigan sunset
Once you’ve seen what this state has to offer, why would you go anywhere else?