Top 10 Historic Walking Areas in Michigan, United States

February 24, 2022 Marissa Gamble

Think you need an ocean for a beach? Think again. There are miles and miles of sandy lakefront beaches in Michigan (thanks to the four Great Lakes that border it). The west coast of Michigan has especially nice beaches—try a rental in Muskegon, Grand Haven or Saugatuck. You won’t need a car when visiting Mackinac Island. In fact, they’re not allowed—this lovely Victorian resort town is pedestrian-only.
Restaurants in Michigan

1. Main Overlook

Ontonagon, MI
Excellent
93%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 40 reviews

Main Overlook

Area at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offering an unforgettable scenic view.

Reviewed By tryan487

the over look its well worth the time to vist and the walkway you can go a pathway or a boardwalk wich is the easy way to to the lake of the clouds

2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

9922 W Front St, Empire, MI 49630-9417 +1 231-326-5134 http://www.nps.gov/slbe/index.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,861 reviews

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

This national park includes a 35-mile stretch of beach on Lake Michigan for swimming plus 13 hiking trails.

Reviewed By JoeandKarin - Levering, United States

We only had a day to spend here....you can easily make this a nice vacation spot...we will be back !! There are plenty of activities for everyone...trail hiking, sandy beach walks, lots of areas to build sand castles or just to sit and take in the beautiful lake shore, swimming, and also plenty of bike trails. The “Scenic Trail” drive is a must!!! There are plenty of “overlook areas” of the Dunes and the lake where you can stop and take pictures. The Dune hike is very adventurous and worth the climb in the sand !! Bring plenty of water and wear a hat !!! Going down the Dune, whether at a run, roll or stroll, makes the effort of the climb well worth it !! We stopped at the visitor center first and found the volunteers there very helpful and informative. Very fun time !

3. Scoville Point

Isle Royale National Park, MI
Excellent
79%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 56 reviews

Scoville Point

Scenic point reachable by an easy hike from Rock Harbor.

Reviewed By Steve5863 - Avon, United States

The 4.2 mile (6.8k) roundtrip hike to the dramatic, rocky point sticking out into Lake Superior known as Scoville Point is the best day hike from Rock Harbor. Most people start by hiking the lake side part of the loop first, which is mostly flat but uneven, rocky and covered by roots where there is soil; however, the views from this part of the trail are excellent. Along the trial, there is a bald eagle’s nest and while the view is a bit limited, eagles are often spotted during the peak visitation season of July and August. Massive moose antlers, which are shed each winter, are also often seen along the trail as is passes through various microenvironments. Reaching the point, one is rewarded by a spectacular views of rock meeting the cold, powerful waters of Lake Superior, a lighthouse in the distance, fishing boats and often massive cargo vessels carrying ore and grain to market. Returning from Scoville Point, one doubles back over the same trail for 0.5 miles (0.8k) before bearing to the left to return by taking the Tobin Harbor side of the loop. This part of the trail is smoother as it passes through a peaceful dense boreal forest which, for the lower 48 states, is a habit unique to Isle Royale. During the summer of 2019, a number of hikers reported seeing two young bull moose along the trail although we did not have the fortune to see them; however, we did see Rock Harbor’s resident bull moose, Bruce the Moose, near the trailhead one morning.

4. Detroit Cultural Center Historic District

Woodward Ave Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan, Detroit, MI 48226-3473
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Detroit Cultural Center Historic District

This area includes Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Public Library and Wayne State University.

Reviewed By MidwestKathM - Detroit, United States

Home to the many of the city's oldest cultural institutions, Detroit's Cultural Center is walkable and full of vintage houses, museums, and public art! The Detroit Institute of Arts has a world-class art collection and the Diego Rivera Industry Murals as well as fabulous temporary exhibitions; a casting of Rodin's Thinker sits in front. The Detroit Public Library is a jewel for both its architecture and art inside and out as well as its Burton Historical Collection of local history and genealogy materials. The Detroit Historical Museum, the Wright Museum of African American History, and the Michigan Science Center all have permanent collections and exhibits as well as occasional temporary displays. The Scarab Club holds contemporary art exhibitions (sometimes juried) as well as hosting music and other events. The College of Creative Studies has a wonderful campus that features the Josephine Ford Sculpture Garden and the Yamasaki-designed Arts & Crafts Building. Take a walk on Ferry Street to enjoy the beautiful homes, notably the 1890s Victorian homes that comprise the Inn on Ferry Street, the castle-like Hecker House (now Wayne State U Tierney Alumni House), and Freer House (once home to Charles Lang Freer, who donated his art collection to the Smithsonian). Enjoy the architecture and sculptural details of the Rackham Memorial on Farnsworth and the Maccabees Building across Woodward Avenue. And there is more to see on the Wayne State University campus. Check each institution's website for more information on their history as well as admission fees and policies. And during these COVID times, there may be restrictions on entering an institution. Enjoy!

5. Heritage Hill Historic District

126 College Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4404 +1 616-459-8950 http://www.heritagehillweb.org/
Excellent
53%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 131 reviews

Heritage Hill Historic District

Reviewed By MidwestKathM - Detroit, United States

On the Sunday morning of our recent weekend getaway, before heading back home, we decided to check out this lovely historic neighborhood where many of Grand Rapids elite of the late 19th and early 20th century built their homes! The highlight, of course, is the Frank LLoyd Wright-designed Meyer May House, which unfortunately is closed during these pandemic times. We parked nearby and walked around the house for a closer look (hope to visit when it is safe to do so). Then we walked up and down for several blocks through the neighborhood, enjoying some stunning architectural gems of many styles, including Georgian Revival, Italianate, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Federal, and Prairie. And the residents are friendly! We stopped to talk to a couple of them, asking about specific houses. Just take some time and enjoy the sites!!

6. Water Street Historic Block

405 E Water St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783-2049 +1 906-632-3658 [email protected] http://www.saulthistoricsites.com/water-street-historic-block-7/
Excellent
52%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 31 reviews

Water Street Historic Block

7. Glen Haven Historical Village

9922 W Front St, Empire, MI 49630-9417 +1 231-326-4700 http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/glen-haven-historic-village.htm
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

Glen Haven Historical Village

Reviewed By h2ogrl314 - Cincinnati, United States

We stopped here on a whim and were glad that we did. The little museum had interesting historical information and it was fun to stop by the old blacksmith shop. My favorite part was the little beach. It was beautiful!

8. Nickels Arcade

326 S State St North University and State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2412 +1 734-769-0941 http://www.michigan.org/property/nickels-arcade
Excellent
47%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Nickels Arcade

Reviewed By AnnArborMiBob - Ann Arbor, United States

This skylight-covered mini-mall is a fixture of State Street where it runs by the University of Michigan campus. Home of a number of specialty shops (including a place that fixed what we thought was a hopelessly damaged piece of art) and a superb coffee shop with high quality beans that lets you select your one-cup brewing method and choice of those beans (and a helpful staff who made some excellent suggestions to me), this is a place where it is dangerous to browse if you are not intending to buy. You will likely find something you cannot live without.

9. Downtown Historic District Williamston

161 E Grand River Ave, Williamston, MI 48895-1449
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Downtown Historic District Williamston

Reviewed By johnmP5349JZ - Williamston, United States

Quaint early 1900s town with plenty of neat stores. Several antique stores and malls make it an antiquers Dream! As long as the ice and snow are gone, a walk down to the park a block from downtown along the river shows of many wood carved trees remaining from the tornado. Great people, too!

10. Historic Saginaw Street

Saginaw Street, Flint, MI http://www.flintarches.com/index.html
Excellent
36%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 25 reviews

Historic Saginaw Street

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