What to do and see in Michigan, United States: The Best Sights & Landmarks

February 12, 2022 Mikaela Didonna

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. Mackinac Bridge

I-75, Saint Ignace, MI 49781 +1 906-643-7600 http://www.mackinacbridge.org/
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,350 reviews

Mackinac Bridge

Linking Michigan's two peninsulas, this mighty bridge has a total length of five miles.

Reviewed By GoAlong2 - Seattle, United States

We went over the bridge once in the evening and then in the afternoon a few days later. The bridge towers high above the straits separating Lake Michigan from Lake Huron, and is several miles long. There are viewpoints along the shoreline at either end of the bridge. We stopped at on on the St Ignace side at a gift shop with a viewing platform. The speed limit on the bridge is 25 mph, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the view while driving over. The toll is $4 each way for a passenger car. There are two lanes in each direction with the center lanes made of steel grating which makes a humming sound as you drive. The outer lanes are paved. At night the bridge is lit with lights, for a good evening view. With its tall support towers and long suspension span (longest in North America) the bridge is an engineering marvel that connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan.

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. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant

461 Piquette St, Detroit, MI 48202-3547 +1 313-872-8759 [email protected] http://www.fordpiquetteplant.org/
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 538 reviews

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant

Experience the Original Model T Factory Visiting the Piquette Avenue Ford Plant is a unique experience-it's the oldest auto plant open to the public anywhere in the world. Almost unchanged since Henry Ford's day, the plant is a three-story New England-style mill building. Each floor is divided into sections by the original metal fire doors, complete with the shadows of Henry Ford's "Positively NO Smoking" stencils. The old plank floors are worn from the 12,000 Model Ts built on them, so wear appropriate shoes for your visit. The plant is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a designated National Historic Landmark and a Michigan State Historic Site. Walk the worn wood floors and touch the brick walls where Henry Ford and his team of automotive pioneers developed the car that led to an automotive and social revolution. See Henry Ford's office as it was in 1908 when he was on the cusp of fame. And learn why it still matters today. See a selection of rare Detroit-built cars from the first decade of the 20th century and learn their fates.

Reviewed By HughC239 - Toronto, Canada

From the outside its a small, somewhat unassuming museum but the magic lies inside with the superb tour guides who bring the place to life with their impressive knowledge of the stories, vehicles and history of Henry Ford, the Ford motor company, the Piquette plant and the birth of the auto industry. By far our favourite and most memorable tourist attraction during our visit to Detroit. We left with a profound new respect for Henry Ford and all that he accomplished. Kudos to the hardworking and dedicated staff at this little gem.

4. Upper Peninsula

MI
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 52 reviews

Upper Peninsula

5. Mushroom House Tours of Charlevoix

211 Bridge St, Charlevoix, MI 49720-1403 +1 231-881-0770 http://www.mushroomhousetours.com
Excellent
70%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 464 reviews

Mushroom House Tours of Charlevoix

Visit all 28 of these magical stone structures a.k.a.Gnome Homes/Hobbit Houses and experience this majestic architecture found nowhere else in the world!! Our knowledgeable and friendly guides will give you fun facts, stories and history not found in any book. Why just drive by and not know a thing about what you are looking at? Our tours will give you memories that will last a lifetime and you will be so glad you did!! There is a reason we are voted the #1 Thing to Do in Charlevoix, Mi!!

Reviewed By RoseBowlTraveler - Cincinnati, United States

Was planning a trip to the area and happened upon a travel article that referenced the Mushroom House Tours. Found there was space Saturday afternoon and booked it online. Enjoyed a lively and fun hour with Edith at the wheel as we rode the extended golf cart through the streets of Charlevoix learning about Earl Young, the Mushroom Houses and Boulder Park neighborhood. Well worth the time and I think much more fun than the self-guided tour. Only suggestion - they may want to consider a "Confirmation" so when you book tickets, you know you are confirmed. Otherwise a great way to learn about interesting architecture and the architect's personality.

6. Colonial Michilimackinac

Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 907 reviews

Colonial Michilimackinac

Michilimackinac 1778: Rumors of War. Treasures from the past come to life at this 18th-century fort and fur trading village, reconstructed based on historic maps and more than 60 years of archaeological excavations. As you walk through the site, you are stepping back in time to 1778, when rumors of war and peace swirled around Michilimackinac. Here, you will see and hear how soldiers, civilians, and Native people responded to threats real and imagined as they attempted to maintain their livelihood, the fur trade. Historical interpreters representing voyageurs, British soldiers, and French-Canadian merchant families are stationed throughout the fort to answer your questions and perform demonstrations.

7. University of Michigan

915 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070 +1 734-764-4636 http://campusinfo.umich.edu/visiting-ann-arbor
Excellent
76%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 613 reviews

University of Michigan

The University's beautiful campus includes many fine museums and facilities for its enrollment of 36,000.

Reviewed By BillN540 - Ann Arbor, United States

From the beauty of the views in the quad to the hushed calm of the law school to the chaos of south (athletic) campus during a sporting event and you have everything you could want in a college town. Highlights to visit on campus include: - The natural history museum - The grad library reading room - The law library reading room - The "Big House" - Listen to the carillon outside of Rackham school or grad studies - catch a performance at Hill Auditorium or the Power Center for performing arts. - A stroll through the Arboretum (The Arb). So much to do. GO BLUE!

8. Motown Museum

2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208-1237 +1 313-875-2264 [email protected] http://www.motownmuseum.org
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,088 reviews

Motown Museum

This old Detroit home belies the greatness that was born here: the Motown Sound. But one step inside Hitsville, USA, the original house where Berry Gordy lived and recorded the Motown hits, and you'll catch the beat and spirit of this booming music era. Photos, costumes, artwork, music and other memorabilia take you back to simpler times.

Reviewed By GlobeTrotting738505 - Quakertown, United States

The Motown Museum lives up to most of the other reviews, and then some! If you get the chance, make sure you check out this place. However, make sure you make a reservation well in advance, especially if you have limited time to visit. We were lucky enough to get a time slot for the next day, but most people reserve much earlier. Our tour guide, Carolyn, made an excellent tour even better with her knowledge, enthusiasm and just plain energy!!! Hopefully, you'll be lucky enough to get her as your guide if / when you go.

9. Comerica Park

2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201-3470 +1 313-962-4000 http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/ballpark
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,684 reviews

Comerica Park

Home of the Detroit Tigers, this is no ordinary ballpark. Combination theme park, ballpark, and baseball museum, it features huge statues of tigers, a Ferris wheel, carousel (with tigers, of course) and a fountain that celebrates each home run with colored lights and music.

Reviewed By exkwzit - Cedar Rapids, United States

What's not to love about baseball! Comerica is a beautiful park situated amids all the sports venues. EXCELLENT use of the Tiger mascot inside & outside the stadium.

10. Front Street

Traverse City, MI 49684 +1 231-947-4800 http://downtowntc.com/
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 916 reviews

Front Street

Reviewed By 294jeanneb - Brown Deer, United States

Lots of shops, restaurants, and bars. Plan to spend a morning or afternoon taking everything in. Very walkable.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.