What to do and see in Michigan, United States: The Best Things to do

January 10, 2022 Harland Bartelt

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. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Headquarters on Sand Point Rd Between Munising and Grand Marais, Munising, MI 49862 +1 906-387-3700 http://www.nps.gov/piro/index.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,081 reviews

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Park located on the shoreline of Lake Superior encompassing cliffs, dunes, waterfalls and lakes.

Reviewed By 211charissek - Troy, United States

To actually see the pictured rocks you must either rent kayaks to get close up and personal, or take the boat tour.The double tiered boat gives you sensational views of the magnificent turquoise, orange, brown, copper, pink colors within the stones sculpted and worn by the seas of Lake Superior. The backdrop of the turquoise water is reminiscent of the pacific ocean and is a sight to behold.

2. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525-5804 +1 616-957-1580 http://www.meijergardens.org
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,947 reviews

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

View modern sculpture in a stunning garden setting at this combination botanical garden and sculpture park, which features exotic plants, desert and Victorian gardens, wetlands, meadows, and sculptures by famous artists throughout.

Reviewed By Relax778849

Our son’s family lives in Grand Rapids, so we often visit Meier Gardens. It’s enjoyable whether we visit during Christmas to see decorated trees from other countries, summer to walk the garden paths and visit the children’s garden where the grandkids can run and climb, or during the butterfly exhibit in the spring. The special exhibits are interesting as well.

3. Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202-4094 +1 313-833-7900 http://www.dia.org/about
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,928 reviews

Detroit Institute of Arts

Considered to house one of the best art collections in the United States, the Institute showcases everything from mummies to modern art and African masks to Monets in its outstanding collection of over 65,000 works. Don't miss the General Motors Center for African American Art, a part of the DIA which showcases 400 pieces, in various media, by African American artists.

Reviewed By MidwestKathM - Detroit, United States

We love the DIA! As longtime members, we visit several times a year. And attend the Friday Night Live often as well as talks, senior activities, and films every month. Lots of terrific art to see in their permanent collection...including the Diego Rivera murals, Caravaggio, Italian Renaissance, John Singer Sargent, Whistler, Van Gogh, John Singleton Copley, Kehinde Wiley, Abstract Expressionists, African-American works, Asian antiquities, and Egyptian mummies. And then there are the excellent temporary exhibitions and the special exhibitions. During these COVID times, we wanted to show our support after the museum reopened. The DIA is perhaps the safest art museum we've visited in the last 4 months. Advance timed tickets, masks required, temperature check, contactless entry, social distancing, galleries grouped with one entrance, one exit, hand sanitizer.

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. 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!

6. Mount Bohemia

Houghton, Michigan, MI +1 888-937-2411 [email protected] http://www.mtbohemia.com/
Excellent
67%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
5%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Mount Bohemia

Expert skiers and boarders are challenged at the "Rocky Mountain Ski Area of the Midwest," whether launching off the dramatic chutes or gliding the backcountry glades.

Reviewed By V9572JBjeffw - Hancock, United States

Mt. Bohemia is the best skiing in the Midwest for expert skiers and snowboarders. The mountain offer great terrain and the lodge is perfect for the surroundings.

7. Arch Rock

Mackinac Island, MI
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,662 reviews

Arch Rock

Natural rock bridge soaring 149 feet above the Straits of Mackinac appears to be suspended in midair.

Reviewed By S60WIannal

We reached the arch rock at first by horse carriage tour and then returned to visit this beautiful site by bike and kayaking. You have to climbed up some stairs to reach it and take turns to do photos but it's worth it.

8. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

1200 W 11th St, Traverse City, MI 49684-3287 +1 231-941-1900 http://www.thevillagetc.com
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,270 reviews

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Old state asylum that is being renovated into shops, restaurants, wineries, and more...lots to look at, including tons of trails to walk, bike, ski, etc.

Reviewed By Shepherdess903 - Santa Fe, United States

We enjoyed the historic tour of the former insane asylum grounds, some restored and some yet to be restored. Our tour guide shared personal experiences and insights from her childhood as a child of a staff psychiatrist. If you enjoyed the Alcatraz tour or have, like me, read a lot of historical fiction about women who were put in asylums often for dubious reasons, you definitely need to check it out. Be aware that there are stairs, rough floors, etc. Thank you to the people of Traverse City for saving this historic resource and allowing us to learn about it.

9. Holland State Park Beach

2215 Ottawa Beach Rd West end of Ottawa Beach Road, Holland, MI 49424-2344
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,349 reviews

Holland State Park Beach

Reviewed By gphs63 - East Lansing, United States

We had to walk probably 2/3 mile to the beach. Beautiful beach, concession stand fantastic , big changing room. The beach is enormous. Friendly staff

10. Michigan Stadium

Stadium Blvd & Main Street University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI +1 734-764-4599 http://www.thebigstadium.com/
Excellent
78%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 755 reviews

Michigan Stadium

Reviewed By TAMG1026

This Stadium is the LARGEST in the country. Each Saturday home game, upon arrival, you feel like your part of one big family as you set up your tents and bring out the food/drinks. I love the atmosphere(ok, except for when it's sleeting, raining or snowing), the 2 new MONSTER video screens. the band/game stadium or PA Announcer is Carl Grapentine. The have all the necessities; bathrooms, concession stands, souvenir shops and of course, a wonderful field to play football on. except for the weather, what's there to hate. All staff will be happy to assist you. So get out, buy a ticket a see this wonderful piece of Ann Arbor sports heaven. Go Blue Mike.

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