Travelling to Michigan: How to make the most of the time

Ah, Michigan. Time to relax with a brewski and unwind that fishing wire. Time for family firearms, money laundering and populating lake beds (maybe stay out of Ozark to avoid that last bit!). Here’s where to go instead.

The lake, duh

Well, maybe it is on the large side, and then there are thousands upon thousands of inland lakes to boot… Okay, fine, here are specifically the top spots to visit: Holland State Park, Keweenaw Peninsula, anywhere in the Great Lakes Bay Region, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Warren Dunes State Park, and for woodland thrown in the mix Hiawatha National Forest.

Any of these locations will rewarded visitors with some of the finest freshwater coasts on the planet.

Have a flutter

Speaking of rewards, this is one of the six golden states for legalised online casinos. Guests in Michigan can treat themselves to any one of hundreds of games that can be played on a phone or computer. Those who are unfamiliar with this industry and its current boom should be sure to keep an eye out and play somewhere respectable.

Detroit Zoo

Animal lovers and parents ready for an excited giraffe to prompt a rather awkward birds-and-the-bees chat should kill a spare day in the awesome city of Detroit at the highly rated zoo, sporting over 2,000 animals. For anyone planning a trip this winter, getting a ticket to Magic Lights at the zoo will be a great move: sculptures of wildlife are made from fairy lights to form a kind of winter wonderland safari. Kids will not forget a light show like that in a hurry!

Islands

Once the coastlines and parks are done, it might be time to venture into the lakes themselves. There are a lot of fantastic spots. The historical island of Makinac really is one of a kind with its Victorian buildings and history as a Victorian tourist spot. Isle Royale National Park is another absolute-must see: a huge cluster of land on Lake Superior boasting genuine wilderness to be hiked, kayaked and scuba dived around.

Henry Ford

Families, historians, patriots and engineering enthusiasts alike should come and appreciate this phenomenal success story of production and early-stage capitalism. Being the largest indoor and outdoor museum complex in all America, and receiving the best part of two million visitors a year, this is not a destination to miss! The complex is made up of four components: Henry Ford Museum of Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory (guided tours available), and a giant cinema screen, so there’s something for everyone.

Mount Bohemia

For a bit of a thrill mixed in with all that unwinding of fishing lines and tempers, the state’s all-inclusive ski resort located on the upper peninsula at 1465 feet is ideal. For the next few days, in celebration of Black Friday, travellers can get a season pass for $99, which is pretty reasonable for a mountain with four separate, route-laden slopes. 

Belle Isle Park

Visitors in Detroit should be sure to stop by this stunner of a park, located in the middle of the famous river – complete with lush gardens, play parks and even an aquarium, it is a perfect family day out. Also, after all those lakes, running water might seem like a bit of a novelty! And for anyone hooked on all that still water there is nothing to worry about: Motown’s River Island has a lake on it!

Michigan Adventure

Travelling with kids or people too afraid to handle a proper roller coaster but still want to get strapped in? This adventure park is dedicated to slightly milder thrills and splashy water rides and pools.

Michigan University Museum of Art

This is a gem of a stop for historians, art lovers and horizon expanders alike. Exhibiting one of the oldest art collections in America’s possession, it’s not just paintings on display either: artefacts from every continent, spanning centuries upon centuries of world history, are there to feast the eyes and minds on.

Tahquamenon State Park 

Tired of lakes? Pitching up a tent in this park and going waterfall hunting along this idyllic river will do the trick. Hikes are fairly flat, so those less hardcore walkers will be able to keep up with the sweaty, map-wielding eager beavers. This is 50,000 acres of undeveloped forest – what a treat in this day and age! That is also as many acres as gallons drop per second down the largest of the river’s water falls (a 50-foot drop with a 200-foot wide shelf).

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