Jun 24, 2025
Michigan is one of the best places to be when trying to plan a road trip! It’s full of iconic destinations, from beach towns to big cities, and everything in between. Looking to hike trails in a national park? Michigan’s got you covered. If boat tours, beach towns, or amusement parks interest you, you can find it here. There’s no shortage of places you could visit, so we’ve listed a few of our favorites here to get you inspired!
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is brimming with things to explore! It boasts almost 100 miles of trails, about 15 miles of breathtaking cliffs, and a variety of campgrounds for you to choose from. Want a little more structure in your trip? Take a tour! Pictured Rocks has all sorts of tours, from guided hikes to scenic boat tours. This beautiful national park is not to be missed!
- Known as the “Cherry Capital” of the world, Traverse City has so much to see and do! This stunning city offers lots in the way of shopping, museums, historical sights, and tours (from boat, to bike, to beer tours, there’s sure to be one for you). If you’re getting hungry after exploring, check out The Little Fleet, a food truck lot right in the middle of all the excitement with something to satisfy everyone!
- If you stop by Traverse City, you’re so close that you might as well go to Sleeping Bear Dunes too! Made up of miles of beautiful sand beaches, small coastal towns, a lighthouse, and the natural landscape full of forests and flora, Sleeping Bear Dunes is a place to consider for your trip!
- This stop will give you a little bit of a break from your car, because it’s Mackinac Island! Mackinac Island is about 3.8 square miles of charm, history, and natural beauty. There is no bridge to the island, so you park your car in one of the ferry services’ lots before you hop on the boat. While you’re on the island, you can rent a bike to do the eight mile loop to see all the gorgeous sights, visit museums, shop, and of course, you can’t forget about the fudge!
- One of the most scenic places in Michigan (in our opinion) is Tahquamenon Falls State Park. This state park, located in the upper peninsula, spans nearly 50,000 acres, and has 35 miles of trails, campsites, and you can’t miss the falls! Tahquamenon is made up of the upper falls (a waterfall over 200 feet wide), and a few miles down, the lower falls (smaller falls around an island). There are walkways that take you right up to the falls for the perfect view!
- If you are looking for something with some unique charm, Frankenmuth might be the stop for you! ‘Michigan’s Little Bavaria’ gets its nickname from the German roots that show through the architecture, museums, and culture. This city offers a ton of entertainment options too! On top of the museums there is a water park, tours, shopping, and a large free concert in the park series.
- Petoskey is home to the petoskey stone, which is a prehistoric fossil (and the Michigan state stone), and hunting for them around the shore brings people back year after year! You can find a variety of other things to do too, from hiking and kayaking, to shopping in the gaslight district and seeing a show.
- Are you not looking to travel far, but still want to get out and explore? Brighton Recreation Area or Island Lake state park are two great options around Brighton! Both areas offer trails to hike and bike, and places to swim, kayak, and paddle boat. These are also great options if you are just looking for a fun place to picnic with friends!
No matter what you are interested in, the beautiful state of Michigan has something to offer! So get out there, and explore!
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