Photos by Edward Pevos & Emily Rose Bennett | MLive
From ice caves and sinkholes to cliff diving and dog sledding, Michigan is a travel lover's paradise. This is your ultimate Michigan travel bucket list.
Some of these are landmarks, attractions and destinations you've heard of, while others are remote, not well-known natural wonders just waiting to be explored.
Here are 50 places to visit in the state in your lifetime.
Photo by Alaney Miltner | Pine River Paddlesports Center
50: Kayak the Pine River
Stretching through miles and miles of national and state forests in Lake, Wexford and Manistee counties, this river is known for its class 1 rapids.
Pine River is for experienced paddlers looking for a challenge. It's not for beginners.
Pictured is a famous spot along the way of the sand dune downstream of the Peterson access point in Wellston.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
49: Lake Michigan overlook at Sleeping Bear Dunes
This picturesque overlook is located at stop No. 9 of the Pierce Stocking scenic drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The overlook is 450 feet above Lake Michigan. Blue water and sand are the only things visible as far as the eye can see.
The scenic drive is a one-way loop with 12 stops.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
48: Michigan's only coaster Alpine slide
This slide is located at Crystal Mountain Resort at 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive in Thompsonville. It usually opens each year in late May.
You take a ski lift to the top of the hill where you'll hop in a sled and enjoy your 50-second ride to the bottom. The track is 1,700 feet long.
Photo by Stacy VanOrman via the Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
47: Ocqueoc Falls
The Lower Peninsula's largest waterfall, this was also the country's first universally accessible waterfall.
Located in Presque Isle County, 12 miles west of Rogers City, Ocqueoc Falls consists of four small rapids and an area for swimming.
There are multiple paths along the Bicentennial Parkway you can take to get to the falls.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
46: Stay the night in a Mushroom House
There are nearly 30 of these hobbit-looking Earl Young Mushroom Houses in Charlevoix in Northern Michigan.
They are famous for their use of stone construction and the shapes of their roofs.
Most of the homes are private residences, but there are a few in which you can rent for as many days as you want. You can also take a tour of the homes.
Related: How to Spend a Michigan's Best Day in Charlevoix
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
45: Michigan's longest zipline
The state's longest continuous zipline is located at Camp Dearborn in Milford.
It’s 6 stories tall and 1,436 feet long. That’s more than a quarter mile. The 40-second ride travels up to 35 mph.
Photo by Jeremy Marble | MLive
44: John K. King Used & Rare Books
There are used book stores, and then there's the king of used books, literally.
Located at 901 West Lafayette in Downtown Detroit, this place has around a million books in more than 900 categories.
Don't miss the rare book section while you're here.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
43: Secret Coke museum inside 50s diner
As if the 1950s diner weren't nostalgic enough, this place has a Coca-Cola museum.
The owner has around 18,000 items with a third of them on display.
Dawson & Stevens Classic 50's Diner is located at 231 Michigan Ave. in Downtown Grayling.
Photo by Neil Blake | MLive
42: Sand dune buggy rides
You can experience some of Michigan's sand dunes in open-air buggies.
Two of the most famous guided dune buggy rides are with Mac Wood's at Silver Lake in Mears and Saugatuck Dune Rides in Saugatuck.
Photo by Jeremy Marble | MLive
41: Kitch-iti-Kipi
Michigan's largest natural freshwater spring is located at Palms Book State Park in Manistique in the Upper Peninsula.
The spring is 200 feet across and more than 40 feet deep. It's always 45 degrees and never freezes in the winter.
A self-operated observation raft takes visitors over the water.
It's also one of the stops on our Michigan's Best Road Trip across the Upper Peninsula.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
40: UM's historic Reading Room
We'd like to think the inspiration for Hogwarts came from this library's famous Reading Room.
Opened in 1931, the Reading Room is located inside the University of Michigan's William W. Cook Legal Research Library at 801 Monroe St. in Ann Arbor.
While you are there, check out the glass windows where you'll discover 182 different university seals.
Photo by Joel Bissell | MLive
39: Cliff Diving at Black Rocks
What a rush this is! You can jump into the waters of Lake Superior near Northern Michigan University in Marquette.
The water is pretty cold and is usually at its warmest in August. The distance from the rocks to the water is about 15 feet.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
38: Croswell Swinging Bridge
People drive to Croswell just to cross this little bridge.
Located in Sanilac County in Michigan's thumb area near Port Huron, this is said to be the only pedestrian suspension bridge in Michigan.
The bridge was built in 1905. It crosses over the Black River.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
37: Marshall historic homes tour
Walking around the neighborhoods of Marshall near Battle Creek is like taking a trip back to the 1800s.
Marshall is filled with block after block of beautifully restored homes from as long ago as the mid 1800s.
Walk around on your own or take an organized historic homes tour.
Check out all our suggestions on how to spend a Michigan's Best Day in Marshall.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
36: Stay the night at the Henderson Castle
This historic castle on a hill looks like something out of an old movie.
Built in 1895, the Henderson Castle is located in Kalamazoo. It's a bed and breakfast with nine guest rooms and is said to be haunted.
If you don't want to stay overnight, you can dine at the restaurant.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
35: Go to Hell
There are plenty of reasons to visit the tiny town of Hell, Michigan. It's located about 20 miles northwest of Ann Arbor near Pinckney.
You can become mayor of Hell for a day or get married there. There are also two restaurants, an ice cream parlor and a gift shop which sells all kinds of Hell-related merchandise.
Photo courtesy of the Michigan DNR via Blake Gingrich
34: Canyon Falls and Gorge
Known as the Grand Canyon of Michigan, Canyon Falls and Gorge is located in Baraga County about 10 miles from L'Anse in the Upper Peninsula along the Sturgeon River.
The trail to the falls is a quick 15-minute walk through hardwood forests.
The river has cut into the earth, creating the narrow canyon with tall, vertical walls.
Photo by Tanya Moutzalias of MLive
33: Sing inside Studio A
You can sing a song in the same studio where Michael Jackson, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder and many other Motown greats recorded their biggest hits.
Hittsville U.S.A., the Motown Museum, is located at 2648 W. Grand Blvd in Detroit.
The guided tour takes about an hour, with its final stop in the famous studio where you are encouraged to sing a Motown song.
Photo by Lori Chapman | MLive
32: Copper Peak
This is the world's smallest ski flying hill. It's located near Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula.
It last hosted competitions in 1994. Now, visitors can take the stairs to the top to enjoy the amazing views.
Photo by Jeremy Marble | MLive
31: Soo Locks
This is the only passage for ships traveling between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
Superior is 21 feet higher than Huron. The locks raise and lower the ships in order for them to pass.
The locks sit on the border between Canada and Michigan's Upper Peninsula along the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
30: Climb Warren Dunes
This dune climb is the Sleeping Bear Dunes of Southwest Michigan, of sorts.
Warren Dunes State Park is located at 12032 Red Arrow Highway near Sawyer and Bridgeman.
The dune formation rises 260 feet above Lake Michigan. There's also a beach with 3 miles of shoreline.
Photo by Lori Chapman | MLive
29: Explore Porcupine Mountains
Yep, Michigan has mountains. The Porcupine Mountains are located in the northwestern Upper Peninsula in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties.
Pictured is the overlook at the Lake of the Clouds within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
The lake is in a valley between two ridges.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
28: Eat at Michigan's highest restaurant
Check out that view! That's a picture we took from the 71st floor of the GM Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit.
That's where two restaurants opened in late 2019, Highlands Steakhouse and Hearth 71.
Every seat has a view. Walk around and check out Downtown Detroit and Windsor like you'll only see from this vantage point.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
27: Hearse Fest
This isn't your ordinary car show. This one features more than 100 hearses from around the country.
The annual event, usually held in September, could no longer fit in Hell, so it moved to the Fowlerville Fairgrounds.
The event also features horror-themed vendors. Eddie Munster was the celebrity guest in 2019.
Photo by the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City
26: Torch Lake
This Northern Michigan lake is often compared to the Caribbean because of its clear, blue-green water.
Located about 17 miles northeast of Traverse City, Torch Lake is Michigan's second-largest inland lake.
The lake is a popular place to swim, canoe, fish and water ski.
Photo by Eddie Fritz | MLive
25: Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Part arcade, part museum, this place is full of historic games and oddities you've probably never seen before. And they all work!
Located on Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills, Marvin's has some games that are at least a century old.
Photo from Tim Burke & the Michigan Dept. of Transportation Photography Unit
24: Sunset cruises on the Straits of Mackinac
As if seeing Mackinac Island wasn't amazing enough, you can actually take a sunset cruise on the Straits of Mackinac.
You can take your own boat or choose from numerous companies, including: Ugly Anne, Sip N' Sail, Star Line and Shepler's.
Photo courtesy of the Fayette Historic State Park Library
23: Tour the ghost town of Fayette
Located in the U.P. between Escanaba and Manistique, Fayette was once a bustling industrial community. It's now a state park.
Visitors can take guided tours of the 19 remaining structures, which include residences and commercial buildings, including the ruins of the furnace complex.
Photo of Main Street courtesy of The Henry Ford
22: Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village
This is as close as it gets to taking a time machine back to the 1800s to see what Christmas was like.
This annual event in Dearborn features villagers in period clothing, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, food and Santa.
Many of Greenfield Village's historic buildings are also open to explore.
Photo by Chris Boyle, courtesy Port Austin Chamber of Commerce
21: Kayak to Turnip Rock
Located in Port Austin in Michigan's thumb, the trip to get to this picturesque rock is not easy.
It's 7 miles round-trip, which can take hours on a kayak. Before setting out, check the forecast. Lake Huron conditions can change quickly. You could also charter a boat to get to the rock.
Along with Turnip Rock, there are also "sea caves" to explore and another notable rock formation called Thumbnail Point.
Photo by Russell Utych | Boreal Photo and Video
20: Go dog sledding
You don't have to go to Alaska to enjoy dog sledding. You can head to Nature’s Kennel Sled Dog Experience in McMillan in the U.P.
There are about 200 Alaskan Huskies at Nature's Kennel who love every minute of being outside in the winter pulling sleds.
You can take a short trip or do an overnight experience.
Photo by Lori Chapman | MLive
19: Explore Pictured Rocks
You can't go wrong exploring anywhere within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Located in Munising in the U.P., the lakeshore encompasses more than 70,000 acres and 40 miles of shoreline along the southern edge of Lake Superior.
There's 100 miles of trails featuring sandstone cliffs and formations, seven waterfalls, beaches, sand dunes, ice caves and more.
Photo courtesy of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau via Diane Dakins
18: Drive the "Tunnel of Trees"
This road trip is particularly awe-inspiring in the fall. The "Tunnel of Trees" is located along a more than 20-mile portion of M-119.
It begins at the north end of Petoskey, but isn't officially the "tunnel" until the north of Harbor Springs. It concludes at Cross Village.
The road twists and turns for miles through fields, forests and farmland with some areas coming close to the edge of high bluffs along Lake Michigan.
Related: How to Spend a Michigan's Best Day in Petoskey
Drone photo by Joe Gall via Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
17: Sinkhole exploring
Northeast Michigan has one of the biggest collections of sinkhole formations in the world, with more than 200.
Many are located on private land, but you can explore the ones at Rockport State Recreation Area in Alpena and Presque Isle counties, and off Leer Road in Posen, which is about 30 minutes northwest of Alpena.
Explore at your own risk, as you obviously don't want to go in one of them. However, many people do swim in one of the Rockport sinkholes, which is filled with water.
Photo by Lori Chapman | MLive
16: Tahquamenon Falls
The Upper Falls at Tahquamenon Falls are one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi at 200 feet across with a drop of nearly 50 feet.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park stretches more than 13 miles near Paradise in the U.P.
Most of the park is located within Chippewa County with the western section extending into Luce County.
Photo by Joey Wallis | Mount Bohemia
15: Ski Mount Bohemia
This place has been named one of the best ski resorts in the country by multiple publications.
Known for its extreme backcountry runs, Mount Bohemia is located on the northernmost portion of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the U.P.
This resort features some of the longest runs, highest verticals and deepest powder in the Midwest, with 273 inches of average annual snowfall.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
14: Stay the night at the National House Inn
Opening in 1835, this is Michigan's oldest operating inn.
Located in Marshall, Barbara Bradley has been the innkeeper at this bed and breakfast since 1982.
The two-story inn has 15 bedrooms, each with their own bathroom.
Photo by Cory Morse | MLive
13: M-22 scenic drive
Starting just north of Manistee, this 117-mile road curves along the Lake Michigan shoreline, passing beach towns like Frankfort and Empire before coming to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
It continues through Glen Arbor to the Leelanau Peninsula toward Northport. It then runs south along the rim of Grand Traverse Bay before ending in Traverse City.
One of our favorite spots is the 17-mile section which runs between Traverse City and Suttons Bay.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
12: Grab a drink on a rooftop bar
Opening in 2019, this rooftop bar has some of the best views of Downtown Detroit.
Located 13 stories high on top of the historic Metropolitan building, the Monarch Club is Detroit's first public skyscraper rooftop bar.
The 150-seat club (80 indoors, 70 outdoors) features an indoor bar and has numerous lounges as well as three outdoor terraces with 360-degree views of the city.
Photo by Edward Pevos | MLive
11: Tour Castle Farms
This is one of the top wedding destinations in Michigan, but it's so much more.
Located just south of Charlevoix, the castle was built in 1918. The castle's grounds used to be the Pine Knob of Northern Michigan.
When touring, you'll see the Alphabet Garden, Michigan's largest outdoor railroad and the castle's WWI & 1918 toy museum.
Photo by Cory Morse | MLive
10: Explore Isle Royale National Park
This is where you'll find some of the most isolated hiking in Michigan. Isle Royale National Park is a 45-mile-long island 55 miles north of the U.P. in Lake Superior.
The island offers plenty of adventures for backpackers, hikers, boaters, kayakers, canoeists and scuba divers.
There are two boats that service the island from Michigan: The Ranger III from Houghton and the Isle Royale Queen IV from Copper Harbor.
Photo by Vicki Schmucker | WePhoto
9: See a show at the Croswell Opera House
Operating since 1866, this is the oldest theater in Michigan.
Located in Adrian, the theater mainly puts on live performances and musical theater. It runs six to eight full-scale musicals a year. Everything is produced in-house.
The theater seats about 640 people.
Photo by Emily Rose Bennett | MLive
8: Explore the Eben Ice Caves
This is the beauty that you get when melting snow runs over the edge of small cliffs and freezes.
The Rock River Canyon Ice Caves, commonly known as the Eben Ice Caves, are located in Eben Junction in the center of the U.P.
The trail is less than a mile. It winds through tall trees and over bubbling creeks. Hikers are encouraged to wear ice cleats.
Photo by Jeremy Marble | MLive
7: Shop at Bronner's
It's always Christmas inside Bronner's, no matter what time of year it is.
Located in Frankenmuth, the world's largest Christmas store features 8,000 different styles of ornaments as well as 50,000 trims and gifts.
There are decorations and gifts from more than three dozen countries. The store also sells 250 styles of Nativity scenes.
Related: How to Spend a Michigan's Best Day in Frankenmuth
Photo by Cory Morse | MLive
6: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
This more than 150-acre botanical garden and outdoor sculpture park is one of the top tourist destinations in Michigan.
Located near Downtown Grand Rapids, the gardens and sculpture park feature works from Rodin, Degas, Miro and more.
There's also an amphitheater with concerts throughout the summer.
Photo by MLive
5: Mackinac Island
The island is no secret to Michiganders, but there are a few must-dos and some hidden gems.
We recommend you pay the small fee to go onto the Grand Hotel's huge porch. Also, there's a great bike path that rings the island, and is actually a non-motorized state highway. Rent a bike and go exploring.
Some hidden gems to discover are: Anne's Tablet near Fort Mackinac, the gazebo from the movie "Somewhere in Time" and Sugar Loaf Rock.
Photo by Tanya Moutzalias | MLive
4: Explore the Dequindre Cut
Formerly a Grand Trunk Railroad line, this is now an urban recreational path mostly below street level.
It runs parallel to St. Aubin Street between Mack Avenue and Atwater Street in Detroit, just north of the riverfront.
The greenway features a 20-foot wide paved pathway with lanes for both pedestrians and bicycles. The path offers a link between the East Riverfront, Eastern Market and several residential neighborhoods.
Photo by Ken Stevens | MLive
3: Cross Lake Michigan on the S.S. Badger
The S.S. Badger carries passengers and vehicles across Lake Michigan between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wis., each spring and summer.
The 410-foot vessel can accommodate 600 passengers and 180 vehicles. It takes about four hours each way.
There's food, lounges, a theater, game room and kid's play room on the ship.
Photo courtesy of Becca Bowman Foli
2: Explore Beaver Island
One of the most remote places in Michigan, you can get to Beaver Island by taking a ferry or plane from Charlevoix.
Around 600 people live on the island. You can tour it by bicycle, or bring your car over on the ferry or rent a car.
The Island is about 13 miles long and 6 miles wide. Along with plenty of outdoor recreational activities, the island has one of the best dark skies for star gazing in the entire country.
Photo by Tanda Gmiter | MLive
1: Swim underneath the Mackinac Bridge
This is the only park in Michigan where you can swim underneath the Mackinac Bridge.
Michilimackinac State Park is located at the northern-most point of the Lower Peninsula in Mackinaw City.
While here, don't forget to visit Colonial Michilimackinac and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.
MORE FROM MLIVE:
25 UPPER PENINSULA marvels everyone should see
JAW-DROPPING PLACES people can’t believe are actually in Michigan
The BIGGEST CONCERTS announced for 2020 in Michigan
America's largest O scale train MODEL RAILROAD is in small town Michigan
Michigan BOWLING ALLEY now has groovy ‘Brady Bunch’ 70s look after $1.4M restoration
The country's biggest AUTO MUSEUM is in the middle of nowhere, Michigan
BOBLO ISLAND closed 25 years ago: Here are the amusement park's eerie remnants
What's with those GIANT PIE PANS in Traverse City & Charlevoix?
Inside the SMITHSONIAN OF MAGIC, located in Michigan
The MOST UNUSUAL PLACE in each of Michigan's 83 counties
How to spend a Michigan's Best day in MT. PLEASANT
The MOST FAMOUS person from each of Michigan's 83 counties
Ad Choices