Michigan Travel: Your Guide to Visiting Michigan

n, affectionately known to all as the mittenareas provide facilities and groomed trails for a
shaped state, provides 3,200 miles of fresh watergreat winter vacation.
shoreline, 3.9 million acres of DNR managed landManistee and Ludington — Hiking and fishing
and dozens of cultured cities with museums,are the attractions that draw most to this these
upscale restaurants and extraordinary shops.two cities. Be a part of The North Country
Michigan is a four-season state. Visitors haveNational Scenic Trail, which stretches through
everything from fishing, boating, hiking,seven states. Michigan has the largest percentage
snowmobiling, skiing and much more. Michigan isof this trail and it stretches through the scenic
most commonly known for its Upper and LowerManistee National Forest. Visit The North Country
Peninsula's. Below are just a few places to visitTrail website for additional information about this
throughout the state.historic scenic 4,400 footpath. Ludington,
Michigan's Upper PeninsulaManistee's neighbor, is known for it's premier
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a nature-lover'sfishing. The waters between the Big Sable Point
paradise. Visitors should plan plenty of time to visitand the Little Sable Point offer some of the best
the 384-mile-long peninsula. The Upper Peninsula isfishing anywhere in the state. While the "big lake"
home to the highest mountains in the Midwestfishing is definitely something to brag about, our
and to all but two of Michigan's 152 waterfalls.inland lakes and rivers also offer the opportunity
Here are just few places you may want to maketo reel in more than one "fish story."
sure you visit during your stay in Michigan's UpperWestern Michigan — Lower Peninsula
Peninsula.West Michigan has so much to see and do, you'll
Mackinac Island — Take a beautiful ferrystart planning your next visit before you finish
ride to the island of Mackinac. A place that willyour first! If your sights are set on learning, you'll
take you back in time to horse-drawn carriages,love their museums and historic places. Experience
quaint shops, and historical exhibits. Fort Mackinacthe zoos. Explore the lighthouses. If it's adventure
was built by the British in 1782 during theyou're after, take a day cruise. Rent a dune
American Revolutionary War to control thebuggy. Tame a wild water park. If culture is your
strategic Straits of Mackinac between Lakepursuit, let West Michigan entertain you with
Michigan and Lake Huron. During the summerfestivals galore and performing arts year around.
months, you can transport yourself back in timeGrand Haven - Visit the lakefront areas of Spring
with reenactments and tours of the historicalLake and Ferrysburg or stroll along Grand Haven's
buildings on the Island.magnificent two and one-half mile boardwalk to
Pictured Rocks — An awe-inspiring sight ofthe spectacular beaches. Here, near the water,
multicolored sandstone cliffs lining Lake Superior.you will find the restaurants, snack shops,
This 15-mile stretch of shoreline received its namemarinas, charter fishing boats, boutiques &
due to the pictures that seem to appear on thespecialty shops, trolley rides and other attractions.
rocks from multicolored sandstone and mineralSouth Haven — South Haven is renowned
stains on the rock surface. This stretch is knownfor great swimming off five miles of white-sand
for its hiking trails, beaches and glass bottom boatbeach that stretches south and north from both
tours.sides of the harbor pier heads. A paved walkway
Isle Royale — Wander freely with theruns from the south pier through town and out to
wolves and moose in this North Woods sanctuary.the north pier, around the entire harbor. Not all
99% of this land mass is federally designated astrails are paved. South Haven is a town that likes
wilderness. This archipelago is composed of ridgesto party. It is host to a wealth of year-round
resulting from lava flows, which were tilted andfestivals from fine art fairs, the Annual Blueberry
glaciated. Isle Royale has 165 miles of scenic hikingFestival each August, antique boat exhibits and
trails, excellent fishing, paddling, shipwrecks andmany more activities each weekend.
plenty of places for observing wildlife.Saugatuck — It's a trendy resort
Houghton/Copper Harbor — Observecommunity, snuggled along the Kalamazoo River
fantastic views from Lake Superior's ruggedon the last leg of its journey to Lake Michigan.
shoreline to the top of Brockway Mountains. HereSaugatuck is a haven for fine art lovers, featuring
you can take a scenic drive up the mountainmore than 26 art galleries, studios and
(hopefully you'll see a black bear in the woods), doshowrooms. Its streets are lined with upscale
some mountain biking, kayak the Keeweenawshops and restaurants, parks and gardens,
Water Trail or just relax along the beach. If yououtdoor tiki bars with live entertainment and
are looking for a white covered, snowy retreatwaterfront dining. Pleasure yachts parade the river
than Copper Harbor gives you great snowmobiling,while seagulls cry overhead, soaring below the tips
cross country skiing and snowshoeing.of sand dunes that rise like mountains to the
Drummond Island — Two-thirds ofwest.
Drummond Island is state owned. The diverseSoutheast Michigan
topography ranges from cedar swamps to rockSoutheast Michigan, a region of seven counties,
ledges, prairie meadows to groves of hardwoods,revolves around metropolitan Detroit. Southeast
rocky shores to sandy beaches. The recreationMichigan is home to many of the large
available is as diverse as the terrain. Here you cancorporations and businesses throughout Michigan.
hunt, fish, swim, hike, bike, stargaze and exploreDetroit — Detroit, like other Downtowns,
the area.has great things to offer. From cool nightclubs, to
Paradise — Paradise, Michigan is a greatgreat restaurants, to awe-inspiring museums,
little town on the shores of Lake Superior at theDetroit has something for everyone. Looking for
northeastern tip of the Upper Peninsula ofa sporting event? Detroit has two brand new
Michigan. If you are a bird watcher, than this isstadiums in the heart of downtown. How about
the place to visit in the spring or fall to watchcatching a play? Detroit's theatre district offers
raptors, waterfowl, and smaller birds in theirnightly shows you won't want to miss. Feeling
migration to and from Canada. If you lovelucky? Try your hand at the black jack table at
waterfalls, than be sure to visit Theone of three downtown casinos.
Tahquamanon Falls, one of the largest waterfallsAnn Arbor — Centered on the Big Ten
east of the Mississippi River. You can take a shortCollege, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
walk to the Observation Point, walk down to theoffers all who visit great restaurants, shops,
bottom of the Falls, or hike on the extensive trailmuseums and plenty of outdoor activities. Spend
system that runs throughout the Park. Paradise,your day hiking the Waterloo Recreation area,
Michigan also offers wonderful beaches, hiking,one of the largest state parks in the Lower
canoeing, snowmobiling and many other outdoorPeninsula. Explore nine unique galleries containing
recreation activities.more than 250 interactive exhibits at the Ann
Northern Michigan — Lower PeninsulaArbor Hands-On Museum.
Northern Michigan is an often-visited vacation spotLexington and The Thumb - Gorgeous sunrises,
offering its guests fishing, shopping, beaches,rich landscapes, sandy shores and playful beaches
canoeing and much more.are hallmarks of what makes Michigan's "Thumb"
Traverse City - Traverse City, is located on thearea an excellent choice for vacations and day
west side of Michigan's Lower Peninsula at thetrip visits. Boating, beaching and fishing are the
base of the Leelanau Peninsula. Traverse Cityhighlights of this wonderful area. Close to
offers travelers world class wineries, fantasticMetro-Detroit, it offers its visitors the ability to
water sports, golf, a great downtown withswim in the clear waters of Lake Huron and to
shopping and restaurants, and much more.spend your days catching fish like Salmon, Trout,
Michigan produces 70 to 75 percent of the tartand Perch. Don't have your own boat? No
cherries grown in the United States and inproblem, many charter-fishing companies are
recognition, Traverse City celebrates with theiravailable in this area.
Cherry Festival in July. This is a big event and isMichigan has so much to offer its visitors. This
one you shouldn't miss. Make sure to makeguide only touched on a few of the many
reservations well in advance, as this is a busywonderful cities throughout this grand state. From
time.outdoor recreation, to fine restaurants, shops and
Gaylord - Here, in Otsego County, you can kickmuseums, there is something for everyone. When
back and take in the beauty that is Northernplanning your next Michigan vacation getaway,
Michigan: shimmering lakes, flowing rivers,make sure to visit Rentalbug Michigan Vacation
wildernesses, scenic trails and great golf. With anRentals, your connection to Michigan lodging.
average annual snowfall of over 150 inches, theRentalbug specializes in cabins, cottages, bed and
Gaylord area is blessed with some of the mostbreakfasts and much more. No one knows
reliable snow conditions in Northern Michigan. ThreeMichigan like we do.
downhill ski resorts and nine cross-country ski