Michigan’s Best 15
If you had asked me about Michigan 10 years ago, automobiles, manufacturing, and a declining economy would have been the first few things to pop in my head. Not to mention all that government bail out stuff. I didn’t know anyone that lived in Michigan let alone vacationed there. But then things changed. 6 years ago Nisheet and I decided to do the Lake Michigan Circle tour which took us on a wonderful road trip around the entire lake. We started in Chicago and worked counterclockwise with our first stop being Indiana Dunes. The Dunes, as the Chicagoans call it, has always been one of those “get away from it all” places for me. That’s where I would go to clear the cobwebs in my head and put myself in a more natural setting. The dunes are huge, and the water extends seemingly forever. The next day we hit Michigan, and I wondered how I ever liked the Indiana Dunes. In Michigan, the dunes were even larger, the water clearer, the sky blue-er, and the air crisper. A few year later, Nisheet moved to Grand Rapids, and we got to experience even more of “Pure Michigan.”
Relax on the Beach in Western Michigan
The Western Michigan beaches aren't the typical lake beaches. Lake Michigan is so large that you can't see the other side, the beaches extend for miles, and the water is surprisingly clear (at certain beaches). It is even better than being at the ocean, because as the saying goes, it's "unsalted and shark free". A word to the wise though, don't expect the water to be anywhere close to the temperature of the warm Florida waters. It is very cold but very refreshing on a hot summer day. Some of our favorite beaches are at the Holland State Park, the Muskegon State Park, and the Grand Haven State Park. Though all of the state parks require a fee for parking, you can generally find free parking only a short walk away.
HELPFUL LINKS
(1) Climb the dunes as Sleeping Bear
(2) Go wine tasting on the Old Mission Peninsula
(3) Admire the views at Pictured Rocks
(4) Attend Tulip Time in Holland, MI
(5) Eat cherry pie at the Cherry Republic
(6) Sample Michigan beer at the Winter Beer Festival
(7) Explore the waterfalls at Tahquamenon Falls
(8) Attend Art Prize in Grand Rapids, MI
(9) Relax on the beach in Western Michigan. Our favorites include Holland State Park, Grand Haven State Park, Muskegon State Park
(10) Find your inner artist at the Meijer Gardens
(11) Step into history at the Henry Ford Museum
(12) Enjoy a sunset over Lake Michigan. Check out the sunset near the Platte River Campgrounds.
(13) Go on a dune buggy ride on the Michigan dunes. We recommend Mac Wood’s Dune Rides.
(14) Take to the slopes on the Michigan Mountains. We recommend Caberfae and Boyne Highlands.
(15) Search for Petoskey stones.
Disclaimer: We were not paid by any party to write our recommendations.
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