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.”
Sample Michigan Beer at the West MI Winter Beer Festival
Grand Rapids is known as "Beer City USA", so it shouldn't come as a surprise that they host arguably one of the best beer festivals in the nation. Every February Comstock Park turns into a winter wonderland of beer tents. This is an extremely popular event so you will want to purchase your tickets the day they go on sale and stand in line for the gates to open even earlier (yes, I'm implying you should be in line before you buy your tickets, just kidding). Over 100 Michigan breweries let you sample their craft, and you will get to taste everything from light fruity ales to highest gravity tar-like stout beers. There will definitely be some unique ones in the mix. In 2015, my favorite was the Blueberry Pancake Milkshake Stout brewed by Rochester Mills. Since it is February in Grand Rapids, it can be very cold so be sure to bundle up and wear funny costumes. They also have bonfires to keep the wimpy ones warm. Bonus Tip: Make a pretzel, string cheese, and beef jerky necklace to munch on while sipping on Kombucha beer with the pinky up.
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.
Follow Our Adventures
