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.”

Go Wine Tasting on the Old Mission Peninsula

Go Wine Tasting on the Old Mission Peninsula
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When you think of alcoholic beverages in Michigan, typically beer is the first thing that comes to mind. However, there are some fantastic wineries in the state since the climate is very similar to wine regions of France and Germany. I recommend wine tasting on the Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City. The views of the wineries with the bays in the background are amazing, and there are lots of wineries within a few miles of each other. It also lends itself well to biking to the different wineries if you are up for something a little different and challenging.

 

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.