10 Unique And Low-Commitment Day Trips That You Can Do in Michigan. You Shouldn’t Miss #9!

There’s a lot of reason to explore Michigan, specially this summer. If you are planning to visit the Mitten state for a short vacation or to see what it feels like living in Michigan, you should consider the following day trips and/or options.

1) Mackinac Island

In the late 19th century, Mackinac Island became a popular tourist attraction and summer colony. Much of the island has undergone extensive historical preservation and restoration; as a result, the entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is well known for its numerous cultural events; its wide variety of architectural styles, including the famous Victorian Grand Hotel; its fudge; and its ban on almost all motor vehicles. More than 80 percent of the island is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.

2) Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Experience masterpieces of art and nature that will delight your senses at one of the nation’s premier horticultural display gardens and sculpture parks in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a 158-acre (64 ha) botanical garden and outdoor sculpture park located in Grand Rapids Township, Michigan in Kent County. Commonly referred to as Meijer Gardens, it has quickly become one of the most significant sculpture experiences in the Midwest and an emerging worldwide cultural destination.

It was named one of the top “30 Must-See Museums” in the world. It is Michigan’s second-largest tourist attraction and is a feature venue in ArtPrize, the largest art competition decided by public vote.

3) Harbor Duck Tours

Harbor Duck Adventures Co. has transformed a World War II Army amphibious vessel into one big water taxi 31-feet long, seating approximately 20 people. Tours wind through downtown Saugatuck and across the bridge to Douglas. Hop off the Duck in Douglas and enjoy the village, then ride the Duck back to Saugatuck as it splashes into the waters of the Kalamazoo River and Saugatuck Harbor.

4) Frankenmuth

Michigan’s Little Bavaria

There are a great number of things for you and your family to do in Frankenmuth. With festivities year round, the town welcomes visitors with Bavarian hospitality regardless of the season. Whether it’s a day trip for the family or a weekend retreat with friends, Frankenmuth is the perfect destination to recharge, renew and refresh. From fantastic food, eclectic shopping and entertainment, to rich historical beauty and culture, it’s the ideal departure from the ordinary every day. Visit anytime and count the ways you can enjoy everything Frankenmuth has to offer.

Tourism and farming drive the local economy. Frankenmuth draws over three million tourists annually to its Bavarian-themed shops and restaurants such as the Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth Brewery, Zehnder’s, and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. Frankenmuth also attracts tourists with festivals and other events throughout the year.

5) Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark

At 88,000 square feet, Avalanche Bay is the largest indoor waterpark hotel in Michigan offering huge amounts of water fun for every age. Centrally located at the heart of Boyne Mountain Resort, this wet and wild waterpark is always 84 degrees and open all year ’round, making it the perfect vacation destination or just a day trip.

6) Henry Ford Museum

The Henry Ford is a large indoor and outdoor history museum complex and a National Historic Landmark in the Metro Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, USA.

Henry Ford Museum began as Henry Ford’s personal collection of historic objects, which he began collecting as far back as 1906. Today, the 12 acre (49,000 m²) site is primarily a collection of antique machinery, pop culture items, automobiles, locomotives, aircraft, and other items.

The Henry Ford is the largest indoor-outdoor museum complex in America. Patrons enter at the gate, passing by the Josephine Ford Memorial Fountain and Benson Ford Research Center. Nearly one hundred historical buildings were moved to the property from their original locations and arranged in a “village” setting. The museum’s intent is to show how Americans lived and worked since the founding of the country. The Village includes buildings from the 17th century to the present, many of which are staffed by costumed interpreters who conduct period tasks like farming, sewing and cooking. A collection of craft buildings such as pottery, glass-blowing, and tin shops provide demonstrations while producing materials used in the Village and for sale.

7) Holland State Park

Holland State Park is famous for its expansive, sandy beach on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa. There’s plenty of room for sunbathing, family fun, recreation or just relaxing. Besides the beautiful beach, Holland State Park features two large campgrounds, picnic tables, fire pits and grills, beach volleyball courts, and beach house. The pier and walkway along the harbor channel is a popular spot for fishing and beautiful views of sailboats, sunsets and the Big Red lighthouse. The concession stand and store are stocked with a variety of food, beach items and souvenirs. Kayak, canoe, and stand up paddleboard rentals are available at the Macatawa Boathouse in the Lake Macatawa portion of the park.

The park is divided into two separate units, one along Lake Michigan and the other along Lake Macatawa, each with its own campground. The Lake Macatawa campground is a traditional campground offering 211 campsites, while the Beach campground is nestled between sand dunes with 98 paved campsites and 31 full hook-up sites. Both campgrounds are within 50 feet of swimming beaches. The Lake Macatawa campground is only a half mile from Lake Michigan.

8) Michigan’s Adventure

Michigan’s Adventure is a 250-acre (1.0 km2) amusement park in Muskegon County, Michigan. It is the largest amusement park in the state and has been owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company since 2001. As of 2012, Michigan’s Adventure has 53 rides, more than any other park in the state. The park also includes an outdoor water park, WildWater Adventure. The park is headlined by seven roller coasters, including the critically acclaimed Shivering Timbers, a very basic but historic Corkscrew coaster, and a suspended looping coaster, Thunderhawk.

9) Short’s Brewing Company

Short’s Brewing Company is a brewpub and microbrewery housed in a refurbished, 100 year-old hardware store located in Bellaire, Michigan. The Short’s Brewing Company mission statement expresses pride in unlimited creativity, staying unique, and creating experiences. Short’s Brewing Company set a world record for the largest tap takeover when it served 100 Short’s draughts for the August 22, 2013 grand opening of HopCat’s new location in East Lansing, Michigan

The pub offers space for community gatherings, local art (even the bar was made by locals), and live performance. The pub organizes beer festival parties and a “Short’s To Short’s Paddle,” a 27 mile sea kayak trip from the pub in Bellaire to the Elk Rapids production brewery. The pub always has 20 beers on tap.

10) Detroit museums

Detroit is a cultural treasure trove, complete with the Motown Museum , the Detroit Institute of Art or the Michigan Science Center. You can check this page by Experience Detroit for more available museums.

Michigan is truly a wonderful state. If ever you are having doubts in terms of renting an aparment or buying a house in Michigan, these attractions will surely clear it all.

Info sources:

www.onlyinyourstate.com/michigan/daytrips-mi/

www.wikipedia.org