Winter might not be the best season to travel around in Michigan, yet there are a lot of places to see when it gets warmer. If you are new to Michigan, and are interested in exploring the Northern Michigan area, the following places would make perfect sense to you!
1. Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dune National Park is voted as the “Most Beautiful Place in America.” It is a must-see of the Michigan Upper Peninsula. The park features sand dunes about 300 feet (91.4 meters) tall that eventually end into Lake Michigan. The Dune Climb is a fun activity to kick your shoes off and embrace the giant sandbox. The spectacular views across the lake are definitely worth the effort once you reach the top. However, it would be a good idea to evaluate the physical strengths before you actually start. And if you ever get tired before reaching the top, the picnic area is always there waiting for you to slide down for a nice relax!
2. Holland
If you would like to experience a different culture, Holland will be a great place for visitors to learn about its rich Dutch heritage. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Holland is famous for its white sandy beach and Dutch traditions. The city is featured with delicate Dutch cuisines, Dutch architecture (particularly in the downtown areas), and Dutch attractions such as Windmill and Klopen dance. In the early spring season, don’t miss out the great opportunity to see the Tulip Festival where tulips bloom in every color you can imagine. During Christmas, check out the annual Dutch Wintefest to experience the traditional European holiday celebration with night parades, ice sculpting competition, Christmas exhibits and much more!
3. Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is a unique island in Lake Huron where no motorized vehicles are allowed. The island would be a fun place for outdoor adventurists to go hiking, bicycling or horse-riding. The downtown area is famous for its fur trade era homes and shops, as well as grand Victorian cottages. When you take a walk on the Mackinac, you would feel like as if travelling back to the Victorian Era. Another interesting attraction is the lighthouse. Michigan has more lighthouses than any other states. Each lighthouse has a distinctive look and it emits light to serve as a navigational aid for ships. So make sure to visit Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse with a history of more than 126 years. Especially at night, you will see beacon of light shines across the sky. Mackinac also has a global reputation for its homemade fudge, whose history can be dated back to the late 19th century. So don’t forget to sample the delicious fudge available in every flavor you can imagine!
Before you start the road trip, here are some travel tips that might be helpful:
- Do some research on the places that you would like to visit and make a plan of what you want to do. The plan would be helpful to make your trip organized and efficient.
- Always put safety as your number one priority. Driving could take as long as 3-4 hours so make sure you drive safely on the road. While visiting a state park or a national park, you will probably be involved in a series of outdoor activities. So make sure to evaluate your physical strengths before start.
- Don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek help from the local people. You would get valuable information from them.
- If you would like to learn more about where to visit, check out this amazing website offered by official Michigan travel agency: Pure Michigan
- Last but not least, I hope everyone will enjoy their road trip up north! Bon voyage!
Zoe Zhou
Summer Orientation Peer Adviser
Master in Accounting
Country of Origin: China
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