Michigan
Discover Michigan
Michigan (pronounced "MISH-uh-gin") is an American state in the upper Midwest and the heart of the Great Lakes region. It has many attractions, famous landmarks, and scenic state and national parks and forests. In addition to the great ones, it has about 12,000 inland lakes, 38 deep-water ports, more miles of coastline than any state but Alaska, and more lighthouses than any other U.S. state. Its agriculture features tourist-friendly fare such as cherries, blueberries, peaches, apples, and wine. Its cities include a major metropolis, university towns, and countless rustic villages. The state is geographically unique and consists of two major peninsulas which can be further divided into five distinct areas. They are the Upper Peninsula, (known to Michiganders as "The U.P."), Northern Michigan (Big Rapids and northwards), West Michigan (along the sandy coast of Lake Michigan), Central Michigan or "Mid-Michigan" and the Southeast or "Downstate".
What to Experience in Michigan
Taste of Michigan...
If you're planning a trip into Michigan and you want to check off the "must-eat" local specialties, then there are four things you really should be sure to try while you're here. Interestingly, they're all centered around the northern parts of the state, so if you want to try them in their homeland, you'll want to be sure to visit the area from Traverse City to the UP. But although these four foods are most commonly associated with Michigan, they're by no means the state's only specialties. Aside from cherries, Michigan is a surprisingly prominent agricultural region, well known for a variety of products: Although not as prestigious as Californian or overseas varieties, Michigan wines are growing in respectability, with significant vineyards in the southwest (e.g. St. Julian, Tabor Hill, Fenn Valley) and northwest Lower Peninsula (e.g. Leelanau Cellars, Good Harbor, Chateau Grand Traverse). Stroh's was one of the last of the great traditional Michigan breweries and a Detroit-area staple, but is now made out of state. However, local breweries can now be found throughout Michigan. Some of the more widely available Michigan beers are Bell's, Arcadia, Atwater, Michigan Brewing, and Founder's. Two native brands of soft drinks (called "pop" by the locals) are Faygo (perhaps best known for strawberry-flavored "Redpop" and the 1970s top 10 single based on their TV jingle), and Vernor's ginger ale (with its distinctive tangy taste and gnome mascot).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMichigan has several airports, but most international or cross-country travelers will fly into Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) just west of the city, or transfer there to a smaller airport elsewhere in the state. Grand Rapids' Gerald R. Ford International (GRR) also has daily flights from various parts of the country. Regional airports (which also have direct flights from cities in nearby states, such as Chicago, Cleveland, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati) include Flint's Bishop (FNT), Lansing's Capital City (LAN), Kalamazoo/Battle Creek (AZO), Muskegon (MKG), Midland/Bay City/Saginaw (MBS), Traverse City's Cherry Capital (TVC), and Marquette's Sawyer (MQT). Driving into Michigan can be accomplished by one of the highways that enter and extend through Michigan. From Ohio, I-75 goes through Detroit, Flint, and Bay City, and Mackinaw City, ending in the U.P. city of Sault Ste. Marie....
Regions
Explore AreasNine of the major tourism destinations in Michigan include: The Lower Peninsula has the majority of the population (primarily in the south), while the Upper Peninsula, separated from it by Lake Michig…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
As the historic base of the U.S. auto industry, Michigan's intrastate travel system is almost entirely dependent on the internal combustion engine. The personal automobile remains the best way to get around within Michigan. Interstate, US, and state highways permeate southeast Michigan, crisscross the rest of southern Michigan, stretch up into northern Michigan, and trickle across the Upper Peninsula. Amtrak's three daily rail routes from Chicago connect certain cities in southern Michigan (see "Get in"). The most extensive intrastate public transit system is the Indian Trails bus network and with Michigan Flyer (East Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Metropolitan Airport), which reaches most population centers in much of the state. Several of the larger cities have local bus services (Detroit also has light rail), transit information can be found here. Most intrastate air service is out of Detroit Metro; there is no regular service between the state's small regional airports.
Money & Budget
Michigan has a draw to shopping based on the many unique coastal towns and the look and feel of its tourist areas and attractions. Michigan has a fixed 6% sales tax which is rarely included in the advertised price (like the rest of the United States). Most groceries and many personal items are not taxed. Antiques Markets, Shops and Shows are a big attraction in the Great Lakes Area. Below is a list of events, in alphabetical order: If it can be done on or in the water, Michigan probably offers at least a little of it, somewhere in the state. Fishing, sailing, and motorboating are popular on both the Great Lakes and inland lakes. The Great Lakes are a bit cool for some tastes, even in the summer, but are still very popular beach destinations, along with swimming in the warmer lakes inland.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The majority of Michigan is very safe. While violent crime occurs everywhere, parts of Detroit, Flint, Saginaw and other cities fare worse. Even there, most places are completely safe during the day and important main entertainment and cultural centers are heavily policed after dark. Use common sense traveling in and through urban areas, especially after dark. If you choose to explore Michigan by car, be aware of local road conditions, especially during winter. Western Lower Michigan and the UP are subject to lake effect snow which can accumulate quickly. There are quite a few lumber roads in the U.P., some of which are still in use. Don't be tempted to travel these roads, unless a) you're with a local who can keep you from getting lost, and b) you have an emergency kit (including food, water, and first aid) with you. Such roads are frequently one lane wide, and lumber trucks travel faster than you'd expect. Explorer beware.
Glimpses of Michigan
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan Theater and State Theater in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Golden Gate Bridge, California
A picturesque blue sky afternoon along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Pure Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The lighthouse at Grand Haven, Michigan
Mystical Morning - Crisp Fall morning with fog blanketed over a lake at sunrise.
Detroit Skyline
Pine River in Alma Michigan
Path through grass field
Dunes on Lake Michigan
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan Theater and State Theater in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Golden Gate Bridge, California