8 Best Attractions To Visit In Michigan

"The Great Lakes State" is an attractive state to visit due to the abundance of nature, thanks to the Great Lakes, ample outdoor activities, and inland lakes, as well as economic opportunities, a sense of community, and numerous attractions, both man-made and in nature. Michigan has numerous attractions worth visiting, whether during a day trip or a weekend getaway, in the central part of the state or the Upper Peninsula. The state will always keep visitors intrigued with the sense of adventure, resulting in numerous memorable experiences for years to come.

Mackinac Island

An attraction full of attractions, not to be missed, is a visit to Mackinac Island, nicknamed "The Jewel of the Great Lakes," an island on Lake Huron between the Upper and Lower territories of the state, which is known for being car-free, having 19th-century architecture, and natural landscapes throughout. Places to see on the island include Fort Mackinac, a historic 18th-century British and American military fort that saw significant usage during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and the Grand Hotel, a historic hotel that opened in 1887, with the world's longest porch that measures 660 feet, and a vast number of amenities, giving its guests a memorable experience on the island.

Other activities to pursue on the car-free island include biking the perimeter of the island, walking, taking a horse-drawn carriage, visiting Arch Rock, one of the most famous rock formations on the island, and enjoying the sunrise and sunset at the Mission Point waterfront for an incredible experience on the iconic island. A couple of ways to get to Mackinac Island are with the Shepler's Ferry and Arnold Transit Company, or people can fly directly to the island with Fresh Air Aviation.

Soo Locks

Right in the Upper Peninsula of the state and the U.S. border with Canada are the Soo Locks, a set of parallel locks operated and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Sault Ste. Marie separates Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. Construction of the locks started in 1855 and opened for shipping that same year. Throughout the years, the original locks were replaced by larger locks named the Weitzel lock in 1881, the Poe lock in 1896, the Davis lock in 1914, the Sabin lock in 1919, the MacArthur lock in 1943, and the second Poe lock in 1968 to accommodate larger and modern ships going through the region.

Visitors to the locks can gaze upon the manmade marvels of engineering from an observation platform found in the Soo Locks Park, which has a traditional Japanese Archway, lush gardens, a lit fountain, and trees representing the Upper Peninsula, and the Soo Locks Visitor Center, where admission is free and is open from May 1 until October 31 from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Marquette Maritime Museum and Lighthouse

Further in the Upper Peninsula is the Marquette Maritime Museum and Lighthouse in Marquette. The lighthouse opened its doors in 1853, as the oldest significant structure in the city, and played a significant role in the iron ore trade in the Great Lakes region. The lighthouse was essential for helping boaters on Lake Superior at the time. The museum opened in 1984 in the city's old Waterworks Building, and the lighthouse is still in use today.

The museum preserves the maritime history and the history of submarine veterans and offers education programs and tours of the museum and lighthouse. Exhibits in the museum include one of the largest collections of old lighthouse lenses in the state, and rooms dedicated to famous ships that tragically sank in Lake Superior, like the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Henry B. Smith, as both ships sank in devastating storms over Lake Superior in different decades of the 20th century.

The Tunnel of Trees

One of the more unique natural landmarks in the state is the Tunnel of Trees, which is a scenic 20-mile stretch of road covered by trees and breathtaking views of the Lake Michigan Shoreline on State Route 119 in Harbor Springs. The roadway gives motorists and passengers views of Beaver Island, but it's very narrow, making things challenging for larger vehicles like trucks and certain SUVs.

Local businesses that are in the Tunnel of Trees include Brek-n-Ridge Farm, a private 12-stall barn with an indoor arena, Otis Harbor Springs, a wonderful hotel giving its guests immaculate views of the natural scenery in the Tunnel of Trees, and Lake Michigan, and Legs Inn, a local Polish restaurant built in the 1930s on the northern end of the Tunnel of Trees in Cross Village open seasonally. The tunnel of Trees is as iconic to the Midwest as Big Sur is to California.

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

A classic American staple not to be missed in Dearborn is The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, which is a must-visit for car enthusiasts wanting to learn about the history of the automotive industry and its origins. The museum was founded by Henry Ford in 1929 and is operated by the Edison Institute. It has an endless number of exhibits and artifacts from the bus Rosa Parks was arrested on, President John F. Kennedy's presidential limousine, and Mr. Ford's first car, the 1896 Ford Quadricycle.

A separate attraction at the museum is Greenfield Village, a 90-acre outdoor village with nearly 100 historic buildings reassembled, from the likes of Henry Ford's childhood home, Thomas Edison's Menlo Park Complex, and the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop from Dayton, OH, to name a few iconic and historical buildings on display.

USS Edson

Just on the northern end of the Saginaw River is the USS Edson of the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum in Bay City. The USS Edson was commissioned in 1958 and was named after Marine Major General Merritt A. Edson. The ship was in service for 30 years, as it endured 10 tours of the Vietnam War from 1964 until 1974, providing naval support, protecting air carriers, and playing a huge role in Operation Eagle Pull in Cambodia in 1975. The U.S.S. Edson was officially decommissioned in 1988, spent 15 years at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York City, and was donated to the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum in 2012, where it's remained ever since. Visitors to the USS Edson can enjoy public events, group tours, and private events such as weddings, meetings, and banquets.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

A natural gem to explore in the Upper Peninsula near the community of Paradise is Tahquamenon Falls State Park, referred to as the "Niagara Falls of Michigan," and the Upper Falls is the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The Upper Fall spans about 200 feet wide and has a 50-foot drop surrounded by immaculate, rocky, and forested scenery. The park near the falls is home to numerous camp sites, overnight lodging facilities, a boat launch, and over 35 miles of trails for hikers and adventurers to explore. The best spot to view the upper falls is from a wooded boardwalk, while the lower falls are best viewed from a footbridge that takes people to a small island, where people can find another boardwalk for perfect views of the falls.

Motown Museum

Visit Detroit to check out the Motown Museum, also known as "Hitsville U.S.A.," which preserves and showcases the legacy of Motown music and was the original headquarters of Motown Records, founded by Berry Gordy. Visitors are treated to learning about the iconic record label through interactive exhibits, including Studio A, where many iconic songs were recorded by Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, and the late Marvin Gaye. The museum gives people an immersive experience learning about the history of music and what it was like being in the studios of the original Motown Records.

Amazing Attractions by the Great Lakes

Each of these incredible attractions in the "Great Lakes State" is breathtaking, extremely memorable, and historic, highlighting the state's heritage in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Whether it's exploring historical museums or enjoying the immaculate water from the Great Lakes, there's something for everyone at these iconic attractions. Those choosing a path that includes exploring natural wonders and learning more historical facts about what makes the state of Michigan a unique place to visit and live should schedule a trip to the many wonders awaiting discovery.