The moment has arrived. Your in-laws are coming to Michigan from out of state. You usually resort to taking them to a museum, maybe the local Applebee’s for dinner, and maybe a city park for grilling. At the end of their trip they usually wind up feeling…underwhelmed. It’s as if they’ve learned nothing about the great Mitten State.
We say, make this visit different. Break out of the mold and show them some of the places that really define Michigan. We’ve got some ideas that you might not otherwise consider for an out-of-towner to give them the authentic Great Lakes State experience. Check it out.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes
Abhijit Bhatwadekar/Flickr If your guests are coming in from either of the coasts, they’ll automatically assume that they’re land-locked or that a lake couldn’t possibly provide the kind of beach experience they’re accustomed to. Prove them wrong by taking them to Sleeping Bear Dunes, one of the most beautiful coastlines in all of America.
- Arcadia Dunes
Rachel Kramer/Flickr Got a hiker in your midst? Head to Arcadia Dunes, specifically Old Baldy, where you’ll encounter sweeping views of Lake Michigan. If you’ve got some mountain bikes, there are some portions of Baldy Trails that allow biking.
- Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail/Facebook Once you’ve dazzled your guests with the wonders of the lake, introduce them to the unexpected deliciousness of Michigan-made wine. The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is made up of nearly 20 wineries, giving you plenty of unique tasting options.
- Holland
Dawn Endico/Flickr Many folks from out of state assume Michigan is made up of lakes and car factories. Little do many know, it’s also home to the quaint town of Holland, where you will encounter acre upon acre of beautiful tulips.
- Grand Rapids pub crawl
HopCat/Facebook Beer fans will love this. Michigan is increasingly becoming known as a hub for craft brewing. When you visit Grand Rapids, you get to sample many of these awesome beers at the many breweries and pubs. Pictured here, HopCat, known for serving up tons of craft brews and great food.
- Detroit Restaurant Week
Detroit Restaurant Week/Facebook Twice a year, in spring and in the fall, many of the restaurants in Detroit change up their formats to give guests a taste of their menus. During this time foodies get to try out several courses on special prix fixe menus at discounted rates. It’s a fantastic way to indulge in the huge growth in the city’s restaurant scene. Pictured here, Gold Cash Gold in the city’s Corktown neighborhood.
- Eastern Market
Eastern Market/Facebook What many folks don’t know about all the fabulous new Detroit restaurants is that most of them source their ingredients locally. Specifically, you’re likely to see many chefs at Eastern Market on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Show your guests an array of fresh produce, artisan food products, and interesting crafts - all in this historic, open-air market.
- Slow Roll
Russ/Flickr When you’ve finished chowing down, get into shape with Slow Roll. If you haven’t heard about it yet, Slow Roll is a critical mass bike ride that takes place throughout Detroit neighborhoods. We’re not talking a dozen or so. More like thousands. They meet at different spots every Monday during the warmer months. The ritual has created a global following, with similar rides in cities in several countries. Talk about Detroit Bike City.
- Sunrise Coast
Cathy/Flickr Maybe you and your guests are looking for a bit of solitude. Head to Lake Huron, where you will witness hands-down the most stunning sunrises in the state. Added plus, this lake is less frequented than Lake Michigan, thus you avoid the crowds.
- MSU Dairy Store
MSU Dairy Store/Facebook Michigan State University is considered a top agricultural college. Maybe not super exciting for guests on vacation. But wait, there’s more. If you stop by the MSU Dairy Store, you’ll be treated to some top notch ice cream. It’s without a doubt a local favorite.
- Traverse City
Joey Lax-Salinas/Flickr The movie buffs in your party needn’t jet off to Hollywood for enticing film screenings. Instead, venture off to Traverse City for its annual film festival, held every summer.
- Mackinac Island
gus bus/Flickr Michiganders know just what fun it is to take a trip to Mackinac Island. Rest assured, if your guests are coming from outside the Midwest, they very well may never heard of the island… Or the yummy fudge that’s made there.
And there you have it. A nice primer for your visitors. We promise they’ll return home experts on all things Michigan. Tell us though, what are some of those underrated destinations that you just have to make sure your out-of-towners get to? We wanna know!
Abhijit Bhatwadekar/Flickr
If your guests are coming in from either of the coasts, they’ll automatically assume that they’re land-locked or that a lake couldn’t possibly provide the kind of beach experience they’re accustomed to. Prove them wrong by taking them to Sleeping Bear Dunes, one of the most beautiful coastlines in all of America.
Rachel Kramer/Flickr
Got a hiker in your midst? Head to Arcadia Dunes, specifically Old Baldy, where you’ll encounter sweeping views of Lake Michigan. If you’ve got some mountain bikes, there are some portions of Baldy Trails that allow biking.
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail/Facebook
Once you’ve dazzled your guests with the wonders of the lake, introduce them to the unexpected deliciousness of Michigan-made wine. The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is made up of nearly 20 wineries, giving you plenty of unique tasting options.
Dawn Endico/Flickr
Many folks from out of state assume Michigan is made up of lakes and car factories. Little do many know, it’s also home to the quaint town of Holland, where you will encounter acre upon acre of beautiful tulips.
HopCat/Facebook
Beer fans will love this. Michigan is increasingly becoming known as a hub for craft brewing. When you visit Grand Rapids, you get to sample many of these awesome beers at the many breweries and pubs. Pictured here, HopCat, known for serving up tons of craft brews and great food.
Detroit Restaurant Week/Facebook
Twice a year, in spring and in the fall, many of the restaurants in Detroit change up their formats to give guests a taste of their menus. During this time foodies get to try out several courses on special prix fixe menus at discounted rates. It’s a fantastic way to indulge in the huge growth in the city’s restaurant scene. Pictured here, Gold Cash Gold in the city’s Corktown neighborhood.
Eastern Market/Facebook
What many folks don’t know about all the fabulous new Detroit restaurants is that most of them source their ingredients locally. Specifically, you’re likely to see many chefs at Eastern Market on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Show your guests an array of fresh produce, artisan food products, and interesting crafts - all in this historic, open-air market.
Russ/Flickr
When you’ve finished chowing down, get into shape with Slow Roll. If you haven’t heard about it yet, Slow Roll is a critical mass bike ride that takes place throughout Detroit neighborhoods. We’re not talking a dozen or so. More like thousands. They meet at different spots every Monday during the warmer months. The ritual has created a global following, with similar rides in cities in several countries. Talk about Detroit Bike City.
Cathy/Flickr
Maybe you and your guests are looking for a bit of solitude. Head to Lake Huron, where you will witness hands-down the most stunning sunrises in the state. Added plus, this lake is less frequented than Lake Michigan, thus you avoid the crowds.
MSU Dairy Store/Facebook
Michigan State University is considered a top agricultural college. Maybe not super exciting for guests on vacation. But wait, there’s more. If you stop by the MSU Dairy Store, you’ll be treated to some top notch ice cream. It’s without a doubt a local favorite.
Joey Lax-Salinas/Flickr
The movie buffs in your party needn’t jet off to Hollywood for enticing film screenings. Instead, venture off to Traverse City for its annual film festival, held every summer.
gus bus/Flickr
Michiganders know just what fun it is to take a trip to Mackinac Island. Rest assured, if your guests are coming from outside the Midwest, they very well may never heard of the island… Or the yummy fudge that’s made there.
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