Michigan does not get enough praise for how special the state is. Michigan is my home, so I have had years and years to explore and appreciate the state. Every season has something to offer, but there is nothing like a summer in Michigan! In my opinion and experience, here are the best spots to visit in Michigan during the summertime.

Saugatuck, Michigan

Saugatuck is the perfect artsy district with an exceptional downtown area with countless boutiques, wonderful waterside restaurants, and a couple of ice cream shops to keep you happy. The town really comes to life for tourists in the summertime. It sits right on Kalamazoo River, but if you want to be on Lake Michigan, rent a boat or kayak or spend a day at Oval Beach. There are plenty of activities to keep a family entertained as you can go on dune rides, play mini golf, hike Mt. Baldhead, or spend time at the park with views of the river while listening to live bands. I have another blog post on what to do in Saugatuck, Michigan, so be sure to check it out!

Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City is the place to go for water views, fresh local cherry picking, wine tasting at luxurious vineyards, and downtown shopping. If it is your first time here, you need to make a day-trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes! Sleeping Bear Dunes is home to iconic water views, hikes, and dunes. Check out the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park website for more information. Traverse City also is a wonderful place to go camping. To read more on the beloved town of Traverse City, check out my blog post on what to do in Traverse City.

Munising, Michigan

Michigan has a lower peninsula and an upper peninsula. To get the full Michigan experience, you should visit both peninsulas. The upper peninsula (U.P.) is known for nature and camping opportunities. People who live in the U.P. are referred to as Yoopers. Be sure to visit Pictured Rocks during your trip. My favorite memory was going on a kayaking tour to Pictured Rocks. Stay in a yurt, try a pasty (popular local pastry filled with meat and other ingredients), and swim in the lake to get the full Yooper experience.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

A trip to Mackinac Island is a must. Mackinac Island is unique because it is an island accessed by ferry where there are no cars allowed (besides an ambulance). You can walk around the island, rent bikes, or get in a horse-drawn carriage. You can come here to unwind on a small island and spend time with your family. Fill up on fancy fudge, go on a hike, bike around the island, play mini golf, or learn about the history of the island. For more information, click on my blog post that explains what to do on the island.

Grand Haven, Michigan

Grand Haven is another quaint beach town located on Lake Michigan. There is a lovely downtown area with coffee shops, cute boutiques, souvenir stores, and ice cream shops. You can find several great restaurant options downtown. Otherwise, there is a beautiful spot on the beach called Noto’s at the Bil-Mar. Nothing tops a restaurant where you can dine outside while watching the sunset. Grand Haven has a musical fountain that gathers crowds throughout the year as well. Click here to see the musical fountain showtimes. If you end up visiting Grand Haven in the summer, check to see if the Coast Guard Festival will take place during your vacation dates.

Conclusion

These are just a couple of the summer hot spots in Michigan. Where is your favorite vacation spot in Michigan?

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers to summers by the lake and making connections around the world! To find my other blog posts, check out the destinations tab on my website.