Final region of Michigan today….then it’s onward to Indiana! Here we go!

Bellevue

• Dyer Kiln Historical Site: Check out these historic limestone kiln ruins.

Saint Joseph

• St. Joseph North Pier Outer Lighthouse: Set of range lights on the north pier.

Saugatuck

• Saugatuck Dunes State Park: Dune area along Lake Michigan.

Sawyer

• Warren Dunes State Park: Explore large sand dunes and the shoreline of Lake Michigan in this park.
• Warren Woods State Park: Wooded recreation area filled with trails.

South Haven

• Kal-Haven Trail State Park: This trail runs through 33 miles of old railway.
• South Haven Lighthouse: Adorable red lighthouse at the end of the pier.
• Van Buren State Park: Park on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Stevensville

• Grand Mere State Park: Great beach area along Lake Michigan.

Wayland

• Bysterveld Park: Beautiful park that contains 2 miles of nature trails.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org

Moving into our second to last region of Michigan today and hitting up the Detroit area!

Ann Arbor

• Matthaei Botanical Gardens: Gorgeous gardens owned by the University of Michigan.

Dearborn

• Arab American National Museum: First museum in the world dedicated to Arab history and culture.
• Henry Ford Estate-Fair Lane: Estate of Ford Motor founder.
• The Henry Ford Museum: Visit this museum of innovation.

Detroit

• Detroit River Light: Light located on the south pier.
• Ford Field: Home of the Detroit Lions.
• GM Renaissance Center: Set of 7 skyscrapers that form the Detroit skyline and are home to GM headquarters.
• Historic Fort Wayne: Old fort located along the Detroit River.
• The Parade Company: Take a tour of the floats used in Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• William Livingstone Memorial Light: This lighthouse was built on the east end of an island near Detroit.

Grosse Ile

• Grosse Ile North Channel Front Range Lighthouse: Two lights work together to protect this channel.

Lansing

• Malcolm X Homesite Marker: First memorial marker for a public figure in Lansing.
• Michigan History Center: Learn all about the history of the state.
• State Capitol Building: Tour the state’s capitol building.

Monroe

• River Raisin National Battlefield Park: Only National Battlefield to mark a site from the War of 1812.

Royal Oak

• Detroit Zoo: Explore all the fun species of animals that call this zoo home.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org

Moving over to the Lake Huron side of Michigan today.

Au Gres

• Gravelly Shoal Lighthouse: Lighthouse built to help mariners navigate Saginaw Bay.

Bay City

• Saginaw River Lighthouse: Range lighthouse system built in the 1840’s.

Caseville

• Albert E. Sleeper State Park: Protects a stretch of beach along Lake Huron.

Cass City

• Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park: Contains the largest collection of Native American petroglyphs in Michigan.

Croswell

• Croswell Swinging Bridge: Longest suspension footbridge in the state.

Flint

• Stepping Stone Falls and Picnic Area: Where the Flint River becomes a lake, this area offers lots of hiking trails.

Harbor Beach

• Harbor Beach Light: Cute lighthouse located on Michigan’s thumb.

Mount Pleasant

• Meridian Park: Picturesque park along a river.

Port Austin

• Port Austin Reef Light: Lighthouse off the shore of Lake Huron at the tip of Michigan’s thumb.

Port Hope

• Point Aux Barques Lighthouse and Museum: One of the ten oldest lighthouses in Michigan.
• Stafford Park Historical Chimney: Old saw mill chimney.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org

Moving further south in the Mitten, today we check out the West Central Region.

Grand Haven

• Grand Haven South Pier and Lighthouses: Take a walk along this pier and explore two lighthouses.
• Grand Haven State Park: This park is located on the south side of the harbor and is filled with sandy beach land.

Grand Rapids

• Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park: Huge botanical garden, art museum, and outdoor sculpture park.

Holton

• Blue Lake County Park: Fun place to swim and camp along the lake.

Ludington

• Big Sable Point Lighthouse: Black and white striped lighthouse on the edge of Lake Michigan.
• Ludington North Breakwater Light: Steel plated lighthouse on the pier.
• Ludington State Park: Beach area along Lake Michigan.
• Waterfront Park and Sculpture Garden: Park along the harbor filled with sculptures.

Mears

• Little Sable Lighthouse: Classic lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan.
• Silver Lake State Park: Park that features dunes along Lake Michigan and a smaller lake that gives the park its name.

Montague

• World’s Largest Weathervane: Built by factory workers, this is the largest functioning weathervane.

Muskegon

• Lakeshore Museum Center: Hands on exhibits about local history and science.
• Muskegon South Pierhead Light: Iconic red lighthouse that marks the harbor channel.
• P. J. Hoffmaster State Park: Features 3 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.
• Pere Marquette Park: Swim in Lake Michigan in this certified “clean beach” area.

Newaygo

• Newaygo State Park: This park overlooks a pond formed from a flooding of the river.

North Muskegon

• Muskegon State Park: Explore the shorelines of Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.

Paris

• Eiffel Tower: Visit this replica in the town that shares the famous name.

Whitehall

• Duck Lake State Park: This park features a towering sand dune.
• White River Light Station Museum: Sits on a thin peninsula separating White Lake from Lake Michigan.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org

Today we move into the other upper corner of the Mitten. Exploring the northwest corner today!

Bellaire

• Grass River Natural Area: Beautiful area to hike among trails and boardwalk areas.

Clarlevoix

• Fisherman’s Island State Park: State Park located along 6 miles of Lake Michigan.

East Jordan

• Raven Ridge Nature Preserve: Explore cliffs and caves at this nature area.

Empire

• Robert H. Manning Memorial Light: Lighthouse surrounded by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Explore the dunes for which this area is named.

Frankfort

• Port Betsie Lighthouse: Picturesque lighthouse along the shore of Lake Michigan.

Harbor Springs

• Stutsmanville Bog Nature Preserve: Hike through the trails along the bog.
• Thorne Swift Nature Preserve: Hike through this wooded area near the lake.

Interlochen

• Interlochen State Park: Michigan’s first state park that is nestled between two lakes.

Manitou Islands

• South Manitou Island Light: Visible from the mainland, this is a well known landmark.

Northport

• Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum: Lighthouse that marks the Manitou Passage.
• Leelanau State Park: Park encompasses the entire tip of the Leelanau Peninsula.

Petoskey

• McCune Nature Preserve: Hike along this river area.
• Petoskey State Park: Located on Little Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan.

Traverse City

• Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park: Popular urban park and campground area.
• Mission Point Lighthouse: Lighthouse located at the end of Old Mission Point.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org

Today we move into the “mitten” of Michigan and hit the Northeast corner!

Afton

• Agnes S Andreae/Banwell Nature Preserves: Hike some fun trails in both locations!

Alpena

• Alpena Light: Small lighthouse on the shore of Lake Huron.
• Treaty of Saginaw Marker of 1819: Marks the final treaty between the Native Americans and the state of Michigan.

Atlanta

• Clear Lake State Park: Park along spring fed Clear Lake.

Harrisville

• Negwegon State Park: Park located along the shores of Lake Huron.
• Sturgeon Point Lighthouse: Lighthouse along Lake Huron.
• Sturgeon Point State Park: Undeveloped park along the rocky shore of Lake Huron.

Onaway

• Onaway State Park: Located on the shore of Black Lake.

Ossineke

• Dinosaur Gardens: Explore prehistoric life with a dozen home made sculptures.

Presque Isle

• New Presque Isle Lighthouse Park and Museum: Tall new lighthouse that sits on a peninsula that juts into Lake Huron.
• Old Presque Isle Lighthouse: First lighthouse that was built in the area.

Rogers City

• Forty Mile Point Lighthouse: Lighthouse that marks no specific harbor or mouth.
• Thompson’s Harbor State Park: Hike along this wooded area and shoreline of Lake Huron.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org

Today we tackle the final region of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula before heading into the “Mitten” later this week.

Beaver Lake

• Whiskey Point Light: Small light tower in the harbor.

Bois Blanc Island

• Bois Blanc Island Lighthouse: Historical lighthouse located on this island in Lake Huron.

Brimley

• Point Iroquois Lighthouse: Lighthouse named for the Iroquois warriors that were massacred in the area.

Carp Lake

• Wilderness State Park: Wilderness area along Lake Michigan.

Cedarville

• Martin Reef Lighthouse: Old lighthouse out in the middle of Lake Huron.

DeTour Village

• DeTour Reef Light: Restored offshore lighthouse.

Mackinaw City

• Alexander Henry Park: This park is located just at the tip of the “Mitten.”
• Colonial Michilimackinac: Explore this reconstructed fort and trading post.
• Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum: Explore this vessel specifically designed for ice breaking in the Great Lakes.
• McGulpin Point Lighthouse: Overlooks the Straits of Mackinac.
• Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse: Part of Colonial Michilimackinac.

Mackinac Island

• Fort Mackinac: 18th century fort that served as a trading post.
• Mackinac Island State Park: Michigan’s First State Park.
• Mackinac State Historic Parks: Take in various historic sites around the island.
• Round Island Lighthouse: Located along the Straits of Mackinac that connect Lake Michigan to Lake Huron.

Paradise

• Tahquamenon Falls State Park: Two different waterfalls located along the Tahquamenon River.

Saint Igance

• Bridge View Park: Overlook two Great Lakes and the Mighty Mackinac Bridge.
• Father Marquette National Memorial: Pays tribute to the life and work of Father Jacque Marquette.
• St. Helena Island Lighthouse: Located near the Mackinac Bridge.
• Straits State Park: Located on the Northern shore on the Straits of Mackinac.
• Wawatam Lighthouse: Modern lighthouse that guards the harbor.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org

So many fun things to do in the Central portion of the Upper Peninsula!

Beaver Island

• Beaver Head Lighthouse: Located high on the bluff of Beaver Island.
• Squaw Island Light: Located just a few miles north of Beaver Island.

Escanaba

• Cedar River Lighthouse: This lighthouse is located at the mouth of the Cedar River.
• Sand Point Lighthouse: Located in a park on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Garden

• Fayette Historic State Park and Harbor: Visit this old “ghost town” preserved within this park.

Gladstone

• Boney Falls Basin: Man made falls and lake area.

Grand Marais

• Au Sable Light Station: Active lighthouse within Pictured Rocks Lakeshore.
• Grand Marais Harbor Range Lighthouse: Small light located along the coastline.

Gulliver

• Seul Choix Point Lighthouse: Lighthouse located in the northwest corner of Lake Michigan.

Manistique

• Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park: One of many impressive waterfalls in the area with several different observation decks.
• Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse: Small red lighthouse located in the harbor.
• Palms Book State Park: This park is known for it’s gorgeous “Big Spring.”
• Rainey Wildlife Area: Check out some hidden gem hiking trails in this area.

Marquette

• Black River Falls: Huge Waterfall with viewpoints.
• Granite Island Lighthouse: Gorgeous lighthouse located on the island.
• Little Garlic Falls: Small waterfall along the river.
• Marquette Harbor Lighthouse and Maritime Museum: Picturesque red lighthouse located on a bluff above the lake.
• Marquette Presque Isle Lighthouse: Small breakwater light.
• Morgan Falls: Small falls along Morgan Creek.
• Reany Falls: Another set of falls along a creek.
• Unnamed Falls and Carp River Falls: Spectacular views of these roaring falls.
• Warner Falls: Waterfall that can be viewed from the road.
• Yellow Dog (Hills) Falls: Easy access falls.

Munising

• Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse: Old abandoned wood lighthouse.
• Grand Island North Lighthouse: Lighthouse located high on the bluffs of the lake.
• Munising Fall Visitor Center: Located within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
• Munising Range Lighthouse: Two lighthouses work in tandem to guide boats.
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: Hike along this lakefront area known for it’s multi colored rock formations.
• Wagner Falls Scenic Site: Beautiful waterfall on Wagner Creek.

Negaunee

• Michigan Iron Industry Museum: This museum is built atop an iron range to help share the history of the industry.

Newberry

• Crisp Point Light Historical Society and Lighthouse: Lighthouse located along the shores of Lake Superior.
• Muskallonge Lake State Park: Explore this area along Lake Superior.

Rapid River

• Peninsula Point Lighthouse: Located at the tip of the Stonington Peninsula.
• Rapid River Falls Park: Small flat rock falls.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org

Today we head into a new state that contains 9 regions! Michigan is split into two distinct Peninsulas, but we are going to explore the Upper first which contains three of the nine regions.

Baraga

• Baraga State Park: This park sits on the shores of Keweenaw Bay in Lake Superior.

Chassell

• Keweenaw Waterway Lower Entrance Light: This lighthouse marks the entrance to the Portage River.

Crystal Falls

• Bewabic State Park: This park sits along the shores of Fortune Lake.

Ironwood

• Miners Memorial Heritage Park: Built on the reclaimed site of an old iron mine.

Kenton

• Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness: Wilderness area known for Sturgeon Falls.

Marensico

• Lake Gogebic State Park: Sits on the shores of Lake Gogebic, the largest inland lake on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Ontonagon

• Fourteen Mile Point Lighthouse: Unique abandoned lighthouse.
• Ontonagon Lighthouse: Tour this historical lighthouse.
• Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Gorgeous state park with varied trails and landforms. Hike in the woods, among waterfalls, and along Lake Superior.

Paulding

• Bond Falls Scenic Site: Popular waterfall site in the western UP.

Trout Creek

• Agate Falls Scenic Site: Roadside waterfall park just off the state highway.

All attractions found on http://www.michigan.org.