12 Most Loved Tourist Attractions In Michigan

Shaped by the beauty of the Great Lakes, Michigan has long been considered a tourist hot spot. In addition to bustling cities like Detroit, Michigan also features an abundance of natural highlights, including places like the car-free Mackinac Island and its beloved Arch Rock. These beautiful environmental hallmarks attract millions of visitors from around the world each year. Mix in some of the state's best museums, and you will have some of the most loved tourist attractions in the Great Lakes State.

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is a true Michigan gem, seeing over 1 million tourists each year. The island is so beloved that several publications, including USA Today, have named it one of the top summer travel destinations in the US. Situated in the waters of Lake Huron, Mackinac Island has been car-free for over 100 years, opting for travel by foot, horse, or bike instead. This inspires a slower pace of living and is one of the main reasons that the island makes for such a relaxing vacation.

While here, travelers can spend their time exploring island highlights such as the Mackinac Island State Park. Inside the park, towering limestone bluffs and unique rock formations like Arch Rock take center stage. Visitors can enjoy the natural views while wandering 70.5 miles of trails and roads that wind throughout the park.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Travelers looking to dip their toes in the sand and enjoy the great outdoors will be delighted to find Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Located in the tiny village of Empire, Michigan, this national park is a popular travel destination for all kinds of tourists. The park features dunes, huge bluffs, pristine lakes, thick forests, and a beautiful lighthouse for visitors to enjoy. As a designated dark sky viewing area, staying in the park after sunset is a memorable and worthwhile experience.

Hiking enthusiasts will find several trails to explore ranging in length from 1.2 miles to 8 miles. Along the way, hikers can enjoy close-up views of the park's flora and fauna. Animals such as black bears, beavers, raccoons, and white-tailed deer are just a few examples of species that call this national park home. Witch hazel, orange butterfly milkweed, and trilliums along with several freshwater plants and trees also line the trails, depending on the season.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Tucked along the edge of Lake Superior lies the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. As far as Michigan tourist destinations go, it’s hard to top the natural beauty that abounds here. During a visit to the park, expect to see everything from cascading waterfalls and beaches to layered sandstone cliffs and dense forests. With so many stunning features, travelers will want to spend as much time as possible in the park. Luckily, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers a decent selection of camping options including drive-in car camping and more advanced back-country campsites.

During the day, visitors can spend their time swimming, hiking, kayaking, and fishing. In the winter months, the park is an ideal destination for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, ice fishing, winter camping, and admiring the massive icicles that form each year.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Between towering waterfalls, vibrant fall foliage, and over 35 miles of scenic trails, it’s no surprise that Tahquamenon Falls State Park is considered one of the state’s best tourist attractions. Located in the appropriately named town of Paradise, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a haven for outdoor recreation. The park spans a whopping 50,000 acres and offers visitors places to camp, picnic, hike, and boat.

Of course, the park’s main attractions are the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon waterfalls. The upper falls stretch 200 feet wide, making it “one the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River,” according to the state park website. In peak season, the park runs a shuttle between the upper and lower falls making it easier to admire both in one day. There is also plenty of wildlife and foliage to admire here. Animals including otters, deer, foxes, and bald eagles are just a few of the species one can expect to encounter at the park.

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Those looking for easy, family-friendly day trip ideas should look no further than the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Located in Dearborn, Michigan, not far from Detroit, the museum boasts 26 million unique artifacts ranging from John F. Kennedy’s limousine to the bus where “Rosa Parks took a stand by taking a seat.”

In addition to the wide range of artifacts, the museum also serves as a filming location for the popular TV series: The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation. Visitors who plan accordingly can tour the museum while filming is ongoing to get a fun peek behind the scenes. After thoroughly touring the museum grounds, visitors can head to Ford's Garage Dearborn for one of their famous burgers.

Detroit Institute of Arts

Calling all art lovers! The Detroit Institute of Arts is a popular attraction featuring one of the largest collections of art in the country. Visitors can expect to see over 65,000 pieces of art spanning from ancient civilizations to contemporary times. In addition to the art collection, the Detroit Institute of Arts also hosts regular events, including guest artist workshops and drawing nights for children.

At the museum’s John R entrance, visitors will find the Detroit Film Theatre which shows a range of classic to modern cinema inside of its 1920s-era vintage auditorium. Travelers looking to spend a full day in the area will find several other nearby museums and attractions including the Michigan Science Center and the Detroit Historical Museum.

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is a popular seasonal destination, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. During a visit, museum-goers can expect to learn how harrowing maritime travel on the Great Lakes used to be. From documented shipwrecks to grand tales of survival, the museum is an ideal attraction for boat lovers and history buffs alike.

Also on the museum grounds, visitors will find a 1923 Surfboat House, a 1920s restored US Navy Radio Building, a 1923 Motor Lifeboat House, a Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters, and the historic Whitefish Point Light Station. The lighthouse, which has been in continuous operation since 1861, is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior and has landed itself on the National Register of Historic Places.

Motown Museum

The Motown Museum in Detroit, is a beloved tourist attraction ideal for music lovers of any age. The home was originally purchased by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy in 1959 and was quickly converted to an admin building and recording studio for the label. Today, visitors can tour this flagship location and admire a long-gone moment, frozen in time.

The apartment portion of the house where Berry Gordy lived and the famous “Studio A” recording studio are both still intact for visitors to enjoy. The list of artists that recorded albums here is long and star-studded including the likes of Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, and Lionel Richie just to name a few.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, with its 150 acres worth of greenery, sculptures, art, and beautiful plants are a few of the delights that await tourists. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan the park is a globally renowned garden and sculpture park, celebrated for its stunning horticultural displays.

Detroit Zoo

When it comes to popular Michigan tourist attractions, it doesn’t get more classic than the Detroit Zoo. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, the zoo has become a staple in the city and has attracted millions of visitors since first opening in 1928. While exploring the grounds, zoo-goers will see over 2,000 animals that belong to more than 200 different species. From tiny frogs to large jungle cats, the variety here is impressive. Aardvarks, monkeys, tigers, butterflies, bison, flamingos, and penguins are just a few examples of the animals that call the zoo home.

After a long day of walking around the zoo grounds, travelers can rest and enjoy a hot slice of Detroit-style pizza at Buddy’s Pizza. Or grab one of the city's iconic chili dogs at Coney Corner. In addition to animals and places to eat, the zoo also has several shops where visitors can find the best souvenirs. Places like the Zoofari Market and Kaman’s Art Shoppes are great for gifts. Or, keep an eye out for Kaman’s wandering photographers to capture a special memory.

Comerica Park

Anyone looking to make their next vacation a home run will want to visit Detroit’s Comerica Park. Home to the MLB’s Detroit Tigers, the park is a great spot to take in a game, grab a hotdog, and soak up everything the park has to offer. During a visit, travelers can opt to take a behind-the-scenes tour for $20 a person. The park is also home to a range of additional attractions including a 50-foot Ferris Wheel with baseball-shaped seats, a beautiful carousel, a towering water fountain that shoots “liquid fireworks”, and several places to eat and drink including the Blue Moon Brewhouse.

Oval Beach

Oval Beach is a clean, family-friendly beach located on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is one of the main attractions in the popular beach town of Saugatuck, and offers visitors views of rolling sand dunes and sparkling lake water. According to a report published by the Michigan Coastal Community Working Waterfronts, Saugatuck’s population swells to three times its normal size in the summer, seeing more than 2 million visitors to Oval Beach and the surrounding area every year.

While here, visitors can swim, bask in the sun, enjoy a picnic, and wander the surrounding hiking trails. The beach is open year-round but can become quite crowded in the summer months. Visitors are advised to always plan ahead and not to count on parking being available during peak hours.

In Conclusion

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a slice of Michigan history or want to get outside and explore, these tourist attractions have you covered. From world-famous beaches to historic recording studios and famed shipwrecks, there is a little something for everyone in the Great Lake State. In any season, at any time, travelers can always count on Michigan to have some of the best tourist attractions around. So don’t wait, start planning your next adventure today.