Michigan is the only state in the United States rocking two peninsulas and cozying right on up to four of the five Great Lakes. Seriously, that kind of geography makes it sound like the ideal candidate for road trip adventures, doesn’t it?
Don’t just look at beautiful Michigan pictures and soak in the mind-blowing scenery through your phone. Instead, get in your car and get a real feel for the natural beauty of the state and stumble upon charming little towns tucked in all corners of the state by hitting the road.
Today, let’s take a look at eight different Michigan road trips you can take this summer across this interesting state. If you’re a Michigan newbie, it might be worth combining a few of these ideas and getting a more comprehensive feel of the state. You can vary the duration of the trips at your convenience. But honestly, to really dig in and enjoy each of these road trip ideas, you’re looking at around five days per route.
Let’s get rolling!
The Complete Lake Michigan Circle Tour (Lower Peninsula)
Let’s start the first Michigan road trip idea with one that hugs the beautiful coastline of Lake Michigan and covers some of the prettiest towns in the Lower Peninsula. From iconic dunes to Dutch heritage, art towns, and, of course, lakeside beauty, there is a ton to see on this route.
Start off your Lake Michigan Circle road trip in New Buffalo. This town is buzzing with beautiful beaches and boasts a lively arts scene. From there, head straight to Saugatuck/Douglas, affectionately known as Michigan’s Art Coast, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by galleries, one-of-a-kind shops, and fantastic eateries.
Carve out enough time for Holland, where Dutch heritage flourishes. You might want to match your visit with the Tulip Time Festival in May for better photo opportunities and a unique experience.
Continuing north, Muskegon welcomes you with its rich maritime history. The USS Silversides submarine museum is particularly impressive, but you can also simply enjoy some time at Pere Marquette Park if that’s more your speed.
If you seek adventure, make a pit stop at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, where riding the dunes creates lasting memories. A short 20-minute drive away will bring you to Pentwate, where you can spend time shopping in lovely boutiques or, if you visit in summer, relax on the serene beaches.
However, the undisputed highlight of this route is the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you can hike to the top of the Empire Bluff Trail for awe-inspiring panoramic views. Your road trip should then continue towards Traverse City, the cherry capital of Michigan, a haven for wineries, craft breweries, and stunning lake vistas. The Leelanau Peninsula has even more wineries and breathtaking scenery.
Finally, end your road trip on the Old Mission Peninsula. The lake views from here are breathtaking and will leave you with an indelible memory of your Lake Michigan road trip.
Upper Peninsula Waterfalls and Wilderness Expedition
The Upper Peninsula, affectionately known as the UP, is more of an adventurer’s paradise than the Lower Peninsula. The UP offers breathtaking waterfalls, dense forests, and rugged coastlines along Lake Superior, making it a must-see destination for wilderness enthusiasts.
Start in Sault Ste. Marie, where you can see the Soo Locks. While this might not seem like the most exciting stop, it is one of the largest locks in the world that allows ships to pass between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lake. Watching these colossal freighters glide through the locks from up close is a one-of-a-kind experience.
From there, head to Tahquamenon Falls State Park. This park is home to Tahquamenon Falls, which is one of Michigan’s most iconic waterfalls. It’s actually divided into two sets of different waterfalls. The park features both the Upper and Lower Falls, where you can enjoy hiking, picnicking, and beautiful views of the water.
Next, make your way to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It is one of the coolest places in the country, where cliffs rise dramatically above Lake Superior. The vibrant colors and unique rock formations also make for excellent photo opportunities.
Next up is Marquette, located on the shores of Lake Superior. It’s a great town to stop in that has a mix of history, natural beauty, and outdoor activities. From Marquette, continue driving west to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Spend enough time here as there are plenty of things to do. Hike through ancient forests to witness the Lake of the Clouds and numerous cascading waterfalls. You can even kayak or fish in pristine rivers and lakes. The place is also a dark-sky location.
From here, enjoy the panoramic views from Brockway Mountain Drive overlooking Keweenaw Bay and Lake Superior. Finally, continue up to Copper Harbor, the northernmost point in Michigan. It is the gateway to Isle Royal National Park, one of the least visited national parks in the U.S., and it is worth the visit!
The Serene Sunrise Coast (Lake Huron)
The next road trip idea takes you around the Sunrise Coast of Michigan, along Lake Huron. This route is serene and peaceful, packed with lighthouses, historic sites, and maritime history. This section of the state is perfect for those who want to explore Michigan’s quiet, scenic beauty through gentler activities like beachcombing and leisurely sightseeing.
For this road trip, start in Tawas City, where you’ll find scenic beaches of Lake Huron, a laid-back ambiance, and many pretty, less-known coastal towns. From there, head to Oscoda, known for its proximity to the Au Sable River and the expansive Huron-Manistee National Forest, providing many opportunities to hunt and fish in this area.
Next on this route is Harrisville State Park. This park offers a peaceful place to enjoy nature with some campgrounds located right at the beach, which is a rare privilege! The views from the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse are also worth checking out while you’re in the area.
From here, in Alpena, you can visit the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary. It’s a great place to learn about shipwrecks and maritime history, especially in the context of Michigan history. Further up, in Rogers City, a charming small town, you can enjoy its lovely pier and experience the area’s limestone-rich landscape.
The final stop is Mackinaw City, where you can catch a ferry ride to the infamous Mackinac Island. The city itself also has many historical tourist attractions, but a ton of people make Mackinac Island their summer travel destination each year.
Detroit and Southeast Michigan History and Culture Immersion
Detroit is Michigan’s largest city, and in recent years, the city has had a rebirth and this vibrant metropolis known for its automotive and music industries.
This Michigan road trip will allow you to gain insights into the history and culture of Detroit and Southeast Michigan, so instead of seeing the charming small towns of Michigan, this route will give us more time within the cities.
Start in Detroit and visit the Henry Ford Museum straightaway to learn about the history of the automobile industry. The Motown Museum, also located right in Detroit, offers insight into the birthplace of the legendary music genre, while the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) boasts an impressive collection of art from around the world.
After taking some time to visit Downtown Detroit, stop in Dearborn, a smaller city right outside of Detroit, and visit the Ford Rouge Factory and the Arab American National Museum to continue your museum tour throughout this area.
Next, we’re going to head over to Ann Arbor. This college town atmosphere blends with a dynamic arts and food scene, perfect if you seek a more relaxed vibe. Then next on the route is Ypsilanti, which also has a rich automotive heritage and is home to the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum.
If you’re looking for a break from all the cities, make sure to stop in Frankenmuth, a charming Bavarian-themed town with an old-world feel. The Thumb Region of Michigan also offers rural landscapes and picturesque small towns such as Port Huron and Lexington. These towns are perfect for enjoying quiet coastal views and charming shops.
Inland Waterway Exploration (Northern Lower Peninsula)
Unlike the urban road trip to Detroit, this Michigan road trip is all about exploring its many bodies of water spread out all across the state and its coastline, hugging the Great Lakes! On this road trip, enjoy the calm and peace of gentle rivers, little towns, and inland lakes, which are perfect for swimming, tubing, boating, or fishing.
Begin your journey in Petoskey, a town with Victorian-style buildings and views of Little Traverse Bay. A short, scenic drive away is Harbor Springs, a delightful town with stunning lakeside views and boutiques. Next, head inland to the Crooked Lake and Pickerel Lake. These lakes are excellent spots for swimming and kayaking.
The final leg of this road trip is the focal point of this journey. In this leg, you will explore the vast interconnected expanse of two of Michigan’s largest inland lakes, Burt Lake and Mullet Lake, where opportunities for boating, fishing, or simply lounging by the water are abundant here.
You can end your journey at these lakes or drive even further up to the Cheboygan River, a vital waterway connecting these inland gems.
The Relaxing Gold Coast (West Michigan South of Muskegon)
Get away from the everyday grind by taking a leisurely road journey south of Muskegon along West Michigan’s “Gold Coast. This route has a refreshing mix of quaint coastal towns, enticing beaches, and a leisurely pace.
Start your road trip at Grand Haven. In case you are unaware, Grand Haven is a classic lakeside town known for its famous boardwalk that stretches along Lake Michigan, its historic lighthouse that guides ships, and its wide, gorgeous beaches, ideal for sun-drenched days.
Next on this route is Grand Rapids. This town is known for its thriving cultural scene and emerging craft beer culture and is only a short drive inland from Grand Haven. Once you reach Grand Rapids, visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, a good break from the Michigan coastline visits!
Your next destination on the lakeside is Holland where you should explore the Windmill Island Gardens and relax on Lake Michigan’s sandy shoreline.
Next, head south to stop at Saugatuck/Douglas, a town that is nothing short of an artistic sanctuary. Here, appreciate a lovely mix of art galleries as well as breathtaking dunes with expansive lakefront views. Further down the coast, stop at South Haven a family-friendly treasure. It has excellent beaches that are ideal for your family, quaint local stores to visit, and plenty of chances to just unwind and take in the serene surroundings of Lake Michigan.
New Buffalo, the city with which we began our Lake Michigan Circle Tour, is where you will end your southbound trip. Here, check out West Michigan’s Gold Coast by visiting the historic lighthouse, taking a relaxed stroll along the many beaches, and eating delicious local food.
The Vibrant Colors of the Keweenaw Peninsula (Fall)
The Keweenaw Peninsula is the ideal route for an autumn road trip because of its breathtaking fall foliage. Taking this road trip is an excellent way to explore the area’s rich mining heritage, beautiful drives, and colorful fall foliage.
Start at Houghton and Hancock, which are twin cities located on either side of Portage Lake. You can also stop and learn about the region’s copper history.
From here, take the northward road towards Brockway Mountain Drive. As you climb higher on this road, you will enjoy excellent views of the entire peninsula from up here. In fall, this vantage point is particularly photogenic as the forests below turn in different shades of red, orange, and yellow.
As you keep going toward the tip of the peninsula, you will reach Michigan’s northernmost point, Copper Harbor. Here, you will get to see the massive Lake Superior with its coastline vistas. There are many hiking options here. Throughout this road trip, keep an eye out for the many waterfalls on the Keweenaw Peninsula.
A Taste of Southwest Michigan (Culinary Journey)
With its delicious selection of vineyards, breweries, and farm-to-table experiences, southwest Michigan is a food lover’s paradise. Thanks to this foodie-specific Michigan road trip, you can enjoy the best of Michigan’s culinary scene with little backtracking!
Start your journey along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, which is lined with vineyards with a superb wine collection. To accompany your wine tour, head south along the coast to St. Joseph, a quaint town with local cideries and breweries.
Proceed along the coast to the creative community of Saugatuck, then to the family-friendly beaches of South Haven, and lastly to the southern entryway of New Buffalo.
Each of these lakefront towns offers many dining alternatives that serve the local, fresh flavors of Southwest Michigan.
For a more thorough exploration of the area’s beverage industry, head inland to Paw Paw. Lastly, travel a little further inland to Kalamazoo, a thriving city with many regional cideries and brewers as well as busy farmers’ markets selling Southwest Michigan’s abundant agricultural produce.
Tips to Combine Michigan Road Trips
If you have never been to Michigan before, it would make sense for you to head on one long Michigan road trip. In this case, you will have to combine multiple road trips.
The Grand Michigan Loop could combine the Lake Michigan Circle Tour with parts of the Upper Peninsula route. Or, if you’re more interested in the northern parts of Michigan, combine the Inland Waterway Exploration with parts of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour and some regions of the eastern Upper Peninsula.
You could even take a West Michigan Blend road trip, which combines the Gold Coast with the southern parts of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour, and an inland trip to explore Grand Rapids.