Great Lakes · Lakeshores to the Upper Peninsula · Statehood 1837
Michigan
State
Field Guide
Four of the five Great Lakes touch Michigan, which gives it more freshwater coastline than any other state. Sandstone cliffs rise from Lake Superior, dunes climb from Lake Michigan, and one island has banned cars for more than a century. Here is where to start.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Upper Peninsula · Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Cruise PastPictured RocksCliffs
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretches 42 miles along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, where sandstone cliffs as high as 200 feet are streaked with mineral stains in red, orange, green and brown. Boat cruises from Munising run beneath the cliffs and past arches and waterfalls, and trails along the rim give views from above. It was set aside in 1966 as the first national lakeshore in the United States. Lake Superior is cold even in summer, so pack layers.
02.
Lake Michigan · Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
ClimbSleeping Bear Dunes
Sleeping Bear Dunes rise as much as 450 feet above Lake Michigan on the northwest side of the Lower Peninsula. The Dune Climb is the classic stop, a steep sand slope that is harder to climb than it looks, while the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive reaches overlooks of the lake and the dunes. Beaches, forest trails and the old Glen Haven village sit within the same lakeshore. Bring water and shoes you can empty of sand.
03.
Straits of Mackinac · Mackinac Island
Ride AroundMackinac Islandby Bike
Mackinac Island sits in the Straits of Mackinac and is reached only by ferry or air. Motor vehicles have been banned since 1898, so bikes, horse-drawn carriages and walking are the ways to get around. The 8.2-mile loop road (M-185) around the island is flat and follows the shoreline, with Arch Rock along the way and historic Fort Mackinac above the harbor. Stay for the evening after the day-trip crowds leave.
Little-Known Gem
Tahquamenon Falls: theAmber Falls of the Upper Peninsula
Tahquamenon Falls State Park · Upper Peninsula · Paradise
Most visitors to the Upper Peninsula head straight to Pictured Rocks. Tahquamenon Falls State Park, near Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior, has one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. The Upper Falls are about 50 feet high and 200 feet wide, and the water is stained amber by tannins from the surrounding cedar swamps. A short trail leads to overlooks of the Upper Falls, and a longer trail connects to the Lower Falls.
Michigan Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Michigan outside Detroit?
Three classics are Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Mackinac Island. A lesser-known stop is Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula. Sleeping Bear and Mackinac fit into a long weekend in northern Lower Michigan, while Pictured Rocks and Tahquamenon are best combined on an Upper Peninsula trip.
When is the best time to visit the Upper Peninsula?
Late June through September has the warmest weather and the most open boat tours and trails. Fall color peaks in late September and early October, and winters bring heavy snow, so many seasonal services close.
How do I get to Mackinac Island?
Ferries run from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace from spring through fall, with limited winter service. Cars are not allowed on the island, so park on the mainland and bring luggage you can carry or ship ahead.