Top Ten Michigan Vacation Spots – Ground Transportation Guide

Road Trip to Great Michigan Locations

Michigan is full of great vacation and day trip spots. From up north towns, beaches, natural areas, trendy shops, golf courses, wineries, there is a city for every traveler. There are seasonal festivals, concerts, tours and attractions to entertain guests during their stay. Guests can enjoy bed and breakfasts, camping, cottage rentals and 4 Diamond hotels throughout Michigan. Most people are familiar with the Pure Michigan radio ads and billboards (preach it Tim!) that feature Michigan cities and what makes them special and unique. Check out our top 10 picks for your next vacation in Michigan. If you fly into Detroit, why not hire a chauffeured ground transportation company to make your travels even easier?

Sleeping Bear Dunes, photo credit: Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island: Mackinac Island is probably one of the most well-known Michigan destinations, located in “up north” Michigan. The only motorized vehicles allowed on the island are emergency vehicles; everything is horse-drawn or bicycles. Visitors can enjoy the amazing venues, popular fudge and historic venues. The Island is home to the famous Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island State Park and Fort Mackinac. Take one of the horse-drawn tours around Mackinac Island to learn all about its history, landscape and more! Visitors can go to the Island on ferries from either Mackinac City or St. Ignace.
Leelanau Peninsula: The Leelanau Peninsula is full of quaint towns, shops, beautiful lakeshore and of course, wineries! The towns all along the peninsula boost some of the best and award-winning wineries in Michigan. Hop on a tour bus to visit the wineries and vineyards that have amazing views of Michigan lakes. Each winery and vineyard offers something different and a unique tasting experience year round.
Traverse City: Home to the famous Cherry Festival at the end of June, Traverse City has everything you need for your summer vacation. Located on the Grand Traverse Bay, there are over 180 miles of sand shoreline, dunes and lakes to be explored. The Grand Traverse Resort and Conference Center offers the complete package for corporate and social outings. The downtown area is stocked with amazing restaurants, stores for shopping and microbreweries. Traverse City was also recently named one of America’s top five foodie towns by Bon Appétit. The area is also surrounded by some of Michigan’s premier and most scenic golf courses.
Muskegon: With 27 miles of sandy shores, dunes and trails, Muskegon will delight visitors with its natural beauty. This is a great place for families to visit because of the Michigan’s Adventure Amusement and Waterpark! Visit the park during the day then head downtown to enjoy dinner at a great restaurant. After dinner head back to your campsite for a camp fire or back to your hotel for a good movie. Muskegon has over 60 miles of winding bike trails and over 77 species of fish in the nearby rivers and lakes for outdoor lovers to enjoy.
Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo is full of big city energy with a small town feel that features unique shops, galleries and live entertainment. Breweries and foodie tours showcase Kalamazoo’s dining atmosphere. Along with many outdoor recreation opportunities, ski slopes, festivals, mountain bike trails, river spots in the area will keep visitors occupied.
Isle Royale: While Isle Royale has no shopping, breweries or golf courses, the natural untouched beauty makes it a must see. The island is home to many wild animals like wolves and moose along crystal clear waters. Only reachable by boat or plane, Isle Royale is great for a day trip of hiking or overnight outback camping. This National Park serves as a living laboratory and the United States Biosphere Reserve.
Ann Arbor: Known as the college town for the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is anything but college bars and book shops. Downtown Ann Arbor has many restaurants and breweries to keep you satisfied, such as Zingerman’s and Arbor Brewing Company. The Ann Arbor Film Festival is also held here, which is an Academy Awards-qualifying festival.
Grand Rapids: Recently, named Beer City USA 2013, Grand Rapids has so much to offer travelers visiting for work or for fun. Visitors can easily enjoy shopping downtown, walking along the beach or even a Whitecaps baseball game. Grand Rapids hosts numerous events year round, such as the Frederik Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series, Jazz Week, Founders Fest and more. Hit award-winning breweries like Founders Brewing Co. Brewery Vivant or take a ride on the craft brewery tour. Let Aristocat Transportation make your brewery tour safe and fun.
St. Ignace: Cross over the Mackinac Bridge to St. Ignace, the gateway to the Upper Peninsula. Stroll through their downtown of locally owned shops and restaurants or catch a ferry over to Mackinac Island. There are also many historic museums and locations to tour around the area. St. Ignace holds the 2013 Native American Festival, 64^th Annual Mackinac Island Festival and the Pavilion Wine and Beer Tasting. Enjoy the beauty of the straits with their dozens of lighthouses and beaches.
Ludington: Ludington is located along the coast of Lake Michigan about an hour south of Traverse City. Visitors can enjoy local breweries and restaurants along with popular ice cream shops and stores. The historic S.S. Badger docks here along sandy beaches and lighthouses. Make sure to bring your fishing pole, because Ludington is Michigan’s #1 Salmon fishing port! There are more recreation and camping opportunities surrounding the area at Ludington State Park and Mason County Park. The Annual Michigan Disc Golf State Finals are also held Labor Day weekend in Ludington.

Posted on February 25th, 2015 in Michigan Events & Destinations, Vacations.