view of mackianc island and the harbor

Your Ultimate Guide to Mackinac Island, Michigan (2025 Edition)

If you haven’t visited the beautiful Mackinac Island MI, it should be at the top of your Michigan bucket list. Nothing is quite like it – the lakeside views while biking on the coast; the quaint, car-free village with a connected community; the mouth-watering fudge on virtually every corner of the island.

With a Mackinac Island Michigan guide like this one, you’ll be able to plan your vacation and explore Mackinac without missing anything. Whether you’re getting ready for a solo trip to Mackinac or you’re visiting Mackinac Island with kids and other family, there is an endless supply of things to do and enjoy during your stay. Also, if you’re looking for Mackinac Island date ideas, you’ve come to the right place!

traverse city cherry festival ferris wheel

Traverse City Cherry Festival 2025: The Ultimate Guide

The Traverse City Cherry Festival is THE summer festival in northern Michigan. It’s a celebration of northern Michigan’s favorite fruit on the beautiful shores of Grand Traverse Bay, and it’s one of my favorite Michigan events.

It’s eight days of celebrating everything cherry: cherry blossoms, cherry pies, even a national cherry queen. The annual event is part old-time country fair; part rockin’ beach party; part family-friendly carnival and full-on fun.

From classic car shows to the arts and crafts fair; from a sand sculpture contest on the beach to the Cherry Porch parade, National Cherry Festival week is one giant party in downtown Traverse City and the festival grounds. You’ll find lots of kid’s activities, too, like a Bubble Gum Blowing content and cherry pieeating contests. There are performances to watch, from the Ultimate Air Dogs to the Navy Blue Angels; from Jim Gaffigan to Boyz II Men and Collective Soul. And that’s just a small taste of the many activities planned for this fun event. Whether you take a day trip or a longer vacation, you’re going to want to put the Traverse City National Cherry Festival on your Michigan summer bucket list.
Read on for everything you need to know about this exciting summer festival in Traverse City Michigan.

beautiful lake michigan bay in petoskey michigan

My Petoskey, Michigan Travel Guide: Lakeshore Charm, Adventure & Local Favorites

Visit Petoskey and Harbor Springs, MI | BEST Beaches in Petoskey and Harbor Springs | Vacation in Petoskey, MI | Plan your best family-friendly vacation | ADA & Wheelchair accessible beaches | Dog-friendly beaches in Petoskey | Petoskey and Harbor Springs Travel Guide | Petoskey State Park | Magnus City Beach Park | Thorne Swift Nature Preserve | Zorn Park Beach | Petoskey Lodging and Restaurants

Hand holding a small US flag and sparkler

Michigan Fourth of July Events: Parades, Fairs & Festivals (2025)

Excited to celebrate the 4th of July Michigan style? Fourth of July is one of the top party weekends in Michigan. Everyone decked out in red, white, and blue ready to have fun in the sun all day long and enjoy beautiful firework shows at night.

Are you struggling to find something to do for the family or with your friends during this fun-filled weekend? Well, look no further. We have compiled a list of this year’s must-see and do Fourth of July activities and events.

The party is on this Fourth of July season in Michigan, with parades, fairs, cookouts, music festivals, and more. Read on to find Michigan July 4th events near you!

people watching fourth of july fireworks in michigan

Best Michigan Fourth of July Fireworks Displays (2025 Edition)

There’s no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday – America’s Independence Day – than gathering with friends and family on a Michigan beach to see a sizzling spectacular fireworks display over the water.

Watching the bright colors burst against a dark night sky (cue the Ooohhs and Aahhs) while commemorating the birth of the USA is a summer rite of passage for many Michigan residents and visitors alike.

Michigan music festivals

BEST 2025 Michigan Music Festivals: Pop, Rap, Jazz, Classical, Rock and More

Music festivals are a must-do activity for any lover of the summer months, and Michigan’s music scene is hot! Cites across Michigan offer plenty, all covering a different genre and fitting into a unique niche.

Musical fests offer a great opportunity to kick back and enjoy the Michigan outdoors. This list covers a total of 15 music festivals to keep your eye out for when making your summer plans in Michigan.

Noth Bar lake, one of the top quiet beaches in Michigan

Best Quiet Beaches in Michigan: My Favorite Peaceful Escapes

Shhhh…we’re going to let you in on some of Michigan’s best-kept secret beaches. These are the beaches that you only learn about if you ask a “local”… the clandestine spots that the people who live near these beach keep to themselves. Sometimes, those “in-the-know” will share this exclusive information with you if you ask really, really nicely :). We have asked nicely, and that it what we will share with you.

Tawas Point lighthouse on lake huron

Lake Huron Lighthouses: My Guide to Michigan’s Most Beautiful Beacons

Looking for your very own cinematic pure Michigan trip? While the state has many opportunities to enjoy those looming structures once used and some still used to aid navigation for boaters back to the shore, the best place to see lighthouses is on Lake Huron in northern Michigan. Indoor tours of these Lakehouses of Lake Huron as well as some beautiful scenery surrounding make these the best date location, family fun day, or a solo trip anyone can make any one of these following destinations the perfect day trip.

picture of horse passing mackinac island lilacs

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival 2025: Full Guide to Michigan’s Most Beautiful Flower Festival

The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is one of the best flower festivals in the country.

When the lilacs bloom on Mackinac Island, their sweet, elegant aroma welcomes summer to northern Michigan and dresses the island in a debonair shade of purple.

For the 74th year, the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival will bring visitors from all around to celebrate the blooming of the over 250 different types of lilacs found on the island and whose plants have persisted there for over 200 years!

street lined with parade-goers

Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival 2025 Complete Guide (NEW Updates)

Smell the cheeseburgers wafting through the air? Hear the sounds of Jimmy Buffet songs mingled with the laughs of partygoers on a Lake Huron beach?

Yep. It’s August again, and time for the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival.

This highly-anticipated event is held mid-August and has become an essential part of Caseville, a fun resort town known for its beautiful beaches and casual, laid-back vibe.

Mackinac Island cottage - Michigan last minute getaways

15 Best Michigan Getaways for 2025

Summertime may be almost over but there’s still time for a last-minute Michigan getaway. With more than 3000 miles of Great Lakes coastline, endless inland lakes, and forests to hike, there is still time to find a summer fun adventure in pure Michigan.
Let’s face it: Michigan travel is some of the best travel in the United States. We’re spoiled here, with great state parks, fun beach towns, national lakeshores and more. From the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Tahquamenon Falls in the U.P; to Grand Rapids and even small town Ann Arbor, Michigan, everywhere in between, Michigan has tons of great places for weekend getaways. You can find tons of fun travel spots just hours or minutes from metro Detroit, Grand Rapids
Whether you’re looking for romantic getaways or a great place to take the family or simply want to get outside we’re sharing 15 fabulous last minute getaways in Michigan. Labor Day is just around the corner, so read on for some great vacation ideas for a weekend trip or getaways in Michigan before the summer’s out.

Michigan natural wonders - pictured rocks

10 Amazing Michigan Natural Wonders Worth Seeing

Michigan is well-known for its natural beauty. Whether it’s the many points of access to the Great Lakes, State Parks, or even just its many picturesque sunsets, it’s no wonder visitors adore the state’s many natural wonders.

But for the seasoned Michigan vacationer, seeing the same old beach-side views and overlooks may start to get boring. That’s why we’ve compiled this top ten list of natural wonders you should visit on your next trip to Michigan.

lake michigan at glen arbor michgan

Glen Arbor, Michigan Travel Guide: Best Things to Do & See

If you’re looking for one of the very best spots in Michigan for a vacation getaway, look no farther than Glen Arbor, Michigan.

Set in a picturesque glen in the middle of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Glen Arbor is a cherry-land paradise at the top of the list of Michigan’s must-see destinations.

And with good reason.

One visit to this beautiful, friendly town and you’ll be hooked for life. From the charming downtown that swells with delighted visitors in the summer and fall to the cozy surroundings, you can’t help but just love Glen Arbor.

Surrounded by water, including Lake Michigan Big Glen Lake, and Little Glen Lake, it’s home to some of the prettiest beaches in the country. Whether you take a boat, paddleboard, kayak or simply swim and splash on the shores, you’ll love exploring the water here.

You’ll also find boutiques and art galleries to wander, restaurants, and comfortable inns.

Read on to discover what to do in Glen Arbor MI. You’ll find everything you need to know to plan your trip to this special spot in northern Michigan.

20 best lake huron beaches

20 Best Lake Huron Beaches in Michigan (MAP)

With endless miles of pristine public beaches from Port Huron to Mackinaw City, the Lake Huron beaches are some of the best in the entire state.

From quiet, secluded beaches to busy, bustling spots filled with fun beach activities, there’s a beach for everyone on Michigan’s spectacular Lake Huron coastline.
Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or a longer vacation, you’ll also need to know more about the sparkling sands and aqua waters of Lake Huron. We’re sharing a list of 20 of our favorite Lake Huron beaches to help you plan your perfect trip to a Michigan beach.

picture of windmill in a field of tulips in holland michigan

25 Best Things to Do in Holland Michigan in 2025 (By a Local)

Welcome to Holland, the west Michigan home to tulips, beach towns, and one great trip idea! When you visit Holland, there are some essential things you have to do before you leave. We know the highlights of this beautiful little town, and we don’t want you to arrive unprepared.

Whether you’re going for a Holland day trip or planning to stay a few nights, we’ve got you covered.

couple sitting on beach on a romantic getaway in Michigan

Top 25 Romantic Getaways in Michigan for Couples

One of the best things about our great state is that romantic getaways in Michigan are only a short car ride away. 

Whether you want a short 20-minute day trip to your effortless Michigan getaway or prefer to drive for a few hours to get a true escape feeling and spend time toegther, Michigan has plenty to offer. From the lower peninsula to the upper peninsula, options for romantic vacations in Michigan for couples are everywhere. 

A romantic weekend getaway in Michigan could mean private balconies overlooking a Michigan beach, a quiet castle in the country surrounded by hiking trails or even a romantic cabin with stunning views of Lake Superior: the options are truly endless. 

I’ve put together a list of the best inn and romantic hotels in Michigan for a memorable couple’s getaway. This list will give you all of the best stops to cozy up with your partner away from the regularly scheduled hustle and bustle. 

torch lake michigan

Torch Lake, Michigan: Your Ultimate Guide to the Caribbean of the North

Much like Kid Rock’s popular song, summertime in Northern Michigan means a visit to world-famous Torch Lake, Michigan, also known as Michigan’s very own Caribbean.

This top Michigan summer vacation destination is a not-so-hidden paradise known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, stunning natural beauty and popular Sand Bar summer hang out.

Girls jumping on a beach during a girls getaway in michigan

Michigan Girls Trip: 10 Incredible Michigan Girls Getaways

Planning your Michigan girls weekend getaway?
You’re in for a treat. There is no better place to unwind and celebrate friendship than with a pure
Michigan girls’ trip!
Whether it’s southwest Michigan’s art coast, exploring the northern Michigan wineries or hiking through
the trails Sleeping Bear Dunes, there is no shortage of fun getaway ideas for a much-needed girls’
weekend.

Power boat entering a port

April in Michigan: 20 Fun Events, Festivals & Things to Do

Michigan April Events

With the coming of spring comes plenty of new and fun activities available throughout Michigan. Michigan in April brings everything to life, from the trees to the animals that live in them, reminding us all of the special things that make Michigan home.

March and April are the peak months for production of Michigan maple syrup, so feel free to take a stroll through the sugar bush trail while you learn about how maple syrup is made. Otherwise, see new art exhibitions at your favorite museums, such as the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

If neither of those interest you, you could stroll through farmers markets, or cheer on the Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel Arena as they finish up their season. Whatever your favorite April activity, there’s no wrong way to welcome spring in Michigan.

From Royal Oak, to Grand Haven, to Benton Harbor, to Mackinaw City, and beyond there’s pure Michigan fun packed into every corner of the mitten, especially is you’re looking for something to do in April “near me.”

top things to do in copper harbor mi

Copper Harbor, Michigan: 15 Best Things to Do at the Top of the U.P.

Copper Harbor is the most northern city in Michigan, located right at the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the most northern part of the Upper Peninsula.
One of the top destinations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Copper Harbor MI offers breathtaking views and endless waterfront. It also has something for every type of nature lover, whether it be hiking, canoeing, fishing, or camping.
In addition to an amazing trail system in Keweenaw County, you’ll also find waterfalls to explore, and great places for bird watching.

a bench over ooking lake michigan in a lake Michigan beach town

18 Best Lake Michigan Beach Towns

Information about family-friendly beaches in Alpena and activities for visitors. Find information about Lake Huron beach activities and beach amenities in Alpena. Information about hotels, cottages and other lodging accommodations in Alpena. Information about where to eat and dining options in Alpena. Find information about recreational activities in the area.

A beautiful garden in Michigan

Best Michigan Botanical Gardens to Visit in 2025

Spring has sprung in Michigan and with the snow gone, the grass becomes greener every day. Budding trees invite the migratory birds back home and bees bumble around newly bloomed flowers. The way the world seems to come alive during spring beckons us out of our houses to break our hermetic winter ways.

For any and all nature enthusiasts and plant lovers, beautiful botanical gardens and nature centers are the perfect way to get outside and celebrate the coming of the new season. See an endless variety of plants, both native and exotic, learn about how plants work and contribute to ecosystems, and gain a new appreciation for the green machines in our own backyards.

From herb gardens and house gardens to public gardens complete with a sculpture exhibition, there are stunning Michigan botanical gardens throughout the state to explore. So go ahead, plan a road trip or field trip to check one of these amazing gardens.

Read on to learn about some of our favorite gardens to visit in Michigan.