St. Joseph, Michigan pier at dusk

15 Best Things to Do in St. Joseph Michigan (2026)

When it comes to Lake Michigan beach towns,St. Joseph, also known as the “Riviera of the Midwest,” is one that needs to be at the top of your Michigan travel bucket list.

For generations, visitors have been heading to St Joseph (not Saint Joseph), for family vacations, spring break, summer getaways or just a day trip. Whether you’re headed for famed Silver Beach and the Silver Beach Carousel; the St. Joseph pier lighthouses on north pier or downtown St. Joseph, there’s something to do for all ages in and interests in St. Joes, one of our favorite Michigan beach towns.

whitefish point lighthouse

Whitefish Point Michigan: Lighthouse, Shipwreck Museum & Birding (Local Guide)

Whitefish Point, home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, a bird observatory, an underwater preserve and Michigan’s oldest still operating light station on Lake Superior, should be at the top of your Michigan travel bucket list.
This pretty, unspoiled spot, set on a windswept, Whitefish Bay cape jutting into Lake Superior is not only picturesque, it’s also historically significant.

aerial view of port huron michigan

15 Best Things to Do in Port Huron Michigan (2026 Local’s Guide)

The small city of Port Huron sits on the shore at the meeting point between Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. This location and the maritime history associated with it has granted Port Huron the title of the “Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes.” Much of the culture and recreation in Port Huron revolves around the water, including a historically significant lighthouse, plenty of ship-watching, boat races, and more. Moving away from the water, visitors are welcome to explore a broad collection of museums, downtown riverfront dining, shopping, and more. 

Aerial view of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in fall showing Lake Michigan shoreline, inland lake, and autumn foliage from the overlook

Sleeping Bear Dunes Camping: Best Campgrounds + Booking Guide (2026)

Sleeping Bear Dunes camping is at the top of every Michigan bucket list, and with good reason. Set along the stunning shores of Lake Michigan of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Glen Arbor and Empire Michigan, this is one of the most popular camping areas in the lower peninsula.
Filled with inland lakes, the picturesque Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, a towering dune climb and endless miles of sandy Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of northern Michigan’s top tourist attractions.

road winding through a tunnel of trees in autumn

Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees: Complete Guide to the M-119 Scenic Drive

It’s one of northern Michigan’s not-so-best-kept-secrets: a beautiful drive north of Harbor Springs that takes you under a leafy ceiling of leaves…deep greens in the spring and summer and beautiful reds and golds in the autumn months. Michigan’s tunnel of trees is a perfect spot for Michigan fall color tour, and it’s worth exploring in the summer and winter months, too.

hand clinking glasses at a brewery

Breweries Near New Buffalo Michigan: Beer Church, Ghost Isle & More

If you’re a beer enthusiast visiting or residing near New Buffalo, Michigan, you’re in for a treat. Set in the middle of southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country on the shores of Lake Michigan, New Buffalo boasts a thriving craft beer scene, with an array of exceptional breweries that will satisfy any palate.
Whether you’re a Michigan craft beer aficionado or a casual drinker, you’ll love visiting these breweries near New Buffalo Michigan.

restaurants in new buffalo

Best Restaurants in New Buffalo Michigan: Waterfront, Burgers, Breweries & More

There is no shortage of New Buffalo restaurants, and that’s a great thing for visitors who flock to the area for the gorgeous Lake Michigan beaches, and stunning natural beauty year-round.
Located just 90 minutes from both Chicago and Grand Rapids, this Michigan city is big on eateries, breweries, and wineries, offering many choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ll find everything from soul food to crab legs, from wine bars to outdoor patios. Read on for 20 Top restaurants in New Buffalo Michigan

new buffalo restaurants

New Buffalo Michigan: A Local’s Travel Guide (2026)

Longing for the relaxation of a quiet Lake Michigan beach?

Eager to explore a quaint Michigan beachtown with a laid-back, small-town vibe?

If so, put beautiful New Buffalo, MI in Berrien County on your travel list today.

We’ve been visiting New Buffalo and the Harbor Country our entire life and want to tell you: there is something special about this hidden little beachtown, tucked away snug of the shores of Lake Michigan.

From the moment you exit the expressway (it’s just off I-94, if that’s how you choose to come), you can’t help but take a deep breath and feel the magic, like a soft lake breeze that sweeps over your entire being.

man in a wheelchair on beach looking at water

The Best Wheelchair Accessible Beaches in Michigan, Region by Region

The BEST ADA, Handicap and Wheelchair Accessible Beaches and Hiking Trails in Michigan. Find where and how to rent FREE Track Wheelchairs at Michigan State Parks and other locations in Michigan. Find info on Mobi-Chairs and Beach Wheelchairs in Ludington, Tawas, South Haven, St Joseph, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Grand Haven and Charlevoix. Info on Joy2Ride Benzie, wheelchair accessible biking trail.

lighthouse in alpena michigan

The Best Things to Do in Alpena, Michigan (From Someone Who Keeps Coming Back)

Whether you’re looking for sandy beaches to splash along, hiking trails alive with brilliant fall colors, or a snowy winter wonderland to explore by sleigh, sled, skis, or snowshoes, this bustling little city in Alpena County has it all year round. One of my favorite things about visiting Alpena is the endless miles of beaches, manicured parks with hiking and biking trails, rivers and lakes for kayaking and paddle boarding, farmers’ markets teeming with fresh produce, first-class fishing charters, and more…and that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the fun things to do in Alpena.

lake huron beach in oscoda michigan

The Best Things to Do in Oscoda, Michigan (From Someone Who Keeps Coming Back)

In search of the perfect beach day, we headed to northern Michigan and one of our favorite vacation destinations: the sandy beaches of Oscoda, MI. This fun Lake Huron beach town has the perfect setting for all kinds of recreational activities from swimming and kayaking to hiking and biking to fishing and paddle boarding to…you get the picture

overview picture of mackinac island, one of the best places in michigan to visit

Best Places to Visit in Michigan: A Local’s Guide (2026)

You’ll find amazing Michigan vacation spots just about anywhere you look, whether you want a cozy, romantic getaway in the lower peninsula or a wild outdoor adventure in the U.P. The spectacular diversity of the land just offers so much for travelers seeking both excitement and serenity.
With 3000 miles of dramatic Great lakes coastline, sprawling forests, clear inland lakes, and meandering streams, there’s no end to the natural beauty of Michigan. You’ll also find charming small towns and hip, bustling cities filled with rich culture to visit in Michigan.

Sleeping Bear Dunes national lakeshore in Michigan is one of things to do in michigan in the summer

25 Best Things to Do in Michigan This Summer (From Someone Who Does Them Every Year)

There is magic to be found in a Michigan summer.
The list of things to do in Michigan in summer is endless, so I’ve created a summer vacation bucket list filled with pure Michigan fun.
Summer in Michigan means cool blue water for swimming and boating, endless miles of trails for hiking, and tons of Michigan beaches for exploring.
If you made it through winter in Michigan, you deserve to experience the beautiful warmth of summer! From splash pads to farmers markets, from county fairs to hot air balloon festivals, there are tons of fun activities to add to your ultimate Michigan bucket list of summer activities.
Here are 25 of the best things to do in Michigan in summer.

a flight of craft beer on a table for the traverse city breweries

31 Top Unique Traverse City Breweries: YOUR Ultimate Guide

We took an adventure through the Traverse City area, and found a variety of breweries worth exploring. Craft brewing is alive and well here, and we discovered that while Traverse City beer comes in many styles, they’re all worth checking out.

The Traverse City area is a true paradise for outdoors-lovers with outdoor adventures including hiking trails, biking trails and miles of Lake Michigan beachfront.

This growing city, the county seat of Grand Traverse County, is also a paradise for foodies and craft-beef

Lake Huron shoreline with word Huron written in sand at water’s edge

Lake Huron Michigan: A Local’s Complete Travel Guide (2026)

Lake Huron is synonymous with wide, sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters. It’s a perfect spot for swimming, splashing and playing in the freshwater surf.

We’re sure that Lake Huron’s stunning coast is a true natural Michigan treasure, and we think you’ll agree once you’ve visited.

We’re sharing everything you need to know about visiting Lake Huron in Michigan.

We’re also giving you an interactive Lake Huron Travel Map, to make sure you don’t miss a spot on this beautiful coast.

Read on to discover everything you need to know to start planning or visit to this magical Michigan coastline.

tents along a river

Michigan River Camping: 10 Best Rivers to Paddle and Camp (2026)

River camping is a fun and exciting way to experience the many beautiful bodies of water Michigan offers.
There’s something so enticing about packing up, situating yourself in a canoe or kayak, and floating down the river to experience Michigan’s natural beauties. Whether you enjoy fishing, rowing, or just want to take on a challenge, river camping is sure to provide something for you to enjoy.
There are so many rivers to choose from in Michigan, and it may be overwhelming to narrow down which ones you want to visit on your trip.
This list compiles ten of our favorite spots you should consider on your next river camping trip, with suggested boat launching coordinates to accompany the descriptions.

A row of grape vines at a Traverse City winery

Best Traverse City Wineries: Old Mission + Leelanau Picks

Situated between Michigan’s pinky finger (also known as the Leelanau Peninsula) and the rest of the mitten, Old Mission Peninsula juts out into Grand Traverse Bay, splitting it into East and West arms. Because of this, Old Mission has some of the best views in all of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. This is Michigan’s wine country, and nothing pairs better with the gorgeous view of the bay than a glass of Michigan wine from one of the many lovely wineries found along the Old Mission Peninsula wine trail.

Lake Huron sandy beach with dunes and sailboat along Michigan shoreline

20 Best Lake Huron Beaches in Michigan: A Local’s Guide (2026)

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.